Building Bridges with the MANA Program

MANA coordinator Mele Makalo and alumna Fine Tuitupou share how the program guides Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Asian, and Native American students through the college experience, from enrollment through graduation. Community is key, they said – MANA offers a place to call home. Mele added that one-on-one services such as academic and social interactions, career development, graduation/transfer assistance, and mentorship make all the difference. Fine, also a recent UC Berkeley grad, said MANA helped shape her future; she appreciated being a part of a community where she felt seen and heard.