A new mind for Multicultural Student Services
A one-time “Bulldog Award” winner from the College of San Mateo’s football team has joined up with USU’s Multicultural Student Services.
Keith Vakafutu Osai, 27, a former CSM Bulldog wide receiver given the award for his hard work, now helps call the shots for USU’s Multicultural Student Services as the academic program coordinator.
According to their mission statement, the Office of Multicultural Student Services helps “provide direction for Utah State University’s commitment to cultural diversity and for the recruitment, retention and development of its Native American, African-American, Asian-American, Pacific Island and Latino students. Our principal efforts are directed toward the achievement of academic excellence and the development of sensitivity, understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity through increased communication and interaction among minority students, the University, and the community at large.”
Osai, who was born and raised in San Mateo, Calif., attended the College of San Mateo for two years where he received his associate’s degree, and then he transferred to Brigham Young University, graduating summer 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
Osai calls himself a good cultural mix of “potato and coconut.”
“My father is from Tonga and my mother is from Idaho,” he said. “I come from two great cultures, and I try to foster both. I was always very involved in Polynesian clubs. I did a lot of Polynesian dancing throughout high school and into junior college.”
While attending CSM, Osai served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New York South Mission from 2000-2002.
After serving his mission, Osai said he decided he wanted to continue with his education and transferred to BYU. Although Osai never took the ACT or SAT, he was able to get into BYU with solid grades from CSM, a few good recommendations and lots of hard work.
“I don’t consider myself a book-smart person, but I do consider myself an extremely hard worker,” said Osai.
Being youngest of eight children, Osai said he got his fair share of being picked on but that he was definitely looked after by his older brothers and sisters. He said he was never simply given what he wanted and always had to work for it.
While attending BYU, Osai worked as a student employee in the BYU Multicultural Office.
“I was able to see the great things that the people there were able to do,” Osai said. “They helped me make it through college with counseling, academic advising and scholarships, which helped out a ton.”
Osai said after he graduated and he was looking into different career paths, his mind kept going back to his love of service. He then began to focus on choosing a career where he could feel the gratification of service.
“I think a lot of my success is due to the fact that I served a lot while growing up,” said Osai, “I really learned the importance of service.”
Osai expressed his gratitude towards the BYU Multicultural Office and the service they provided for him. Osai said he hopes being the academic program coordinator for the USU Multicultural Student Services will give him an opportunity to serve by helping students, the same way he was once helped.
Osai also teaches a management and human resources class, MHR 1160, which helps incoming freshman and first year transfer students by teaching basic self-management skills. The class is part of the TOPS, transitional opportunities for proactive students, program, which Osai said is a great way to transition into Aggie life.
“I’m also going to be the advisor for the Polynesian Student Union,” said Osai, “That will be a big responsibility, but it will be something I really enjoy. I really loved doing those things throughout high school and college. So I really look forward to being involved in that.”
Osai said the cultural student unions at USU aren’t only for people of the specific race, culture or ethnicity. He encourages students of all backgrounds to join. A lot can be learned from joining one of USU’s many student unions. Culture is something that needs to be explored and shared, Osai said.
“I really just want everyone to know that we’re here to serve, serve the community and serve the students. We love people around here. I find joy in helping people,” Osai said.”That’s my main motivation, to help somebody. If I can help somebody, it makes it all worth it.”
Any students interested in finding out more about the office of Multicultural Student Services, should visit their office on the third floor of the TSC Room 309, or call 797-1733.
–c.h.j@aggiemail.usu.edu