News
June 2011
"Journey to Success: Pacific Islander" College Fair at CSU Dominguez Hills
Held on June 4, the "Journey to Success: Pacific Islander" college fair attracted hundreds of Tongan, Samoan, Marshallese and Hawaiian residents from Carson, Compton, Long Beach, Los Angeles and Orange County.
The event was produced by the CSU Asian American and Pacific Islander Initiative.
Opening Ceremony at Toro Gym
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Students and parents listen to elected officials during opening ceremony at CSUDH Toro Gym. Frame 4: State Sen. Ted Lieu addresses the audience.
Mitch Maki, acting provost at CSUDH, and event chair, welcomes the college fair participants.
Justin Su'a Inspires Students with Steps to Greatness Speech
Sport psychology consultant Justin Su’a inspired students and parents with his presentation “Peak Performance,” which focuses on the stepping stones to greatness: Gratitude, Resilience, Efficiency, Awareness and Teamwork.
The talk provided a glimpse of the techniques he uses with NFL players to help them think and perform at the highest level.
Su'a, of Samoan heritage, is a former All-American baseball pitcher.
Leaders, Officials and Dignitaries
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Garrett Ashley, CSU vice chancellor and leader of the CSU Asian American and Pacific Islander Initiative, poses (1) with Vaka Faletau, Samoan community leader; (2) State Sen. Ted Lieu; (3) CSUDH Acting Provost, Mitch Maki and Assembly Member Warren Furutani; (4) an event volunteer, and Assembly Member Mike Eng.
STEM Up
Actor Wilmer Valderrama (Summer Catch) and STEM Up spokesperson talks about science, technology, engineering and math.
Workshops
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(1) Panelist speaks about the college experience of Pacific Islander students; (2) CSUDH Professor Scott Hornbeak demonstrates an artificial leg in the Orthotics & Prosthetics workshop; (3) Attendees to the panel "What Parents Need to Know," which discussed the relationship between college-going children and parents. (4) Tak Yoshikawa and his son Robbie pose after participating in the Steps to Greatness workshop.
Students attend a "Cool Class" about generating electricity from household products. The class was conducted by Professor Ken Rodriguez. Other "Cool Class" subjects included digital filmmaking, musical instruments, and making legs and hands through orthotics and prosthetics.
Booths
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Booths delivering CSU campuses and nonprofit organizations messages and materials.
The Chancellor's Office, 11 CSU campuses, the CSU Hospitality Management Education Initiative, DeVry University and many other nonprofit organizations handed out information materials to the attendees.
Precious Moments
College fair attendees, Moni Ma'o Fa'alogo and her children Elijah in stroller and Emma standing next to stroller, as they arrived to the registration table.
10th grade student Grant Nakaoka attended the fair with his mascot Hoku, a Chihuahua.
The goal of the CSU AAPI initiative is to improve college access and graduation achievement for Asian American and Pacific Islander students from underserved communities.
