A degree or certificate in Pacific Islands Studies, from the undergraduate to graduate programs, can lead you into diverse and promising career paths across a range of professional fields. Recent graduates from the department’s programs now contribute to the advancement of regional efforts and cooperation in a variety of careers in organizations around the world. Graduates also have a strong track record of entering into advanced degree programs at the master’s and doctoral levels in a wide range of international universities.
BA Graduates
Nikola Komailevuka
Trade Policy Officer
BA, Pacific Islands Studies (2012)
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Suva, Fiji
Alyssa Nakasone
MA Student, International Relations
BA, Pacific Islands Studies and Political Science (2014)
Waseda University
Tokyo, Japan
I am currently pursuing a master’s in International Relations (at Weseda University in Japan), I feel that PACS is a good foundation to have. You have the information and you already know where to go and get very good sources. Another thing, I feel like a lot of students don’t really get to know their professors. But the PACS professors are really kind and you get really close to them and you can always talk to them and get help.
– Alyssa Nakasone (BA Pacific Island Studies, 2014)
MA Graduates
Dr. Brian Alofaituli
Senior Lecturer, Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
MA, Pacific Islands Studies (2010)
National University of Samoa
Apia, Samoa
Keola K. Diaz
Youth Program Director
MA, Pacific Islands Studies (2012)
YMCA of Honolulu, Kaimuki-Waialae Branch
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Ebil Y. Matsutaro, Esq.
Attorney
MA, Pacific Islands Studies (2010)
Law Office of Siegfried B. Nakamura
Koror, Palau
Dorah J. Wilson
Humanitarian and Resilience Program Manager
MA, Pacific Islands Studies (2011)
Oxfam International
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Certificate Graduates
Jocelyn “Josie” Howard
Program Director
Graduate Certificate, Pacific Islands Studies (2014)
We Are Oceania
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
