Luseane Anga Ae Fonu Tutoe - 2025 Graduate Hood Recipient

Luseane Anga Ae Fonu Tutoe - Master of Arts in Ethnic Studies

Luseane identifies as a Tongan Pacific Islander scholar, firmly grounded within the values of an indigenous Pacific Islander lens. Before transferring to SF State, Luseane constantly struggled to find institutional support that would allow her to embrace her identities as a Pacific Islander and an academic in the US. Luseane’s graduate research looks to uplift the navigational wealth Pacific Islander students and faculty have curated here in the Bay Area region, working to flip the rhetoric of negative stigmas Pacific Islander students face upon entering educational institutions.

Currently, Luseane holds a position as one of five Critical Pacific Islands & Oceania Studies Research interns, a leadership role for the Pacific Islander Student Association, and has worked with the Associated Students’ Marketing & Communications Team. She’s worked to uplift Pasifika livelihoods and knowledge systems. Luseane was also nominated and awarded the 2024 Alli’s Awards, Graduate Student of the Year, from the Division of Student Life.

Some of Luseane’s favorite memories from her time on campus include planning for the AAPI Mural Celebrations, interviewing Pacific Islander students/faculty during the Pasifika in Focus campaign, and, of course, taking it to the picket lines to get into some good trouble. After graduation, Luseane wishes to continue her pursuit of teaching at the community college level.