niki libarios
by Charles Pen Khek Chear
(in Hawai‘i Pacific Review, October 2017)
there were
the short jokes
the mahalos
and when my eyes close,
the smile.
there is family
where tatay
leaves one paradise for another
and where tatay
becomes, perennial love at sea.
there is all of us
who knew niki for some days
or many years
there is still
all of us
who will remember
by loving, like libarios.
Dr. Ernest “Niki” Libarios, Jr. was beloved. His smile, laughter, and jokes cheered us, encouraged us, and made us feel loved. This year’s Pamantasan Conference, which will be held on October 5, 2018 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, will celebrate our dear friend’s life and research. Niki was a passionate advocate for educational equity and a champion of local students, especially those of Filipino ancestry. He showed us how to #BeKindToAStudent and the power that could be unleashed through kindness.
For this year’s Pamantasan Conference, we are looking for panel, paper, and workshop presentations that honor Niki’s legacy. In keeping with the conference theme, we are especially interested in presentations that inspire our Filipina/o college students and speak to their needs and interests. For example, presentations can address the following questions:
- What are the experiences, challenges, and successes related to students transferring from community colleges to 4-year campuses?
- How can we address Filipina/o underrepresentation in higher education?
- How can we encourage more students to pursue careers in teaching?
- How can we create culturally-responsive and place-based curricula, advising, and programming that address the needs of Filipina/o students?
- What is the role of social justice in framing our work with students?
While all presentations should somehow relate to higher education, they may also be on a range of topics, including Filipino/a or Filipino/a-American history, culture, language, arts, civic and community engagement, activism, politics and policy, leadership, health and wellness, and beyond. Each presentation session will be approximately 45 minutes long.
To submit a presentation proposal, please complete the Google Form below and click the “Submit” button once completed. The priority deadline for submissions is August 17 and a final deadline for submissions is September 7. If you have any questions, please contact us as [email protected]. We look forward to living Niki Libarios’ mantra to #BeKindToAStudent with you.