CONTACT:
Linda Relyea
719-587-7827
lsrelyea@adams.edu
www.adams.edu/news
ALAMOSA, CO. (December 23, 2024) – The Adams State University Department of Sociology faculty recognizes Hame Fotofili Vea as an outstanding graduate from the fall 2024 class.
Vea, from East Palo Alto, Calif., received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology.
“Being a first-generation Pacific Islander graduate gives me so much pride and honor to be a role model to other Pacific Islander youth coming up and going to college, it is possible, you can do it.”
He appreciates the experiences and the knowledge he obtained through student life and academics at Adams State. “A big shoutout to my professors in the Sociology Department, y’all are truly awesome and I wouldn’t be here without y’all.”
After graduation, Vea begins a paid internship with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources KUPU program saving and protecting endangered species and supporting conservation efforts.
“My professors provided a safe place for me to learn and mess up. This helped me create confidence in myself.” He credits connections with peers with also helping with is success.
Vea’s internship at La Puente Community Shelter, provided experience in the field of social work. He held a work-study job in the Rex Activity Center and was the assistant defensive line football coach this past spring and this fall.
“Connections outside of academics helped me thrive. Being able to have people speak highly of you in the community has been something I have been proud of here at Adams State. This is just a reflection of who I am and who I strive to be as a person.”
Vea graduates in four-years with little student loan debt.
He represented for Pacific Islander students on campus at Adams State and participated in the Black Students Union and the Sociology Club.
“My growth from freshman to senior year is night and day. I came into college as a kid and didn’t understand how to maneuver academics and sports. But now after years of growth, I understand that through trial and error I was able to be resilient and fight past the negativity and defy the odds. Forever blessed and forever grateful for the opportunity to be able to go to school and thrive.”
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