ASCC- PCHS celebrates first inclusive-Emergency Management Graduating Cohort

By Katrina Helsham, PCHS Communications Manager Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Pacific Center in Human Security (PCHS) is celebrating a major milestone as 15 of the 21 inclusive-Emergency Management (iEM) trainees in the cohort graduated on May 15, 2026, with Associate of Science degrees in iEM. The remaining students are anticipated to graduate in Fall 2026. These graduates are the first students recruited into the program when it launched in Fall 2024 at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) through the federally funded inclusive-Emergency Management Program and Leadership Opportunity for Youth (i-EMPLOY) grant. The initiative was envisioned by PCHS State Director Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola and funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — Administration for Children and Families — Administration for Native Americans (ANA). The project was created to strengthen American Samoa’s emergency management workforce through higher education, leadership development, service learning, and professional training. “This program was designed to prepare future emergency management leaders for American Samoa while ensuring vulnerable and underserved populations are included in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts,” said Tua-Tupuola. “Seeing this first cohort reach graduation is a proud achievement for our territory.” The graduating cohort reflects a diverse group of students committed to serving their communities. Eight of the 15 graduates are non-traditional students already employed in the local workforce, a few in emergency management and public health-related fields, while pursuing their degrees. Over the course of the program, students each completed more than 30 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Independent Study certificates, over 90 field experience hours, 31 credits in degree program requirements along with 31–34 credits in general education requirements, and internship placements totaling 30–50 hours at various local agencies. Internship sites included the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Public Safety, Department of Health’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Division, Department of Education, Department of Search and Rescue’s Emergency Medical Services, LBJ Tropical Medical Center, Department of Agriculture, Office of Protection and Advocacy, ASCC Security Office, and the Public Defender’s Office. Beyond the classroom, students participated in emergency preparedness activities, including the Department of Health’s full-scale emergency exercise and service learning at the Hope House, where they gained hands-on experience working with vulnerable populations and community response efforts. Following graduation, the cohort will continue professional development by participating in the FEMA Basic Academy from May 18 through June 5, 2026, delivered locally by off-island FEMA trainers traveling to American Samoa. The cohort will also travel to Hawaii in August 2026 to attend the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Region 9 Symposium, marking the final activity of the three-year grant project. The program was supported through the coordination and implementation efforts of Dr. Rosalee Tela-Shoulders, Project Director and Chairperson of the Department of Human Security, who oversaw curriculum development, student support, and day-to-day project activities that helped carry the cohort through completion. PCHS thanks all local and federal partners for supporting the inclusive-Emergency Management degree program and advancing inclusive preparedness and disaster resilience efforts in American Samoa. The degree program remains available at ASCC for students interested in careers in emergency management, public safety, and community resilience. For more information, visit pchs.amsamoa.edu, contact r.shoulders@amsamoa.edu , or call 699-2722 ext. 4210. Section: Local News
2026-05-22 17:25:35