A group of seven students wearing traditional Asian attire, standing in front of a college booth.

What is ASPIRE?

The ASPIRE Program at Golden West College is a community dedicated to uplifting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students. Rooted in cultural pride and student empowerment, ASPIRE provides tailored support to help students thrive academically, grow as leaders, and connect with their heritage. From personalized counseling and leadership development to impactful workshops, cultural celebrations, and community field trips, ASPIRE creates a powerful sense of belonging and purpose. We are more than a program — we’re a movement building the next generation of empowered AANHPI scholars and leaders of tomorrow.

What ASPIRE Offers

Access to a dedicated counselor for personalized academic support
Leadership development and community engagement opportunities
First notice of events, field trips, and cultural celebrations
Workshops and events focused on AANHPI-specific guidance for navigating college and career development
Weekly Tea Talk Tuesdays, where students can connect, learn, and build community (Island Talk Mondays coming soon!)
Support for transfer readiness, including application reviews and personal statement workshops
Cultural field trips to broaden understanding and experience of AANHPI history and heritage
Special events like Lunar New Year, Thanksgiving Around the World, and AAPI Heritage Month celebrations

Meet The Team

Jolynna Dang - Aspire Program Coordinator

Senior Specialist of Equity & Special Programs

Jolynna Dang (she/her)

My name is Jolynna Dang, and I am the ASPIRE Program Coordinator at Golden West College. I was born and raised in Orange County and completed my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at UC Irvine. I am currently pursuing my Master's degree in Higher Education Administration and Policy at UC Riverside. As a proud Vietnamese American, I love learning more about my culture and those of others. I am passionate about creating a sense of belonging for all of our AANHPI students, and I hope to build a strong community through the ASPIRE program. My goal is to ensure that each student feels supported, empowered, and encouraged during their time at Golden West College. I’m always open to feedback and ideas—don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything or want to collaborate on meaningful events and initiatives!

Contact me: jdang73@cccd.edu
Days & Hours
Monday – Thursday
8 am – 4 pm

Sabrina Nguyen, ASPIRE Counselor

ASPIRE Counselor

Sabrina Nguyen (she/her)

My name is Sabrina Nguyen and I am the part-time ASPIRE counselor! I was born and raised in Orange County and am a first-generation college student. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Sociology and a Master’s degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Student Development in Higher Education (SDHE) at CSULB. As a first-generation Vietnamese-American, I am passionate about serving the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. It is important for me to create a safe environment for students so that they can feel supported throughout their time at Golden West College. I believe in the importance of community and I hope to bring that into the ASPIRE program as I build this community with our students. I welcome any students into my office and would love to collaborate with you all to make meaningful events, services, and traditions.

Contact me: tnguyen3839@cccd.edu
Days & Hours
Tuesdays– Wednesdays
8:30 am – 5 pm

Jesslyn Handaja, ASPIRE Program Coordinator

Program Coordinator

Jesslyn Handaja (she/her)

My name is Jesslyn Handaja, and I am the Program Coordinator for ASPIRE. I was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and am currently pursuing my Master’s in Counseling with an emphasis in Student Development in Higher Education (SDHE) at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). As a low-income, first-generation Chinese-Indonesian American, I know firsthand the challenges that come with navigating higher education. These experiences have shaped my passion for supporting students, particularly Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students, and ensuring they have the guidance and resources they need to succeed. I love learning about my own culture as well as the cultures of others, and I hope to create the same opportunities for our students to celebrate and embrace their identities. Representation is deeply important to me, and I strive to be the mentor and advocate I once needed during my own journey. Through ASPIRE, my goal is to build a welcoming community where AANHPI students, and all students, feel seen, valued, and empowered to achieve their goals.

Contact me: jhandaja@cccd.edu