TORRANCE, Calif. (May 8, 2013) – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. awarded scholarships to 20 Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) students from the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines at its second annual awards dinner and reception at the Toyota Automotive Museum on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.  The scholarships were given in partnership with the Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF).
 
The scholarships provide recipients with $2,500 towards a degree in a STEM field. These 20 selected students trace their heritage to seven different countries in the Asia Pacific Island (API) region, including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Cambodia, Korea and Pakistan.  Students were also awarded a proclamation from their respective local governmental officials.
 
The focus on Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) students originates from their need of resources to access higher education, which serves as a foundation for their future success and contributions to a stronger America.  The students heard about the program through APIASF, “the nation’s largest 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides college scholarships to” APIAs.  They were encouraged to apply to the program by school and college counselors.
 
With intended majors ranging from biomedical sciences to electrical engineering and school selections from UCLA to Cal Poly Pomona, students were thankful for the scholarships while already expressing desires to give back to their communities.
 
Scholarship recipient Jose Rabaino from Carson Senior High School said, “With the scholarship, it is very likely I will be able to go to” the college of my choice. “The [Toyota/APIASF] Scholarship will help me achieve my life goals and dreams. For that, I am extremely thankful.”  He plans to study computer science.
 
TMS Group Vice President and CFO Tracey Doi also attended the event.  Doi is an advocate of Toyota Asian American Society in Alliance (TAASiA), an employee resource group that represents the diverse Asian American cultures and heritages within Toyota and the community. 
 
"Our twenty extraordinary scholars were selected from a pool of over 7,200 applicants,” said Doi.  “Toyota is proud to celebrate their outstanding academic achievements and community service.   Clearly these scholars demonstrate the drive, passion and courage to become our next generation of leaders."
 
In addition to Doi, Toyota Vice Presidents Karen Ideno, Wei Shi, and Alok Vaish participated in a panel reflecting upon “What I would tell my younger self?" These top executives are well-positioned to provide insight to the young scholars as TAASiA continuously leverages the strength of a growing population within Toyota to foster an environment and corporate culture of diversity and inclusion.