Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Since 1979, the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) has hosted the Alpha Epsilon Mu chapter of the national Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. The PTK's nonprofit mission is to recognize and promote student academic achievement. The Honor Society provides opportunities to cultivate professional and leadership skills, secure scholarships, explore diverse career paths, and build a network of supportive peers and trusted advisors that last a lifetime. The ASCC chapter of the PTK held its induction ceremony for fall 2026 on Friday, September 18, with more than 30 students joining the prestigious Honor Society.

Each semester, the ASCC PTK advisors send membership invitations to qualifying students at the College, which are mostly accepted enthusiastically. 

The ASCC Chapter Advisors are Mr. Kuki Tuiasosopo, Chairperson of the Fine Arts Department and Lead Faculty Advisor; Dr. Ernestina Seiuli, Chairperson of the Computer Science Department; and Mrs. Amete Mulipola Moefiainu, Chairperson of the Math Department. Mrs. Adrien Vasai-Moana, former Social Science instructor who now Director of the ASG Office of Vocational & Rehabilitation, serves as an Honorary Advisor.

PTK induction ceremonies include a guest speaker, often an Honor Society alumnus, who shares their experience during and after their pursuit of higher education.  This semester, Jennet Chang-Berquist, a former member of PTK and a 2017 ASCC graduate who now works for ASCC Land Grant as a Horticulture Research Assistant, gave the keynote address.  

Chang-Berquist cites her greatest achievements as her scientific research publications and her outreach work representing the Land Grant research program. She gave her talk the amusing title “So What?” and used it to promote the idea that individual achievements have great value, but take on an even greater value when they can be shared to benefit not just the individual but also the wider community.

The program continued with the introduction of the inductees, the ceremonial lighting of candles representing the “flame of knowledge”, and the presenting of the PTK stoles and certificates of membership, for which Dr. Emilia Le’i, Dean of Student Services, provided assistance.

Inductees into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society at ASCC display their lit candles, which represent the "flame of knowledge". The Fall 2025 PTK induction ceremony took place last week, Friday, September 18th, at the College. [Photo: J. Kneubuhl]

Welcomed into the PTK this semester were: 

El-Hannora Jayrahmahdai Toimoana, Hana Popili Savaiinanea, Glorius Litalina Lisala, Lui Leitu, Jahnala Sally Mamea, Audrey Leute Valaau, Steel Filiotagata Patane, Aigalesala AJ Herman Leiato, Roman Joseph Faumuina, Ruiyi Shi, Silina Fiso, Joann Tema, Princessvalentine Taufaito’a Vaoga, Tinica Fualolinalufi Oliver, Mauer Osa, Florensenior Amituana’i, Alexis Janahval Uluvalu Tuitoelau-Savea, Manufou Tiana Lotulelei, Alvina Savali, Saina Baker Taumaoe, Alshadai Sopo Siaosi, Desiree Matile Selesele, Rynette Tamasailau Urahono, Tiresaleesetaoealofamoni Harmony Tupule, Emirina Ioane, Akosina Talei Limaono, Immaculate Theresa Sagote, Faasalafa Tauveve Schuster, PJ Isaako, Salome Puanani Elisara, and J-la Vaegafa Afia.

Following the inductees’ reciting of the PTK Pledge, ASCC Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Siaumaua Ropeti took the podium to give her words of encouragement.

This also gave the PTK an opportunity to express their appreciation for the longstanding support of Dr. Ropeti, who has announced her upcoming retirement. 

The Dean was presented with the Phi Theta Kappa Stole of Gratitude, an honor reserved exclusively for college administrators who have contributed significantly to the advancement and success of a PTK chapter. 

Crafted from blue satin and finished with a gold embroidered seal featuring the Greek letters of the honor society, the stole symbolizes the lasting bond between Dr. Ropeti and the PTK fellowship of scholars.

For more information on the PTK Honor Society, visit their web page at www.ptk.org.