Author: Kayla Valera

Alan Tupou is a third-year student at KCC who will soon graduate next semester with a degree in pre-engineering. Tupou grew up in Pālolo, Oʻahu but has recently moved with his family to Kaimukī. Before attending college, Tupou was homeschooled and said that in the meantime, he would also work a lot and make money through the his family’s concrete business and would specialize in masonry.

He made his way to KCC with the help of Aunty Keolani, the head coordinator for the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program at KCC, and had met her through his friend who was married to her daughter. Before he transfers to the college of engineering at UH Mānoa, Tupou hopes to narrow down a field in engineering, either civil or mechanical, that he will pursue for his four-year degree. 

Li-Anne DeLevega has worked at the KCC Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) center as a PEEC II Recruitment & Retention Specialist since March 20 of this year. Her work under the PEEC II grant includes handling purchases, managing the budget, as well as recruiting students. DelaVega helps to make engineering majors aware of projects that coincide with their interests and engage in community outreach. One of the things that  DelaVega finds exciting about her job is seeing students’ passion for technology, which is something that she shares a love for as well.