Chaminade University of Honolulu

Alumni

Chaminade’s First ‘Back to School Bash’ is a Smash Hit

A new tradition delivers music, food, and fun to the Chaminade University community.

Chaminade’s first ever Back to School Bash was held on September 25 with great success. The Bash was organized as a way for the university to welcome everyone back to campus after the summer break.

The festivities went on as scheduled and the crowd turned up in strength despite the potential for inclement weather with Hurricane Nolo’s approach.

Hundreds of Chaminade students stayed on campus Friday evening, joining alumni, faculty, and staff to celebrate the new academic year while enjoying good food and good music. Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. thanked the crowd for coming and indicated that plans are already in the works for many more such occasions to come.

“We hope this is the first of many Back to School Bashes,” she said.

Vice President for Advancement Jill Higashi said planning for the first Bash had been underway for several months. She said the organizers aimed for the Bash to help foster a better sense of family and belonging.

“It really came out of the desire or the goal to engage the Chaminade community, the current students who live on campus, but also the commuters,” Higashi said. “Something that would keep them on campus so they can mingle and build relationships with those that are dorming as well as with some faculty and staff, and alumni, too. So that was kind of the hope.”

She said Chaminade has hosted one-off gatherings for students and alumni in the past, but never at this scale.

This very first Back to School Bash was held on the lawn next to Sullivan Family Library and featured local musical talent. Denny Ono got things rolling, followed by Sons of Yeshua right around sunset. By nightfall, Kapena took to the stage to close the concert out.

Local food truck vendors parked nearby, while Chaminade’s golf team set up shop, serving up burgers and chips. Higashi said she hoped other student groups will be inspired to become involved at the next Back to School Bash.

Some lucky attendees were awarded with door prizes as the celebration kicked off.

More students turned up as the sun went down for the evening of food and entertainment. By nightfall, Sons of Yeshua put the crowd in the mood for some dancing.

Chaminade’s 2026 Back to School Bash was a welcomed break from classes and textbooks. The university ‘ohana is already looking forward to next year’s Bash.

“We’re talking with those that came, and also reaching out to some students from different areas for feedback, to see what worked well or what they would change a little bit,” Higashi said.

Hawai‘i Professionals Attend Networking Event With Business Students

University business students understand the value of networking–building relationships with potential employers–prior to graduation. The trouble is, busy young scholars rarely have time to leave campus to visit offices and make those needed connections.

To get around this problem, one Chaminade University professor decided to bring the office networks to the campus instead.

Pamela Estell, Ph.D. is Chaminade’s Assistant Professor of Management, Human Resources, and Organizational Behavior. On September 11, Professor Estell hosted the first of what will become a series of casual breakfast gatherings between Chaminade students and Hawai‘i business professionals.

So far, the response from attendees is very promising.

Derenza Iriarte ‘27 Business Administration, said she went to the networking event with a clear sense of what she wanted to get out of it.

“Going into the event, I hoped to learn more about career opportunities, build my confidence in speaking with professionals, and gain advice that I could use as I prepare for life after college,” Iriarte said. “I definitely feel like I was able to get that out of the experience.”

Prof. Estell said she was inspired to organize Chaminade’s inaugural business students-professionals networking event by her own college experience, back when she was required to attend a much larger and more formal business networking series. She remembers how awkward that was.

“Students in general at this age tend to find the networking situation difficult,” she explained in an interview. “It puts them out of their comfort zone a little bit. So, I was looking for ways to make that more accessible but still meaningful to the students.”

Though she was forced to don business attire to attend college networking sessions during her student days, Estell said she deliberately designed her networking gathering to be more informal, to put all participants at ease.

Though the networking events she attended as a college student sometimes involved up to 300 participants, Estell’s information-sharing event involved only about two dozen of her Career Development students and five professional mentors.

“I figured, what if I did something like a networking breakfast but at a much smaller, intimate scale,” she recalled. “That would make it more informal, more easily accessible to the students, and provide opportunities for one-on-one connections with local business professionals.”

“So, that’s how I had this idea for this.”

The first event in what will become a series of such gatherings featured professionals from Bank of Hawai‘i.

Groups of students took turns rotating among tables in a campus conference room. Each rotation saw four students sitting down with one Bank of Hawai‘i employee. The five-way conversations lasted 25 minutes.

Each session was followed by a five-minute break, giving everyone a chance to refresh with coffee and pastries.

The student groups rotated through all the tables, giving everyone an opportunity to connect with one-another.

Caleb Kim, a student participant, said two of the professionals he interacted with helped put him at ease about his future plans.

“They answered all my questions, and the thing that stood out most was both professionals did not know what they wanted to do after graduating but found a passion,” Kim shared. “It gave me peace of mind cause I feel in a similar situation as them.”

Estell said she had prepared papers listing possible ice breaker questions that students could pose to the BOH team. This was just a fallback, and Estell said she was pleasantly surprised when many of the students skipped over her suggestions, having come armed with their own questions.

“A lot of students didn’t use those and I was really pleased with that because I wanted it to be organic,” she said. “I wanted them to ask the questions that they’d thought of, or talk to the mentors about things that were important to them.”

Chaminade alumni Rita Aponte, Business ‘24, now Senior Manager of Bank of Hawai‘i’s People Services Center, said the students she interacted with were well prepared.

“They asked great questions,” she said. “They asked about AI and how it affects the work we do, how automation has changed the way we process new hires, how important networking is for a potential candidate, what roles we offer at the bank.”

“They were really interested in what they can do to give themselves a leg up in the job market,” Aponte added.

Iriarte said the BOH employees were receptive and extremely helpful. “They were very open and willing to answer my questions, which made the conversations feel comfortable rather than overly formal,” she said.

Estell is already planning follow-up sessions, determined to keep the new tradition going. She’s hoping to win commitments from Hawaiian Airlines and the State of Hawai‘i, among other employers. She’s especially interested in getting health care professionals involved. “I think a lot of business students don’t realize that there are a lot of business professions within health care, and health care is a very big part of our employment here in Hawai‘i.”

The next networking opportunities for her business students are already in the works. Professor Estell says she’s organizing two more sessions for October and November.

Aponte said she wouldn’t mind participating again.

“I have a son around their age, so it was great to see and hear what things might concern them related to their futures outside of college.”

Iriarte said she is likewise looking forward to the next chance to network with Hawai‘i’s business community. “I would absolutely participate again because it was a great opportunity to network, learn from professionals, and make connections outside of the classroom.”

Chaminade DMFT Grad Shares Her Newest Book: What if Your Mother Was Wrong?

Family life is messy and complicated. For those reasons and more, marriage and family therapists must undergo rigorous training to earn their degrees, and then pass exams before they can earn their licenses.

Despite the many obstacles, Dr. Bridget C. Duncan, LMFT-S, DMFT ’26, cleared them all and is now busy sharing her knowledge with the world through books.

Last year, Dr. Duncan launched her first volume, titled “Stop Dyeing Red Flags Pink: Your Roadmap to Healthy, Balanced Relationships.” She has now published her second title, which she describes as “a clinically informed exploration of how maternal messages and early experiences can shape beliefs into adulthood.” She’s given her new book the provocative title “What if Your Mother was Wrong?: Rethinking the Beliefs that have Shaped Your Life.”

Dr. Duncan said the provocation in the title given to her newest book is deliberate.

“I know the title is controversial,” she shared in an interview. “What if my mom was wrong? I didn’t say she was, but it’s an invitation. What if she was? You know, not necessarily meaning she was, but it’s inviting the adult child to now question that.”

Duncan said her first book was inspired by conversations with her academic advisor while enrolled in Chaminade University’s Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy. Her latest book, she said, derives from her professional practice and interaction with clients. She said it is often surprising the extent to which the earliest childhood interactions with our parents can influence us well into adulthood.

“How does our system affect us and impact us, and what system are we in originally, is that home system, and usually in that early formative time, it’s usually the mom, typically the mom,” she explained. “So the book is to encourage people.”

In other words, Dr. Duncan said her newest book is an invitation to readers who may be struggling with past familial issues or trauma to recognize how our parents, especially our mothers, may be contributing to emotionally challenging states of mental health.

“What if my mom was wrong about loyalty, obligation, who am I, what I’m owed?” she said. “Maybe I can rethink that, and rethink who I am through a different lens.”

The life of a Chaminade DMFT student

Dr. Duncan holds two degrees in psychology and an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy (MSMFT). She continued working full-time as a practicing therapist while completing her three-year doctoral program at Chaminade University, the only program of its kind in Hawaii.

She even spent a year in Thailand.

While all of that was going on, she decided to write her first book.

Dr. Duncan looks back fondly at her time at Chaminade because it kept her busy–her work, her studies, her writing all saved her from boredom.

She acknowledged that Chaminade’s Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT)  program is rigorous. Still, she said it was the right fit for her given how she knew the demands of her field and how the program at Chaminade is up to the challenge of training professional therapists of the highest caliber.

“You really had to know how to be determined, resilient, to be able to manage your time,” she said.

As she shared last year, Duncan was inspired to dive into book authorship during a conversation with Dr. Emily Kahumoku-Fessler. At the time, she was describing the tendency of her clients to gloss over obvious “red flags” or warning signs that can reveal themselves in relationships of all sorts.

The euphemism she used to describe this phenomenon was “dyeing red flags pink.” Dr. Kahumoku-Fessler told her that phrase would make a great title for a book. She ran with the idea.

Now that she’s been bitten by the writing bug, Dr. Duncan said anyone interested in marriage and family therapy will see more to come.

Her new book “What if Your Mother Was Wrong?” is on sale now. Two more books are coming, and Duncan let slip that she has no intention of singling out mom. She’s already planning to write two more books: “What if Your Father Was Wrong?” and “What if Your Family Was Wrong?”

“I’m already working on book three,” she said. “So many people like, well, what about your father, Bridget? So I’ve already started the outline.”

Writing books, Duncan says, is a way for her to keep motivated, to keep moving, to keep learning, and to constantly stay at the forefront of her field.

“Like I tell my clients, I can’t be everybody’s therapist, so I’m just gonna keep writing books.”

A Head Start on Life: Chaminade University’s Early College Program 

While still finishing high school, Tiare Wong earned her associate’s degree at Chaminade—and discovered she was ready for college.

For most high school students, graduation means closing one chapter before beginning another.

For Tiare Wong, it meant earning two diplomas at once, something not all high school students are prepared to do.

This past spring, Wong graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy while simultaneously  earning an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree through Chaminade University of Honolulu’s Early College Program. Now, she is preparing to head to the University of Oregon—with enough college credits to enter as a third-year student.

She already has an early jump on college, but Wong’s journey was about more than getting ahead academically.

Chaminade’s Early College Program, she said, taught her how to manage her time, take responsibility for her own education, and navigate the expectations of college-level coursework—all while she was still balancing the busy life of a high school student.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to get a head start on what being a college student feels like,” Wong said. “I wanted to learn what it was like to be responsible and to have good time management.”

That lesson happened to come at a busy time in her life.

At Sacred Hearts Academy, Wong played volleyball for three years before switching to cheerleading as a senior. She served as president of the school’s Life Team, danced hula, and stayed active in numerous other ways throughout her high school years.

Somehow, she still found time to earn a college degree.

Wong first learned about Chaminade’s Early College Program when Sacred Hearts announced the opportunity near the end of her sophomore year. The program allows eligible high school students to enroll in college courses and earn Chaminade credits while completing their high school requirements.

“Tiare is one of many success stories at Sacred Hearts,” said Kimberlee Baxter, Director of Chaminade’s Early College program. “She learned a lot even outside academics, such as time management and life skills. The idea of the program is to get ahead with college, earn college credit, and experience more.”

Kapaʻa High on Kauai was the first high school to partner with Chaminade’s Early College program in the fall of 2021. Since then, Sacred Hearts Academy and Saint Louis School joined, and several cohorts have already risen through the program, with 108 students between all three schools currently enrolled. 

Students from any Hawaiʻi high school are eligible to participate. Enrolled high school students take a variety of general education courses, including English, communications, business, psychology, and religion.

For Wong, the program became an opportunity to experience the increased independence that comes with college and, in her case, earning a college degree.

“I feel like I got a little taste of what being a college student is like and what the expectations are, especially from my professors,” she said. “I had to learn how to be responsible for myself.”

Assistant Professor of English Justyn Wyble has been teaching for the Early College Program for two years. He said  students in the program are adept at rising to the occasion, taking college level courses all while maintaining positive and joyful attitudes. 

One of his courses involves reading “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyashi, “Night Watchmen” by Louise Erdrich, and “House of Many Gods” by Kiana Davenport, works selected because of their introspective storylines that intersect generations while drawing connections to students’ own journeys.   

“They are eager for that kind of rigorous curriculum and they want to be treated like college students,” Wyble said of the Early College students. “They are ready to be mature students who can engage in advanced material.” 

When a question arose in a course, Tiare learned she had to reach out. If an assignment was due, there was no one waiting to remind her repeatedly. She learned to be proactive in her own education.

“I really had to step up and grow up to learn how to do things myself,” she said, noting how she used study halls and breaks after school before heading to practices and then setting aside additional time to study at home.

The experience also challenged some of her assumptions about college.

Wong had heard stories about intimidating professors and demanding college classrooms. At Chaminade, she found something quite different. Her professors, she said, took the time to interact with their students and get to know them.

She admits to feeling some nerves about moving so far from home this fall–and she has never been to Oregon. But she is also excited about what comes next—and about continuing hula and joining the university’s Hawaiʻi Club.

Wong said her long-term goal is to start her own business and maybe become the  CEO of a company, expanding her enterprise internationally.

For high school students considering Chaminade’s Early College Program, Wong has one simple piece of advice: Go for it.

“I think it’s so much more than the diploma,” she said. “It taught me so many life lessons that I will not only use in college, but in the future.”

Chaminade Ties Continue as MBA Alumni Reunite

Laughter, smiles and renewed friendships filled the Oʻahu Country Club as alumni from Chaminade University of Honolulu’s Master of Business Administration program gathered for an evening of reconnecting.

For many in attendance, the evening on August 20 represented more than a reunion of MBA graduates. Several alumni had also earned undergraduate or other graduate degrees from Chaminade, making the gathering a true Silversword reunion—and a reminder that the connections formed at the University often continue long after students leave Kalaepōhaku.

Throughout the evening, conversations turned to careers, families and life since graduation, but also to shared memories of classrooms, professors and the experiences that helped shape their Chaminade journeys. For many MBA alumni, the program was an important step in their professional development, providing opportunities to strengthen leadership and management skills while connecting with classmates from a wide range of professional backgrounds.

Those relationships, alumni said, often extend beyond the classroom. The connections made with faculty and fellow students can become part of a professional network and, in some cases, lasting friendships that continue to grow years after graduation.

“I am very thankful for the education I received at Chaminade,” said MBA alumna Betty Mastrantonio. “The close-knit community, experienced faculty and beautiful campus on the hill made the experience incredibly valuable and life-changing.”

Chaminade President Lynn Babington, Ph.D., welcomed guests and shared updates from campus before introducing Amir H. Toosi, DBA, the new dean of the College of Business, Innovation & Technology.

Toosi spoke about the intersection of art and science in business and his excitement about joining Chaminade and becoming part of the University community. Before coming to Chaminade, he served for 14 years as dean of the Division of Business and Security Studies at Rivier University in New Hampshire. Throughout his career, he has helped lead academic innovation, expand programs and develop partnerships that strengthen student learning and workforce development.

The College of Business, Innovation & Technology offers programs designed to prepare students for an evolving workplace and economy. Its programs span business administration, accounting, strategic marketing, sport and event management, interior design, computer science, data science, analytics and visualization, and the MBA program.

For working professionals, the MBA offers an opportunity to continue their education while building practical knowledge and leadership skills that can be applied to their careers and communities. The program also brings together professionals with different experiences and perspectives, creating opportunities for students to learn from one another as well as from faculty.

As the evening came to a close, guests enjoyed Chaminade favors and door prizes. But the gathering’s most lasting takeaway was the opportunity to reconnect with classmates, professors and the University that remains an important part of their lives.

The evening was also a reminder that graduation does not necessarily mark the end of a Chaminade journey. For the MBA alumni gathered at the Oʻahu Country Club, the friendships, professional connections and memories formed along the way continue to be part of the Silversword ʻohana.

One Phone Call Changed Adrianna’s Future

Empowered by You

When Adrianna Nichols called Chaminade University from her home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she wasn’t expecting the conversation that would change her life. She had planned to attend a university in Florida, but the cost made that dream impossible. Looking for another option, she called Chaminade to ask a simple question: Was it too late to apply?

“They answered on the first ring,” Adrianna recalled. “Right away, I felt welcomed.”

That moment marked the beginning of a journey made possible through a Presidential Scholarship—and shaped by a community that believed in her potential.

At Chaminade, Adrianna majored in Business Administration with a minor in Sport and Event Management. She immersed herself in campus life, serving for four years as the Men’s Basketball Undergraduate Manager, supporting athletic operations, and helping plan Commencement ceremonies.

Along the way, faculty and staff mentors encouraged her to take on new responsibilities and discover her strengths as a leader.

“The smaller environment allowed me to build meaningful relationships, receive mentorship, and have opportunities to get involved that may not have been possible elsewhere,” she said.

Adrianna graduated in May 2026 and today is the Stadium Operations Intern at the University of Minnesota’s Huntington Bank Stadium, where she helps coordinate athletic competitions and large-scale events. She has also worked with NBCUniversal during Minnesota Lynx broadcasts and supported fan experiences with the nationally touring Cosmic Baseball team.

Her long-term goal is to become a collegiate athletic director or professional sports executive, leading with the belief that student-athletes are people first.

“I want to create environments where athletes feel supported as students and as individuals—not just competitors.”

Beyond her professional aspirations, Adrianna continues to serve in leadership roles at her home church in Minnesota, mentoring children, teens, and young adults while sharing her faith.

Looking back, Adrianna says the opportunities she found at Chaminade began with people who believed in her.

That belief started with a scholarship.

And it continues today through donors whose generosity empowers students to discover their purpose, lead with compassion, and make a difference wherever life takes them. Donations to Chaminadeʻs Fund, means the University is able to allocate unrestricted funds to  vital needs that support and empower students. Unrestricted funds are vital to Chaminade’s growth and students’ success. Like Adrianna, today’s students, at different stages in their educational journeys, are grateful for Chaminade’s belief in their abilities and for the generosity of donors. 

Every gift to the Chaminade Fund helps create stories. Click here to support the journey of students like Adrianna.