The South Pacific Division (SPD) community of the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) proudly took the spotlight at the Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association (AHSRA) Conference 2025, held June 25–28 at Andrews University in Michigan, USA. With the theme “Global Issue, Local Impact,” the conference brought together scholars and practitioners from around the world to explore how local communities address universal challenges.

Representing the SPD community of AIIAS, Anasa Tabua presented research titled “Fostering an Inclusive Environment for New Students through the South Pacific Division Community Support System at AIIAS: An Appreciative Inquiry.” The study surfaced how the SPD community’s unique support system helps new Island regional students feel welcomed, connected, and empowered—turning global concerns of belonging, cultural adjustment, and emotional safety into local strengths.

Tabua employed the 4D model of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) that can guide support for new students arriving from the SPD Region. Using this framework, he developed four practical models. In a nutshell:

1. Discovery Phase– H.O.M.E. Model (Hospitality, Openness, Meaningful Connections, Emotional/Spiritual Safety): Students reported feeling at “home” through hospitality, warm welcomes, and worship across cultures—practices that can be intentionally extended to Island regional students as they adjust to life at AIIAS.

2. Dream Phase– C.A.R.E. Model (Connect, Assist, Relate, Empower): The vision of stronger buddy systems, pre-arrival communication, and spiritual mentoring directly addresses the needs of SPD students, ensuring they have practical and emotional support from the moment they consider AIIAS.

3. Design Phase– B.O.N.D. Model (Build, Organize, Nurture, Develop): Embedding inclusion into structures through orientation, leadership roles, and family-inclusive activities ensures that SPD students experience a smooth and culturally sensitive transition into campus life.

4. Destiny Phase– S.E.E.D. Model (Sustain, Equip, Empower, Develop): Documentation, leadership succession, and financial backing are key to sustaining these efforts. With proper planning, Island regional students can continue to benefit from a system that grows stronger over time.

The presentation was warmly received, underscoring AIIAS’s role as a leader in faith-based education and inclusive community building. The SPD community at AIIAS provides a model for how institutions worldwide—and especially within our SPD region—can make global issues tangible in local, transformative ways. By highlighting the SPD community, the research showed how the Appreciative Inquiry model can continue to strengthen support for Island regional students, ensuring that they are welcomed, nurtured, and empowered to thrive.