A former Vice President of the American Samoa Community College, is returning to the college as its new President.
The Board of Higher Education has announced the appointment of Ti’alemasunu Tupuola Dr. Mikaele Etuale as ASCC’s next President.
A press release said that following a thorough search, the Board selected the incoming President from an elite group of highly qualified candidates. Dr. Etuale will officially assume the role on September 8, 2026, succeeding Interim President Sonny J. Leomiti who will resume his vital role as Vice President of Administration and Finance.
BHE Chairperson Dr. Oreta Mapu Crichton said, “We are thrilled to welcome Ti’alemasunu Tupuola Dr. Mikaele Etuale to the American Samoa Community College.
“Out of a highly competitive pool of exceptional leaders, Dr. Etuale emerged as the absolute best fit to guide our beloved institution into its next chapter.”
Chairperson Dr. Mapu Crichton extended heartfelt thanks to Sonny J. Leomiti for stepping into the Interim President role.
Caption: Incoming President Dr. Etuale and Interim President Leomiti with the Board of Higher Education Standing L-R: Secretary Trustee Pualani Pulu Fui, Vice Chairperson Dr. Lina Galeai Scanlan, Interim President Sonny J. Leomiti, Trustee Sesula McMoore Tufele, Trustee Loata Sipili Sitting L-R: Chairperson Dr. Oreta Mapu Crichton, Incoming President Ti’alemasunu Tupuola Dr. Mikaele Etuale, Ex-Officio Maefau Dr. Mary L. Taufete’e. Missing Trustee,Brigitte Moala and Student Trustee TBD.
She said Leomiti provided exceptional stability, steady leadership, and unwavering dedication during this transition, “ensuring our campus, faculty, and students continued to thrive. We are incredibly fortunate that Leomiti will continue to serve our institution as he returns to his pivotal role as Vice President of Administration and Finance.”
Ti’alemasunu is a former Vice President of ASCC. He was a special assistant to Governor Lolo Moliga for 8 years and served as Chief Procurement Officer in the Lemanu and Laapui administration.
“I am deeply honored to be selected as the next president,” said Dr Etuale. “I look forward to working closely with the Board, the talented faculty, dedicated staff, and the broader community”. I also thanked Interim President Leomiti for his outstanding stewardship of the college.
Ti’alemasunu holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California with a Master of Arts in Education from the University of San Francisco, California.
