About Us

The Center For Pacific Studies was created within San Diego State University's Interwork Institute to respond with unique and innovative solutions to diversity related issues in the Pacific Rim. The Center for Pacific Studies has evolved out of the work initiated through the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center of the Pacific (RRTCP) and other education and training projects in the Pacific region. The Center continues to build upon the foundation of the RRTCP bringing together expertise and collaborative partnerships to address the comprehensive needs of Pacific Islanders.

Currently the Center provides research, training, and technical assistance services in partnership with institutions of higher education, government agencies, and non-profit organizations in the following Pacific Island jurisdictions: American Samoa, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Territory of Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Republic of Palau, and the State of Hawaii.

The Center is located within San Diego State University's Interwork Institute. The Institute provides an array of programs and services related to the diverse needs of Pacific Islanders. The Center is committed to further developing and implementing practical research, program development, training, and technical assistance services that are relevant and inclusive of Pacific Islanders.

Mission

"To improve the quality of life for Pacific Islanders through collaborative research, education, training, technical assistance, and information dissemination specific to the unique needs of the Pacific Region."

Core Values

• The Center is dedicated to a "local" and "participatory" response to needs that affect Pacific Islanders.
  
• The Center believes in collaborative partnerships with institutions of higher education, government agencies, advocacy and consumer groups to develop collaborative consumer-oriented solutions to diversity issues facing Pacific Islanders.
  
• The Center is committed to "local" determination and increasing capacity to build more effective programs and services.
  
• The Center is committed to the inclusion and empowerment of consumers in the determination and development of programs and services.

Objectives

• To collaboratively develop research programs, training opportunities and services that enhance the lives of Pacific Islanders.
  
• To promote the expanded use of technology within the Pacific Region.
  
• To pursue and maintain collaborative relationships with and among Pacific Island organizations.
  
• To acquire funds from various sources to meet the research, trining, and program development needs of Pacific Islanders.

Services

The Center offers expert staff and partnerships that can provide comprehensive research, training and technical assistance services related to the needs of Pacific Islanders and their families. Services include:

• Participatory Action Research
  
• Technical assistance in human services
  
• Specialized Higher Education Training Programs
  
• "Cutting Edge" Distance Education Delivery Systems
  
• Program Evaluation Services
  
• Grant Development

Partnerships

The Center is committed to establishing and maintaining partnerships with other Pacific Region organizations. Through partnerships, the Center seeks to assist in building capacity within the Pacific Region to develop "Pacific Solutions" to problems and issues.. There is a great and emerging expertise within the Pacific that the Center respects and is proud to be associated with.

Currently, the Center is participating in the following activities:

• Education Leadership Masters in Education Program - customized training programs incorportating online distance education modalities serving American Samoa and Republic of Palau.
  
• Bachelors in Vocational Education (BVE) - Online distance education program serving ----------
  
• Special Education Teacher Training Initiative (SETTI) - a collaborative distance education teacher training program with the College of Micronesia-FSM to improve the skills of teachers in meeting the needs of children with disabilities.
  
• Special Education Program for Pacific Island Entities (SEPPIE) - a collaborative project with the College of Micronesia-FSM to provide special education program monitoring and technical assistance within States of the Federated States of Micronesia.
  
• US Department of commerce, Bureau of Census, pacific Islander Census Information Center