pacific islands' student association
UCLA's Pacific Islands' Student Association (PISA)
Originally founded in 1986, the Pacific Islands' Student Association strives to empower the Pacific Islander communities at UCLA and within the greater Los Angeles area. Pacific Islander students are defined as any with roots in the Melanesian, Micronesian, or Polynesian islands of the Pacific Ocean. Pacific Islander students occupy less than a percent at UCLA, but PISA strives to constantly serve its communities on and off campus. As student advocates and leaders, PISA hopes to cultivate awareness and action regarding Pacific Islander community conditions such as educational achievement gaps, health disparities, and so forth. Each year, PISA hosts five events: IMUA, PAC Night, Freshmen Admit Weekend, Transfer YIELD, and PISA Graduation.
CONTACT INFO: uclapisa@gmail.com
islanders maintaining unity and access (IMUA)
When: Winter Quarter (January)
IMUA is PISA's annual youth conference, where we aim to (1) establish bonds between Pacific Islander youth, educators, and community figures, (2) foster an awareness among youth about the different means of pursuing higher education, and the strong need for Pacific Islanders in academia, and (3) to increase the number of Pacific Islanders in higher education. IMUA will provide students with the opportunity to experience academia from a cultural perspective, aligning with PISA’s goals to address the lack of resources for PIs to pursue higher education.
Pasifika arts and cultures night (PAC night)
When: Winter Quarter (February)
Every year, PISA organizes PAC Night to celebrate the cultures of the Pacific, while keeping audiences informed on the meanings of dances and practices. PAC Night features performances honoring different islands across the Pacific and is our largest PISA event.
FRESHMeN / Transfer yield
When: Spring Quarter (April and May)
The Pacific Islands’ Student Association (PISA) at UCLA welcomes Pacific Islander students every year to PISA Freshmen Admit Weekend and Transfer Yield. PISA’s goal is to provide students from the Pacific Islands with a sense of community on our campus while also introducing them to college life and all the resources available to them here at UCLA. The event is FREE and includes campus tours, community meals, staying in the dorms, and the opportunity to interact with current Pacific Islander students and faculty.
PISA GRADUATION
When: Spring Quarter (June)
At the conclusion of every school year, PISA hosts a graduation ceremony for its graduating members. PISA hosts this event to bring together our families, friends, and community members to acknowledge and honor our members as they conclude their undergraduate careers.
mission statement
"The Pacific Islands’ Student Association strives to empower the Pacific Islander communities at UCLA and within the greater Los Angeles area. As advocates, we hope to cultivate consciousness of indigenous issues, develop and maintain cultural interests, and address educational disparities by increasing access to higher education. ...IN SOLIDARITY. "
