UH American Samoa Cohort STEM program graduates 53

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The University of Hawai‘i (UH) American Samoa Center celebrated the graduation ceremony for the Pacific-Focused Master’s Degree (PACMED) Cohort AS5 and Cohort 36 Bachelor’s of Education Programs, last Thursday, December 18, 2024, at the Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium in Utulei.

This momentous occasion celebrated the achievements of 53 local UH students who attended the ceremony, after successfully completing the rigorous place-based STEAM integrated curriculum. This innovative program is designed to empower Pacific Islanders with cutting-edge 21st-century knowledge and teaching skills, all tailored to the unique Fa’a Samoa cultural and social context.

Master of Ceremony, Pesemālie Ronald Turituri, greeted family members and friends of the graduates and local dignitaries in both English and eloquent Samoan oratory. He expertly coordinated the guest speakers, combined-cohort musical selections, and presentations of the graduates.

Distinguished guests included Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga, Lt. Governor-elect Pulu Ae Ae, Jr., DOE Director Talauega Dr. Samasoni Asaele, UH Dean Tim Slaughter and faculty who were all in attendance to honor the graduates’ dedication, service, and hard work.

The ceremony began with the invocation delivered by Rev. Alama Solofa of the CCCAS Vailoatai, who elaborated on the graduation theme, "Mānava ma le Mu'a."

He explained that "Mānava" means to breathe, and can also signify expressing or articulating ideas, feelings, or knowledge. "Mu'a," on the other hand, signifies budding or new life.

Rev. Solofa emphasized the significance of these concepts in celebrating the graduates' academic achievements, which were accomplished through unwavering commitment and perseverance during countless hours of study.

"As you receive your academic certifications today, remember that it comes with an important responsibility which you are obligated to carry out to the best of your abilities," Rev. Solofa reminded.

"That is to breathe out the knowledge you have acquired to the young budding minds of your students. I urge you to trust in the Lord and He will help you in performing your duty. Proverbs 3: 5-6 says, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.'"

Governor Lemanu in his keynote address expounded on the graduation theme from a different perspective.

He mentioned that the theme, "Mānava ma le Mu'a," can signify breathing a new beginning. While acknowledging its many interpretations, he chose to focus on the act of breathing after a race, where the breathing rate gradually slows down.

He likened this to the word 'Selah,' which is mentioned 74 times in the Hebrew Bible. Although its exact meaning is uncertain, many believe that Selah means 'to pause' or 'to reflect.'

"The Biblical train of thought on this word suggests that it's time for us to pause and reflect on God's emphasis on His promises," Gov. Lemanu said. "For the graduating class, it means to pause and reflect not only on the many challenges you encountered and overcame but also to look forward to a new beginning or the next level of your educational journey.

"As you turn this page and step into the future, I urge you to embrace the spirit of Selah. Let it guide you through uncertainty and clarity alike. Take time to pause, reflect, and listen to the wisdom around you. Engage with the world not just in your mind but also with your heart and spirit.

"Let the lessons of your past inform the vision for your future. Remember that you have the skills, knowledge, and resilience necessary to navigate this world and our territory. As you go forth, may your journey be filled with learning, love, and lots of Selah. Congratulations to the UH American Samoa Center Class of 2024!"

This was followed by the official conferring of degrees performed by UH Dean Tim Slaughter as the high-ranking university administrator present.

Your degrees have been conferred by the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii," he declared.

"You have earned the appropriate baccalaureate degrees with the rights and privileges pertaining thereto. Thirty-three Masters of Education in Curriculum Studies and twenty-two Bachelors of Education in Elementary Education. It is my privilege to represent the University of Hawaii to present your diploma covers to you."

The names of the graduates attending the ceremony were read out by Joey Zodiacal.

The presentation of diploma covers, was met with thunderous applause from the graduates' families and friends, UH Director of Degree Programs in American Samoa, Dr. Deborah Zuercher, led the candidates through the final step to graduate status. In the traditional manner, she guided them in shifting their tassels from right to left, signifying their rite of passage and new status as graduates.

This was met with more thunderous applause from the audience and the graduates themselves, who were smiling from ear to ear, basking in their moment of academic triumph.

DOE Director Talauega Dr. Samasoni Asaele then addressed the graduates, commending them for their commitment and perseverance through years of study.

"You were given a chance a couple of years ago to step up to the plate and make a difference," Dr. Asaele recalled. "Today, we celebrate that milestone. When Samoans meet, the first questions they ask are, 'How are you? How is the family? How are the children?' My question for you today is, 'How are your students?'

"And that should be a challenge for you moving forward. You have been well prepared with the skills, strategies, and knowledge to allow you to do your job effectively, and the only message I have for you is to use that to make a difference in the lives of your students.

"They are the future of American Samoa, and we're all depending on you to make a difference so that, in the future, they will come back, be successful, serve our community, and give all glory to God. So on behalf of the Department of Education, I congratulate you once again on your achievements and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"

Up next were the graduate speakers: Nua Shute Tautū of PACMED Cohort 5, who delivered his speech in Samoan, and Pamalyeen Von Dicklage-Sevaaetasi of Cohort 36, who delivered hers in English for the benefit of the non-Samoan speakers, especially the UH delegation.

Of note, Tautū mentioned that, well before their final exams, they heard that many teachers had signed up for the next cohort. However, they also heard that DOE would no longer be funding the program and that teachers would have to pay for their own participation.

Tautū urged DOE Director Dr. Asaele not to withdraw funding for this important program so that teachers would not have the extra burden of paying for their education. He pointed out that this would discourage many teachers who are living paycheck to paycheck.

He also touched on the graduation theme "Mānava ma le Mu'a," revealing that he was one of the students who had initiated it. He explained yet another perspective in the interpretation of the theme.

In this interpretation, the word "Mānava" is used in another of its meanings which is to knock off from work, and the "Mu'a" refers to a young green coconut.

"The daily routine of a young untitled Samoan man or 'taule'ale'a' is to go early in the morning to his plantation to work and return in the evening with some crops for his family's dinner," Tautū explained.

"Apart from the two baskets of foodstuffs which he balances on a sturdy stick and carries on his shoulder, he almost always has two young green coconuts in the baskets or one which he sticks to the end of his machete.

"When he arrives home, he puts down his heavy load and rests while enjoying the cool sweet coconut milk, just like Europeans enjoy a nice cold one after a hard day's work. The difference is that the coconut is the tree of life and it improves one's health so that he can live another day to work for his family's sustenance.

"Today, we have arrived at our destination after carrying the burden of countless days and nights of study, and we finally put down our heavy burden and enjoy the cool sweet taste of success. The 'Mu'a' or the young green coconut of sustenance we are enjoying is the knowledge we gleaned from our course instructors, and we hope to share it with our students."

The other graduate speaker, Pamalyeen Von Dicklage-Sevaaetasi focused on celebrating “a milestone that does not belong to us alone but to all who have stood beside us.” She declared that “our families, our friends, our mentors, and our beloved Ohana 36… We are known as the best in the Pacific not because of individual greatness, but because of the unity, hard work, and unwavering support we share as a group.”

She added, ”Let our journey serve as a testament that no dream is too distant and no goal is too high when you have a village that believes in you.

“As we step into the future, let us remember to be proud, stay humble, and lift others as we climb.

“True greatness is not measured by what we achieve alone but by what we build together.

“Congratulations graduates! We are and will always be the best in the Pacific! Thank you."

The formalities culminated with the presentation of gifts for special guests and the UH officials, carried out by the president of PACMED Cohort 5, Ertta Fierce To'asavili Laumoli, as a token of appreciation from the graduating class.

BACKGROUND

The University Of Hawai’i American Samoa Program

The University of Hawai`i is a nationally accredited, highly ranked post-secondary institution that emphasizes the integration of traditional Pacific values with modern technology, fostering a new generation of educators who can represent and advocate for Pacific communities on a global stage.

UH offers a vast array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and is a research university of international standing.

It has widely recognized strengths in education, tropical agriculture, biosecurity, computer science and information security, nursing, medicine, law, oceanography, engineering, economics, social work, volcanology, business, Hawaiian studies, Pacific Islands studies, and Pacific regional public health.

In 2023, the University of Hawai`i opened an American Samoa Center to offer online degree and certificate programs to American Samoa residents. This allows them to continue to stay at home in the Territory and earn an affordable degree while serving their families, churches, and communities.

The American Samoa Government, the American Samoa Community College, and the University of Hawai`i have an unprecedented fifty-year educational partnership.

A CELEBRATIONOF LOCAL TALENT

This year’s bachelor's and master's degree graduates represent a diverse group of aspiring professionals who have excelled in STEAM-integrated lesson design, digital content creation, Samoan cultural arts, Indigenous research, community service, and ePortfolio documentation of mastering local professional standards.

Their projects highlight critical issues in the Pacific, including climate change, conservation, sustainability, cultural preservation, and youth workforce development and empowerment. One key feature of the UH American Samoa Program is the respectful hiring of place-based instructors.

The university expresses deep appreciation to local Indigenous Samoan scholars for their service as course instructors in the undergraduate and graduate programs: Dr. Dan Aga, Angela Alvear, Sarah Chan Kau, Valasi Finauga, Dr. Laura Laolagi, Dr. Sabrina Suluia-Mahuka, Reggie Meredith, Dr. Crystal Simanu, Mene Tauaa, Ronald Turituri, Dr. Paul Tauiliili, William Thompson, Tavita Togia, Joseph Zodiacal.

PACMED Master’s Degree Program directors and instructors Dr. Deborah Zuercher, Attorney Ivy Yeung, and Dr. Paul Tauiliili affectionately call UH graduates “Agents of Change” because they are expected to serve American Samoa and positively impact the local workforce following graduation.

Dr. Laura Laolagi earned her Ph.D. in Learning Technology from UH and serves as the on-island Bachelor Cohort Director and lead instructor.

Place-based UH PACMED Coordinators Dr. Crystal Simanu and Joey Zodiacal and UH Bachelor Cohort Coordinators Ronald Turituri and Sarah Chan Kau have provided continuous support and guidance to candidates as a key factor in the success of the University of Hawai`i American Samoa Program.

University of Hawai`i American Samoa Program Directors’ Contact Information:

Dr. Deborah Zuercher, <[email protected]>, Attorney Ivy Yeung, <[email protected]>, Dr. Paul Tauiliili, <[email protected]>, Dr. Laura Laolagi, <[email protected]>.

The University of Hawai‘i remains committed to supporting educational opportunities that uplift and empower Pacific communities.