Asian American Studies’ pedagogical roots lie in its collaborative development of teaching environments that challenged hierarchical modes of learning, placing students and community members as the forebearers of knowledge production. This roundtable explores how this kind of engagement can be utilized again even as institutionalization of Asian American Studies presents unique opportunities and challenges for its expansion. Using the newly developed Neon Pacific Initiative at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas as a case, this roundtable brings together faculty members, graduate, and undergraduate student perspectives on how Asian American Studies at UNLV has created an open space for learning despite increased attacks on Ethnic Studies across the country.