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About the Asian Pacific Promoting Educational Excellence (APPEX)
About APPEX
APPEX (Asian Pacific Promoting Educational Excellence) is a mental health and wellness cohort program open to all incoming students. It integrates student support services, interdisciplinary curriculum, and co-curricular programming, centering on nutrition, mental health, and psychosocial development within the sociocultural and lived experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. APPEX broadens access to academic support, career exploration, and wellness resources, fostering both personal growth and professional readiness.
Apply to the APPEX program - 2026-27 Applicants
By fostering a supportive and culturally affirming learning environment, the program strengthens academic self-efficacy, resilience, and overall well-being, preparing students to thrive academically and emerge as engaged scholars and leaders. The program is funded through the CSU Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Student Achievement Program (CSU ASAP) Central Office. As part of California Assembly Bill 190, annual appropriations of $8 million will be made available to the CSU to operationalize the AANHPI Student Achievement Program across the university system, as outlined in California Education Code 89297.1.
Mission
APPEX cultivates students’ self-efficacy, belonging, leadership, and persistence to thrive academically and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Why APPEX?
APPEX strengthens the University’s capacity as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), while directly advancing the priorities of the California State University Forward Student Success Framework. By connecting students to high-impact practices, mentorship, internships, and alumni networks, APPEX enhances workforce preparation and expands pathways toward long-term economic mobility.
APPEX deepens institutional serving-ness by embedding belonging, culturally responsive support, and holistic student success into the core academic and co-curricular experience, ensuring students tthrive and lead in their communities.
Students come to Sacramento State with big goals and strong motivation:
- 85.9% want better job opportunities
- 81.0% want to increase their earning potential
- 61.5% want to grow personally
The transition to college, can feel overwhelming:
- More than half felt out of place in their first weeks
- Many experienced isolation or loneliness
- Over 76% report that stress, anxiety, or depression affect their academic success
Students consistently tell us they want:
- A safe space and a strong sense of belonging
- Mental health and wellness support
- Help finding internships and jobs
APPEX brings these elements together through a structured cohort experience that integrates:
- Academic support grounded in cultural understanding
- Career and workforce development from the first year
- Alumni mentorship and professional networking
- Mental health and wellness education
- Peer connection and leadership opportunities
APPEX bridges the gap between aspiration and achievement. Students are supported and are empowered personally and prepared professionally. At its core, APPEX is about ensuring students that they belong here and that they are ready to thrive far beyond graduation.
A Place to Belong. A Path to Excel.
Benefits
- Belong to a cohort-based learning community centered on nutrition, mental health, and overall wellness.
- Build meaningful connections with professionals, alumni, and community leaders.
- Receive dedicated support from advisors and faculty scholars committed to your academic and personal success.
- Access mental health resources and comprehensive student support services.
- Gain early access to internships and career opportunities.
- Utilize a dedicated study space with computers and printing resources.
- Work with academic-specific tutors to strengthen your learning and performance.
- Receive guidance on scholarships to support your academic journey.
- Participate in workshops and events focused on career readiness, mental health literacy, and leadership development.
- Earn an APPEX Certificate of Completion and a Letter of Recommendation.
- Receive an APPEX stole to wear at graduation.
Eligibility
We will review applications holistically. To be eligible for APPEX, you must:
- Be an incoming first-time freshman for the 2026–2027 academic year
- Be admitted to Sacramento State
- Have a minimum 2.80 high school GPA
- Commit to enrolling in the required APPEX courses:
- Fall 2026 NUFD 5: Science of Food (GE Subject 5A) or NUFD 10: Introduction to Nutrition (GE Subject 5B)
- 1-unit Seminar: Mental Health and Wellness I
- Spring 2027 ENGL 5: Accelerated Academic Literacies (GE Subject 1A)
- 1-unit Seminar: Mental Health and Wellness II
- Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and remain in good standing
- Meet regularly with an academic/faculty advisor and/or peer mentor
- Participate in APPEX workshops, events, and activities
Expectations
As an APPEX Scholar, you agree to fully engage in the program by:
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA for continuing students
- Enroll in required G.E. Courses (3 units): NUDF 5 or 10 (Fall), ENG 5 (Spring)
- Attend weekly seminars (1 unit): Mental Health & Wellness I & II (Fall & Spring)
- Meet regularly with Advisor/Faculty/Mentor
- Participate in APPEX workshops, events, and activities
These expectations ensure you maximize the academic, professional, and wellness opportunities designed to support your success.
Apply to APPEX
The APPEX application is now open for Fall 2026!
APPEX application priority deadline will close on May 15, 2026.
Apply to the APPEX program - 2026-27 Applicants
There is no additional cost to apply to the APPEX program.
For any questions about the application process or APPEX program, contact us at appex@csus.edu.
Application Requirements
Complete the online application, which includes:
- Basic demographic and academic information
- Intended major and career goals
- Short personal statement
- Most updated unofficial high school transcript.
- Expectations and Agreements
Applications will be reviewed holistically based on:
- Academic readiness
- Commitment to participation
- Interest in nutrition, wellness, and personal growth
- Alignment with APPEX mission
- Sac State acceptance 2026-27
Selected students will receive an official acceptance letter (via email) with next steps, enrollment instructions, required course guidance, and summer orientation details.
Admitted students must confirmed by responding to the official acceptance letter via email at appex@csus.edu
Attend Summer Orientation & APPEX Welcome
Attend core G.E. classes (NUFD 5 or NUFD 10) and 1-unit Seminar (NUFD 199), as part of first-year cohort model for Fall 2026
What Happens After You Submit Your APPEX Application?
Your acceptance into APPEX will remain pending during the Application Review Cycle until we receive and review all required materials. Please make sure you submit the following:
- A completed APPEX application with all required information
- Your most recent unofficial transcript uploaded
- Confirmation of your admission to Sacramento State
Our APPEX team will carefully review your application and contact you with an update once all materials have been received and verified. We’re excited to learn more about you and truly appreciate your interest in joining APPEX!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at appex@csus.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
APPEX (Asian Pacific Promoting Educational Excellence) is a first-year cohort program at Sacramento State designed to empower students by combining academics, wellness, leadership development, and career readiness into one transformative learning community experience.
APPEX provides structured academic support, dedicated faculty mentorship, professional networking opportunities and programming designed to strengthen your confidence, deepen your sense of belonging, and elevate your career trajectory from your very first year in college.
APPEX is open to all students, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin, who are interested in exploring nutrition, mental health, and psychosocial development through the lived experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.
The application priority deadline is May 15, 2026. Students are strongly encouraged to apply early, as this is our first cohort in Fall 2026.
Yes. APPEX follows a structured cohort model, and students are required to enroll in designated General Education and seminar courses to fully participate in the integrated academic and co-curricular experience.
Students selected for APPEX will receive an official acceptance email with confirmation details and enrollment instructions.
No. All APPEX services, programming, mentorship, and support resources are provided at no additional cost to students accepted into the program.
Yes. Non-resident students are eligible to participate in APPEX as long as they meet program eligibility requirements.
No. APPEX admits students once per academic year as part of a structured first-year cohort model; students who are not selected may explore other campus programs (see eligibility requirements).
APPEX Scholars receive continued referrals to academic tutoring, career services, mentorship opportunities, and mental health resources beyond their first year, ensuring sustained support throughout their academic journey.
Hornet Launch will enroll you into NUFD 5 or NUFD 10 and a 1-unit seminar in the fall, followed by ENGL 5 and a 1-unit seminar in the spring.
Reach us via email at appex@csus.edu.