Oceans of Opportunity Makes Waves for Pasifika Students and Families This Summer
Oceans of Opportunity is arriving at Cal Poly Pomona this summer with two free programs that will highlight support for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students, families, and supporters.
The Office of Student Success, Mt. San Antonio College Arise Program, and campus partners will host Pasifika College Day on Saturday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The free one-day program is open to all K-12 students, transfer-ready community college students, current college students, families and supporters.
The event features campus tours, admissions, financial aid, and cultural workshops, and a resource fair connecting attendees with college and community organizations serving Pacific Islanders. Participants can also engage in cultural performances from the Kutturan CHamoru Foundation and sessions celebrating identity, community and belonging.
Oceans of Opportunity will also facilitate a Summer Residential Experience for high school students from Sunday, July 19 to Thursday, July 23. In a five-day overnight program centered on Pacific Islander student experiences, participants will live on campus in a college residential hall, build leadership and college readiness skills, explore academic majors and career pathways, and connect with peers, mentors and campus resources.
Shanahan Europa, assistant coordinator for AANHPI Initiatives at CPP, said Oceans of Opportunity was created to strengthen connections to higher education and uplift students and families by fostering knowledge, building community and celebrating cultural identity.
“We are so excited to welcome students and their supporters to CPP for Oceans of Opportunity,” Europa said. “We hope to show them that higher education is a space where they belong, and that they leave feeling supported and confident college is a place where they can truly thrive.”
These opportunities are funded through the CSU Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Student Achievement Program. In 2025, CPP obtained $1.8 million in CSU ASAP funding for five years to strengthen the retention, success, and graduation of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American students.
At CPP, CSU ASAP funding supports a university-wide collaboration led by the Office of Student Success and the Department of Ethnic and Women’s Studies, in partnership with the Division of Student Affairs and Outreach, Recruitment & Educational Partnerships. Together, these teams are expanding culturally responsive programs and resources that foster belonging and open more pathways to degree completion for APIDA students.
Registration for Pasifika College Day is open through July 7, and the Summer Residential Experience applications for students entering grades 9-12 are open through June 26.