Understanding the Influence of Model Minority Stereotypes on Asian American Community College Students

Contrary to the model minority myth that portrays Asian Americans as academic all-stars overrepresented in elite 4-year institutions, nearly half of all Asian American college students do, in fact, attend community colleges, and many experience myriad challenges. This exploratory study utilized a qualitative analysis and investigated how model minority stereotypes influenced the educational experiences and perceptions of Asian American community college students. Purposeful sampling was used to gather a sample of 28 students who self-identified as Asian American and attended one of the three largest community college districts located in North Texas. Data collection involved a demographic questionnaire and semistructured individual interviews. Qualitative data provided description-rich information that shed light on the experiences and views of Asian American community college students, a virtually unstudied population. The participants in this study shared unique experiences and different views on model minority stereotypes. The findings suggested many Asian American community college students experience racial microaggressions related to model minority stereotypes that they perceived their peers and instructors to have held. Implications for practice and recommendations for future research designed to improve educational outcomes for Asian American community college students are addressed.