Honorable Governor Mauga Strengthens UH Degree Access for American Samoa

Dr. Laura Laolagi, Attorney Ivy Yeung, Dr. Deborah Zuercher, Honorable Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga,

The Honorable Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga and University of Hawaiʻi (UH) President David Lassner united to officially open the first physical UH-American Samoa facility on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. The blessing and invocation for the ribbon-cutting ceremony were led by Reverend Elder Fouvale Asiata at the UH-American Samoa Center in the village of Puapua. UH is grateful to landlords Henry and Tui Masaniai for leasing classroom and office space to UH, especially because there is a low vacancy rate while American Samoa Community College (ASCC) and other corporate building construction is underway. 

This ceremony was a culmination of years of dialogue initiated by Governor Mauga to strengthen additional UH undergraduate and graduate degree programs for citizens of American Samoa. 

"We are grateful to American Samoa for so graciously welcoming UH to their community,” Lassner said. “This next step in our partnership will enable UH to provide more opportunity for American Samoa residents to earn higher education credentials and meet their community needs while staying home and remaining close to family.”

Following the formalities, attendees were treated to a delightful dinner and entertainment, presented by the current UH Cohort 36 and PACMED Cohort AS5 students, a total of nearly 60 students.

The University of Hawaiʻi

Founded in 1907, the University of Hawaiʻi System includes 3 universities, 7 community colleges, and community-based learning centers. The geographic position of Hawaiʻi between east and west, in the middle of the Pacific, creates opportunities for international leadership and influence. Asia/Pacific expertise permeates the university’s activities. The ocean does not divide Hawaiʻi from American Samoa, the ocean unites the regions with common challenges like cultural preservation, sustainability, and workforce development. 

With its unique geographical location, the UH serves as a leader in how it stewards the resources of the islands and the world for the benefit of all. The university recognizes that an important knowledge base in sustainable island systems resides in the indigenous people of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. The expansive catalog of UH academic offerings ranges from certificate and vocational through doctoral programs. There are 711 total UH degree programs, 166 Community College Certificate Programs, and 132 University Certificate Programs.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa was reaffirmed in 2022 for a full 10 years of accreditation, the longest period possible, by the Senior College & University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The accreditation process is a marker of institutional quality because accreditation is required by the U.S. Department of Education for students to access federal financial assistance, including student loans. “Receiving the full 10 years of reaffirmation shows that Hawaiʻi’s flagship university continues to operate at the highest level of excellence when it comes to providing higher education and it also shows that we are committed to continuous improvement as we meet the needs of our students,” said UH President David Lassner. 

UH-American Samoa

UH has had alumni from American Samoa earn degrees and certificates through many of the programs of the UH campuses. The American Samoa Government and the University of Hawaii have a 45-year education partnership. Since 1979, UH has partnered with the American Samoa Community College. ASCC President Dr. Rosevonne Pato and ASCC Board Chairman, Reverend Elder Fouvale Asiata attended the UH-American Samoa ribbon-cutting ceremony as distinguished education partners. Candidates have completed their AA Degree at ASCC and then completed the third and fourth years through UH to earn their bachelor's degree in elementary, early childhood, and special education. UH is a service provider to the Department of Education and works closely with in-service teachers to complete their bachelor's degree and teacher certification. UH has a high success rate of teacher retention and graduation across the years, but there remains an urgent need to equip more qualified teachers each year as teachers migrate out of the profession for personal and health reasons. ASDOE identifies potential teachers who are placed in a group or cohort of 15-40 candidates for support in completing coursework and lesson plans for field observations. 

“It is culturally responsive for Pacific teachers to work together in a village/family learning environment. Pairing local Samoan coordinators and instructors with engaging STEM projects and new instructional technology have positively impacted UH teacher retention in their degree programs,” states Dr. Zuercher. 

As a Pacific institution, the University of Hawaiʻi values reciprocal, respectful, and responsible partnerships. As such, courses taught in American Samoa integrate Faa Samoa Culture and language while fostering innovative 21st-century knowledge and skills. The UH-American Samoa program has full-time and part-time place-based leadership and instructional teams that are culturally responsive to the learning needs of American Samoa students. 

Dr. Laura Laolagi is the place-based director of the BEd Programs and has served as a UH technology, literacy, and multicultural instructor for almost 20 years. Ronald Turituri, and Sarah Chan Kau-Tuiolemotu provide valued place-based instruction and field coaching to classroom candidates as BEd Coordinators. Dr. Crystal Simanu serves as part-time PACMED Associate Director/Instructor. Dr. Laolagi and Dr. Simanu earned their Ph.D. degrees from the cutting-edge UH Learning Design and Technology (LTEC) instructional design IT program. 

“There is a strong kinship between UH and American Samoa. We are proud of our alumni here,” Pacific Masters in Education (PACMED) Director Deborah Zuercher said. PACMED has helped educators throughout the Pacific earn their advanced degrees since 2017. PACMED facilitates two graduate courses in American Samoa each semester and employs approximately 20 part-time local Samoan instructors and education support for these master-level students. 

During his speech at the ceremony, Governor Lemanu conveyed gratitude for the University of Hawaii's continuous dedication to meeting the teacher education needs of American Samoa. He expressed, "I extend my sincere appreciation to the University of Hawaii for their steadfast support in molding the educational terrain of American Samoa.” 

President Lassner acknowledged UH's 45-year presence in American Samoa, emphasizing the profound connection between Hawaii and American Samoa, given the shared challenges faced by their communities. UH Chief Global Director Brent White accompanied President Lassner, Attorney Ivy Yeung, and PACMED Director, Dr. Deborah Zuercher from Hawai`i to discuss new models for online degree programs in American Samoa. UH is excited about expanding online degree and certification opportunities for American Samoa students and sees potential for powerful global connections to be made in the process.