Chaminade University of Honolulu

University Communications & Marketing

Chaminade to Offer a New Emergency Student Endowment Fund

Chaminade University Board of Governors member Julie T. Watumull and her husband JD Watumull have gifted over $100,000 to start an endowed emergency student fund at Chaminade University. The “Julie T. and JD Watumull Fund for Emergency Student Grants” will be the first of its kind at Chaminade, specifically created to help students who have experienced an unexpected temporary hardship while attending the university.

Students who receive the emergency grant will not need to repay the funds. There is an application process, and grants range from $100-$1,000, depending on the situation. The Watumull Fund will be administered by the Dean of Students, Allison Jerome, in close consultation with the Office of Financial Aid and other support service areas on campus.

“We have students who need assistance with unexpected and unforeseen emergency expenses, and this new fund gives us the ability to provide support in a different way,” said Jerome. “Our goal is to help students during a time of need so that they can address the emergency and continue to make progress towards their degrees. Being able to provide a small grant to a student is just one way to show how the Chaminade community cares for each student.”

Members of the Watumull family are longtime supporters of Chaminade with a 14-year philanthropic history at the university including the Fund for Chaminade and the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program’s business study missions to India, through the J. Watumull Foundation and Gulab and Indru Watumull.

Julie and JD’s vision to establish a new student emergency fund is bound to help generations of students at Chaminade for many years to come.

Data Science Summer Institute

Data science program summer institute, student doing research

What factors influence opioid addiction? Are fish ponds sustainable? What is the public opinion of Hawaii’s homeless population?

Twenty one Chaminade students spent a month this summer trying to answer these questions and more. Their quest was part of the Supporting Pacific Indigenous Computing Excellence (SPICE) Summer Institute in Data Science Program, a partnership between Chaminade University and the Texas Advanced Computing Center held on campus from May 20 to June 14.

The students, all from diverse majors and backgrounds, joined together for four weeks to explore the field of data science and how it can be used to solve some of our most pressing problems.

They spent the first week choosing a topic to investigate—anything from social, political, environmental, economic and health issues. Choosing a good topic was essential.

Data science program summer institute, students doing research

“One month is a long program, and we didn’t want the students to burn out,” says Dr. Rylan Chong ’10, data scientist and postdoctoral researcher at Chaminade University. “We wanted to make sure they were passionate about what they were doing, and that they believed in their project.”

During the second week, the students collected their datasets. They learned to access publicly available data, using sources like the Department of Education, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Census Bureau, among others.

Week 3 was spent interpreting the data and piecing together their story. And in week 4, they learned to present their data and turn it into graphical visualizations, easy for a lay person to understand.

Data science program summer institute, students doing research

The summer program served as a launchpad for the new data science major at Chaminade University, starting this fall. Upon completion of the month-long institute, several of the students are exploring adding a minor or certificate in data science, and some are even working with outside entities to continue their projects.

“Data science provides the tools to do things on a broader, bigger scale,” says Dr. Chong. “I’m excited to see how far these students take their projects, and to see the new projects that come out of the first cohort of students in the new data science program.”

To learn more about the new major in data science, the first of its kind at a Hawaii university, visit chaminade.edu/nsm/data-science.

2019 Hawaii Catholic Teacher of the Year

Ernest Mendoza notoriously puts his students first.

In his 27-year tenure for St. Anthony School in Maui, one of our sister Marianist institutions, he has impacted the lives of countless students. Whether it’s staying late to help a student on an assignment, inspiring students to find their faith in God or coming in on a weekend to fix things around campus, his legacy runs deep.

He was a natural choice for this year’s Teacher of the Year award, presented by Chaminade University and Hawaii Catholic Schools. 

Ernest Mendoza accepting his check for Hawaii Catholic Schools teacher of the year

“When we looked at Mr. Mendoza’s commitment to his students and service to his school, and the incredible testimonials we received from his students, alumni and colleagues, it was clear he deserved this award,” says Dale Fryxell, dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Chaminade University and member of the selection committee. “Mr. Mendoza exemplifies everything that this award stands for—a celebration of the effect teachers have on the lives of their students.”

Mendoza received the $1,000 award, made possible by the generous support of John and Mary Lou Brogan, at the annual Hawaii Catholic Schools Recognition Luncheon on May 22. 

Our own Dr. Helen Turner, dean of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and vice president of innovation at Chaminade University, was the event’s keynote speaker. She addressed the audience about innovation in Catholic schools.

A sincere thank you to Hawaii Catholic Schools for making these accolades possible. We look forward to our continued collaboration and partnership.

Chaminade Alumna Named Hawaii School Counselor of the Year

Raemie Pagaduan ’06 found her calling during an internship at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School while she was getting her master’s at Chaminade.

Raemie Pagaduan '07 and family

“What drew me to school counseling was being able to be an advocate for students, being that voice for some students who might not have one,” Pagaduan said.

The Master of Science in Counseling Psychology alumna began her career at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School 13 years ago as a 7-12th grade counselor and is now the school’s college and career counselor. 

Pagaduan’s passion for counseling, commitment to helping students thrive and her instrumental role in Nanakuli High and Intermediate School’s Early College program made her an ideal candidate for the 2019 Hawaii School Counselor of the Year, awarded by the Hawaii School Counselor Association.

Since Pagaduan started counseling at Nanakuli, the number of students participating in Early College has increased from one percent in 2010 to 18 percent in 2018. The rate of student enrollment at a four-year college has been the highest in more than a decade, at 24 percent.

The Early College program, which allows high school students to take college classes on their campus for high school and college credit, has been an important initiative to Pagaduan because many of her students will be the first in their families to attend college.

“I am a very strong proponent of putting minorities in places of power so that they can affect change,” Pagaduan said. “I think [getting an education] opens doors.”

The Chaminade alumna found out she won the award at an assembly held before the school year ended in front of all her students and the principal who nominated her. She said the students’ reaction, their clapping and cheering, was the best part and that she is humbled to receive this recognition. In January, Pagaduan will travel to Washington, D.C. to be recognized by the American School Counselor Association.

“[Nanakuli is] such a great place and that’s where you really see change and that’s where you really understand what hope is when you’re working with these amazing, amazing students,” Pagaduan said. “I just want to highlight Nanakuli and the people of Nanakuli who’ve taught me so much and made me the counselor that I am.”

The Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) program is part of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. The program includes three concentrations: School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, and Marriage and Family Counseling. MSCP prepares graduates for careers in community and school settings. Graduates assist children, youth and adults in adapting to various educational, family, organizational and societal demands. The program includes the foundational use of standards established by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Chaminade’s Service-Learning Shares Manao at Home and Across The Nation

Staff presented workshop at WASC Meeting, Students Represent S-L at CUH State-wide and Nationally

Service-Learning staff presented workshop at 82nd Annual WASC Meeting

Richard Kido, Candice Sakuda and Wayne Tanna presented a workshop on Service-Learning at the 82nd Annual Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Meeting: “From Compliance to Commitment: The Inquiring Institution,” on April 11 -14 in Irvine, Calif. Their presentation was entitled titled “Service-Learning, the Next Generation; Passing the Torch or Igniting the Flame.”

The three members of Chaminade’s Service-Learning program shared their data and findings on service-learning and its direct effects on students and on the community.

“We have found that engaging students in service-learning in college tends to instill in them a greater sense of civic awareness and a deeper empathy for those in the community who are less economically blessed,” Tanna, professor of accounting, said. “We have also found that students become less self absorbed and more engaged in life-long learning and service.”

WASC invited proposals in six areas. Chaminade’s service-learning team chose the Whole-Person Learning track, which includes topics such as valuing skills and ethical competencies; measurable indicators of character development; civic engagement as a defined learning experience; self-reflection and lifelong learning as defined competencies; and transformational learning.

Kido (Assistant Professor of Accounting), Sakuda (Director of Service-Learning), and Tanna (Accounting Professor) explained how to move both established programs and start-up projects to higher levels of transformational activities for students. They discussed how new class structures and course offerings can bring students to a greater awareness of their civic responsibilities – not only as current college students, but as engaged and concerned citizens after they leave the security of college.

The team shared student reflections to demonstrate the effectiveness of long-running projects, and also shared students’ calls for new projects that will empower them to address issues important to them. They discussed how service-learning builds academic skills while developing students’ abilities to empower them after they graduate.

Tanna said, “We see service-learning as transformational learning that creates engaged citizens out of our graduates.”

Fourth Annual Statewide Service-Learning Conference

Still “hot” from Service-Learning Day, three Chaminade Service-Learning students presented their work at the Fourth Annual Statewide Service-Learning Conference. The March 4 conference was hosted by Kamehameha Schools’ Kapalama Campus, and was sponsored by the Hawaii State Department of Education, State Farm Insurance, the Hawaii and Pacific Islands’ Campus Compact and Youth Service Hawaii. Featured keynote speakers included Julie Chavez Rodrigues, granddaughter of the great Cesar Chavez, and Hawaii State Representative Brian Schatz.

Chaminade students conducted a breakout session that demonstrated best practices and successful programs. Celia Pang, Donna Diaz and Kapualani Mashima highlighted student leadership development through both the Project SHINE tutorial and TCP’s mentoring initiatives. They were also invited to showcase their work in a poster session.  All three are enrolled in BU 480 at Chaminade and are exploring civic engagement and sustainability in managing non-profit organizations.  Of course, all three are also instrumental in the service-learning projects they represent.

Ninth Annual Continuums of Service Conference in Bellevue, Washington

The Service-Learning gang had a busy semester. In addition to a faculty presentation at the WASC conference, four CUH students presented at the ninth annual Continuums of Service Conference in Bellevue, Washington. This year’s theme was “Engaging Leadership: New Visions, Voices, and Models.” They generated exciting conversations and ideas from a large audience.

“Our facilitation of the discussion at the conference yielded many tools and different perspectives on the pressing questions around sustainability. The synergy was exciting for me,” said Celia Pang, one of the student presenters from Tanna’s business law and ethics class. “Everyone who came to our presentation was there for the same reason … exploring sustainability, student leadership and the importance of service-learning in reaching out into the community.”

Donna Diaz, another BU480 student presenter, agreed. “Through the conference, we were able to share our knowledge and experiences, but we actually gained a wealth of material on how to better manage and sustain our projects.”

Presenter Kapualani Mashima said, “The skills and experience we gained through our BU480 course and numerous presentations have helped us to prepare for our diverse career paths. We all need to feel empowered to stand up, speak out, and make changes to ensure a better and brighter future for all!” she said.

Candice Sakuda, director of Service-Learning, also attended a special day-long pre-conference session titled, “Service-Learning and Indigenous Communities Forum,” which addressed service to Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, as well as Native Americans. Tanna and Gail Grabowsky gave a presentation on service-learning as a means to achieve a “deep fix” for social issues, exploring ways to move beyond “band-aid” service to offering service that helps solve problems (through advocacy, legislative testimony, research, etc).

Dahlia Asuega, a Service-Learning community partner, brought the entire conference to tears and laughter with her inspirational keynote speech. She spoke of Mutual Housing’s Palolo efforts and their appreciation for service-learning’s role in the changes that they’ve been able to realize. She recognized Sakuda and Chaminade University several times, along with the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and Kapi’olani Community College, in the speech.

From Student to Servant: Chaminade Graduates Commit to a Year of Service in Ohio

In May, Chaminade University celebrated the graduating class of 2019. Degree in hand, most graduates will go on to secure jobs and begin their careers. Others will continue to pursue higher education through graduate school. And a few will put their professional endeavors on hold and dedicate their post-graduate life to service.

Claire Riggan and Andrew Ines, 2019 Chaminade graduates, are part of the few.

Claire Riggan and Andrew Ines

At the end of July, Riggan and Ines will say goodbye to friends and family for a year of unknown challenges and transformative experiences in Dayton, Ohio, as volunteers in the Marianist Partners in Urban Leadership, Service and Education (PULSE) program.

PULSE is a post-graduate initiative geared toward graduates with a desire to grow as servant leaders, learn about social justice issues and positively impact an urban community. Volunteers commit to one or two years of service to a local Dayton nonprofit organization where they gain real-world experience in their field of study while being immersed in the community they’re aiding.

“To be able to serve the community, it’s best if you live in the community,” Ines said.

This is the first time the 22-year-old Kalihi native will be living away from home and he couldn’t be more excited. Ines and Riggan will be living in intentional community with 8-12 other PULSE volunteers, most of whom they don’t yet know from the two other Marianist universities, St. Mary’s University and University of Dayton.

Ines first heard about PULSE through Campus Ministry in 2017 when two of his friends from Chaminade were participating in the program. After hearing about the impact that they were making on the Dayton community and gaining first-hand insight into the program, Ines knew that when his senior year came along, he would apply.

“I’m most excited to learn about other people and social issues that are being dealt with in Dayton, just to broaden my perspective on the world,” Ines said.

The business administration major and computer information sciences minor will be putting his degrees to good use at his nonprofit assignment, Brigid’s Path, where he will be volunteering full-time as a communications and marketing intern. Brigid’s Path is a recovery center for newborns suffering from opioid addiction, which is a common issue in Dayton. Ines’ primary roles will be to connect with donors and spread the word about Brigid’s Path through its website and social media.

In addition to working at their assigned nonprofits, Ines and the other PULSE volunteers are expected to share meals and meet for prayer, live in solidarity with the marginalized Dayton community, participate in a Marianist formation program held every week and share their experience with a spiritual mentor.

Ines hopes to walk away from his year in Dayton with a refined ability to empathize with others without any biases. He expects that his time at Brigid’s Path will help to solidify his future career goals, and is currently considering using his degree for community outreach once his year of service comes to a close.“When I bring the spirit of aloha from Hawaii to Ohio, I hope that people will get the chance to have their voices heard and people will get the chance to receive opportunities that they probably never thought they could,” Ines said.