Marnelli Joy B. Ulep has been named the first-ever director of Pamantasan, a University of Hawaiʻi systemwide task force dedicated to increasing the recruitment, support, and success of Filipino students, faculty and staff across UH’s 10 campuses. Established in 1987, Pamantasan aims to ensure that Filipino Americans are represented and supported in all aspects of higher education in Hawaiʻi, from student enrollment to curriculum development and faculty recruitment.
“Being able to work in this capacity is an honor, to uplift and empower a community that has helped me so much,” Ulep said. “Through my experiences as a student, staff, and lecturer, I have seen and experienced firsthand how valuable the presence and availability of institutional agents and resources are to the success of minority students, especially Filipinos.”
Her appointment comes at a crucial time. Despite Filipinos being one of the largest ethnic groups in Hawaiʻi, they remain underrepresented within the UH system. According to UH data, Filipinos make up 14% of the student body across all 10 campuses, with most attending community colleges, and only 10% of students at UH Mānoa, the university’s flagship campus, identify as Filipino.
Increasing diversity, opportunities
In Tagalog, pamantasan can be translated as higher education. The task force advocates for Filipino representation in curriculum, supports Filipino students’ access to higher education, and even fosters connections between UH and educational institutions in the Philippines. The council includes UH students, staff, faculty and administrators who are passionate about increasing diversity and creating opportunities for Filipino communities across the state.
“Marnelli has worked on Pamantasan activities since she was a freshman at UH Mānoa and has been on several Pamantasan conference planning committees for different campuses and served as the Pamantasan Council historian,” said Christine Quemuel, assistant vice provost for Student Diversity & Inclusion at UH Mānoa. “We are excited to have Marnelli here to focus on Pamantasan issues that impact historically marginalized students throughout the UH system, and she is extremely enthusiastic about taking on this new exciting role.”
More on Ulep
Ulep previously served as the program development manager for the Business Administration Division at UH West Oʻahu and holds a BA in marketing and international business, and a master’s in higher education administration, both from UH Mānoa.
As director of Pamantasan, Ulep will report to the Office of Student Equity, Excellence & Diversity.
