Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander special emphasis program seeks volunteers

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson

Hill Air Force Base’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Office is inviting individuals interested in helping identify policies, procedures and practices that affect recruitment, representation, retention, and advancement to join the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Program.

The affinity group is managed by Aloha Reynolds, a program manager with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and Special Emphasis Program Manager responsible for the concerns of Asian American and Pacific Islander employees in the areas of hiring, training, mentoring, career development and retention. She serves as an advisor to both the workforce and to management officials, ensuring that all persons can participate in the full range of employment opportunities.

“It is an honor to serve in this position for Hill Air Force Base on behalf of NHPI employees,” Reynolds said. “We are an integral part of Air Force mission ‘To fly, fight, and win… Airpower anytime, anywhere.’  I am proud of our talents and skills and want to ensure that our contributions are continuously present in this thriving and diverse workforce.”

Volunteers for the program become part of a Member Employee Resource Group (MERG), meeting together monthly to analyze issues facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander workforce. They then help develop solutions to removing barriers and overcoming challenges.

The special emphasis program is open to anyone, regardless of age, race or gender, and is integral in enhancing employment, career development and advancement opportunities.

To become a member of a Special Emphasis Program committee, which serves as a working group to assist and support the SEPMs, volunteers must be designated through their supervisory chain of command. They are appointed for a period of two years, where they serve as liaisons, providing information about concerns and needs of the workers represented by the program, and aid in the identification and removal of barriers to advancement and career development.

For more information or to join the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander MERG, contact Reynolds at aloha.reynolds@us.af.mil or the Hill AFB DEIA office at 75ABW.DEIA.Workflow@us.af.mil.