|
Dr. Seth Galea’i appointed as new ASCC president
Long time educator Dr. Seth Galea’i has been appointed by the Board of Higher Education as the new president of the American Samoa Community College (ASCC). Galea’i replaces former ASCC president Dr. Adele Satele-Galea’i who stepped down from the post, citing medical reasons.
(The new ASCC president served as vice president of the college when Satele-Galea’i was still in office, and was later named acting president after Satele-Galea’i stepped down).
Galea’i was selected from a list of three candidates. The other two applicants were Dr. Kathleen Kolhoff, director of the ASCC’s Office of Institutional Advancement, and Tialuga Seloti, director of the American Samoa Teacher Education Program (ASTEP).
Galea’i’s new role at the college was made public yesterday when he was presented to the faculty and administration during a special meeting.
Galea’i said he accepts the position with humility and respect, and in his new role as president, he will make ASCC’s accreditation a top priority as its 6-year term is up for full review later this year in October.
Accreditation is a key issue, as it is necessary in order for the college to receive grants, and for students to qualify for Pell grants and have their credits transferred to other US institutions of higher learning.
With an enrollment of about 1,700 students, ASCC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), a division of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Galea’i promises to uphold the values of ASCC as the territory’s only college continues to move forward.
As ASCC president, Galea’i is the chief executive of the college, serving at the pleasure of the Board of Higher Education. One of his duties is to recommend policies to the BHE. He is authorized by the BHE to exercise broad discretionary power per the policies, goals, and general direction of the college, as established by the board.
Galea’i graduated from Samoana High School and earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as his doctorate of education from the University of Hawaii - Manoa.
He served as both a classroom teacher and a school principal for Leone, Samoana, and Faga’itua High Schools. In addition, He was a planning coordinator with the local Department of Education. He joined the ASCC team in 1990 as the director for ASTEP and was later selected as the college’s Dean of Instruction in 1998.
|
