Loriann A. Leota, EdD, a 2024 graduate of the EdD in Educational and Professional Practice at Antioch University, has published her dissertation entitled True Culture at War With Colonizer Culture: The Underrepresentation of Pacific Islander Students in Higher Education. This dissertation examines the limited number of Pacific Islander students who advance from high school to higher education. It also examines the percentage of Pacific Islander students attending higher education but not acquiring their degree. The small number of Pacific Islanders graduating from higher education has significant economic consequences. Less than 10% of Pacific Islanders pursue higher education, and an even smaller percentage hold administrative positions. Additionally, they earn just 0.1% of all doctoral degrees. As a Palauan educational leader, Leota intends to break the glass ceiling for not only herself but all Island people.
This dissertation highlights that Pacific Islander students and their collectivist culture, which emphasizes extended family responsibilities and shared resources, often clash with individualistic American values. Major family events demand significant time and financial contributions, which can detract from academic responsibilities. The research focuses on Melanesians, Micronesians, and Polynesians living in the U.S., examining how cultural differences affect their educational progress. The study notes a lack of research and effective strategies to address these challenges, emphasizing the need for further study on the specific obstacles and support mechanisms for Pacific Islander students.
Leota is an experienced and highly effective administrator and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from William Paterson University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Concordia University Irvine.
Leota has worked as both a teacher and educational leader in several settings, from urban to suburban, and has served diverse populations. She truly believes that all children can grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially when they are provided with a caring and engaging educator. A strong equity advocate, she believes in meeting the whole child’s needs by building relationships, empowering students to be agents of social change, and inspiring leaders.
Read the full dissertation True Culture at War With Colonizer Culture: The Underrepresentation of Pacific Islander Students in Higher Education here.
