In late June, five students from the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) returned from Portland, Oregon, after attending an orientation for new scholars in the BUILD EXITO Program at Portland State University (PSU).
BUILD EXITO is an undergraduate research-training program that provides support to students taking the path towards becoming scientific researchers. PSU received a major grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to assist as a center for innovation to help undergraduates, including those from diverse backgrounds, achieve success in health research careers.
ASCC is one of many BUILD EXITO partners in the Pacific, along with the College of the Northern Marianas, the University, of Guam, and the University of Hawaii. Students accepted into the program spend a week at the New Scholar Orientation at PSU, where they get an overview of the program, an opportunity to meet and learn from qualified researchers, and a chance to build relationships with students from other colleges and universities.
The five ASCC students selected as BUILD EXITO scholars are Fancella Pola Nau, Karallyn Fitisone, Monique Hollister, Finiana Finau, and Grace Lagai. Accompanying the five students to the orientation were the two ASCC instructors who serve as BUILD EXITO Career Mentors, Mrs. Tala Ropeti-Leo and Mr. Derek Helsham.
The students also had the opportunity to meet alumni of ASCC that are currently attending PSU as participants in the BUILD EXITO program. Motutama Sipelii, Francine Iopu, Olivia Atisanoe and Alice Tausaga are ASCC Alumni as well as EXITO Scholars who took the time to help the current cohort at the orientation.
Tausaga and Atisanoe also gave presentations on their research to an audience that included not only the current BUILD scholars but also others from the many partner schools that collaborate with BUILD EXITO/PSU.
