Elepise Leiataua proudly serves as the first Pasifika Student Trustee on the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees, making history after her election in the 2025 LBCC Associated Student Body Elections. A proud first-generation Samoan/Niuean woman and Compton native, she is a non-traditional college student who consistently advocates for more visibility and equity for the Pasifika community in higher education. Beyond this historic milestone, Elepise is much more, she has been a consistent Dean’s List honoree throughout her academic career here at LBCC, a dedicated community advocate, non-profit volunteer, and a hardworking student/student employee at LBCC.

A third-year student at LBCC, Elepise’s academic journey began in Pre-Med before a transformative experience in the Asian Pacific Islander Desi (APID) learning community MANA Program inspired her to shift focus to Public Policy and Ethnic Studies, which she hopes to pursue as double major when she transfers. She is dedicated to increasing representation and advocating for the Pasifika community – aspiring to serve on her hometown Compton City Council, become a college or university president, and ultimately make her way to Congress to uplift APID generations.

Passionate about cross-cultural understanding, Elepise loves to travel and has studied Abnormal Psychology in Ireland and Northern Ireland, visiting every continent except Antarctica. She also served an 18-month mission back in her homeland of Samoa, and that deep connection to her roots is what drives her desire to see more for her community and the same for others. Her global and cultural experiences have shaped her commitment to leadership, equity, and creating opportunities for underrepresented students.

Having often felt unseen, Elepise draws on that experience to be a representative for all communities. She is driven to advocate for every student’s needs and strives to ensure every voice is heard and every person feels seen and valued.