The Center for Asian Pacific Islander Student Empowerment (CAPISE) is hiring undergraduate students for the 2026-2027 academic year! 

• Community Organizers (3 positions available): Student staff who work CAPISE's front desk, develop and facilitate programs on various topics and issues relevant to Asian and Pacific Islander communities, and support various CAPISE activities.

• Community Marketing Specialists (2 positions available): Student staff who work CAPISE's front desk, design and collaborate on CAPISE marketing outreach efforts via social media and in-person on campus (e.g. tabling, sitting on panels, and classroom visits), and support various CAPISE activities.

• Community Operations Specialist (1 position available): Student staff who work CAPISE's front desk, assist professional staff with administrative and organizational tasks for CAPISE programs, and support various CAPISE activities.

• Empower Mentors (8-10 positions available): Peer mentors who work within the Asian Pacific Islander Empower Mentorship (API EM) Program, mentoring small cohorts of first-time first-year students for the full academic year and attending API EM Program-related workshops and events.

The application and the full descriptions for each of the positions listed above can be found here or use the QR code. Apply if interested or share this page with your network.

THE PRIORITY HIRING APPLICATION DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH AT 11:59 PM

When: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Location: SJSU Campus (various locations)
Schedule: Schedule

PISA and other campus offices are co-hosting the VASA/Oceania Student Success Program students from the City College of San Francisco (CCSF) as part of our first annual Pacific Islander Outreach Day. This is our first annual event to bring Pacific Islander students from local community colleges in the Bay Area to the SJSU campus to learn about transfer resources and other important campus resources and services to support their transferring to and success at SJSU. We need PISA members to participate throughout the day in various ways. For more details, please contact Adi Tuitelaibatiki, Jessica Jattan, or Dr. Vid

Sign Up to Help: Sign up today for times that you are available and willing to engage in this project.

When: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm SJSU vs University of Hawaii
Location: Football Stadium

The Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA) and the Center for Asian Pacific Islander Student Empowerment (CAPISE) will be honored during the 3rd quarter of the football home game against University of Hawaii as part of the Pacific Islander Heritage Night. The club officers and others will represent the club on the field when they announced the recognition. If you want to be part of the group that walk on the field, please contact Adi or Jessica. Students can get into all football games for free with your student id.

The OCA National Center is now accepting applications for their 2026 summer internship program, which will be hosted in Washington, D.C. from June 1 to August 7, 2026.  Undergraduate students (and recent grads) interested in uplifting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities are encouraged to apply.

What to know:

• This is a full-time, paid internship. Interns will receive a $5,250 stipend for the 10-week program.

• Interns will gain valuable professional work experience at congressional offices, federal or local government agencies, for-profit corporations, and nonprofits (including OCA National Center).

• Interns will attend leadership development, professional development, and personal enrichment programming, learn more about issues affecting AANHPIs, meet with legislative officials to advocate for AANHPI causes, and more.

• Interns will be assigned an experienced mentor to support their professional and personal development.

The Priority Deadline to apply is Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT.

APPLY NOW: Click here for more info & to apply.

Sign up to volunteer at the 4th Annual Bay Area Pasifika STEAM Fair on Saturday, April 12, 2025 sponsored by the PIEFEST (Pacific Islanders Encouraging Fun, Engineering, Science, and Technology) organization.

Why Volunteer?

• Promote Access to STEAM Learning: Assist with interactive, hands-on activities. 

• Build Community Connections: Help create a welcoming and inclusive environment that brings together leaders, organizations, families, and students.

• Empower Students and Families: Join a movement that boosts confidence and enthusiasm for STEAM learning while celebrating Pacific Islander heritage.

Event Details:

• When: Saturday, April 12, 2025

• Where: San Mateo County Event Center, Fiesta Hall—1346 Saratoga Dr., San Mateo, CA 94403

• Who: We are looking for dedicated volunteers who share our passion for STEAM learning and community empowerment. No prior experience necessary.

Want to Volunteer? 

Click here to sign up as a volunteer or share this URL (https://wearepiefest.org/events) with any Pasifika families in the Bay Area to join this amazing resource fair for our community. 

Pacific Islander Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) Summer Institute is a 4-day program that offers a culturally-centered approach to leadership development training that is grounded in social justice. Guided by our values of kuleana, lototele, kommol and tauhi vā, we aim to cultivate the leadership of young Pacific Islanders who can be advocates in, and on behalf of our communities.

Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander students who are 18 years or older, currently enrolled as an undergraduate student, or have just graduated within the last year from a university or community college, are encouraged to apply. This is a paid opportunity with an $800 stipend upon completion, and food, transportation, and lodging are provided!

PILOT will be hosted in California's capital at Sacramento State University in partnership with the Office of Inclusive Excellence, Full Circle Project, and the California State University Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Student Achievement Program (CSU ASAP).

Application Deadline: March 21, 2025
Apply Now: https://form.jotform.com/250628000035139

10th Annual Student & Faculty Dinner

Wednesday, March 12th, 6:00 - 8:00pm (Doors Open at 5:45pm), Student Union Ballrooms 

Join CAPISE and other sponsoring centers for an evening of meaningful dialogue and dinner with faculty from various disciplines at SJSU! This is an opportunity to share experiences, spark ideas, and strengthen community connections outside of the classroom. Make sure to RSVP by March 7th!

• Student RSVP Form: bit.ly/SP25SFDINNER

• Faculty RSVP Form: bit.ly/SP25FacultyRSVP

The Center for Asian Pacific Islander Student Empowerment is hiring undergraduate students for the 2025-2026 academic year! We have four positions available:

• Community Organizers (3 positions available): Student staff who work CAPISE's front desk, develop and facilitate programs on various topics and issues relevant to Asian and Pacific Islander communities, and support various CAPISE activities.

• Community Marketing Specialists (2 positions available): Student staff who work CAPISE's front desk, design and collaborate on CAPISE marketing outreach efforts via social media and in-person on campus (e.g. tabling, sitting on panels, and classroom visits), and support various CAPISE activities.

• Community Operations Specialist (1 position available): Student staff who work CAPISE's front desk, assist professional staff with administrative and organizational tasks for CAPISE programs, and support various CAPISE activities.

• Empower Mentors (10 positions available): Peer mentors who work within the Asian Pacific Islander Empower Mentorship (API EM) Program, mentoring small cohorts of first-time first-year students for the full academic year and attending API EM Program-related workshops and events.

The application and the full descriptions for each of the positions listed above can be found here. 

THE PRIORITY HIRING APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH AT 11:59 PM.  

The Obama Foundation has opened applications for the fourth cohort of the Voyager Scholarship program. Applications will close on April 1, 2025. Please check it out and apply if interested.

The Voyager Team is hosting several information sessions about the Voyager Scholarship - Register Here! 

• Tues, Feb 4th, 5:00-6:00 PM ET 

• Fri, Feb 7th, 12:00-1:00 PM ET 

• Wed, Mar 12th, 6:00-7:00 PM ET

• Mon, Mar 24th, 2:00-3:00 PM ET

Please share this info page about this opportunity with your friends and family! Thank you so much!

The Palo Alto Networks Recruiting Team is partnering with their Aloha ʻĀina Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Employee Network Group to host a Rock Your Resume Workshop designed for you!

What Can You Expect?

➡️ Resume Tips & Best Practices: Get advice curated by our recruiters to make your resume stand out in the hiring process.

➡️ Build Your Brand: Develop a professional presence that reflects your unique identity.

➡️ Engage With The Community: Meet members of the Palo Alto Networks team and NHPI community to explore career paths.

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, February 25th, 2025

⏰ Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM Pacific Time

📍 Location: Zoom 

Secure your spot and register here! 

Friday, November 22, 2024
7:00 pm, CEFCU Stadium
Get Your Tickets Here  - use "PACIFIC24" code for 35% discount ($23.00)

SJSU will be honoring Pacific Islander students, coaches, players, faculty, staff and families at the home game against University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). During the game, representatives of the Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA) along with leadership of the Center for Asian Pacific Islander Student Empowerment (CAPISE) will be brought on the field to be honored and recognized along with a special message from Coach Ken Niumatalolo, the first Pacific Islander head coach for the Spartan football program.

We invite all Pacific Islander families, friends, students in the Bay Area to join us in celebrating Pasifika Pride and cheer on the Bowl-eligible Spartans. 

Pasifika Family & Friends Potluck Tailgate:

Update 11/21/2024: Due to the expected heavy downpour on Friday, we are canceling the planned tailgate in Parking Lot 3, but we will have an impromptu gathering to share potluck on the 2nd floor of the covered 10th Street Parking Structure opposite side of the stadium. Bring something to share, wear your island shirt or order your swag from our Pasifika Store. 

Flag Bearers

We will seek volunteers (students, faculty, staff, family members) to carry a Pacific Island flag during the on-the-field honoring of the club and CAPISE which will happen toward the end of the 1st quarter.  Gather at the North Gate ramp no later than 5 minutes left of the 1st quarter and the group will be escorted onto the field. 

Wednesday, October 2nd, 1:30 - 2:30pm, Student Union Meeting Room 2A 

We all have comfort foods, whether it be a cultural dish, or something our family always makes. As Asian and Pacific Islanders, our comfort foods can tell rich stories of our communities. They show wartime resilience through foods like budae jjigae, colonial influence through spam musubi, or culinary survival through tikka masala and chop suey. Join us in exchanging recipes and exploring why, how, and where we get our comfort foods! API Snacks will be provided.

Sponsored by the Center for Asian & Pacific Islander Student Empowerment.

Wednesday, September 25th, 4:30 - 6:00 pm, MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center

Join PISA on Wed. Sept. 25th at Mosaic Cross Cultural Center (located across from the SU Bookstore) from 4:30-6p for our first event of the semester: Kava and Connections !!

Come enjoy snacks, kava, and conversation with fellow PIs and our PISA board for the school year! Let’s connect, build community, and relax before midterm season starts!

Welcome (back) Spartans! Celebrate the beginning of the school year with your SJSU Asian & Pacific Islander (API) community! Check out our API performances and speakers, connect with API student organizations, and commemorate the beginning of the school year with the Center for Asian Pacific Islander Student Empowerment (CAPISE). This event is free and open to all new and returning students. 

Join PISA at this free event to meet the officers, get some free drinks and snacks, and enter a giveaway to win some awesome prizes!

Date: Thursday, September 5, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Student Union Ballrooms

Questions? Email capise@sjsu.edu

PISA, in collaboration with the President's Office, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), Center for Asian Pacific Islander Student Empowerment (CAPISE), the Asian Pacific Islander Faculty & Staff Association (APIFSA), and the Athletic Department, cordially invite all Pacific Islander students and other organizations to attend the Welcoming Ceremony for San Jose State's first Pacific Islander / Hawaiian football Head Coach, Ken Niumatalolo. This event promises to be an evening filled with cultural pride, camaraderie, and celebration as we honor Coach Niumatalolo's appointment.

Date: Friday, May 10th
Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: SJSU CEFCU Stadium - South Campus (changed from SJSU's Tower Lawn)

Dress Code: Semi-casual attire, cultural attire highly encouraged

Photo Album: Pasifika Spartans - Welcoming Coach Ken Niumatalolo

Congratulations to our 2024-2025 Pasifika Leadership Team. We're stoked that 3 of our founding officers are returning to lead us the 2nd year and we welcome Adi who succeeds Aki as secretary. Congratulations to Aki for graduating next month.

President: Lute Finau
Treasurer: Caitlin Miller
Vice President: Jessica Jattan
Secretary: Adi Tuidelaibatiki
Advisor: Dr. Vidalino Raatior

Check out the leadership team's bios here.

Tuesdays | 3:00 - 4:30 pm | MLK Library, Room 525 | Join us in Kings Library Room 525 for club meetings on Tuesdays during Spring semester from 3:00 - 4:30 pm alternating between officers meetings and general club meetings.

Thursday, October 5th, 1:30 - 2:30 pm, MLK Jr. Library, 2nd Floor, Meeting Room 225 

Interested in learning more about the Pacific Islander (PI) culture? Tapa cloth is the oldest form of PI art and has been used to depict Pacific Islander identities through each Island’s significant designs. It comes from the bark of the mulberry tree and is heavily used in the Pacific Islander way of life. Join us to learn more about Pacific Islander Tapa cloth and even try designing your own! Free snacks and supplies will be provided to paint your own design!

Contact: capise@sjsu.edu

Thursday, September 14th, 5 - 7 pm, Student Union Ballrooms

 Welcome (back) Spartans! Join the Center for Asian Pacific Islander Student Empowerment (CAPISE) to celebrate the beginning of the school year with your SJSU Asian & Pacific Islander (API) community! Check out our API performances and speakers, connect with API student organizations, and commemorate the beginning of the school year with the Center for Asian Pacific Islander Student Empowerment. This event is free and open to all new and returning students. Join us, get some free drinks and snacks, and enter a giveaway to win some awesome prizes!

Contact: capise@sjsu.edu

April 20, 2023 | 12:00 pm | Student Union Room 4 | Register Now

Constellated across generations of resistance and solidarity, poets & musicians ʻIhilani Lasconia and D. Kauwila Mahi will offer a lecture and workshop with tools from Oceanic life-writing. Attendees will learn more about struggles for liberation in Hawai'i, the Pacific, and Turtle Island. With art as the north star for driving movements forward, participants will create their own "blackout" poem as an act of constructing power and ensuring well-being across oceans and continents. Sponsors: CAPISE & MOSAIC

April 27, 2023  | 6-7 pm| Join Now 

Join Dr. Vid Raatior and a panel of API folks from across the API communities, different generations and experiences who will share what it means to be API in the Bay Area, how our different identities affect how we are API, and what it means to thrive and not just survive in the larger stories of Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Sponsored by CAPISE and others. 

July 24 - 28, 2023 | UC Davis | Apply Now
Apply to join this 4-day Summer Institute at UC Davis aimed at training Pasifika youth in college to be effective social justice advocates leaders for Pasifika community sponsored by Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC). Deadline Extended to apply: April 26, 2023