Morning Atamai

Morning Atamai is a PCHS event where we invite ASCC admin, faculty, staff, and students to join us for coffee-sations with close partners. 


Our latest Morning Atamai event, held on December 6, 2024 included prominent leaders in the emergency management field. This time, the event linked current inclusive-Emergency Management students to professionals in the field, utilizing the theme: Bridging Local Agencies and Future Leaders.

Our objectives were to:

Fall 2024 Guests:

Profile photo of Ben Sili.

Ben Sili

AS Department of Health, Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response Director

Profile Photo of Joseph Faaita

Joseph Fa'aita

AS Search and Rescue, Chief of Emergency Medical Services

Profile photo of Pou'uamea Supapo.

Pou'uamea Tuaolo Supapo

AS Department of Public Safety, Chief of Police

Profile photo os Vinnie Atofau.

Vinnie Atofau

Deputy Director of AS Homeland Security

Fall 2024 Morning Atamai Talk Show

Learn more about our Morning Atamai guests, the agency they work for, and their career field from our short Morning Atmai interview segment with an ASCC student host. 

Morning Atamai with Ben Sili

In this episode, Ben Sili, Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response Director from the American Samoa Department of Public Health, shares his work and experience in emergency management in the territory with inclusive-Emergency Management (iEM) student Nehemiah Lutu. He also shares how the new iEM academic degree at the American Samoa Community College can help prospective emergency managers transition into the field.

Spring 2024 Morning Atamai

Our first Morning Atamai event was held from May 3, 6 - 9, 2024, during Faculty Appreciation Week.

This networking event offers ASCC faculty and staff a unique opportunity for growth, collaboration, and impact. 

Objectives are to:

Our coffee-sations with our guests work to help bridge academic and public service. Attendees will gain valuable insights from our ASCC alumni who have embarked on successful careers as federal and state employees. 

Spring 2024 Guests:

Elinor Lutu-McMoore from NOAA

Elinor Lutu-McMoore

NOAA Meteorologist-in-Charge

Alexander Baker from FEMA

Alexander J. Baker

FEMA Integration Team (FIT) Liaison

Tepora Paga from TSA

Tepora Paga

TSA Transporation Security Manager

Ionatana Tuitasi from HSEO

Ionatana Tuitasi

HSEO Energy Resilience Project Specialist

Spring 2024 Morning Atamai Talk Show

Learn more about our Morning Atamai guests, the agency they work for, and their career field from our short Morning Atmai interview segment with an ASCC student host. 

Morning Atamai with Alexander Baker

In this episode, Alexander Baker, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Integration Team (FIT) Liaison, talks to ASCC student Donwen Hong about his job and responsibilities at FEMA. He also shares how the calling to help people who are affected by disasters is meaningful to him and a worthy career path.

Morning Atamai with Elinor Lutu-McMoore 

In this episode, Elinor Lutu-McMoore, Meteorologist-in-Charge at the US National Weather Service Pago Pago, talks to ASCC student Donwen Hong about her job and responsibilities as a federal government employee at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She also dives into her time and experience as an ASCC student. 

More episodes coming soon.