Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Friday, May 9, 2025 — The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) will hold its 82nd Commencement Ceremony this Friday, May 16th, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Kanana Fou Gymnasium.

At press time, 74 ASCC students are slated to receive their degrees and certificates from the College, although the final number will subject to examination results.

The presiding Faifeau for the ceremony will be the Most Reverend Kolio Tuimanuvao Etuale, Bishop of the Diocese of Samoa- Pago Pago.

The keynote speech will be delivered by distinguished community educator Adrian Fa’amalolo Vasai, a longstanding member of the ASCC faulty who recently transitioned to the ASG position of Vocational Rehabilitation Director.

Adrian Fa’amalolo Vasai is the daughter of the late HTC Vasai Fred Aisali Vasai of Aua and Ruta Tuiofetoa Fanene of Nuuuli. She resides in Aua and has three children- Shalom Ruta, Iverson Vasai and Dyson Tui Tama. Ms. Vasai was born in Honolulu, Hawaii while her father was in the U.S. Navy. Her earliest years of childhood were in the mainland US. When her father retired in 1977 after 25 years, the family returned to American Samoa. 

Ms. Vasai completed her early education at Aua Elementary School in 1980, going on to graduate from Fagaitua High School as a National Honor Society member and Student Body Secretary in 1984.

She continued her education at ASCC, graduating in 1987 with an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, and also receiving an off island scholarship to pursue her studies. She served her post graduate internship with the American Samoa Legislative Reference Bureau in the summer of 1989 and graduated that fall from Brigham Young University- Hawaii with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science.

Returning home in 1990, Ms. Vasai taught Social Studies at Samoana High School, later becoming the Department Head for six years. She also served as adviser to the Close-Up Club for eight years, to the SHS Matsinger National Honor Society for four years, and to the Student Council for three years.

In 1998, she was Samoana High School’s Teacher of the Year, and a nominee for the American Samoa DOE Territorial Teacher of the Year (TTOY). During her time at Samoana, she was accepted into the first Masters & Doctorate degree cohort programs on the island with Golden Gate University, San Francisco, through which she received her Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) in 1997.

Ms. Vasai’s long tenure as an ASCC faculty member with the Social Science Department started in 1999 and was to last for a total of 18 years.

During this period, she also taught Social Studies at Damien Memorial (Catholic) School in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2007- 2011. Having retuned to ASCC, Ms. Vasai revived the Political Science Club in 2016. At present, the club continues as one of the most active student organizations on and off campus as an increasing number of students major in Political Science at ASCC. Ms. Vasai additionally served for three years as Co-Advisor for the ASCC honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, and was listed in Who’s Who Amongst America’s Teachers for Community Colleges in 2003.

In addition to her education career, Ms. Vasai has always managed to find time for involvement with her family, church and community. Born and raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, she has served in many callings with the church in the Aua Ward and Pago Pago Stake.

She maintains close ties with her families in Nuuuli, Iliili, Futiga, and Aua, where she resides. Ms. Vasai is the President of the Aua village women’s committee- “Teine o le Amu’ula”, who have been instrumental in village clean-ups, a youth sport tournament, and support for the Paepaeulupoo Fautasi Crew.

Serving the wider community, she is a member of the American Samoa State Rehabilitation Council, the Special Education Council, the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, and American Samoa Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs.

All in all, Ms. Vasai has eight years of teaching experience at the secondary level with ASDOE, six years with Hawaii Catholic Education, and 20 years with ASCC, bringing her time as an educator to an impressive 34 years.

Her extensive experience of sharing knowledge, coupled with her community involvement and service on behalf of special needs students, all set the stage for her being appointed in January of this year to the ASG position of Vocational Rehabilitation Director under the new Pula and Pulu administration.

“Adrian has been such a vital contributor to academic life here at ASCC that we were sorry to see her move on, but also proud of her becoming an ASG Director, and we know the College’s loss will be the wider community’s gain,” said ASCC Dean of Student Services Dr. Emilia Le’i. “We’re delighted she will join us again as the keynote speaker for the spring 2025 graduating class, many of whom may have not so long ago been her students.”

For more information on the Spring 2025 ASCC Commencement Ceremony, contact the Division of Student Services at 699-9155, extension 0004.