Students in Dr. Pamela Estell’s Human Resources Management course devoted much of the Fall semester to researching emerging trends in HR, from mental health in the workplace to bolstering employee engagement to the popularity of the four-day workweek.
They pored over studies, spoke to experts, dug into the data, and wrote a research paper.
And then Estell challenged them to take it one step further: Take everything you have learned about your topic, she told them, and create a five-minute presentation for busy bank executives.
Their hard work was on display Nov. 27 at the Bank of Hawaii headquarters.
The 25 Business students in Estell’s course took the podium at a BOH conference room and addressed bank professionals, detailing the trending topic they’d investigated and showing off detailed infographics. The students also offered three recommendations in their research area.
Estell said the idea to have students deliver the presentations came out of a conversation with a Bank of Hawaii guest speaker.
“She mentioned that they were using infographics to present bite-sized information to employees that would be more interactive than a simple email,” Estell said.
“Hearing that they were looking for ways not just to collect information, but also present information, really lit a fire in me to start building in some synergies. As such, I redesigned my existing assignment to include the infographic and presentation portion.”
Estell then reached out to her Bank of Hawaii contact to ask if some bank employees would be willing to visit the class and provide feedback on student presentations. But the class mentor offered a counter-proposal: Students should come to the BOH offices in Honolulu instead.
“I knew immediately that this was an amazing opportunity for our students to be able to close the loop on how their work can be impactful in a work environment,” Estell said. “In the School of Business and Communication, relationships with local businesses are crucial.”
She added, “These types of high impact experiences are a good way for us to build on those connections with local businesses and also understand what their needs are so that we can ensure we are providing a rigorous and relevant education for our students.”
On the day of the presentations, students were nervous but excited.
John Barayuga ‘25 spoke to the BOH professionals about the importance of mental health programming in the workplace. He said the assignment and subsequent presentation was a challenge that required him to think about the real-world application of his chosen topic.
“This experience has better prepared me for what it means to present on and defend a meaningful subject to an audience with varying opinions and perspectives,” Barayuga said, adding he was gratified to take several insightful and thought-provoking questions from the attendees.
Never miss a post! Follow Chaminade University on Facebook and Instagram.
He said the experience also inspired him to think about other ways he could contribute to improving workplaces. “The more pride you take in your work and understand how it can improve the wellbeing of yourself and others, the more likely your actions will resonate,” he said.
Kyla Castro ‘25 focused her presentation on discipline and dispute management.
She said the class assignment was tough, especially considering all the other things she was juggling in her schedule.
“With the presentation being at BOH, an extra pressure was put on myself and my fellow classmates to represent Chaminade University,” Castro said.
For Castro, the takeaway lesson was she’s capable of pushing through. “This presentation has not only reminded me of what I am capable of,” she said, “but it has also shown me where I need to improve which will ultimately help me as I enter the final push into my professional career.”
Estell said she walked away from the day incredibly proud of her students and grateful to Bank of Hawaii for the opportunity.
“Sometimes it can be difficult for students who are so accustomed to sitting in a classroom every day to see the connections between what they are learning right now—in this moment—and how those skills translate to their future careers,” she said.
“Any opportunity we have to make that really come alive for students is a huge value.”
