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About ASCC

HISTORY

The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) is located on Tutuila, the largest of American Samoa's seven islands, in the village of Mapusaga, nine miles west of the territory's capital of Pago Pago. American Samoa lies about 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii and 1,800 miles northeast of New Zealand. Tutuila comprises approximately three fourths of American Samoa's 76 square miles and is home to 90% of its population of approximately 60,000. The other six islands are Aunu'u, Ofu, Olosega, Ta’u, Swains, and Rose Atoll.

ASCC was established in 1970 to provide post-secondary education opportunities in the Liberal Arts, Teacher Training, Vocational-Technical Education and General Education to the residents of American Samoa. ASCC offers Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees and Certificates in academic and technical areas as part of the American Samoa Department of Education. The first freshman class of 131 attended courses held in the old Lands and Survey Building (the current site of the Lumana'I Building) in Fagatogo. The following year, the College was moved temporarily to the former Fia Iloa High School building in Utulei. The move to a permanent campus was made in September of 1974 when ASCC took over the previous site of Mapusaga High School.

In 1979, a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration enabled ASCC to complete five new buildings, with modern facilities for instruction in Science, Nursing, Fine Arts and Vocational Education, as well as a cafeteria and a gymnasium. In 2003, the College opened its state-of-the-art ASCC Library. The new library featured vastly improved technology and an expanded book collection, including a section consisting exclusively of resource materials for Teacher Education majors. In 2008, ASCC completed improvements to the ASCC infrastructure included the Lecture Hall, administrative offices, and two Teacher Education classrooms. Over the ensuing years, the Lecture Hall has proven a popular site for a wide range of ASCC and public events. In 2011, all classrooms, science labs and computer labs, were renovated and upgraded with funding from the American Reinvestment Recovery Act (ARRA). This helped bring ASCC’s learning resources into more consistent alignment with equivalent facilities across the nation.

In 2013, the American Samoa Bachelor in Education Program at ASCC was accredited through a joint collaboration between the Senior and Junior WASC Accrediting commissions. The first group of Education majors to complete their B.Ed. degrees at ASCC graduated in spring 2012. The College’s Bachelor program continues to be accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

In 2018, the Multi-Purpose Center (MPC), a five-million dollar project funded by the American Samoa Governor’s Capital Improvement Projects under the U.S. Department of Interior was dedicated in January. The MPC which serves as a hub for all student support services under the Student Services Division. The MPC includes a large auditorium, offices, conference rooms, student computer lab, tutorial center, and student lounge. The MPC has become a popular site for events held by both the College and the public.

In 2021, the College assigned a building (office and classroom space) to provide students with the opportunity to enhance skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM). The STEAM Center under the purview of the Teacher Education Department, received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of “Adopting the STEAM Guitar Curriculum to Prepare Students in American Samoa for Technician Education”. The STEAM Center includes workshop space for students to build guitars, office, and storage space.

VISION

The American Samoa Community College holds as its central theme “Saili le Atamai” or to “seek knowledge.” Our journey pushes us forward to achieve our mission to provide high quality educational programs and services. We remain grounded in the core values of student centeredness, respect for diversity, collaboration and teamwork, respect for tradition and culture, and lifelong learning while meeting the challenges of the 21st Century. We envision an active impact in the development of the educational, social, cultural, political, economic, technological, and environmental well-being of American Samoa and the Pacific.

MISSION

The mission of the American Samoa Community College is to foster successful student learning by providing high quality educational programs and services that will enable students to achieve their educational goals and to contribute to the social, cultural, political, economic, technological, and environmental well-being of American Samoa.

To fulfill this mission, the College, as an open admissions, United States accredited, Land Grant institution, provides access to bachelor and associate degrees and certificate programs of study. These programs prepare all students including those who are educationally underserved, challenged, or non-traditional for:

  • Successful entry into the workforce
  • Transfer to institutions of higher learning
  • Awareness of Samoa and the Pacific
  • Research and extension in human and natural resources

MANULAUTI (MISSION - SAMOAN VERSION)

O le manulautī a le Kolisi Tu’ufaatasi o Amerika Samoa, o le tu’uina atu o polokalama ma tautua fa’alea’oa’oga i se tulaga maoa’e ina ia manuia ai a’oa’oga a tagata a’oga ma mafai ai ona ‘ausia sini fa’alea‘oa’oga ma tofu sao i le soifua manuia tau i le vafealoai, fa’aleaganu’u, fa’afaigamalo, fa’atamāoāiga, fa’atekonolosi, ma le si’osi’omaga o Amerika Samoa.

Ina ia taunu’u lenei manulautī, o le Kolisi, ona o se a’oga e tatala le ulufale i so’o se tagata, e taualoa i tulaga taua’oa’oga a le Iunaite Setete, ma o se a’oga tau Laufanua ma Atinae, e tu’uina atu avanoa mo tikeri pakaloli ma tikeri fa’avae fa’apea tusipasi. O nei polokalama o lo o saunia ai tagata a’oga uma e aofia ai ma i latou e faigata ona maua avanoa, lu‘itauina, po’o i latou sa le’i masani ona avea ma tagata a’oga i se kolisi mo le:

  • Faamanuiaina i galuega
  • Faaauau atu i iunivesite ma aoaoga maualuluga atu
  • Silafia o Samoa ma le Pasefika.
  • Sailiiliga ma le faalautelega i mataupu tau tagata ma punaoa faalenatura

INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon graduating from the American Samoa Community College, all students should acquire the skills and demonstrate proficiencies as:

    ILO 1 Effective Communicators

    ASCC graduates communicate respectfully, listen attentively, seek clarification, and value the opinions of others. Graduates effectively present information using a variety of modes and media. They adapt their method of presentation to suit specific audiences and convey their intended message using a variety of oral, written, and visual strategies.

    ILO 2 Quantitative Competent Individuals

    ASCC graduates organize, and critically examine written, oral, visual, and numerical information. Graduates efficiently use technology as a tool to gather and evaluate information from a variety of perspectives. Graduates use the information ethically, respecting the legal restrictions that exist when using published, confidential, and proprietary information.

    ILO 3 Critical Thinkers

    ASCC graduates engage in the examination of ideas, issues, and problems, drawing on established bodies of knowledge and means of analysis. Graduates organize information logically and consider alternate strategies. They recognize the need for multiple voices and seek opportunities for those voices to be heard.

    ILO 4 Global Citizens

    ASCC graduates are prepared to participate in regional and global communities. They demonstrate knowledge of their region and the world.

    ILO 5 Responsible Leaders

    ASCC graduates act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions, ethically and equitably. Graduates engage in professional dialogue and participate in learning communities.

INSTITUTIONAL CORE VALUES

Through the missions of our programs and services, we hold ourselves accountable to the following:

  • Student Centeredness: ASCC commits to provide high quality programs and services focusing on student learning.
  • Respect for Diversity: ASCC embraces individuality and appreciation of global perspectives and viewpoints that enhance quality of life.
  • Collaboration and Teamwork: ASCC promotes a sound environment for networking opportunities through effective communication, partnerships, and growth.
  • Respect for Tradition and Culture: ASCC embraces cultural heritage, traditions, language, and customs and their impact in education and research.
  • Lifelong Learning: ASCC encourages continuation of learning and provides pathways for personal, ethical, and professional growth.

GOVERNANCE

Since the implementation of Public Law 22-30, the College has assumed semi-independent governance and has established a structure that maximizes participation, recognizes and value expertise, and paces authority at the appropriate level. The College governance system clarifies the roles of faculty, professional and classified staff, the President, Administration, and students. In a governance system, the President is the final authority in the decision-making process, having the authority to accept or reject recommendations.

The Board of Higher Education is responsible for the selection of the President, setting policies and the control and management of the college.