Alanna Simao | Summit Coordinator

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

Having attended a university with a thriving Native community, I was able to find a strong support network and a home away from home among my Pacific Islander and Indigenous peers. I know that not every student has that experience, and through SPIO I hope to contribute to a sense of community and support for Pacific Islander students across the country. As a career services professional, I strive to help Pacific Islander students build the skills they need not only to attend college, but to have a meaningful higher education experience that sets them up to succeed in the professional world beyond.

Bio

Alanna is a higher education administrator working in career services and professional development. After participating in internships at her university's museum as an undergraduate, Alanna knew that she wanted to pursue a career in Education. She worked briefly as a high school tutor before transitioning to higher education. Alanna has always loved learning and attributes this to elementary school field trips to her local museum.

Volunteer since April 2020

Alema Fitisemanu | Higher Education Network Ambassador

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I am volunteering for SPIO because I am excited for our Pacific Islander community and our future. I want to leverage technology to better connect with each other where ever we are, so we can all grow and support each other as best we can.

Bio

Alema Fitisemanu is a third-year Sāmoan and Tongan student at Stanford University majoring in human-computer interaction and art practice. He is an aspiring UX designer with a design portfolio including projects in music & memories, law software, and athletics event ticketing. After completing his B.S., he plans on getting a Master’s from the Stanford Graduate School of Education, focused on building augmented-reality learning experiences for Pacific Islander youth.

Volunteer since March 2020

AnnaVeronica Bourke | Higher Education Network Ambassador and Summit Coordinator

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I am volunteering for SPIO because I am genuinely interested with everything that the organization stands for in terms of the drive and push to motivate members of our Pasifika community. Community is very important in the Melanesian, Micronesian, and Polynesian cultures. I believe that having an organization such as SPIO that strives to build community outside of each other's physical households to further connect each of us nationally and globally is what really intrigued me about the organization's work. I hope that whatever work that I put in for SPIO can help other members from our island communities be drawn towards pursuing a higher education for not only themselves, but for their families and fellow members of their communities as well.

Bio

AnnaVeronica Bourke is a young Tongan American who is based in California, specifically the Bay Area. Bay Area culture has always been a part of AnnaVeronica's life and has been tied very much into her Polynesian and Tongan roots. AnnaVeronica has been always involved in high school with sports, club organizations and dance teams which has played a part into who she has become today as a student in higher education. Her pride in culture, confidence and leadership skills has molded her into the young woman she is today and has blessed her to now be a part of the wonderful South Pacific Islander Organization. AnnaVeronica has learned what it takes to strive through the highs and the lows when it comes to pursuing higher education and she hopes that her work may soon pay off for those who have paved the way for her, as well as those who will soon follow.

Volunteer since March 2020

Anya Herbert | Network and Resources Volunteer

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

After losing my mom and step-father suddenly under tragic circumstances, I felt deep grief and realized it was more than just grief of their departure from this earthly realm. My deep grief also stemmed from the loss of my strongest connection to our Pacific heritage being that my mother was indigenous to Namoluk Atoll and my step-father, Kānaka Maoli.

I grew up in the rural southeast of the continental United States and I did not grow up around or see any other Pacific islanders throughout primary school nor college. My dad did make sure that my mom, brother, and I always made our way back to my mom's home island in Micronesia for summer months to be with our family. Educational opportunity for what I could recall those many years ago was sparse and perhaps, its importance misunderstood.

Education can equate to survival of our people and our heritage. Pacific Islander representation in educational environments demonstrates to others with Pacific Islander identities that we do exist, education is attainable, we do achieve and thrive, and that there is a whole community ready to lift you up.

So, why am I volunteering for SPIO? I am honoring my mom and step-dad; I am honoring our heritage. I want to ensure that other people with Pacific bloodlines have the resources to educational opportunities that I did and to feel connected and celebrated in those spaces.

Bio

I was born in North Carolina, raised in rural Virginia, and have been living in Columbus, Ohio for the last 23 years. I worked many years in hospitality before realizing I needed more and made the leap late in life to attend Rutgers University. Not only did I return to education at a later age, I graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Business Administration. I am a first-generation queer college graduate. I currently work in the financial sector of the U.S. government getting acquainted with life in an office environment. I also have a dog walking and pet care service on the side that Iʻve been doing since 2013 because I love animals.

My interests entail knowledge and justice for all oppressed groups, hanging out with all my pets, trying new recipes to cook, tennis, and anything active in the ocean. I go back to Hawaiʻi annually for a few weeks and I spend 75% of the time in the ocean.

Volunteer since May 2023

aria Ponder | Spotlight and Resources Volunteer

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

To connect with Pacific Islander communities, share resources, and create opportunities for development.

Bio

Aria Ponder is a Samoan-American born in Long Beach California, with roots in North Shore Hawai’i and New Mexico. Growing up in a multi-generational household heavily influenced her drive for community outreach and environmental activism. With a degree in International Business, and a career in Corporate Finance, she aims to bring the spirit of Aloha to the communities she lives and works in.

Volunteer since May 2023

David Mapa | Higher Education Network Ambassador and Summit Coordinator

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I am volunteering for SPIO because creating a more resourceful world for our future OCEANIA scholars, way-finders and professionals gives me a purpose and it is my honor to offer any service to see this world come to life.

Bio

Malo 'e lelei! My name is David Footi Mapa - I am a community building enthusiast from East Palo Alto, California actively working to empower OCEANIA. My ancestral roots reign from the Kingdom of Tonga, organically providing a strong foundation for my core values of being empathetic and resilient. I recently finished an internship at Facebook as a Project Coordinator with Diversity Recruiting. Before my internship - I had to make a crucial decision deferring my last semester at the University of Hawaii at Manoa as a Pacific Islands Studies Major to be closer to my parents and attend to family needs. As this is a common anecdote within our OCEANIA diaspora - I see no end to my educational journey, neither do I stop here on fulfilling my dreams and uplifting others. This drive is what lead me into the Tech industry and now to SPIO. So along this journey with SPIO, I look forward to sharing my stories and experiences with higher education and the technology industry, so that our future generations can gain forward momentum to be who they desire to be. Let me ask you this: What kind of Ancestor do you want to be?

Volunteer since April 2020

Elise Plecnik | Directory Design Consultant

Bio

Mabuhay, Hallo, and Zdravo! I'm Elise Plecnik (née Elisejane Cruz) and was born and raised in a multiracial family in sunny southern California and partially raised in the Philippines. My formative years upheld a strong islander upbringing valuing family and continued practice of one's roots. Presently, my husband and I reside in South Bend, Indiana since 2019 and enjoy moving with Mother Earth's seasons. I hope my volunteer time can help contribute as part of the whole in advocating for Pacific Islander's success in higher education!

Volunteer since May 2020

Gregory Pōmaika’i Gushiken | Education Resource Ambassador, Grants Researcher, Network Ambassador, Summit Coordinator, and Journalist

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I am volunteering for SPIO because building connections, promoting educational access, and imagining possibilities are crucial actions for a thriving Pacific Islander community. As a doctoral student in Ethnic Studies, I am committed and excited to give back to the Pacific community.

Bio

Born and raised on the island of Oʻahu, Greg Pōmaikaʻi Gushiken is a multiracial Native Hawaiian PhD student at the University of California, San Diego, in the Department of Ethnic Studies. His dissertation utilizes ethnographic, cultural studies, and Kanaka ʻŌiwi methodologies to examine LGBTQ+ diasporic Hawaiian relationships to Hawaiian sovereignty movements, ʻāina, and the ever-shifting concept of home. He holds degrees in Indigenous Politics and English from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Volunteer since March 2020

Isabella Bigley | Education Resource Ambassador, Summit Coordinator, and Network Ambassador

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I am volunteering for SPIO to support the Pacific Island Community by developing my own professional work experience and engaging critically with Pacific stakeholders to improve change solutions.

Bio

Talofa! I’m Bella Bigley, a first semester graduate student in the International Policy and Development program at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. My interests are in Public Administration with a focus on increasing diversity and inclusion to leverage educational opportunities for the next generation. I am from Monterey, CA although Hawai'i has been home for the past 5 years, y hablo Español! 🤙

Volunteer since April 2020

Jacklyn Duff | Livestream Consultant

Jacklyn is an aerospace engineer and educational YouTuber.

Volunteer since May 2020

Jaysha Alonzo-Estrada | Summit Coordinator and Higher Education Network Ambassador

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I am volunteering for SPIO because I believe in the collective impact of our Pacific Islander people. It's important for us as a hui to support one another to create positive change for our communities.

Bio

Aloha, my name is Jaysha Alonzo-Estrada. I was born and raised in Hilo, Hawai'i. In 2019, I graduated from Stanford University majoring in Human Biology with a concentration in Social Determinants of Health. I hope to return back to school to study Public Health. In my free time I enjoy being outside, spending time with friends and family, and exercising (mostly so I can eat more). Mahalo!

Volunteer since April 2020

Joyce Cocker | Education Resource Ambassador for the Kingdom of Tonga

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

SPIO aims to increase South Pacific representation in the professional field and access to higher education, which resonates deeply with the teachings my parents instilled in me. Growing up in Tonga, I have had first hand experience of what it is like to be in a rich environment of cultural heritage and willing support with little to no opportunities. Because of my opportunity to navigate through my own educational journey now, I am excited to connect with other Pacific Islanders and help them access the education or work that they deserve.

Bio

Joyce Jocelyn Melevaioleti Loukakatisi Tatau Ai Pe Oka Fihi Cocker hails from the island kingdom of Tonga, born in California and comes from a family of 17 siblings. At 17, she helped build and run a hotel system in Tonga from the ground up with her family. Her passion for drawing and painting also began at this age, a talent she continues to develop. With experience in the hospitality industry and marketing field, she also began pursuing law and international business marketing in Tonga until her move back to California to pursue higher education in October 2019. Currently, she works for an electrical engineering company in Sacramento and is always looking for new ways to give back to her South Pacific community. Her cultural identity and personal experiences have made her the woman she is today. She hopes to attain the law degree she promised her father before his passing, while paving the way for her younger siblings.

Volunteer since March 2020

Kahaia Voelkl | Education Resource Ambassador

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

As I approach the completion of my undergraduate degree I look back on my experience as an American Pacific Islander at NYU with great recognition of the fact that I was one of very few Pacific Islanders in my program and university. My experience at NYU as one of the few Polynesian students on campus at several points felt quite isolating and even at times, insurmountable. I wish to volunteer for SPIO to increase the potential for Pacific Islanders in higher education. Greater numbers of representation from the Pacific islands in higher education will lead to better opportunities for students of different backgrounds to achieve more out of life and give back to their communities. Through contribution to organizations like SPIO I hope to foster the development of a community for Polynesians within academic institutions.

Bio

Born and raised in the United States, Kahaia was born to a Tahitian mother and German father. She has spent many summers in French Polynesia observing and comparing the different lifestyles she lives as an American versus as a French Polynesian. Because of this, she is extremely passionate about assisting young Pacific Islanders in search of opportunities within academia and the business sectors of the world. She currently attends New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business and is pursuing a degree concentration in Marketing and a Minor in Public Policy and Management. Kahaia is an advocate for the pursuit of equal opportunity for all indigenous and minority individuals and hopes to eliminate hurdles that may come to those that wish to pursue goals in higher education and in their careers by providing tools for individual expression and academic support systems.

Volunteer since April 2020

Kupaaikekaiao Thomas | Higher Education Network Ambassador and Summit Coordinator

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I would love the opportunity to network with other Pacific Islanders and contribute to the community. I am especially interested in joining, because I rarely meet other Pasifika people in the Mainland United States.

Bio

I was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii (officially Hawaii Island), but I have spent most of my adult life overseas. I will graduate in May 2020 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Volunteer since March 2020

Lorna-lei L. Sua’ava | Education Resource Ambassador, Grant Researcher, Higher Education Network Ambassador, Summit Coordinator

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I am volunteering for SPIO because I aspire to promote higher education and greater opportunities for our Pasifika people. As I am nearing the end of my undergraduate studies at Southern Virginia University, with my experience I have learned the importance of education and the benefits that come from having mentorship and guidance in various avenues that will help us succeed. There is so much potential in our Pacific Islander community and to fulfill my desires of giving back to our people, I know that representation and support can be but a small portion of my contribution.

My passion is to serve and provide for our people, that being the sole purpose of the South Pacific Islander Organization. I hope to pursue a career in the sciences in order to help preserve and maintain life in the islands. Although there aren’t very many pursuing a career in the sciences, there can be. I believe that from the natural resources, medicines and remedies that we have available in our backyards can put us at an advantage and we must indulge in that. Many of my accomplishments have come from empowering and outstanding individuals who have inspired me to do more, be more. With all that I have gained and the person that I am becoming, I have found that education has given me such opportunities to do just that. To continue inspiring and uplifting the Pasifika community is why I have chosen to volunteer for SPIO.

Bio

Talofa lava!

My name is Lorna-lei L. Sua’ava!

I was born in Long Beach, California and raised in Palmer, Alaska. Though thousands of miles from the island of Samoa, much of the values and standards that I have been taught keep me grounded. The values of tautua (service), fa’aaloalo (respect) and alofa (love) are what have allowed me to stand proud as a Pacific Islander on many platforms. I have been blessed to further my education and expand my knowledge in the areas of Biochemistry and Psychology, I hope to continue this journey with my education to obtain a PhD and potentially become a Nurse Practitioner so that I can move back to Samoa and help improve the healthcare system.

Volunteer since April 2020

Manumalo Muasau | Higher Education Network Ambassador

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

Representation matters! Pursuing higher education can feel like a lonely process, so it’s imperative for our communities to be supported throughout their academic pursuits.

Bio

Manumalo Muasau is a 3rd year graduate student at John F. Kennedy University, where he is studying to become a Sport Psychologist. He is completing his Masters in Sport Psychology and his PsyD in Clinical Psychology. Manu also serves as a Mental Health Specialist at the Pacific Islander Wellness Initiative (PIWI) where he provides mental health services to Pacific Islanders. As a former NFL athlete, Manu experienced his own mental health challenges which ultimately led him to pursue sport psychology. Understanding the importance of mental well-being, Manu hopes to assist other Pacific Islander athletes in navigating their own life challenges. 

Volunteer since March 2020

Marlena Segi |Higher Education Network Ambassador, Journalist, Grants Researcher and Summit Coordinator

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

In my 9 years of pursuing higher education in the Bay Area, I was mentored by phenomenal non-PI's. However, there were many instances where I wish I could have spoken with someone who understood the significance of my culture and traditions as they influenced my decision making and thought processes. I see this as an opportunity to use my unique experiences and be a resource to other PI's in any way I can. My journey is a testament to the resiliency and beauty that can arise from less than opportune circumstances, while walking with a foot in both worlds: my family/culture's and my own. I know there are many PI's out there who may believe they are alone in what they think, feel and experience but I want to to help inspire and create a safe space for dialogue surrounding their challenges and do my best to lend a listening ear, open heart and helping hand.

Bio

Born in Pago Pago, American Samoa to a Samoan & Fijian mother and a Samoan & Japanese father, Marlena’s unique life journey is a testament to the cultural connectivity that is rooted in Pacific Islander families. At just a few months old, she was gifted to her paternal grandmother & her Tongan partner, Folau - which fittingly enough, translates to "journey.” They brought her to the U.S. in pursuit of opportunities for growth and although she was of no blood relation to them, Marlena’s Tongan family welcomed her with open hearts and warm embraces. Folau's elderly parents & sister, Tahoa, took Marlena in, raised her as their own, and eventually became her legal guardians. Alongside her father Toetu'u, older sister Lesieli, younger brother Tevita, and the innumerable amount of absolutely dope aunties, uncles & cousins she has, Marlena’s family has served as a solid foundation for her throughout countless challenges and victories. She has since reconnected with her biological family and is making strides in learning about Samoan culture & language. Much of her life has been spent trying to navigate through the multiple layers of tapestry she is woven from, but her traditional Tongan upbringing is one that she is greatly proud of. It continues to influence her in adulthood and she is honored to be a representative of it as she continues journeying onward.

Marlena’s family settled in Fontana, California and after graduating from Fontana High School and taking a year off to work, she moved to The Bay Area in 2010 in pursuit of higher education and independence. She attended Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Performance with a Minor in Business. There, she was heavily involved in Student Life & Leadership and greatly enjoyed her time serving as a Resident Assistant, Orientation Team Leader, First Gen Mentor, & Office Manager. In addition to involvement in Black Student Union and other student-organized clubs, Marlena founded and was President of the ArgoNotes A'capella Singing Group & The ArgoManiacs School Spirit Club.

 Upon graduating in 2014, Marlena went on to attend Holy Names University in Oakland, where she received her Master’s of Music in Vocal Pedagogy in 2019. There, she worked in NCAA Division II Athletics and was a graduate assistant for Campus Ministry. Holy Names allowed her to delve deeper into self-reflection and self-development while utilizing Counseling Services and other helpful resources on campus for her mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Marlena currently works in Property Management, assisting people with finding homes throughout the Bay Area that suit their needs. In addition, she teaches private voice lessons and is an Independent Contractor for Starting Arts, where she teaches music to all grade levels and directs their musical theatre productions. Marlena has also had great success as an entrepreneur, providing quality hair styling for clients all over the Bay Area with her mobile hairstyling services, “Magic By Marz.”

She is ecstatic about being a part of SPIO and envisions this becoming her life’s work and the legacy she’s able to share with others and pass on to future generations.

Volunteer since March 2020

Maximillian Raiari’i Hirshon | Education Resource Ambassador

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I’m volunteering because I wish I had SPIO when I was applying for college. Learning how to take care of yourself can be a daunting thing, so it’s good to know that there’s someone looking out for my community too! There’s love and purpose in these programs, and I'm proud to help the amazing team behind SPIO however I can.

Bio

Maximillian Raiari’i Hirshon was raised travelling the world, surrounded by his family’s deep and rich Tahitian culture. Always thinking ‘family-first’, Raiari’i studies Business and Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology, hoping to one day complete his family’s ancestral home. Tinkerer, roboticist, and aspiring entrepeneur, he now enjoys helping SPIO and his Pacific Islander kin.

Volunteer since March 2020

Poerani Tapare-Pin | Summit Coordinator

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I am glad to volunteer with SPIO because being Tahitian I understand the obstacles other Pacific Islanders might encounter and I would like to help increase the representation of our community in higher education. I believe SPIO gives a sense of acknowledgement and it is important that we support and empower each other through the sharing of our experiences and resources.

Bio

I am from Tahiti, French Polynesia and I am the first in my family who wants to study and possibly work in the United States. I earned a Bachelor degree of Business Administration at the Ecole de Commerce de Tahiti and then, a certificate for the MBA Preparation Program at California State University, Long Beach. I am planning to attend CSULB again to do the Accelerated MBA Program focused on Entrepreneurship and Innovation since I aim to launch my company in a few years.

Volunteer since May 2020

Saeni Lele’a |Higher Education Network Ambassador

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I am volunteering for SPIO because I want to be able to contribute to building a network of and providing resources to Pacific Islanders in higher education. I want to see my Pacific Islander peers succeed and thrive in fields we do not have much representation in so that future generations can see that their opportunities are limitless.

Bio

My name is Saeni Niniva Lele'a. I was born in Bakersfield, CA, and raised in Hayward, CA. My dad is from the village of Onenoa in American Samoa, while my mom is from the village of Patamea in Western Samoa. I have 9 sisters and 3 brothers. I graduated from the University of California, Davis in June 2019 with a major in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Computer Science. Currently, I am working as a Quality Systems Engineer in the Risk Management department at Fresenius Medical Care North America, though previously I was interning at this company for their New Product Introduction (NPI) department.

Volunteer since March 2020

Sione Lister | Higher Education Network Ambassador and Education Resource Ambassador

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I want to support Pacific Islander's achieve the level of success they desire, but that the systems within the United States and globally do not always support. As a Samoan woman in a PhD program, the isolation that comes from the lack of representation within higher education is often overwhelming. I want to invest the capital I am privileged enough to possess back into the younger PI generations in order to get more of us here, as well as to provide a source of love and community for anyone who needs it.

Bio

My name, Sione Lynn Pili Lister, was given to me to honor the ancestors and culture I was made in the image of. I am a first generation Pasefika scholar, I graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with my BA in Sociology and am currently at the University of Arizona School of Sociology as a PhD student. I am Samoan, was born and raised in Washington state and am the daughter of Kathryn Lister and the step daughter of Azzeddine Mouhoub. While my academic work is situated at the intersection of race, identity, law and health disparities, I am committed generally to freeing my people from oppression globally. In my spare time I also am a competitive powerlifter and love to cook!

Volunteer since April 2020

Tania Mahealani duPont | Higher Education Network Ambassador, Summit Coordinator, Journalist

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I am volunteering for SPIO because I am ultimately driven to serve, to give back to the community that I belong to - that is, my Pacific Islander community. As a first generation, low income Pacific Islander at Dartmouth College, I have experienced firsthand the value and necessity of equity and representation for our peoples. Unfortunately though, I've seen the great lack of this not only at my own institution but in higher education in general. I know would not be in the position that I am in now without the support and motivation of those around me. I also know that the resources and opportunities I have been afforded are a rarity amongst Pacific Islander communities.

I see this in the struggles of many of my family members, peers, friends, and in my own as well. Because of this I am deeply invested in aligning my passions with an ethos similar to that of the South Pacific Islander Organization - to give back to my island communities and support the creation of conditions that foster excellence and longevity for our people. I hope to pursue anthropology, environmental and human rights law with a focus on Indigenous rights and autonomy.

Much of my journey to solidify these interests have been without the influence of a network of other Pacific Islanders in higher education, which has been difficult, and at times discouraging. But it is because of these struggles that I find myself yearning for the chance to be able to help others in both the ways that I have been aided but more so in the ways that I have not. Gaps in Pacific Islander specific representation should not inhibit students from believing they are capable of achieving anything they desire. I hope to lead by example, and give back as much as I can to the communities that have given so much to me. I am inspired to take action by the tupuna and motivated to continue for the tamari'i. For these reasons I am volunteering for SPIO.

Bio

My name is Tania Mahealani duPont and I am first and foremost, a Mā'ohi vahine. I belong to the Pacific, Moana Nui, for my genealogy is rooted in Tahiti and her sister isles. I was born and raised in Hawai'i as a diaspora Tahitian, and I have been lucky enough to grow up enveloped in Hawaiian and other Pasifika cultures. Much of my motivation is rooted in giving back to those whose resiliency and strength has enabled me to exist today. Because of that, I aim to honour my ancestors, reinvigorate the interconnectivity of Pasifika peoples and our relations, and increase our representation / narratives through action. I am currently in my third year at Dartmouth College and will graduate in 2021 with an Anthropology modified with Native American Studies degree. I hope to go on to get a PhD, or two, and a law degree while focusing on Indigenous and environmental rights.

Volunteer since March 2020

Tiffany Ka'iulani Bento | Spotlight and Resources Volunteer

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I am volunteering for SPIO because I believe in their mission to provide Pacific Islanders with access to higher education. I have seen first-hand what higher education provides for my family and me, and I would like to help other islanders gain access to those same opportunities. I believe all Pacific Islanders are capable of expanding our knowledge beyond the deep waters of Moananuiākea, but we need access to resources, experiences, and opportunities to do so.

Bio

Aloha mai kākou, my name is Ka'iulani Bento and I am a current Native Leadership scholar at the University of Southern California. I am currently a Business Administration major with a minor in Legal Studies. I am a Native Hawaiian (Kanaka Maoli) from Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i. As a current first-generation student, I am passionate about helping our people progress toward higher education because I believe it provides us with the ability to move forward as an extension of our ancestors' knowledge and culture. Can't wait to connect and meet all of you! :)

Volunteer since May 2023

Timaima “Tima” Clawson | Education Resource Ambassador

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I hope to serve our Pacific Islander (PI) community, whether it is mentoring or connecting them with resources in higher education or health field. Moreover, I hope to connect with other community champions or PI advocates so we can collaborate and navigate our community to a better and brighter future.

Bio

Timaima “Tima” Clawson was born in Fiji to Sakiusa Vakalala (Vanua Levu, Fiji) and Seruaia Niumataiwalu (Lau, Fiji). She migrated to California at a young age, and quickly learned how to adapt to the American culture even with her shy personality. Tima attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science as a Public Health major from Brigham Young University-Idaho. Her passion is serving underserved communities, minority, immigrant, indigenous/tribal populations; and particularly the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities. Tima has served as a steering committee for The Queen Center, addressing tobacco prevention issues, and Health Program Specialist for The Utah Dept. of Health (UDOH), Office of Health Disparities’ It Takes a Village (ITAV), a project grounded in PI cultural beliefs and practices that addresses birth outcomes disparities among Utah’s NHPI communities. Currently, she works for UDOH's new Adult Expansion Medicaid program. In her spare time, Tima enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Volunteer since March 2020

Toafa Tatiana Mamea | Journalist and Summit Coordinator

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

I am volunteering because I want to help the next generation of Pacific Islanders navigate through higher education.

Bio

I am a first generation Samoan woman. I come from a long line of care takers but I am the first one in my family that was presented with the opportunity to make a life long career out of our caring nature. I am a nurse, I work on a med-surg unit and I love it. Our culture really prepares us for careers in the healthcare field and I am eternally grateful for that, but it doesn't really prepare you for all that comes with being a Pacific Islander woman pursuing higher education.

Volunteer since March 2020

Travis Wells | Higher Education Network Ambassador

Why are you volunteering with SPIO?

As a CHamoru student who went through higher education institution (Community College, Undergrad, & Grad School) systems, I was the only Oceanian in many of my classes, and the subjects where I focused on (International Development, International Studies, Int'l Politics & Policy) erased or ignored Oceania as a region or focus of study. I craved community in areas I wasn't able to find in other Oceanians. I graduated last spring, and am now working in LA in an Asian & Pacific Islander serving non-profit (LEAP) but am still the only Pacific Islander staff, and my org fails to properly serve our communities. I am interested in connecting more with other Oceanian professionals, academics, and awesome people to make these meaningful connections and help any that are currently going through higher ed systems navigate successfully through to the other side.

Bio

Travis (Pulan-hu) Wells, lahen Guåhan, familian Torres (Manggaffan Bákulu, taotao Håga'), familian Sablan (Manggaffan Dongga', taotao Tamuning), and familian Wells (taotao Sacramento, CA), is a young CHamoru professional currently working in Los Angeles, CA as the Development & Communications Associate at LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics).

His professional passions are rooted in social justice and decolonization – he is very interested in leveraging his Oceanic worldview and CHamoru culture at LEAP to help cultivate socially equitable spaces that allow other Pasifika/Oceanic peoples access to leadership pipelines in social change organizations, higher education, and public policy. Outside of LEAP, Travis is passionately active supporting and working directly in CHamoru communities in Long Beach and Los Angeles, CA. He enjoys music sessions with friends, learning and practicing CHamoru language in spaces, and cooking on days off.

Travis graduated in Spring of 2019 with a B.A. in International Policy & Development and a Masters of Arts in Conflict Resolution & Social Justice, specializing on Language/Language (Re)Vitalization and Social Justice from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) in Monterey, CA. Travis has done extensive research in sustainable indigenous development and paradigms, while working with fellow leaders in the CHamoru community regarding indigenous community development, language revitalization, and community organizing and advocacy.

Volunteer since March 2020