Oceania Student Celebration
History
The annual Oceania Student Celebration (OSC) honors, uplifts, and makes visible the accomplishments of graduating students while centering Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Pacific Islander (NH/PI) identities, cultures, and contributions. Prior to the creation of the OSC, NH/PI graduates were recognized within the broader Asian and Pacific Islander Student Celebration. Over time, students, alongside partners in the Department of Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies and Native Studies, advocated for recognition of NH/PI identities as Indigenous peoples with distinct histories, cultures, and lived experiences.
This advocacy led to the establishment of a celebration that centers Pasifika identity, community, and cultural expression. The 2025 Oceania Student Celebration marked the first Pasifika-centered celebration at the University of Michigan. While the celebration highlights NH/PI experiences, it is open to all students and members of the university community who wish to participate in and celebrate this space.
The Oceania Student Celebration is planned in collaboration with the Oceania Student Association Student Committee, ensuring it remains grounded in the communities and experiences it highlights.
Mission
The Oceania Student Celebration honors the histories, identities, and contributions of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities at the University of Michigan while welcoming all participants who choose to engage in the celebration. It recognizes the richness of Pasifika experiences and celebrates the accomplishments of participating students.
The celebration also acknowledges faculty and staff who contribute to student success through academic enrichment, research, and community-building efforts. Through this celebration, the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI), in partnership with the Oceania Student Planning Committee, affirms its commitment to creating spaces that are culturally grounded and open to all. The event is open to all students and members of the university community who wish to participate, engage, and celebrate in this space.
