Bunker Hill Community College Advocates for MSIs During NCAPA Week of Action

Monday, June 8, 2026

This spring, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) joined Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE) and national partners in Washington, D.C., as part of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) Week of Action, a coordinated effort to elevate community priorities and advocate for policies that support equity, access, and educational opportunity.

BHCC’s Associate Provost, Franklyn Taylor, participated in congressional meetings alongside leaders representing Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) across the country. Throughout the week, these conversations centered on a clear and urgent message: preserving federal MSI designation and funding is essential—not only for the students MSIs were originally designed to support, but for the success of all learners.

BHCC’s participation comes at a pivotal moment. Proposed federal funding cuts threaten the long-standing bipartisan investment in MSIs, putting at risk the programs and infrastructure that serve more than 5 million students nationwide. Lawmakers across the Congressional Tri-Caucus—including the Hispanic, Black, and Asian Pacific American caucuses—have been key advocates in pushing back against these threats, recognizing MSIs as a cornerstone of the nation’s higher education ecosystem.

During meetings with congressional offices, BHCC and APAHE emphasized that MSI funding is not narrowly applied. Instead, it strengthens the entire institution—building systems, programs, and supports that benefit every student who walks through our doors. At BHCC, this impact is visible across several transformative initiatives:

• Curriculum Mapping and Guided Pathways, which provide clear, structured academic pathways that improve student persistence and completion.
• Implementation of TargetX (CRM) and enhanced onboarding systems, increasing BHCC’s ability to connect students to resources early and consistently.
• English Language Learning (ELL) restructuring and alignment, expanding access and success for multilingual learners while improving overall academic integration.

These initiatives, supported in part by MSI funding, demonstrate how federal investment enables institutions to scale innovation, improve student outcomes, and build inclusive systems that uplift all learners, regardless of background.

As shared during the week’s advocacy efforts, MSI funding supports far more than individual scholarships—it enhances advising, mentoring, faculty development, culturally responsive teaching, and data-informed student success strategies. Without sustained funding, institutions risk losing critical services, widening equity gaps, and dismantling programs that have proven effective in improving retention, completion, and workforce readiness. These investments are fundamentally about strengthening the nation’s workforce, economy, and civic future.

In parallel, BHCC’s participation in broader national advocacy efforts, including the HACU Capitol Forum, underscored the power of student voices in shaping policy. Maritza Onodje, Director of Strategic Enrollment & Student Success Initiatives, said: “A student’s voice carries a weight no policy brief can replicate. When community college students speak for themselves before legislators, the case for protecting HSI and MSI funding becomes undeniable.”

As observed during these engagements, when community college students share their lived experiences directly with lawmakers, they bring urgency and authenticity that no data alone can convey.

Looking ahead, BHCC remains committed to protecting and advancing the MSI designation and funding. These federal investments are not just about sustaining programs; they are about preserving the capacity to innovate, respond to student needs, and ensure that higher education remains accessible, equitable, and effective for all.

Photo Caption 1: BHCC’s Associate Provost Dr. Franklyn Taylor (last row, far left) in Washington, D.C., as part of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) Week of Action.

Photo Caption 2: Maritza Onodje, Director of Strategic Enrollment & Student Success Initiatives, at the HACU Capitol Forum with students and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.