The University of 撸sir视频ʻi at 撸sir视频 buzzed with energy on April 26, as 14 撸sir视频 from and arrived on campus. The , which provides support to 撸sir视频 identifying as Filipino or Pacific Islander, hosted its first “Turning the Tides” transfer event. The program’s goal is to help ease the transition from community college to a four-year institution for Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) 撸sir视频.
For Davis Rofino Martin, a 撸sir视频 撸sir视频 junior and TIDES Fellow who helped organize the event, the importance of the inaugural gathering was personal. He once made the same journey from Honolulu CC to 撸sir视频.
“As someone who has gone through the transfer experience myself, I know what it’s like to endure the culture shock while trying to adapt to a larger campus environment,” Martin said. “This event was a way to offer these 撸sir视频 an opportunity to get their feet wet and get them connected with resources and a community even before their arrival as official 撸sir视频 撸sir视频 撸sir视频.”
Cultural weaving, tailored tours
The day’s agenda was rich with activities tailored to the 撸sir视频’ interests and needs. From a weaving workshop to a presentation of the Hamilton Library’s Pacific Collection, the event aimed to provide insight into campus life. Specialized tours focused on the 撸sir视频’ specific academic interests. A panel discussion featured current 撸sir视频 撸sir视频 撸sir视频 who had transferred from community colleges, sharing their personal experiences and advice.
Participants who attended are primarily from student organizations at Honolulu CC and Kapiʻolani CC; , and other programs such as Phi Theta Kappa, TRIO and .
“Seeing 撸sir视频 from Honolulu CC and Kapiʻolani CC engaging with each other and asking about our experiences in transferring to 撸sir视频 was rewarding,” said senior Jeddie May Cabasag, a TIDES student assistant who helped organize the event.
The attendees come from diverse cultural backgrounds and identified as Chuukese, Chamorro, Marshallese, Yapese, Palauan, Kosraean, Samoan, Tongan, Native 撸sir视频ian, Tahitian and Filipino.The event also hosted a resource fair which showcased an array of support services available on campus, from first generation and Filipino/Pacific Islander-serving clubs to information about the for transfer 撸sir视频.
More on TIDES
TIDES, housed under the 撸sir视频 撸sir视频?s , was established in 2021 through an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) grant. The AANAPISI program, initiated by Congress in 2007, designates 撸sir视频 撸sir视频 as one of eight federally recognized Minority-Serving Institutions.
To learn more about TIDES contact: tides@hawaii.edu.
