Knowledgeable and truly inspiring educator.
Esmay Lemalu-Eteuati serves as the Associate Dean – Pacific at the Otago Business School within the Division of Commerce at the University of Otago, a role she assumed in December 2017. Of Samoan descent, she joined the Otago Business School in 2013 on a part-time basis as the Pacific Islands Academic Adviser, where she provides essential support to Pacific students from third-year undergraduate level and above. Her advisory services encompass course selection guidance, study skills development, exam preparation, assistance with scholarships, grants, internships, and student exchanges, as well as organizing extra tutorials, facilitating connections among Pacific students, and offering pastoral care attuned to Pacific cultural contexts. She liaises with academic departments, lecturers, and tutors, and refers students to additional university resources while keeping them informed of relevant news and events.
Prior to her current positions, Esmay Lemalu-Eteuati was a Professional Practice Fellow at the University College of Education, coordinating and delivering Pacific content in courses. She holds a Bachelor of Education (BEd), a Master of Indigenous Studies (MIndS) from the University of Otago, and a Diploma of Teaching (DipTchg) from the Dunedin College of Education. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Otago. Her scholarly contributions focus on higher education pedagogy and inclusive research methods, evidenced by co-authorship on key publications including 'Good teaching as care in higher education' (Higher Education, 2020, with Vivienne Anderson, Rafaela Rabello, Rob Wass, Clinton Golding, Ana Rangi, Zoe Bristowe, and Arianna Waller) and 'Photovoice as a research method for higher education research' (Higher Education Research & Development, 39(4), 834-850, 2020, with Rob Wass, Vivienne Anderson, Rafaela Rabello, Clinton Golding, and Ana Rangi). In recognition of her work, she received the Ako Aotearoa Pacific Professional Development Fund Award in 2018 and serves on the Ako Aotearoa Pacific Peoples' Caucus Governance Board. Through her leadership, Esmay Lemalu-Eteuati advances the University's Pacific Strategic Framework 2022–2030, fostering the recruitment, retention, and academic success of Pacific students in commerce and business disciplines.