Easterlei Tuitasi ’26 is among just 100 students nationally selected for the honor
Chaminade Psychology student Easterlei Tuitasi ‘26 was recently selected for the prestigious Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service, which aims to celebrate student leaders with access to new opportunities and offers recipients financial assistance and a generous travel stipend.
Tuitasi was among just 100 students nationally selected for the 2024-26 scholarship cohort.
She is the first recipient of the Voyagers scholarship from American Samoa, and said her selection offers a chance to “broaden my perspective, develop new skills, and create meaningful connections that will shape my future career and the impact I hope to have on others.”
Tuitasi said her long-term goal is to become a clinical psychologist, focusing on trauma and child psychology. “I plan to use this opportunity to expand my academic knowledge and gain practical, real-world experience” and explore different approaches to mental health, she said.
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The Voyager Scholarship, which is administered by the Obama Foundation, is funded with a $100 million gift from Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky.
Recipients receive financial aid of up to $25,000 a year to cover educational expenses, a 10-year travel stipend totaling $20,000, an invitation to a fall summit, and access to a mentoring network of leaders.
Tuitasi said in applying for the scholarship, she emphasized her passion for psychological research that delves into cultural attitudes toward mental health.
“My interests aim to dissect how diverse perspectives influence everything from treatment options to the assimilation of mental wellness routines in everyday life settings,” said Tuitasi, who is a junior.
Tuitasi said she selected Chaminade for its highly-regarded Psychology program and low student-to-professor ratio. After graduation, she plans to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology.
“Alongside further studies, I also plan to gain practical experience through internships or entry-level roles. Hands-on experience is critical,” she said.
She added she’s extremely grateful to the funders of the scholarship.
“The chance to connect with others with the same passion for public service inspires me even more to contribute to building stronger, healthier societies,” Tuitasi said, adding she feels “blessed.”
