Advancing social justice

For Karalee Mahealani Vaughn, representing the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) community on a national platform is a crucial step in advancing Native equity and visibility. 

In early September, Vaughn, the assistant director of retention & student success for Native Student Programs (NSP) at the University of Redlands, a doctoral candidate at U of R’s School of Education, and co-founder of Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC), co-hosted the inaugural NHPI Convening at the White House.

“We invited 80 Pacific Islander leaders, educators, elected officials, cultural practitioners, and artist to D.C. to participate in a pre-convening at the Capitol, the White House convening, and a reception celebrating EPIC's 15th anniversary,” Vaughn said. “It was an opportunity to engage with federal officials from the Biden-Harris Administration and highlight issues critical to our communities. 

The White House convening marked a significant achievement for EPIC, a national Pacific Islander organization committed to advancing social justice for Pacific Islanders living in the continental U.S. The event also served as a key moment for Vaughn and her peers to advocate for NHPI representation at the highest levels of government. 

In recent years, EPIC has been instrumental in leadership development, advocacy in the policy-making arena and research, specifically in producing data reports and policy blueprints that give visibility to the unique needs of Pacific Islander communities, Vaughn said.

EPIC's collaboration with the Biden-Harris Administration has been ongoing, with the organization offering guidance on federal initiatives regarding Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. During the convening, Vaughn and her colleagues not only reviewed the administration's current efforts but also identified opportunities for growth and future action.

“This convening is hopefully the first of many,” Vaughn said. “We’re continuing to make strides on a national level for Pacific Islanders to be seen and heard. Federal agencies are now looking to us not just to represent our communities but to help design solutions to address our unique challenges,” Vaughn said. 

For Vaughn, the significance of this moment extends beyond policy. As a first-generation graduate, she understands the importance of having Native voices represented in every decision making space which includes the White House. 

Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders make up around 1.8 million people living in the United States, while Hawaii is home to the largest number of NHPIs, California hosts the second largest group, according to the 2022 U.S. Census.

In her role at Redlands, Vaughn continues to serve and mentor Native American, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian, calling upon others to also help elevate Native issues in every space where decision making is made. 

“I’m humbled and grateful to serve in this role,” Vaughn said. “As a Mana Wahine (strong Native Hawaiian woman), I feel blessed to have the support of strong women leaders at U of R who understand the intersections of my responsibilities both on campus and within the NHPI and Native communities. I also hope I can inspire all of our students to continue with their passions, build meaning and reciprocal relationships and be proud in representing yourselves, your communities and your ancestors,” Vaughn said. “What you do in this life has an impact on generations to come.”

Learn more about Native Student Programs.