Chaminade University of Honolulu

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Chaminade Scholars: Learning through Service

The Chaminade Scholars program stresses spiritual and leadership development

Nathaniel David ‘26 says while he enjoys his classes and professors, the learning that has resonated with him the most at Chaminade University has been out in the community—through service-learning and volunteer projects that helped him see how he can make a positive impact.

And a good number of those service-learning experiences, he said, were through the Chaminade Scholars Program, which stresses spiritual development, academic excellence and leadership. Student participants receive a scholarship, renewable for up to four years, and participate in mentorship and service opportunities geared toward personal growth.

“I found it really helpful to have a program that helps me grow in my faith and puts me to work as a servant of God and his people,” said David, an English major who is minoring in Education.

“My biggest takeaway from the Chaminade Scholars Program is that while it is about helping us grow in our faith, grow as an ’ohana, and grow into leaders, it’s really about serving our community as Chaminade students and followers of Christ,” David added.

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Bro. Edward Brink, S.M., vice president for Mission and rector, said the Chaminade Scholars Program is geared toward students who are “engaged in their faith, engaged in service and want to keep those things happening while they’re at Chaminade.”

“Our hope is that while they’re in the program, they’re going to start to see that this way of serving people can continue beyond their school years,” he added.

In other words, Chaminade Scholars are encouraged to see service as a good habit for life.

That was exactly how the program impacted Vanessa Ignacio ‘18, an orthopedic clinical specialist practicing in Hilo. “For me, the Scholars program really helped me to excel at Chaminade,” she said. “I was able to focus on my academics while still being involved in the community.”

Ignacio said the Scholars service-learning project she remembers the most was when students prepared and served meals at a homeless shelter. Rather than handing out the food cafeteria-style, she said, students delivered meals to tables.

“You actually sit down at the table. You get to hear their stories and they got to hear mine,” Ignacio said, adding the Scholars program also gave her opportunities to learn from mentors—and learn alongside peers who shared a passion for service.

Brink said there are seven new and 22 returning Chaminade Scholars this school year.

The program was started about 20 years ago, tracing its roots to the importance of faith formation at Chaminade. Service-learning is a cornerstone of the program, and students are asked to commit to completing at least 15 hours of service each semester.

Chaminade Scholars volunteer to feed those in need during a recent service-learning opportunity.
Chaminade Scholars volunteer to feed those in need during a recent service-learning opportunity.

In addition to serving the homeless, students also serve as tutors and mentors for youth.

Brink said many students find that they receive far more than they give through the program. “A first-year student comes in and they’re reserved, shy, but great heart. Not sure where they fit in,” he said. “They start doing this service and all of a sudden, it’s like they’re able to get out of their shell. They start taking on leadership roles. Experience in service builds confidence.”

David, the English major, called the Scholars service-learning projects “truly special.”

Because he is aiming to become a teacher, he’s focused his volunteerism at Hawaii public schools, including through a mentoring program at Farrington High. “I push myself to do well in school and my classes so I can help others do the same in the future, especially as an aspiring educator,” he said, adding that monthly luncheons for the program that include speakers have also helped him broaden his perspectives and learn about new ways to maximize his impact.

Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva spoke to the Scholars at a luncheon earlier this month aimed at congratulating new inductees to the program and celebrating returning students. David said he’s proud to be among those recognized as a Scholar—and looks forward to contributing even more.

He added that the Scholars program is also what helped him “tap into the rest of the faith community” at Chaminade. He is now serving as a part-time student minister, “using more of my time and talents to help build the faith even more here at Chaminade and to glorify God.”

Chaminade Lauded in ‘Best Colleges’ Rankings

Chaminade’s Nursing Program also ranked in the Best Undergraduate Nursing category

Chaminade University secured high marks for academic excellence, value and student life by two organizations that provide annual rankings of universities.

In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” rankings, Chaminade clinched the No. 21 spot for “best value” among regional universities in the West.

The publication also recognized Chaminade as No. 33 in best regional universities in the West.

And Chaminade’s Nursing Program ranked in the Best Undergraduate Nursing category.

“We are honored to be named among the best regional universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report and to be recognized for our strong commitment to affordability and exceptional value,” said Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D.

U.S. News & World Report Rankings:

  • Regional Universities West: #33
  • Best Value – Regional Universities West: #21

Niche Rankings:

  • Best College Locations in Hawaii: #1
  • Colleges with the Best Student Life in Hawaii: #1
  • Safest College Campuses in Hawaii: #1
  • Best College Campuses in America: #28 (out of 1,373)

“Our world-class programs, service-oriented mission, and focus on leadership development and academic excellence prepare our students for success after graduation, ensuring they can maximize their potential for making a positive impact in Hawaii communities.”

Chaminade has consistently ranked high in the “best value” school category, with the university recently implementing its Hawaii Guarantee tuition program.

The initiative provides Hawai’i high school seniors entering as freshmen the same tuition rate as the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s annual resident undergraduate tuition.

The guarantee also includes an achievable pathway to graduate in four years.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on up to 19 key indicators of academic quality, evaluating nearly 1,500 four-year bachelor’s degree-granting institutions across the nation.

These statistics reflect educational excellence and graduate outcomes as well as considerations that vary person-to-person, like campus culture, strength in specific majors, and financial aid offered.

In a separate college ranking, Chaminade was named No. 1 as best college location and for best student life in Hawaii, as well as the safest college campus in Hawai’i by Niche, a company that provides rankings for different aspects of the college experience based on a combination of data sets and reviews.

Nationally, Chaminade was ranked by Niche an impressive No. 28 out of 1,373 schools for the best college campuses in America.

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Students Reflect on MBA Experience

Graduating cohort members are excited to apply their new skills

Embrace the process—and cherish the time you have with your cohort.

That was a common piece of advice members of the Professional MBA graduating class had for incoming MBA students at a special Aloha Event on campus. The Sept. 14 event provided incoming and outgoing students an opportunity to share laughs, stories and, of course, some pearls of wisdom.

After more than two decades of being in the hotel and entertainment industry, Connie Kramer ’25 decided to pursue her Professional MBA at Chaminade, saying it had been a lifetime goal.

“Being in the program jarred my interest in academia,” says Kramer, who hopes to continue her Chaminade education by pursuing a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership for Adaptation and Change. “It crept up on me, even though academia is in the fabric of my family.”

Designed in an innovative, accelerated format, the one-year Professional MBA aims to advance the skills of those who already have years of business experience in their respective industries. The degree puts a strong focus on strategic decision-making, career advancement and entrepreneurial innovation.

Completing the Professional MBA program are, from left, Jon Watase, Connie Kramer, Gustaf Soderholm, Jacob Murphy, Lauren Hamrick and Stacey Robinson.
Completing the Professional MBA program are, from left, Jon Watase, Connie Kramer, Gustaf Soderholm, Jacob Murphy, Lauren Hamrick and Stacey Robinson.

Chaminade offers a Professional MBA along with a traditional two-year MBA program.

A defining feature of the 12-month curriculum is its “lockstep” structure, which means that all students take the required courses together—as a cohort. Lauren Hamrick ’25 said that helped her build her confidence, along with relationships that she hopes to keep as she advances her career.

“It’s amazing to look back to see what we’ve learned and how to apply those theories into real life circumstances,” she said.

A farmer and small business owner, Jon Watase ’25 said that with the help of the Professional MBA program, he was able to expand his website, grow his company’s presence and participate in the Made in Hawaii Festival. He also learned about accounting principles and strategic decision-making.

Learn more about Chaminade’s MBA programs by clicking here.

In a “Shark Tank”-style presentation, Watase even pitched his idea to a panel of professors and won a business competition. “I actually received funding, which helped my business grow,” Watase said.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without being a part of this cohort.”

Graduating students said one of the biggest benefits of the Professional MBA is its one-year timeframe.

Additionally, classes are held on alternating weeks and supplemented by online coursework, offering flexibility. “The faculty is amazing,” added Stacey Robinson ’25, adding that you can also learn lots from your peers “who will help you see the bigger picture.”

Another attractive selling point of the Professional MBA program is an international trip that’s full of hands-on learning opportunities. “The international field experience in Japan was the biggest seller for me,” said Kramer, who was recognized with the Outstanding Student Award. “We met with so many consequential leaders and had so many thought-provoking conversations.”

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‘We Need to Talk’: Scholar on Civil Discourse

Dr. Timothy Shaffer spoke on the importance of civil discourse in today’s polarizing times

As the nation marked the anniversary of 9/11, civil discourse scholar Dr. Timothy Shaffer led an engaging conversation at Chaminade to underscore the importance of disagreeing agreeably in polarizing times.

“We are navigating tensions in the past that are still unrecognizable,” Shaffer told a packed lecture hall of students, faculty and staff members and others. “What happens when rhetoric becomes reality?”

Shaffer, inaugural Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Chair of Civil Discourse and director of the SNF Ithaca Initiative in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware, said institutions of higher education offer spaces for sharing ideas, finding common ground, understanding new perspectives and even passionately disagreeing—with mutual respect.

In his lecture, “We Need to Talk: Civil Discourse in Partisan and Polarizing Times,” he told attendees engaging in differences is critical—even essential in a democracy—and that it is absolutely appropriate to challenge one another, as long as it’s done in a fair way. “We have what I call, weak civility, which provides us a code of polite conduct or mode of behavioral management,” Shaffer said.

WATCH THE FULL TALK HERE:

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Strong civility, he added, is a “robust engagement of differences that includes dialogue and deliberation.”

Shaffer’s message resonated with the audience, especially in this election year.

Biology major Jason Edric Ulep ’27 said not everyone is going to agree, but it’s critical to understand where different people stand. “Civil discourse promotes the use of voice instead of resorting to physical violence and verbal abuse,” said Ulep, after attending the lecture. “We need civil discourse, as it aims to seek a middle ground and hopefully come to a common understanding or a solution to the problem.”

In his civil discourse leadership role, Shaffer works on a number of projects, which include annual convenings of faculty and students across the United States at the SNF Ithaca National Student Dialogue and research about the role of civil discourse within public affairs education.

Victoria Perrira ’27, a Criminology and Criminal Justice major, said she walked away from Shaffer’s lecture with a new appreciation of civil discourse. “I value truthfulness and was particularly interested in learning how to effectively navigate conversations around polarizing topics,” she said.

Dr. Timothy Shaffer discusses the importance of listening in his lecture themed, “We Need to Talk: Civil Discourse in Partisan and Polarizing Times.”

Shaffer said polarization isn’t new, but how we respond to each other can be. “We have a lack of public discourse,” he said, adding, “You need to create a space for democracy where you have agency. You can build a culture grounded in civil discourse even in these partisan and polarizing times.”

University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D., said the talk was particularly timely as the nation gears up for the presidential election.

“I believe the place of a university, an institution of higher learning, is to really provide the format, the environment for discourse to take a place,” she said.

“That’s our role. … We need, and our students need, to know how to have those important conversations. to listen carefully to people’s ideas and be able to respond to them in a very civil way.”

This lecture was sponsored by Chaminade University’s Office of Mission and Rector, the Association of Marianist Universities and the Marianist Leadership Center.

Silversword Awarded Obama Foundation Scholarship

Easterlei Tuitasi ’26 is among just 100 students nationally selected for the honor

Chaminade Psychology student Easterlei Tuitasi ‘26 was recently selected for the prestigious Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service, which aims to celebrate student leaders with access to new opportunities and offers recipients financial assistance and a generous travel stipend.

Tuitasi was among just 100 students nationally selected for the 2024-26 scholarship cohort.

She is the first recipient of the Voyagers scholarship from American Samoa, and said her selection offers a chance to “broaden my perspective, develop new skills, and create meaningful connections that will shape my future career and the impact I hope to have on others.”

Tuitasi said her long-term goal is to become a clinical psychologist, focusing on trauma and child psychology. “I plan to use this opportunity to expand my academic knowledge and gain practical, real-world experience” and explore different approaches to mental health, she said.

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The Voyager Scholarship, which is administered by the Obama Foundation, is funded with a $100 million gift from Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky.

Recipients receive financial aid of up to $25,000 a year to cover educational expenses, a 10-year travel stipend totaling $20,000, an invitation to a fall summit, and access to a mentoring network of leaders.

Tuitasi said in applying for the scholarship, she emphasized her passion for psychological research that delves into cultural attitudes toward mental health.

“My interests aim to dissect how diverse perspectives influence everything from treatment options to the assimilation of mental wellness routines in everyday life settings,” said Tuitasi, who is a junior.

Tuitasi said she selected Chaminade for its highly-regarded Psychology program and low student-to-professor ratio. After graduation, she plans to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology.

“Alongside further studies, I also plan to gain practical experience through internships or entry-level roles. Hands-on experience is critical,” she said.

She added she’s extremely grateful to the funders of the scholarship.

“The chance to connect with others with the same passion for public service inspires me even more to contribute to building stronger, healthier societies,” Tuitasi said, adding she feels “blessed.”

Entrepreneur Kicks Off Speaker Series

The co-founder of Kō Hana Distillers detailed how he overcame ‘roadblocks’ to go to market

Kō Hana Distillers co-founder Robert Dawson kicked off the fall Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program Guest Speaker Series, detailing his journey from a business idea to a successful company.

Speaking to attendees, Dawson said he “didn’t know anything about sugarcane” and “didn’t even like rum” when he moved to Hawaii with his wife and son in 2008. He said his deep appreciation of history led him to Hawaii’s agriculture past and ultimately, “Native Hawaiian sugarcane,” called kō.

He teamed up with a scholar to learn more about Hawaii sugarcane, which was brought by ancient Polynesian seafarers to Hawaii more than 1,000 years ago.

Having spent a time in Brazil, Dawson told attendees at his talk Wednesday he had always been a fan of cachaça, the Brazilian rum made from sugarcane juice. This would be the direction he would take with his new venture, he said, growing and harvesting Hawaiian varietal sugarcane to distill rhum agricole.

Incorporating Kō Hana Hawaiian Agricole Rum in 2011, Dawson and business partner Jason Brand introduced their first agricole-style rum made entirely from Hawaii-grown sugarcane in 2014.

“It took time and getting over a lot of roadblocks,” Dawson said.

“But now we’re expanding to grow sugarcane across 1,600 acres on the North Shore, and our goal is to become an international boutique rum distiller.”

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The Hogan Guest Speaker Series is aimed at enriching the educational experience, connecting entrepreneurial-minded students with successful professionals from various industries and bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Dr. Roy Panzarella, Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program director, said guest speakers are selected based on the program’s objectives for the year. There are seven speakers on the schedule for the fall, including Better Sour and Shaka Tea co-founder Isabella Hughes, set to speak on Oct. 16.

“For many students, these are delightful opportunities to be exposed to and learn the power and value of networking,” Panzarella said, adding that speakers gives students invaluable real-world insights.

“Our wish is that all Hogan students, including those pursuing an MBA, will walk away from each lecture even more inspired to listen actively, read critically and speak effectively,” Panzarella said.

He also hopes the students leave the lectures, as well as the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, more confident and excited about using their own talent and skills to start something new.

“Sometimes the Wednesday presentations have a long-lasting impact on our Hogan students, but I have found it is the lecturers themselves that have the most influence on them,” Panzarella said.

“Oftentimes, the personal narratives of the lecturers are so powerful they serve to inspire many students who doubt themselves and their capacity to achieve success.”

COMING UP:

An entrepreneurship teacher at Seabury Hall on Maui, Melissa Crounse Kaufman will be the next Hogan guest speaker on Sept. 18. Kaufman is the founding executive director of the Garage at Northwestern University and co-author of “Founded: The No B.S. Guide for Student Entrepreneurs.”

For the complete fall schedule, click here.