
SUU To Host 2025 Utah Pasifika Leadership Summit: Embracing Academic Excellence
Southern Utah University (SUU) is thrilled to announce it will host the 2025 Utah Pasifika Intercollegiate Association (UPIA) Leadership Summit Conference, scheduled for February 13-15, 2025. This year’s theme, “A Time of Change: Striving for Academic Excellence,” underscores the importance of academic achievement within the Pasifika community while welcoming students from all backgrounds who are passionate about higher education success.
The conference will bring together students from universities across Utah and beyond, offering an enriching experience through discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Notable speakers include Her Excellency, Hon. Sela Tukia, the Consul General of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United States, and Dr. Charlene Lui, Director of the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), along with other Pacific Islander dignitaries. Their participation emphasizes the global significance of this event and its commitment to fostering academic and community growth.
“At SUU, we’re committed to the success of all our students, especially Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students,” said Tevita Sekeni in a press release. Sekeni is Advisor for the Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA) at SUU. “This conference provides a wonderful opportunity to learn, connect, and grow together.”
Organized under the guidance of Dr. Stephen Allen, SUU’s Vice President for International Affairs, the conference encourages students and educators to lead workshops or presentations on topics such as academic success strategies, leadership development, and community engagement. These sessions aim to create an interactive and impactful experience for attendees.
The event builds on SUU’s legacy of supporting Pasifika students, exemplified by the institution’s high graduation rates among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students. As Vice President Allen emphasized, the conference aims to benefit all participants, reinforcing SUU’s mission to foster globally engaged communities.

SUU eagerly anticipates welcoming students nationwide for this transformative event.
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