Associate Dean Professor (ADP) Ellery Fruean and his family pictured together Izaak (17), Porter (12), and Tahli (10) where Fruean says his cultural background has helped shape every aspect of his work.
As Ellery Fruean steps into the Associate Dean Pacific role within the University of Otago’s School of Pharmacy, he brings pride in his West Auckland upbringing and a strong commitment to supporting Pacific students within tertiary education.
Of Samoan and Māori descent, Ellery’s pathway into health was shaped early by a desire to work in a field that serves people and communities. While studying first year Health Sciences at Otago, he discovered Pharmacy and quickly saw its alignment with his aspirations.
“I knew I wanted to do something in the health sector and found out about Pharmacy while doing First Year Health Sciences here at Otago, and thought it sounded a lot like something that I wanted to pursue,” he says.
Ellery has now worked at Otago for the past three years but his journey into academia was not initially planned.
“Coming into academia was something I was shoulder-tapped about,” he says.
This opportunity has allowed Ellery to support students while also developing a deeper understanding of the systems shaping tertiary education.
Ellery’s cultural background continues to inform how he approaches leadership, education, and advocacy. Being Samoan and Māori has played a big role in his decision-making, he says.
“My cultural background has helped to shape every aspect of what I do.
“Coming from the lived experiences of being both Samoan and Māori gives me first-hand insight into what needs to be done in order to improve equitable outcomes in education, research, and academia.”
Ellery Fruean with the fourth-year Māori students, and staff from the School of Pharmacy. He hopes to ensure students have access to support and clear points of contact within the School.
This grounding underpins Ellery’s approach to the Associate Dean Pacific role.
“This means a lot because the role gives me a seat at certain tables to make sure that our Pacific students (and community) are not only being considered but being helped to thrive in any way possible.”
For Ellery, one of the most pressing needs is ensuring students have access to support and clear points of contact.
“The biggest thing is probably making sure there is student support and a point of contact for the students to ask any questions or anything,” adding that simply having the role in place already addresses a key gap.
Looking ahead, he hopes to establish a long-term workable process within the School.
“I would love to have more solidified processes and plans in place so that regardless of who steps in or out of this role, there will be something there for everyone to continue to follow.”
For Pacific students considering studying, his message is both encouraging and frank.
“Give it a try, you never know what could come of it, and if it doesn’t end up working out, then at least you can say that you tried it.
“It’s better to try and fail, than to never try at all.”
- Talanoa by Viena Faiva, Pacific Communications Adviser