PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono Holds Spotlight Forum on Trump’s Dangerous Attacks on Minority Students

~ Video of the full forum can be found here and photos can be found here ~

~ Video of Senator Hirono's opening remarks can be found here ~

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) held a spotlight forum titled, "ED's Attacks on Minority Students: Defunding Programs, Limiting Opportunities," which highlighted the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) efforts to dismantle support for over 800 Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) that serve over five million students nationwide. Since the beginning of his administration, Trump has targeted programs that support students across the country, especially ones that help to serve those from low-income backgrounds, students of color, and first-generation students.

In September, ED announced that $350 million in federal funding would be redirected from MSIs to other programs. The Trump Administration followed this up in December, announcing that they would be "winding down" MSI programs moving forward.

"From threatening to withhold funding and rescinding grants, to threatening to wind down entire programs altogether, Trump and his regime have been carrying out a coordinated attack on education since Day One, and have targeted any and all programs that promote diversity, equity, or inclusion," said Senator Hirono. "Under the false pretense of addressing 'discrimination,' this administration is further limiting access to higher education for underserved and underrepresented groups by targeting funding already appropriated by Congress. All students, regardless of their background, deserve access to the quality education that will set them up for success, and I remain committed to working with my colleagues to combat this regime's attacks on students and our communities."

Specifically, the forum focused on the importance of MSIs in promoting access to higher education and the devastating impacts of defunding these programs for millions of students across the nation.

The forum featured testimony from:

• Mr. John D. Keenan, President, Salem State University, and Government Relations Committee Board Member, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
• Ms. Jo Ann Paanio, Policy Director, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans
• Dr. Rowena Tomaneng, President, Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education
• Dr. Mike Hoa Nguyen, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator for MSI Data Project, University of California, Los Angeles, and Board Member, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center
• Mr. Julian Holland, Member, National Coalition of Predominantly Black Institutions

The forum also featured pre-recorded remarks from:

• Ms. Lourdes M. Rosado, President and General Counsel, LatinoJustice
• Dr. Lui Hokoana, Chancellor, Maui College, University of Hawaii System
• Mr. Joshua Tran, Student, Duke University School of Law

In addition, it featured student remarks from:

• Mr. Kevin Adams Williams, Student, University of Massachusetts Boston
• Ms. Diana Castro, Student, University of California, Santa Cruz

At the forum, Senator Hirono was also joined by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

"I've seen firsthand how federal programs like TRIO empower students-particularly those who would not otherwise have been able to graduate high school, get into college and build a better future," said Senator Shaheen. "The Trump Administration's efforts to dismantle longstanding programs and restrict funding for higher education are dangerous and will hinder innovation, raise barriers to education access and harm students' chances to succeed across our country."

"Hispanic-Serving Institutions expand opportunity not only for Hispanic students, but for entire campus communities and regional economies," said John D. Keenan, President of Salem State University and Government Relations Committee Board Member, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. "When we invest in these historically underfunded institutions, we strengthen student success, workforce readiness, and innovation in ways that benefit all learners. Supporting HSIs is an investment in social mobility, economic growth, and the future competitiveness of our nation."

"AANAPISIs are integral to the backbone of the higher education system ensuring that first generation, immigrant, and multilingual students from AAPI families with low income have the opportunity to succeed and thrive no matter where they're from or what their zip code might be," said Jo Ann Paanio, Policy Director at the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans. "We cannot address and close equity gaps in higher education by closing down the targeted supports, services, and systems that students need. Investing in AANAPISIs means investing into the next generation of young leaders and changemakers."

"Defunding AANAPISIs does not simply reduce federal spending-it dismantles proven infrastructures that advance retention, completion, and workforce preparation," said Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng, President, Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education. "These programs are not supplemental; they are essential to closing equity gaps for first-generation and low-income students. Their loss will reverse hard-won gains, widen disparities, and weaken institutions that serve as gateways to opportunity."

"Minority-Serving Institutions are the backbone of American higher education and engines of economic opportunity," said Dr. Mike Hoa Nguyen and Principal Investigator for the MSI Data Project and Board Member of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center. "Empirical research demonstrates that investing in MSIs yields exponential returns, driving social mobility and ensuring millions of students have a pathway to academic and professional achievement."

"Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) are more than just schools with high Black enrollment; they are legally distinct from Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well," said Julian Holland, Member of the National Coalition of Predominantly Black Institutions. "PBIs are federally designated economic engines that support communities within systemic barriers. Defined by the 2008 Higher Education Act, these institutions serve over 300,000 students across 19 states and over 60 institutions-most of whom are first-generation or low-income-acting as vital community anchors that drive the regional workforce. PBIs stand steadfast in our commitment to serving all our students, yet the discontinuation of grants impacts the resources and supports our students can access. We implore all that value accessible and affordable education to boldly support funding for these essential programs."

Video of the full forum can be found here and photos can be found here.

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