EWU TRIO McNair is proud to celebrate Brasin Benjamin, a first-generation Marshallese McNair Scholar, who has been accepted to the University of Hawaii, Master of Arts in Pacific Island Studies.
Brasin is currently completing his undergraduate degree at EWU, majoring in International Affairs with minors in Communication Studies and Sociology. Beyond the classroom, he serves as President of the Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Club and is an active member of the College Success Foundation, a testament to his dedication to both his community and his academic journey.
His commitment to meaningful scholarship was on full display during the summer of 2025, when Brasin conducted faculty-mentored research under the guidance of Dr. Kristin Edquist. His research, titled The Legacy of US Nuclear Testing on the Marshall Islands: Environmental & Political Impacts, examined the long-term human and environmental consequences of U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands from 1946 to 1958. Drawing on qualitative comparative analysis and community-based research methods, Brasin’s work explored the intersections of structural violence, indigenous knowledge, environmental justice, and post-colonial theory; shedding light on how the legacy of nuclear colonialism continues to shape Marshallese lives today. His research also highlighted the power of Marshallese resistance through legal battles, global activism, and cultural expression.
Brasin’s academic and research interests are deeply personal. As a Marshallese student, he brings a unique and vital perspective to conversations about climate change in the Pacific, nuclear weapons policy, diplomacy, and the historical structures of government. Looking ahead, he aspires to a career in diplomacy, international policy, and global security and environmental sustainability research, with a steadfast commitment to advocating for vulnerable communities affected by climate change and nuclear policies. We congratulate Brasin on this well-deserved achievement. Great job Brasin!
For more information visit: https://inside.ewu.edu/mcnair/brasin-benjamin/
