| Name: |
Motutama Sipelii |
| Major: |
Health Science |
| Year in School: |
Senior graduating in Spring 2021 |
| Other ways you are involved at PSU: |
ASPSU Student Body President, Student Health Advisory Board for SHAC, Steering Team led for the Reimagine Campus Safety Committee, Build Exito Peer Mentor, PSU Bookstore Board of Directors, Student Health Advisory Board Member for SALP. If folks are interested to learn more here's my CV :) |
| Why did you decide to become a student at PSU? |
I transferred to PSU because of the Build Exito Program. With PSU being Oregon's most diverse higher-ed institution and having a fruitful relationship with OHSU, this was the perfect school for me since I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare politics in the future! |
| How did you decide on your major? |
Growing up in American Samoa, I saw first-hand the ongoing health disparities that have existed on the island for decades. These health inequalities were not isolated incidences instead were present in multiple communities throughout the Pacific and throughout the US. I decided to pursue a health-related major because I want to change the healthcare field for the better to ensure policies are passed to holistically help communities instead of hurting them. |
| What has been your favorite class at PSU so far? Why this class? |
My favorite class at PSU so far was my honors thesis class because being surrounded with like-minded individuals learning more about my fellow peer's independent research projects from various fields was both inspiring and engaging! |
| What has been your most rewarding experience at PSU so far? Why was this experience rewarding? |
My most rewarding experience at PSU was being elected to serve as the first Samoan student body president for ASPSU. Perfect timing for a health major to be elected during pandemic! This experience has taught me the importance of networking, patience, advocacy, and persistence! I don't do recognition nor am I a fan of it. I just wanted to be a part of the ongoing conversations of what we can collectively do as a university to make the student experience better for both current and prospective students who choose to get their degrees at PSU. |
| What do you plan to do after you graduate from PSU? |
I'm applying for a master's program either at PSU or OHSU to further enhance my policy development, advocacy, and grant writing skills before I apply to medical school later. Hopefully one day I hope to return back to American Samoa to serve as the first physician-governor of the island later running for senate, and maybe I'll run for President one day. What can I say? I'm very ambitious! |
| Anything else you want to say? |
If anyone needs help with any ongoing projects, initiatives, or just wanted to grab coffee virtually please feel book a time for us to connect here. |