Chaminade University of Honolulu

Diversity and Inclusion

Higher Education in Prison

Program helps with reintegration into community

Drs. Janet Davidson and Lynn Babington share a light-hearted moment. Seated next to them is Mark Patterson, Chair Hawaii Correctional Oversight Commission and Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility, Warden.
Drs. Janet Davidson and Lynn Babington share a light-hearted moment. Seated next to them is Mark Patterson, Chair Hawaii Correctional Oversight Commission and Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility, Warden.

It was the best news that Dr. Janet Davidson could have ever received on a Friday morning. After receiving an email message from Gabrielle Schechter, Health Policy Advisor with the Office of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, Chaminade’s Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and a leader in criminology couldn’t believe what she was reading.

“I had to ask Jacki (Sanqui) to come to my office and read the message to make sure that I was reading it correctly,” said Davidson, who has spearheaded Chaminade’s Higher Education in Prison program. “She told me this was really great news and I was reading it correctly. The note said, ‘Your Higher Education in Prison Program earmark request to Senator Schatz’s office for FY24 was funded at $1.5 million!’ I was shocked.”

With the successful graduation of the pilot class, the second cohort of students from Halawa Correctional Facility includes 11 inmates, three more than the inaugural graduating class. Studies have clearly shown that higher education in prisons offers a multitude of benefits, particularly concerning re-entry into society and reducing rates of recidivism. Research further indicates that individuals who participate in educational programs while incarcerated are significantly less likely to return to prison upon release. Specifically, those who attain an associate’s degree have notably improved odds of successfully re-integrating into society compared to their counterparts without such credentials.

Yet, in our legal system and legislative practices, mass incarceration remains deeply entrenched. Despite efforts over the past half-century, initiatives such as the war on drugs have failed, leading to a troubling escalation in sentencing, probation and pretrial incarceration. But there is hope. In March, the U.S. Senate passed the second half of a bipartisan government funding bill that includes $31.8 million in new congressionally directed spending, also known as earmarks, secured by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. The new funding follows nearly $400 million in earmark funding for Hawaii secured by Schatz in the first half of the appropriations deal signed into law earlier this month. Chaminade University of Honolulu was awarded $1.5 million, which will be used to build capacity of the prison education program.

“At Chaminade, one of our primary Marianist values is to advocate for social justice for transformative change,” says Chaminade President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. “We support a rehabilitation-through-education narrative, which we know is essential to incarcerated individuals finding a pathway to a second chance and a better future.”

Last year's first graduating class attended a commencement ceremony at Halawa Correctional Facility.
Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington congratulated graduates during a commencement ceremony at Halawa Correctional Facility.

Hawaii’s correctional facilities epitomize the challenges the state face, grappling with chronic overcrowding and deteriorating conditions. In 1978, Hawaii’s incarceration rate stood at one per 1,000 people. Since then, national rates have skyrocketed, with Hawaii’s incarceration rate at 439 per 100,000 people (including prisons, jails, immigration detention and juvenile justice facilities), meaning that it locks up a higher percentage of its people than almost any democratic country on earth, according to the non-profit, non-partisan Prison Policy Initiative, whose research and advocacy is at the center of the national conversation about criminal justice reform and over-criminalization.

Following its re-designation, the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation underscored the importance of transitioning away from punitive justice, making rehabilitation a core aspect of its mission. With a staggering 95 percent of incarcerated individuals eventually returning to society, this shift is deemed crucial for achieving successful reintegration. As part of its restructuring, law enforcement functions previously under Department of Public Safety were transferred to a newly established Department of Law Enforcement. The move reflects a broader commitment to address the root causes of criminal behavior and promote long-term societal wellness. By prioritizing rehabilitation and reintegration programs, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation aims to create safer communities and support individuals in their journey toward positive change.

“The motto for our department is ‘He Au Hou,’ which means ‘a new era,’” said Tommy Johnson, Director of the new Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which re-establishes the Hawaii Department of Public Safety. “We’re able to focus our full attention, resources, and energy on rehabilitation and restoration to support those in our custody and care. We envisioned this over two years ago and it’s exciting to see this coming to fruition. We may not see changes occur overnight. We know there is always room for improvement, but I’m confident we’re headed in the right direction.”

Chaminade Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Dr. Janet Davidson, addressed graduates during last year's commencement ceremony at Halawa Correctional Facility.
Chaminade Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Dr. Janet Davidson, addressed graduates during last year’s commencement ceremony at Halawa Correctional Facility.

Davidson shares Johnson’s optimism, and she hopes to expand Chaminade’s Higher Education in Prison program to include an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree program and a new women’s program at Women’s Community Correctional Center. The commitment to these educational programs reflects a fundamental paradigm shift towards a justice system focused on rehabilitation rather than punitive measures. By providing access to education, prisons foster a culture that prioritizes personal growth and skill development, ultimately empowering individuals to become productive members of society upon release.

This non-punitive approach not only benefits the individuals directly involved but also contributes to broader societal outcomes, including reduced crime rates and enhanced community safety. Embracing higher education within the prison system signifies a commitment to justice that extends beyond punishment, striving instead for meaningful rehabilitation and long-term societal transformation.

“I don’t know how to do life out there,” one of the Halawa students told Matthews, referring to re-entering society after being released from prison, adding that they feel that she talks to them, and that she understands them. Empathy is indeed a powerful message for those incarcerated, who often say they don’t “feel treated as human beings.”

“I feel like a ‘wounded healer,’” says Matthews, quoting a term coined by Shadd Maruna, Ph.D., the dean of the School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University Newark. “Many prisoners and former inmates express a desire to receive mentoring from formerly incarcerated persons who are ‘making it’ in conventional society.”

Prison reentry is a complex process that requires comprehensive strategies involving legislation, regulations, support programs, and community involvement. By prioritizing rehabilitation and reintegration, society can help individuals leaving incarceration rebuild their lives and become productive members of society. Through concerted efforts and collaboration, we can bridge the gap between prison and society, paving the way for successful reentry and reducing recidivism rates in the long run.

Matching Tuition

Chaminade’s Hawaii Guarantee Program matches UH Manoa’s resident tuition

Chaminade defies the age-old adage that nothing in life is guaranteed. Unless it concerns tuition. Last fall, the University assured that all incoming freshmen from Hawaii would pay the resident undergraduate rate of $11,304—the same amount students shell out at the University of Hawaii at Manoa—a steep discount on Chaminade’s typical tuition price of $29, 970. In subsequent years, Chaminade’s resident tuition will change if and only when UH Manoa’s does.

“After we launched the Hawaii Guarantee program, we saw a 30 percent increase in Hawaii applications/deposits,” says Jennifer Creech, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success. “And we’ve also seen an increase of 27.36 percent from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023. Overall, we’re trending in the right direction.”

School of Humanities, Art and Design Dean Dr. Cheryl Edelson walks through Henry Hall with senior Sean Lorrenzo.
School of Humanities, Art and Design Dean Dr. Cheryl Edelson walks through Henry Hall with senior Sean-Zacharry Lorrenzo.

The cost of college has become a subject of significant concern and discussion in recent years. Rising tuition fees, along with additional incidental expenses such as textbooks, housing and meal plans, have made pursuing higher education financially daunting for many individuals and families.

This, of course, has led to concerns about accessibility and affordability, particularly for low-income and middle-class families. In response, policymakers, educators and advocacy groups have been exploring various strategies to address the issue, such as increasing need-based financial aid, expanding access to community colleges and trade schools, and implementing tuition-free or reduced-cost college programs at the state or national level.

“This effort is really a part of Chaminade’s service-oriented mission, which is to make higher education accessible to all Hawaii students,” says President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. “Across the country, less than half of students graduate on time. Our Hawaii Guarantee is designed to help students map out their academic journeys, and receive the course offerings and advising support needed to get them there. They will have a clear path to a four-year graduation.”

In addition to the predictable tuition rate, the Hawaii Guarantee amount of $11,304 can be reduced with various financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, grants and work-study programs, to further stem the financial burden on students, and to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed academically and professionally. However, to receive the Hawaii Guarantee rate, freshmen must be continuously enrolled at Chaminade for consecutive semesters and graduate in four years.

“We are committed to helping make the dream of higher education attainable,” Babington asserts. “Today’s students hold the power to change the world for the better—and we are proud to develop that next generation of leaders right here at home.”

When asked about the impetus for the new tuition schedule for local students, Creech said the University wanted to strengthen its commitment to the community. “Chaminade is a community-first University,” she added. “We wanted to remind our local residents that Chaminade is here and that the school is a good option to pursue their higher education.”

Enrollment at Chaminade has remained strong in recent years, and this Fall’s 484 incoming students represents the largest number in 20 years. The Hawaii Guarantee program is designed to offer students a transparent and predictable tuition structure, helping them plan for their educational expenses more effectively. Through this program, Chaminade pledges to keep tuition costs stable for students throughout their four years of undergraduate study, providing peace of mind and financial stability for both students and their families.

Furthermore, Chaminade is committed to providing a supportive learning environment that fosters student success. Through small class sizes, personalized attention from faculty and staff, and a strong sense of community, students can thrive academically and personally while pursuing their educational goals.

“Education is transformative,” Babington said. “Overall, the Hawaii Guarantee program exemplifies Chaminade’s dedication to making higher education affordable for all students in Hawaii. By removing financial barriers and providing comprehensive support services, Chaminade empowers students to achieve their full potential and make meaningful contributions to their communities and society at large.”

PsyD Program

A counselor’s impact inspires Ji Su Park to pursue a doctorate

Since entering Chaminade’s Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program in 2021, Ji Su Park’s hair has grayed, her blood pressure has ticked up and her daily breakfast now consists of a serving of natto, the traditional Japanese food that is believed to have cardiovascular and cholesterol benefits because of its composition of whole soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis, a potent blood-clot dissolving protein.

“My husband is very supportive, but he is concerned about my health and level of stress,” says Park, who hopes to earn her PsyD degree by 2026. “Yet, he has never told me that I can’t do this.”

For the 31-year-old Australian-raised Korean native, there’s nothing that she can’t do. However, Park’s education journey has been a bumpy one. When her parents decided to move back to Korea when she was a teenager, Park lost all her friends—never easy as a high schooler—and was unaccustomed to the Korean education system. She could converse OK in Korean but the curriculum was foreign and difficult.

“I did really poorly,” Park says. “I knew after high school, I needed to move, and I decided on Hawaii because of its multicultural population.”

Dr. Sean Scanlan, director of Chaminade’s Psy.D. program, explains a concept to one of his students.
Dr. Sean Scanlan, director of Chaminade’s Psy.D. program, explains a concept to one of his students.

She first enrolled in an Associate’s program at Kapiolani Community College (KCC) then later transferred to the University of Hawaii–Manoa, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. She would return to KCC, landing an administrative job in the Counseling Office with LaVache Scanlan. The experience marked an inflection point for Park who witnessed the transformative difference a counselor can make in a college student’s life.

“The counselors were so impactful,” Park says. “I wanted to be able to do that, and to have that much positive influence over a student’s academic experience.”

Ultimately, she was faced with a decision: apply to Hawaii Pacific University’s or Chaminade’s Master of Science in Counseling Psychology? Park chose the latter, citing the University’s close-knit campus feel that she sensed while visiting Kalaepohaku. She especially appreciated the school’s service orientation toward the community, the core values foundation that are inherent in a Marianist education and the sensitivity toward Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island cultures.

Transitioning, though, from an undergraduate education to a graduate level has its challenges, namely the required discipline and time. Park possesses the discipline, but time is more difficult since she was juggling, at that time, three part-time jobs. She also sought more hands-on experience to put her knowledge in practice. After completing her master’s, Park decided to slow down. Well, kind of.

“Now I just have two part-time jobs,” says Park with a wry smile. “I never feel like I don’t have down time. I’ve never felt that my life wasn’t balanced. I still feel I have a lot of a social life.”

Formerly hosted by Argosy University, which abruptly closed its doors and permanently suspended classes and programs in March 2019, Chaminade and the Hawaii School of Professional Psychology decided to collaborate in an effort to salvage Argosy’s PsyD program. One of only two programs of its kind in Hawaii, the PsyD is a five-year track that culminates in a professional doctorate in psychology degree preparing graduates for practice in psychotherapy and psychological testing.

“We’ve graduate 80 students in the PsyD program since we started,” says, Sean Scanlan, Ph.D., Director of the Hawaiʻi School of Professional Psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu and Associate Professor. “A little over half are working in Hawaii, working in a variety of settings from community health centers, health and education agencies and institutions to forensic settings and private practice.”

Now in its fifth year, Chaminade’s program is the only American Psychological Association-accredited PsyD Program in Hawaii. Designed to prepare students for both contemporary and emerging roles in the practice of professional psychology, the program offers a five-year generalist program that supports the development of core competencies in psychological assessment, intervention, science, practice, foundations, and professional issues and roles. Training is provided so that students have the opportunity to be practitioner-scholars who are skilled in local and contextual investigation and problem solving.

“Ji Su is special because she is already licensed and working in the mental health field,” Scanlan says. “All her practicum reports have been excellent, indicating that she’s performing excellent clinical skills (i.e. clinical psychological assessments and clinical psychotherapy) in the field.”

Park is grateful for the unwavering support she receives both within and beyond the classroom.

“I do interact with faculty in the PsyD program in terms of receiving academic support, assistance in professional development and growth, and gaining knowledge and insight through their experiences and supervisions,” Park says. “Outside of our program, I receive a lot of support from offices like Financial Aid and the Counseling Center, where they are responsive to my needs to ensure my academic journey is supported by meeting other needs outside of the classroom. It’s a truly supportive community.”

Dean’s Speaker Series

Dr. Crissy Gayagas discusses sustainability for good

Citing the words of the late American comedian, actor, author, television host and artist, Jonathan Winters, Col. Christine “Crissy” Gayagas (Ret.), Ed.D., told attendees that, “If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to meet it!” In other words, don’t become apathetic. Take action.

As Regional Program Lead (RPL) for the Indo-Pacific, which is part of the Advising and Consulting (A&C) Division at the Institute for Security Governance (ISG), the self-described Army brat plays an important role in engaging partners in the vital Indo-Pacific Region.

“Eighty percent of goods are transited by water and 60 percent of that goes through the Indo-Pacific Region,” said Gayagas, Chaminade Board of Governors chair. “If conflict broke out in that region, it would create instability, and you probably wouldn’t receive that Amazon order you placed.”

As part of the School of Business & Communication Dean’s Speaker Series, Gayagas’s discussion focused on Sustainable Business for Good and the U.S.’s strategy for and paradigm shift in the Indo-Pacific region. In recent years, the Biden-Harris Administration has made historic strides to restore American leadership in the Indo-Pacific and adapt its role for the 21st century. A few years ago, the United States modernized its longstanding alliances, strengthened emerging partnerships, and forged innovative links among them to meet urgent challenges, from competition with China to climate change to the pandemic.

As part of the School of Business & Communication Dean's Speaker Series, Dr. Crissy Gayagas’s discussion focused on Sustainable Business for Good and the U.S.’s strategy for and paradigm shift in the Indo-Pacific region.
As part of the School of Business & Communication Dean’s Speaker Series, Dr. Crissy Gayagas’s discussion focused on Sustainable Business for Good and the U.S.’s strategy for and paradigm shift in the Indo-Pacific region.

Stretching from the Pacific coastline to the Indian Ocean, the area is home to more than half of the world’s people, nearly two-thirds of the world’s economy and seven of the world’s largest militaries. And in the years ahead, as the region drives as much as two-thirds of global economic growth, its influence will only grow—as will its importance to the United States.

“In a 2021 address during the East Asia Summit, President Biden said he envisions an Indo-Pacific that is open, connected, prosperous, resilient and secure,” Gayagas quoted to attendees. “We want to build our collective capacity with partner nations throughout the region. The more people who are empowered, the better we are for it.”

With a military career that spans across 24 years and three deployments, Gayagas became the only battalion commander who was a mother when she saw action in Iraq. She considers her service in the Army as the first phase of her life. The second phase was exploratory, and the third and current phase are convergent, allowing her two initial stages to come together to form a new whole.

“Within these three phases, I was always guided by five elements: passion, people, persistence, priority and pivot,” Gayagas explained. “Identify your passion and keep chipping away until you’re ready to take a deep dive. In the Army, we have a saying: Mission First, People Always. Seek out a support system. Persist and do what works for you. Assess your position and ask if it’s moving your North Star. Be ready to recognize diminishing returns and be open to pivot.”

After multiple Army command and staff positions around the United States (101st Airborne Division and 25th Infantry Division) and in Germany (8th Infantry Division), and operational and strategic experience in the Army’s Human Resources Command and with the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Texas and in Iraq, Gayagas retired in 2008 and started her own consulting firm MMGT Consulting, LLC.

“I wanted to create space for my daughter,” said Gayagas, citing the reason for her retirement from the Army. “In this third phase of my life, I am going to pivot and enjoy full-time retirement or a quarter retirement so I can create more lunch space with my parents (gesturing to her dad Ed and mom Norma Gayagas who were seated in the front row), and pursue more hobbies.”

Opening the floor to questions, John Barayuga ’25 asked Gayagas if her passions evolved over time or did it remain the same. “I really appreciated her answer about how her passion stayed relatively the same but with a few tweaks over time,” said Barayuga, an Accounting major with minors in Hawaiian Studies and Business Administration. “It reassured me of how our paths are a constant adventure of self-discovery.

“My biggest take-away was the five P’s [principles] that Dr. Gayagas shared,” Barayuga added. “I feel the lecture exceeded what I was expecting from it. And I am looking forward to future events!”

Ocean Protection

Martina Sagapolu ’88 helps enforce ocean regulations

When she first entered Central College in Pella, Iowa, in the early 1980s, Martina Sagapolu’s interest was largely in political science. However, as she quickly found out from one of her professors, she was woefully behind in her knowledge of current events, and it would require a lot of hours to get on par with most of the other students on campus.

“I grew up in American Samoa so our AP News and television broadcasts were all pre-recorded and two weeks late,” says Sagapolu ’88. “So, when I arrived on campus, I learned for the first time that a woman (Kathryn D. ‘Kathy’ Sullivan) had just gone to space, yet that happened at least a month prior to my arrival.”

Sagapolu, though, wasn’t late in choosing a major. Because her heroine was the fictional teenage sleuth Nancy Drew when she was growing up in Pago Pago, she decided to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice. After spending a bitterly cold winter in Iowa, the American Samoan native decided to leave Central College for Chaminade University of Honolulu.

“Central College was in the middle of nowhere,” Sagapolu says. “I remember there were only 19 minorities on the entire campus. One of the first mornings I woke up in the dorm, I could smell someone cooking SPAM and rice, and I knew that person had to be from Hawaii. It turned out there were three girls from Kauai and we’ve all kept in touch ever since.”

NOAA's Assistant Director of the Office of Law Enforcement helps enforce ocean regulations in the Pacific Islands region.
NOAA’s Assistant Director of the Office of Law Enforcement helps enforce ocean regulations in the Pacific Islands region.

Now wholly committed to the Criminal Justice major, Sagapolu decided to participate in a U.S. Department of Justice co-op program that the then-Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) had just rolled out. The program was designed to attract talented individuals—particularly college students—to gain work experience and potentially pursue careers in government service as civil servants. Students were provided with opportunities for internships or part-time employment during the academic year, as well as full-time employment during summer breaks.

“The pilot program started in San Diego and then came to Chaminade,” Sagapolu recalls. “There were seven of us who decided to participate, and we first had to travel to Arizona for a one-week training period.”

With the mentorship of such professors as Dr. Greg Mark and Dr. Mel Masuda who helped Sagapolu with her writing skills, the future Criminal Justice graduate was well on her way to becoming part of the law enforcement field. Meanwhile, she was nearing graduation and eyeing a position with INS. Because of her participation in the co-op program, she could be fast tracked through the usually slow federal hiring process, skipping the civil servant exam, interviews and other required bureaucratic steps.

“I graduated on December 8, 1988,” Sagapolu recalls, “and I was sworn in on January 3, 1989. There was no time to holoholo.”

Five years in as an INS agent, Sagapolu received a call from one of the students who also participated in the same INS co-op program, asking if she was interested in working in the Field Office of the National Fisheries Service, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in American Samoa. Returning home had always appealed to Sagapolu but she had her reservations about moving from one federal agency to another.

“It was going to be a huge learning curve,” Sagapolu says. “I was going to go from chasing illegal immigrants to investigating infractions in the ocean. Going to fisheries was definitely intimidating.”

But as dedicated Sagapolu was to INS, she has been fiercely entrenched with NOAA for more than two decades. As the Administration’s Assistant Director for the Pacific Islands Division’s Office of Law Enforcement, Sagapolu oversees the protection and management of the largest geographic area of NOAA’s five divisions. The Pacific Islands, comprised of American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, the Northern Mariana Islands, and other U.S. Pacific Islands, span a total of 583,000 square miles of ocean, teeming with marine wildlife and dotted with sanctuaries, including Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

“In concert with the Coast Guard, and other federal and state agencies, our mission is to ensure the laws and regulations protecting and conserving our nation’s marine resources are followed,” Sagapolu says. “I also serve as an enforcement advisor to domestic and international stakeholders on enforcement-related matters.”

She’s now also updated on the world’s current events.

Office of Student Success

The emergence and significance of universities’ Offices of Student Success

Trachelle Iwamoto ’26 wasn’t quite sure what to expect when she arrived on campus from Kapa‘a, Kauai. Nor did Kryzandreah Español ’26 and Easton DelaCruz ’26. As freshmen, Iwamoto, Español and Dela Cruz felt anxious about the transition from high school to university, uncertain about the rigors of academia and their own self expectations.

Dani Masuda provides some academic advice.
Dani Masuda provides some academic advice.

However, it’s not uncommon for freshman to feel nervous when experiencing what many consider a rite of passage from the teen years to early adulthood. In response, universities have undergone significant transformations in recent years, marked by an increased focus on student success.

“In 2020, we re-evaluated our support services and designed a one-stop center—Office of Student Success—that includes academic advising, career development, tutoring and learning services, military student benefits, registrar and records, and study abroad,” says Jennifer Creech, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success. “We’re committed to providing comprehensive support and resources to ensure that students not only excel academically, but also thrive in their overall collegiate experience.”

The concept of student success has evolved from a narrow focus on academic achievement to a more holistic approach, which encompasses personal growth, career readiness and well-being. Historically, universities primarily concentrated on instructional and administrative functions, with less emphasis on proactive student support. The changing dynamics of higher education, including shifting demographics, technological advancements and an increased awareness of the diverse needs of students, prompted the establishment of dedicated offices to address these challenges.

“If I have a question or experience any difficulty, I’ll go to the Student Success Office,” says Español, who is studying to be a nurse and aspires to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. “I feel truly supported in every aspect of my academic journey here. Chaminade has created a supportive environment that extends beyond just academic assistance, making me feel connected and valued.”

Before the start of their freshman year, Español, Iwamoto and Dela Cruz all attended the Apo Haumana Retreat, a program introduced in 2021 as a faculty-led initiative to help first-year students transition to Chaminade through building connections with faculty and peers outside of the classroom.

“It gave me a foothold into the university,” Iwamoto says. “I met a lot of other students, mentors, staff and faculty who were all welcoming and personable. I felt like they wanted to know who I was as a person.”

Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington welcomes incoming freshmen during the New Student Orientation.
Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington welcomes incoming freshmen during the New Student Orientation.

Now a peer advisor with the Apo Haumana program, DelaCruz works closely with the Office of Student Success to create helpful workshops for first-year students. He also assists program participants with different obstacles they may face throughout their first year.

“Having been a member of the program during my first year, I felt that it benefited me as I transitioned from high school to college,” says DelaCruz, who has ambitions to run for the Governor’s office when he returns to Saipan. “This is my way of giving back to Chaminade since I’ve personally received so much support in my academic journey.”

Many institutions offer programs specifically designed to support students during their first year, helping them smoothly shift into the university environment. At Chaminade, that support is tailored to each student. Unlike the past, according to Creech, interactions between advisers and students seemed transactional; students were being told what classes to take and what to do as opposed to the student owning his/her own educational journey.

“We’re here to help them navigate that journey,” Creech says. “Everything is tailored; it’s not one size fits all. We triage and assess the problem to make sure that our Chaminade students succeed. We complement what the faculty are already doing—mentoring, advising and counseling. The Office simply adds another layer of support.”

Research has shown a positive correlation between the presence of robust student success initiatives, and improved retention and graduation rates. By addressing challenges early, providing targeted interventions, and cultivating a supportive community, the Office of Student Success plays a crucial role in ensuring that students persist through their academic journeys and successfully attain their degrees.

“When we re-structured the office, we leveraged technology and we updated our student portal,” Creech explains. “Today, we use predictive analysis to identify students who may be at risk and we intervene before they drop out. Our fall 2023–spring 2024 retention rate is 88.3 percent, and our enrollment numbers for undergraduate FTE (full-time equivalency” is up by eight percent. All positive news.”