CSU Launches "Journey to Success" College Fair for Pacific Islander Families
Pacific Islander families got a taste of college life at California State University, Dominguez Hills, while learning about the steps to college.
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.
Parents, students and elders sitting at the Toro Gymnasium were encouraged by State Sen. Ted Lieu and Assembly Members Warren Furutani and Mike Eng to make college a family goal. The elected officials shared stories about their own academic and financial difficulties as students and their efforts to overcome obstacles to graduate from college.
CSU AAPI Initiative
The event was produced by the CSU Asian American and Pacific Islander Initiative. CSU Vice Chancellor Garrett Ashley, who leads the initiative, welcomed the plenary session attendees. Ashley said that the purpose of the AAPI initiative is to improve college access and graduation achievement for Asian American and Pacific Islander students from underserved communities.
Participants received “How to Get to College” information brochures printed in English, Tongan and Samoan.
Workshops focused on college admission, how to afford college, what parents need to know about college-going children, and peer-to-peer discussions about college life, led by students of Pacific Islander background.
Event chair Mitch Maki, acting provost at CSUDH, and staff from the Chancellor’s Office and CSU campuses at Dominguez Hills, Fullerton, Los Angeles and Long Beach worked with community leaders and volunteers to create an authentic Pacific Islander flavor for the college fair.
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