#2020SPIOSummit | A Global Virtual Gathering Highlighting Pacific Presence in STEM, Arts, Entrepreneurship, and Education
A summit led by Pacific Islanders, for Pacific Islanders.
On August 1-2, 2020, South Pacific Islander Organization hosted its first free Virtual Summit.
Its theme was building Pacific Islander presence in higher education and professional fields.
SPIO’s first virtual summit touched on the importance of creating sustainable pipelines for Pacific Islanders in various career fields, and it starts with creating intentional spaces led by and created for Pacific Islanders, including:
Pacific Islander student groups at institutions of higher education.
Pacific Islander employee resource groups (ERGs) at corporations.
A free digital network for Pacific scholars to connect with Pacific professionals.
Along with the Virtual Summit, SPIO launched its SPIO Higher Education Network on August 1, 2020 — A free digital platform for Pacific scholars to connect with each other across campuses, and connect with industry professionals. The network will host a monthly speaker series on navigating higher education successfully and accessing various professional industries.
By offering a network for Pacific scholars, SPIO hopes to join the movement of organizations working to increase Pacific Islander graduation rates and Pacific Islander presence in the fields of art, education, entrepreneurship, and STEM.
Acknowledgement of missing voices at the Summit.
While the team was excited to create a digital space for Pacific scholars and professionals to give advice to aspiring scholars, SPIO would like to acknowledge the many Pacific voices that were not present in the Summit panel lineup, namely from New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Northern Marianas Islands, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Cook Islands, Nauru, Rotuma, Tokelau, Tuvalu, and Wallis and Futuna. Oceania and its diaspora is vast. SPIO will continuously strive to connect, build bridges, and represent the diversity of the Pacific.
#2020SPIOSummit recordings.
How to Craft a Strong College Application on Facebook or YouTube
Financial Planning for Higher Education on Facebook or YouTube
Transitioning to College Successfully on Facebook or YouTube
Thank you to the 2020 SPIO summit coordinators and panel hosts.
Alanna Simao, AnnaVeronica Bourke, David Mapa, Gregory Pōmaka'i Gushiken, Isabella Bigley, Jacklyn Duff, Jaysha Alonzo-Estrada, Kupaaikekaiao Thomas, Lorna-lei L. Sua'ava, Marlena Segi, Marushka Hirshon, MichaeLynn Kanichy, Poerani Tapare-Pin, Tania Mahealani duPont, and Toafa Tatiana Mamea.
Thank you to our invited global panelists for sharing their wealth of knowledge with Pacific scholars.
Teiana Gonsalves, Tania Mahealani duPont, 'Ana Fonongava'inga Stringer, Gabrielle Langkilde, Kapono Faitau, Eli Jennings, Anita Kiteau, Wilbert Alik, Lessei Perelini, Makerusa Porotesano, Sione Taunga, Alema Fitisemanu, Christine Imaizumi, Julia Arnott-Neenee, Cady Ching, Sereana Naepi, Brittany Kamai, Jayden Galamgam, Earl Stewart, Andrew Pati Ah Young, Asaeli Matelau, Malie Kawamoto, Mary Aue, Doris Tulifau, Dr. Mere Motari-MuraMura Sovick, Elizabeth V Kite, Dagmar Dyck, Kalolaine Fainu, Fenton Lutunatabua, Victoria Wonsowicz, and Dr. Mary Therese Perez Hattori.
Thank you to our community supporters.
East-West Center, Pacific Islands Development Program, Cultural Vistas, and Stanford Native American Cultural Center.