121 students are slated to receive their degrees and certificates at the 81st commencement ceremony of the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) this Friday. It will be held at the Kanana Fou Gymnasium beginning at 10 am.
The exact number of graduates is subject to final examination results.
The keynote speaker for the college graduation is McDonald’s American Samoa and Samoa CEO, and ASCC alumnus Mrs. Dolores Tautolo-Galeai.
Mrs. Tautolo-Galea’i was a member of the Tafuna High School class of 2004 and graduated magna cum laude in 2007 from ASCC. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Washington State University, again graduating cum laude in 2009. Mrs. Tautolo-Galea’i returned home to begin working for her family’s American Samoa McDonalds franchise in 2010. While raising a family with six children, and working as Finance Manager for McDonalds, she began online studies with Syracuse University towards a Master’s degree in Business Administration, which she completed magna cum laude in 2022.
“I’ve worked in various departments within McDonald’s, starting as a crew member in the restaurant, even after graduating with my Bachelors,” she recalls. “My father made his intentions known by telling me, ‘You will never appreciate the people who work for you unless you put yourself in their shoes.’ This was profound advice to me, and has helped me in leading our company today.”
She currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for McDonald’s American Samoa and Samoa, and hopes to carry on the vision and business legacy of her father, Tautolo Charlie Tautolo, most importantly in terms of giving back to the community.
