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Chaminade Partners with Hawaiʻi Catholic Schools

As part of an innovative new program aimed at bolstering community health, the School of Nursing and Health Professions has partnered with Hawaiʻi Catholic Schools to place doctoral nursing students on campuses for everything from everyday ailments to health education.

There are currently students at two campuses—and plans for expansion.

Linda Malone, DNP, an associate professor of nursing, said school-based health services are oftentimes an overlooked area of community-based care. But ensuring children are healthier—and making healthier choices—can have broad positive impacts on their schooling and lives.

“School-based health and school healthcare has long been proven to keep kids healthier,” Malone said. “And if you’re keeping them healthy, you’re keeping them in school.”

She added the pilot program, made possible thanks to Marianist Sponsorship Ministries Foundation grants, is especially focused on prevention messaging.

At St Joseph’s Parish School in Waipahu, Haylee Carlson, DNP ’27, put together a special health education newsletter for parents and health promotion presentations for students in third through eighth grades focusing on topics like healthy eating and exercise. At Our Lady Of Good Counsel School in Pearl City, Michelle Burns, DNP ’26, set up a tent to see students and also offered health education classes.

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Dr. Llewellyn Young, superintendent of Hawaiʻi Catholic Schools, said the initiative is filling a “critical gap” by providing regular on-site care on campuses that don’t have the resources to fund a school nurse.

“This pilot partnership is incredibly important to me because it directly supports the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of our students,” Young said. “More importantly, it reflects the Catholic Church’s mission to serve the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.”

Young added that Chaminade doctoral students serving on the campuses not only give administrators and teachers peace of mind, but offer proactive education on wellness and even early identification of mental health needs. “Looking ahead, I hope to expand this partnership to more of our Catholic schools—especially those in underserved areas,” Young said.

“This is more than a healthcare initiative—it is a ministry of healing and accompaniment, and we are deeply grateful for Chaminade University’s shared commitment to this vision.”

Burns, who is at the Pearl City campus, said the program has given her a new appreciation of school-based care.

As a registered nurse, Burns evaluates students who are feeling ill or have been injured on campus. But the real highlight for Burns, who is in the pediatric nurse practitioner track in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, has been developing age-appropriate educational curricula covering everything from good sleep habits to calming techniques to hygiene.

“This partnership has shown me a different part of nursing that I haven’t been exposed to yet,” Burns said. “Starting up a health room takes a lot of planning. In addition to my nursing skills, I’ve learned how to create forms specifically for school health clinics, collaborate with school administration, and communicate with parents or guardians when needed.”

Carlson, also in the pediatric nurse practitioner track, said she jumped at the opportunity to contribute at the Waipahu school after hearing about the pilot from Malone.

“School health has always been an interest of mine, and I decided to go for it because it’s an excellent opportunity to give back to the community,” Carlson said. “Establishing health services will provide increased access to healthcare for children and help decrease sickness and absenteeism as a result.”

She added a highlight of the work, in addition to serving young students and providing health education programming, is working with undergraduate nursing students at Chaminade who are completing clinical hours at the Catholic schools. “This pilot has provided me the chance to solidify my assessment skills and get creative with healthcare in a school environment,” she said.

“We’re making a positive impact on these children and their families.”

This story appears in the Fall 2025 edition of Chaminade Magazine. To read the full issue, click here.

Embracing STEM Innovation in Education

How is STEM changing how teachers teach—and students learn?

That was the focus of a recent conference on Chaminade’s campus organized by the Hawaii Science Teaching Association (HaSTA) and Hawaii Council of Teachers of Mathematics (HCTM).

Nearly 70 participants gathered for the event, entitled, “Power of STEM: Operations and Observations,” which encouraged teachers to explore the intersection of science and mathematics in their classrooms. The day included collaborative sessions and a keynote address from natural resources educator Jackie Frietas, who was named Hawaii’s Teacher of the Year for 2024.

Katrina Roseler, Ph.D., a professor of Education and director of Teacher Preparation Programs at Chaminade, said attendees walked away with new ideas and pedagogical approaches for fostering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) literacy in today’s classrooms.

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One of the biggest takeaways for many educators was the importance of hands-on learning.

“Participants valued creating more interactive, hands-on, and exploratory experiences for students that connect learning to real-life contexts,” she said, noting those experiences could include labs, games, classroom stations and field-based activities.

“Another strong theme was the importance of integrating math, science, and other disciplines, using inquiry-based approaches to deepen connections and engagement. Teachers highlighted strategies that promote active engagement, collaboration, and thinking classrooms, such as … purposeful games.”

The conference comes amid a broad push to not only integrate more STEM learning into classrooms, but look for ways to help students develop tools for critical thinking and problem solving for a fast-changing world and workforce. Roseler said one key theme in the conference was encouraging teachers to leverage existing resources and partnerships to enrich classroom instruction in actionable ways.

“The conference provided an energizing and practical learning experience, equipping educators with strategies they can immediately implement in their classrooms,” Roseler said.

“The sessions reinforced the power of leveraging diverse resources and partnerships—from digital platforms to community organizations—to enrich teaching and learning. Finally, participants were inspired by the energy and modeling of the presenters, leaving with renewed enthusiasm and actionable ideas to bring back to their classrooms right away.”

Silversword Embraces Model of ‘True Service’

Anson Ekau ’25 says he has a long list of professors and mentors to thank for all that he accomplished at Chaminade. And as he kicks off a promising career in data science, he’s not only looking for new opportunities to grow—he’s looking for new ways to give back.

“I truly believe that once you’ve made progress, it’s your responsibility to turn back and help the next person in line,” said Ekau, who double majored in computer science and data science, analytics and visualization at Chaminade and is pursuing a future in aerospace.

That drive to serve others was something Ekau learned at an early age.

Ekau said his father spent his career helping low-income families on the west side of Oʻahu. “He made sure their needs were met and that the kids had opportunities to succeed,” Ekau said. “Through his example, I learned what empathy, courage, and true service look like.”

So it’s little wonder that Ekau found Chaminade to be a perfect fit.

At a university with a strong service-focused mission, Ekau quickly hit his stride with volunteering opportunities and student leadership programming. And in Chaminade’s Data Science program, he also discovered a way to combine his passion for everything cyber with his love for helping others.

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Ekau said he still fondly recalls meeting Rylan Chong ’10, Ph.D., director of data science at Chaminade, for the first time. A friend introduced the two at the Silversword Café early one morning and they shared a meal. “We talked about life and had a genuine conversation,” Ekau said.

Three months later, Ekau signed up for Chong’s computer science class and was “honestly shocked” when he was greeted by name on his first day. “He remembered me, and I didn’t think he would,” Ekau said, adding, “That small moment made a huge impact on me. It showed me how much Dr. Chong genuinely cares about his students, not just as learners but as people.”

In the data science program, Ekau was quickly connected to a host of hands-on learning opportunities, including internships with Mission Technologies, MC3 Technologies, US Space Force, Texas Advanced Computing Center, Supporting Pacific Indigenous Computing Excellence (SPICE) Data Science Summer Institute, and Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, which he partnered with to build a dashboard that monitors fishpond health and restoration.

Ekau said those internships helped him build new skills and apply them, work with technologically advanced equipment and projects, and learn from leaders in the field.

“During my time at Chaminade, I was very fortunate to participate in programs and experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today,” he said. “I have participated in numerous internships and programs, and presented at conferences, even to military leaders.”

He said all those experiences “helped me grow both academically, professionally, and personally.”

Most recently, Ekau worked with Hawaiʻi cybersecurity firm MC3 Technologies, where he developed and launched a course covering the basics of machine learning and cybersecurity for students in Waianaʻe. “I’ve been mentoring students through this program, and it’s been especially meaningful because it’s so similar to the work my father did,” Ekau said. “In many ways, I feel like I’m following in his footsteps, using technology as a tool for empowerment, equity, and service.”

Ekau said his long-term dream is starting his own space-focused company.

As he continues on the pathway toward that big goal, he’s looking back at the many people who helped him along the way. “I’ve been truly blessed to have had the opportunities I’ve experienced during my time at Chaminade,” Ekau said. “But none of it would have been possible without the mentors and professors who believed in me—and, most importantly, took a chance on me.”

This story appears in the Fall 2025 edition of Chaminade Magazine. To read the full issue, click here.

Former Student-Athlete: Endurance Key to Success

As an avid runner, Peter Jan Ramos ’24 knows a little something about the importance of endurance, hard work and never giving up. During his four years at Chaminade, he was able to balance his academic coursework with long practices and meets on the cross country team.

In fact, he was named to the Division 2 Athletic Directors Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievements Awards four times in recognition of his participation in intercollegiate sports and his high GPA. He was among a record 85 Chaminade student-athletes honored with the award in 2024-25.

“My cross country coach, Shadrack Nabea, made sure we were a student first then an athlete,” Ramos explained. “There were some days of the week where we would run on our own instead of meeting up with the team, which gave me more time to do my classwork and assignments. Managing my time helped me make sure all the things I had to do were on time.”

Ramos, from Waipahu, chose to attend Chaminade because of the scholarship opportunities he was afforded. He majored in Accounting with a minor in Psychology, and clinched a role in accounting right after graduation thanks to a connection from a Chaminade professor.

And his supervisor at his workplace, Ground Transport, Inc., is also a Silversword.

To read the latest edition of Chaminade Magazine, scroll through the pages below or click here.

He says he is grateful for the opportunity to apply his skills and continue to grow.

In addition to serving as an accountant, Ramos is assistant cross country and track coach at Campbell High School. As a mentor himself now, he’s working to model the Chaminade coaches and professors in his life who helped support him throughout his college years.

After all, he said, every day at Chaminade required focus and discipline. His days consisted of running on his own, commuting to campus, completing coursework, and practicing with his team.

He also had to make time for a full night’s rest, essential for an athlete in training.

And on the weekends, he would try to catch up on his work at school and at home.

“It was hard at first, but I found my own day to day routine to do and I eventually got used to it,” said Ramos, who graduated with a 3.82 GPA. He added that for him, the key to keeping his grades up as a student-athlete was good time management, dedication and smart study techniques.

Now in coaching, he shares those same lessons with the students he works with. “I want to give back to high school student-athletes who have found a passion in running,” Ramos said. “I was once like them and I want to help them in some way with what I’ve learned through my experiences.”

His advice to current student-athletes at Chaminade embodies his ethos of perseverance and sticking to it. “Find your own day to day routine and be disciplined with everything you do,” Ramos said. “Things can always come up in our lives so you always have to be ready to be adaptable.”

Chaminade to Launch New Nutrition Degree

Chaminade University will launch a Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition program in Fall 2026, inviting students to delve deep into the science of health and wellness and then challenging them to apply their knowledge with hands-on projects that tackle public health challenges.

Pamela Smith, Ed.D., vice dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, called the Nutrition program a perfect complement to the University’s existing strengths in nursing and public health and said the addition will help create pathways to interdisciplinary collaboration.

“Nutrition plays a vital role in every stage of life and in every aspect of health,” Smith said.

“By combining rigorous coursework in biology, chemistry, and nutritional science with hands-on experiential learning, the new program equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to guide individuals, families, and communities toward healthier futures,” Smith said.

Students will explore areas such as food systems, cultural influences on diet, chronic disease prevention, and the relationship between nutrition and social determinants of health. Rooted in Chaminade’s service-focused mission, the program will also emphasize the importance of addressing social disparities in the Pacific through culturally responsive initiatives.

School of Nursing and Health Professions Dean Lorin Ramocki, DNP, said that the Nutrition major and minor will stress versatility, giving students the opportunity to pursue health topics and personal projects they’re interested in. “It’s absolutely a hands-on curriculum,” she said.

Ramocki added Nutrition students will work closely with those across the school, mimicking the interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals they would encounter in hospitals, not-for-profit organizations and elsewhere in community settings.

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“It’s pulling all those pieces together so we can prepare our workforce,” she said.

Smith noted that Chaminade is launching its Nutrition program as the demand for trained nutrition professionals continues to grow in the islands and nationwide. “When we’re talking about disease prevention and treatment, nutrition plays a key role,” she said.

Smith said in addition to a curriculum that stresses experiential learning and real-world application, students in the Nutrition program will benefit from personalized academic planning, faculty mentorship and opportunities to work with community partners.

“At its heart, the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition reflects Chaminade’s mission: to foster education that is transformative, community-oriented, and deeply rooted in the values of justice, peace, and service,” Smith said. “By integrating nutrition into its academic offerings, the university is nourishing not just bodies, but communities—and cultivating future leaders.”

There’s also a shortage of registered dietitians in Hawai’i, a role that requires a master’s degree. Chaminade University plans to begin offering a master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2027 so that students can further their studies and better Hawaii’s workforce needs.

Chaminade has applied to the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) to open a program to prepare registered dietitian nutritionists in early 2027.

The University’s eligibility application was accepted by ACEND* and is in the candidacy process for a proposed Future Education Model Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics. The program is not accepting applications at this time but will do so upon successful completion of the eligibility application process if the program receives candidacy for accreditation status from ACEND.

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) released the Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for programs in nutrition and dietetics. These accreditation standards integrate didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice.

For more information on Chaminade’s candidacy, contact Smith at [email protected] or 808-735-4862.

Chaminade Magazine: 70th Anniversary Issue

The latest edition of Chaminade Magazine, available electronically now, celebrates the University’s seven decades of service to the community and looks ahead to new opportunities for advancing social justice, making a positive difference and uniting to solve shared challenges.

You won’t want to miss our featured story, which includes voices from across Chaminade’s ʻohana, including students, alumni and faculty, talking about what the University means to them.

To read the latest edition of Chaminade Magazine, scroll through the pages below or click here.

Also in this issue:

• In a touching remembrance, Men’s Basketball Head Coach Eric Bovaird pays tribute to the one and only Merv Lopes, who lived the University’s mission of service on and off the court.

• Read about how a new partnership between Chaminade’s School of Nursing and Health Professions and Hawaiʻi Catholic Schools is advancing public health and nursing practice.

• Meet Christine Baleto ’91, president and CEO of a large telecommunications firm on Guam, who says she is modeling servant leadership for her team members and her island.