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Dr. Lorin Ramocki and Dr. Katelyn Perrault Recognized for their Passion and Innovation in Teaching

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Motivated. Innovative. Passionate. A trailblazer.

Those were some of the words used to describe this year’s faculty honorees of the Chaminade Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship awards, which recognize those going above and beyond to ensure student success in the classroom and contribute to their area of study in meaningful ways.

Lorin Ramocki

Dr. Lorin Ramocki, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing and Health Professions, received the Chaminade’s 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award for her tireless work to create hands-on simulations that promote “learning by doing.”

The simulations—which ranged from a mock homeless camp on campus to a COVID vaccination clinic to an “unfolding case study” into a Hepatitis A outbreak—were especially vital during the pandemic because COVID made some community placements for Nursing students impossible.

“The COVID pandemic created a loss of clinical rotations in both hospitals and community settings and faculty pivoted to simulation on campus as well as supporting COVID vaccination efforts,” said School of Nursing and Health Professions Dean Rhoberta Haley, PhD, who nominated Ramocki for the award.

Haley said Ramocki ensured experiential learning continued for students during the pandemic. “Dr. Ramocki is a truly creative, innovative, motivated, and effective teacher,” Haley said, “who makes Public Health content and clinical experiences come alive for each of our Nursing students.”

Ramocki said she is honored by the recognition and takes joy in using her creativity to develop “engaging learning environments to give students the best experience possible.” She added that her teaching philosophy is rooted in “developing a community within the classroom.”

“My philosophy on teaching students is really embedded in trying to inspire them to find their own interests—and then connect it back to something in public health to help them enhance their understanding and how they can impact the health of their own communities,” she said.

Katelynn Perrault

Meanwhile, the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics’ Dr. Katelynn Perrault was recognized with the 2021 Fr. John F. Bolin Excellence in Scholarship Award for substantial contributions to her field of study. The associate professor of Forensic Sciences and Chemistry was also recently honored with the John B. Phillips Award, which recognizes early career researchers who are making advancements in the field of two-dimensional gas chromatography, which involves separating chemicals present in complex samples.

Perrault is studying odors produced by bacteria associated with decomposing bodies.

Dr. Hans Chun, director of Education Leadership Programs at Chaminade, nominated Perrault for the honor and said she has been a “trailblazer in research” since she arrived at the University. “Kate embodies the concept that teaching and research are not mutually exclusive,” Chun said.

Chun also said her work has helped to “raise Chaminade’s scholarly profile.”

Perrault said receiving the award is a “landmark moment for me” at the University and has driven her to reflect on her work—and on the work of the student researchers she is mentoring. “Seeing their contributions to science recognized gives me great joy as a mentor,” she said. Perrault added that while many people think of research as something that’s done outside of the classroom, she sees it as something central to classroom learning. “Great things can be accomplished within a class when students are set with the task of creating new knowledge on their own accord. There is something about that experience that cannot be learned in any textbook.”

ALOHA E Institute for Professional Development

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Incorporating “active learning” into classrooms.

Taking online learning to the next level.

And embracing place-based education.

Those were some of the central themes tackled in a recent week-long professional development workshop for faculty and staff members from Chaminade University and Kapiolani Community College (KCC).

Chaminade’s Center for Teaching and Learning hosted the ALOHA E Institute from August 9 to 13 as part of their ongoing efforts to help faculty members reflect on their own practice, advance engaging pedagogy and instructional design and bolster engagement to enhance student success.

The inaugural ALOHA E Institute included 60 participants—30 each from Chaminade and KCC. The workshop’s sessions were delivered online, in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. And Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng, who has helped launch peace education initiatives in the islands and is an adviser to the Obama Foundation, delivered a talk at the institute on the critical importance of inspiring students.

ALOHA E Institute enrollees selected from one of three possible tracks:

  • Active learning, which focused on how faculty members can “intentionally design” course materials and activities to improve student engagement. Participants brought current syllabi so they could redesign their courses to incorporate key elements of what they learned.
  • Online hui, which sought to help faculty members transition from “surviving” in an online classroom format to thriving in one. Participants created classroom-ready materials designed to maintain the instructor presence and cultivate a warm, welcoming learning environment.
  • And aina-based education, which offered participants opportunities for employing a culturally responsive approach, enabling them to ground their course content in Native Hawaiian traditional knowledge with strategies for activities, assignments and assessment.

The ALOHA E Institute was made possible in part to a federal Title III grant. The funding helps cover programs for strengthening peer mentorship and experiential learning opportunities and includes a focus on faculty professional development. The Center for Teaching and Learning plans to coordinate future institutes for Chaminade and KCC faculty and staff members.

Immersive Experiences Through Summer Institutes

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Dozens of Hawai’i public high school students converged on Chaminade’s campus over the summer for a host of immersive learning opportunities—trying their hand at everything from spoken word poetry to marine conservation to designing a safehouse for a zombie apocalypse.

Chaminade’s Summer Institutes 2021 offerings, part of the University’s ongoing commitment to early college programming, gave rising juniors and seniors at two public high schools the chance to do a deep dive into disciplines of high interest.

The intensive, 10-day courses were free to McKinley and Kaimukī high school students and also included standalone college preparatory sessions on how to pay for higher education, apply for financial aid, select an academic pathway and build leadership skills.

Dr. Janet Davidson, Chaminade Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, said 37 students participated across five Summer Institutes courses. The offerings were made possible in part thanks to a US Department of Education GEAR UP grant.

Davidson said GEAR UP is focused on boosting college attendance among low-income students. To promote that goal, she said, the Summer Institutes program at Chaminade offered participants a high-quality, engaging college-level experience.

“The students had rewarding experiences on our campus—with each other and with their faculty and peer mentors,” Davidson said, adding that enrollees also benefitted from co-curricular sessions with the University’s advising, financial aid and admissions offices.

“Through our Summer Institutes, we aimed to support the academic growth of students, but also provided a series of college readiness sessions. We look forward to growing on our successes this year and provide even more institutes next summer.”

Doing It Yourself: A New World
high school students working together on a business plan project during the business summer institute

Among the available academic sessions was a course—taught by Accounting Professor Aaron Williamson—on entrepreneurship, business modeling and communication skills. “Doing It Yourself: A New World” also included an emphasis on leadership and team building.

Williamson said he wanted the immersion program to give students a “taste of what business really is. At its root, business is the thoughts, dreams and initiatives of a multitude of folks from history to present who simply had an idea and acted on it.”

He added that he was most excited to watch students tap into their passions and personal interests—and then figure out how to direct that energy into a business plan.

“I fully expect to be walking into a few of their establishments one day,” he added.

Word Wizards: The Magic of Poetry and Hip Hop
high school students at the museum of art during a field trip for the english summer institute

English Professor Dr. Allison Paynter drew from English 256 (Poetry and Drama) to design her summer institute course entitled, “Word Wizards: The Magic of Poetry and Hip Hop.” In addition to analyzing hip hop lyrics, traditional poetry and verse-driven dramas, students wrote poetry and then put on spoken word performances.

Paynter, herself a performance poet, said she most enjoyed seeing her student participants collaborate with one another on writing.

“I also loved watching my students perform their original poetry during our Spoken Word event,” she said. “I would like to believe each student felt empowered through the process of writing creative pieces.”

Marine Science Immersion
high school students at the beach looking at marine life during the marine science summer institute

Dr. Gail Grabowsky, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Chaminade, co-taught a “Marine Science Immersion” summer course with Dr. Lupita Ruiz-Jones, an assistant professor of Environmental Sciences. Students in the session spent the first week exploring the ocean environment from the perspective of a marine scientist and the second considering the impacts of humans on marine ecosystems.

Participants spent time in the classroom, lab and, of course, the ocean.

Ruiz-Jones said students took field trips to Waimea Bay, Sharks Cove, Makapuu, Makaha and Ala Moana Beach. They even took a walk from campus to nearby Pālolo Stream, inspiring three students to return the following weekend for a stream cleanup project.

Grabowsky said a central takeaway of the course for students was just how incredible marine systems are—and how important they are to preserve.

“I wanted them to walk away with a knowledge of the ocean, of course, but also a feeling that college is wonderful and an understanding of how it works,” she said. “I hope they all came away loving Chaminade!”

Psychology Studies

Psychology Associate Professor Dr. Darren Iwamoto led a course in Psychology Studies, challenging students to take a journey of self-discovery and self-awareness to understand the importance of mental health in everyday life.

Iwamoto, who is clinical director of the School Counseling and Undergraduate Psychology programs at Chaminade, said he kicked off the course with two questions: Why do we do what we do? And why do we think what we think?”

It was through those lines of inquiry that Iwamoto encouraged students to consider how they tackle stress, handle change and plan for the future—and how they might apply new and healthier coping strategies in their own lives to promote personal wellbeing.

“It was so memorable to watch so much personal and academic growth in just two weeks,” he said, adding that he also learned so much about his own teaching from the experience.

“I had to learn different strategies of student engagement because I didn’t have grades being the underlying motivator,” he said. “I really like how this Summer Institute flowed and how students experienced psychology versus being told about it.”

Visualizing the Future
high school student working on their zombie apocalypse safehouse during the art and design summer institute

The fifth offering over the summer was called “Visualizing the Future.”

Dr. Junghwa Suh, an associate professor of Arts and Design at Chaminade, led the course—modeled after Art 103 or Visual Design. Students were introduced to the power of visualizations and used problem-solving skills and design tools to create models.

After learning the basics of hands-on modeling tools, Suh set the students to work in groups to create a zombie safehouse—yes, you read that right. Suh said the engaging project required students to think about space planning while trying to figure out how to protect the safehouse’s occupants from a decidedly horrific fate.

“I wanted my students to get a clear and dynamic overview of arts and design, see the connection of arts and design to various disciplines … and use their creativity and logical processing to execute design solutions to given problems,” she said.

Suh added that the students’ final safehouse designs were impressive.

“I hope these creative minds gained some new perspectives in arts and design and understand various possibilities they can pursue with this study,” she said.

And she’s already looking forward to next summer’s courses. “It is so beneficial for students to see how different disciplines come together to solve world problems,” she said. “These types of institutes help high school students in making decisions on what they want to study.”

Coming Home to Chaminade and Paying it Forward

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As part of an effort to open theological studies to more laypeople, Chaminade has significantly broadened its Master of Pastoral Theology (MPT) program to include opportunities for those interested in education, ethics, campus ministry, pastoral counseling and other direct service positions.

The MPT master’s degree at Chaminade has traditionally been geared toward a diaconate track.

But the program now welcomes those outside of that cohort—and is already seeing more students.

Dustyn Kainoa Ragasa

Dr. Dustyn Ragasa, director of the Pastoral Theology master’s degree program, said difficult philosophical and ethical questions facing our communities have driven up interest in theological studies programs nationally. He added that the MPT program at Chaminade is individualized to each student, offering a diversity of pathways and a curriculum designed to promote personal growth.

“Someone once told me that Hawaii is not a melting pot, but a mixed plate,” Ragasa said.

“Each culture’s specific contribution is not homogenized or boiled down to a set of common denominators, but preserved in their integrity so as to enrich through diversity. The MPT recognizes the specific gifts of culture that our students make to the learning experience. This kind of ‘mixed plate theology’ draws upon our heritages (and place-based theologies) so as to share them.”

Finding his way

Ragasa ‘07, who is also an assistant professor of Religious Studies at Chaminade, followed his own unique pathway to leadership at the university. He said he came to Chaminade a bit lost after dropping out of Waimea High on Kauai and then completing his GED. On his first day on campus—as the first student in his family to ever attend college—he wasn’t sure if he would be able to “hack it.”

“I thought, ‘I’m going to fail my first week.’ But the professors I had were so supportive from the beginning. When I was struggling, I knew they would be there,” he said, adding he was determined to succeed. And that’s exactly what he did—so much so that his professors encouraged him to pursue graduate studies and then helped him plot a course to a theology program on the mainland.

“They identified strengths in me that I couldn’t see in myself,” Ragasa said.

After graduating from Chaminade, Ragasa went on to earn a master’s degree from The Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology and a doctoral degree from the Graduate Theological Union. He said while earning his graduate degrees, he pledged to himself to use all he was learning to do two things: “I knew I wanted to be of service to my community and I knew I wanted to help other students.”

And after receiving his doctoral degree, an opportunity at Chaminade just happened to open up.

Chaminade homecoming

He quickly applied and Ragasa joined Chaminade’s School of Humanities, Arts and Design faculty in August 2019.

For Ragasa, returning to Chaminade was an opportunity to give back—just as his mentors at the University offered guidance and inspiration to him. And he jumped at the chance to reimagine the MPT program, widening its scope and potential impact to bring in more students.

He said he wanted to focus on helping MPT students apply what they were learning to real-life problems. He also wanted to integrate laypeople in the program with those on the diaconate track, creating a rich and robust dialogue and building relationships that last long after graduation.

“Laypeople and candidates preparing for the diaconate learn side-by-side,” he said. “Contact with candidates helps laypeople to think more pastorally. Similarly, contact with laypeople helps candidates remain grounded, and many candidates will often learn from the academic insights of the lay students.”

Ragasa is also looking for new ways to expand and enrich the program.

Moving the MPT program forward

He said he’s interested in striking up partnerships with Chaminade’s Education and Data Science programs to offer Pastoral Theology students hands-on learning opportunities, such as in-classroom teaching experiences. And he wants to build relationships with theology programs on the mainland so that students who are interested could get the chance to study at another university for a semester.

Whatever the additions, Ragasa is confident the program’s faculty members—who come from a diversity of academic backgrounds—will continue to provide a rich and individualized experience for each student that includes both robust academic study and direct service opportunities.

With fieldwork and academic contemplation combined, he said, “it’s my hope that someone who reflects on theology will approach their ministry empowered by the intellectual tradition of the church.”

Dr. Joseph Allen: Reevaluating Our Criminal Justice System

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What does it look like to pursue social justice in the American justice system? 

Joseph Allen

Social justice movements across the US have prompted many to ask that question—and then quickly realize the answer is far more complicated and nuanced than they initially imagined. But that, says Dr. Joseph Allen, shouldn’t deter us from doing the hard work of reevaluating our criminal justice system.

The director of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Chaminade notes that critical research into the justice system is unpacking the actions of law enforcement agencies and how they can develop policies and practices that serve to protect communities while also committing to fairness and transparency.

Unfortunately, Allen notes, there are no quick fixes in this regard.

That’s because injustice isn’t hidden in a single institution or policy—or person. But Allen, who is also an associate professor at Chaminade, believes action research and dialogue across communities can help to drive positive change and highlight constructive and proactive (rather than reactive) solutions.

Allen recently sat down for a conversation on the justice system, the long history of social justice movements in the US and recent changes to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Studies program that reflect modern developments and academic inquiry around the justice system in America.

How has crime changed over the past few years?

It really hasn’t changed a lot recently. Overall, crime rates are down almost across the board, and they have been on a general decrease over the past 25+ years. The rates of crime we are experiencing today are similar to the rates of the 1960s-1970s. This is hard for most people to reconcile because crime is, more often than not, the lead story on much of our news and media feeds. But, it’s true. Again, everything today is generally low, to begin with. That said, we have seen a slow down in the decreases in aggravated assault and sexual assault — these have leveled off a bit over recent years.

Our official crime data (via the FBI) lags behind about a year or two due to the large data compilation and analysis efforts. So, our most recent data comes from 2019. Data and trends will be interesting to see for 2020 and 2021 when they come out. Due to the pandemic, I expect what could be a noticeable drop in crime overall (as opposed to the general gradual decreases). I then expect that this will “correct” itself a bit in 2021 and increase to “expected” levels. 

Early indicators from the recent year and a half point to potential increases in domestic violence, substance abuse, and cases involving mental health. Albeit rare, we have seen some increases in gun and mass or workplace shootings. Lastly, white-collar and computer crimes are becoming more sophisticated and put those of us who are online at increased risk of having our personal information stolen or compromised. Many large corporations, online platforms, and government agencies have been hacked in various ways and are really in a struggle to keep up with digital security concerns. We each need to do our part and be safe when online.   

How does social media play a role in criminal justice?

Social media spreads word of events far and wide, especially if the news is sensational. This is good for simple news and awareness, but I think it unnecessarily creates increased levels of fear and anxiety in all of us when it comes to extremely unlikely events. Rare events are taken out of context and we tend to feel more vulnerable. This is in spite of the probabilities of these rare events happening to us being very minuscule. It is good that we learn from these events that are often tragic, but we need to keep in perspective that, again, we’re essentially living 1960s/1970s rates of crime. 

How has accountability changed?

With increased information, we become exposed to things that we may not have had in the past. Smartphones and social media have been the driving forces behind the amplification of this effect. To this end, we are all to some extent put under more pressure to act and behave accordingly. More so now than in the past, the criminal justice field has been forced to reflect on its policies and procedures. This has been the most noticeable in law enforcement due to several high-profile national cases. To say that many or even most of these cases were as “cut and dried” as some think, I believe is an understatement, but the truth of the reality is that there is almost always something to learn about, clarify, or update professional training when it comes to policies and procedures. These unfortunate incidents have made jurisdictions and agencies reevaluate legal policy and sometimes change procedures, especially when engaging citizens physically.

As for body-worn cameras (BWC), when I last studied the topic, a few things struck me as interesting. First, there was hesitation among most officers when first using body cameras (e.g., some felt that they would not react as instinctively and that the camera may put them at risk). Second, after using the cameras and getting used to them, most officers welcomed their use (e.g., could corroborate evidence, fewer complaints, less unfounded lawsuits). Third, everyone acts a bit “better” when they know the camera is on, both the officer(s) AND the individuals being engaged by the officer; in other words, things tend to not escalate as much with cameras in use. Lastly, and probably most importantly, is that the public felt that by putting BWCs on officers, there would be more transparency. This last point is vital when it comes to the citizenry trusting those charged with enforcing and carrying out the law.

When it comes to law enforcement, does a “bad egg” reflect that entire organization?

Law enforcement is not a profession for the weary. You must be prepared to face dangerous situations and dangerous people. When these things come together, the likelihood of someone having been victimized and there is a confrontation with police increases, and sometimes things can escalate. Mistakes can happen, whether it be the officer’s decision or following a bad policy/procedure, or something that is unclear or leaves a lot to interpretation. The leaders in our law enforcement field definitely feel the pressure to “get it right.” And I think that the vast, vast majority of the rank and file feel the same way, too. So, going back to the question, “does one bad egg [or incident] reflect the rest of the force?” To this, I say unequivocally, “Absolutely not.” No field is perfect, and you will always have bad actors or unfortunate incidents. To some extent, and rightfully so, I think that law enforcement gets put under the microscope at a higher magnification due to the core elements of being representatives of the law who are charged with protecting the public and property and serving the citizenry. In terms of government agencies and performance, the criminal justice system/field needs to continue to evolve and change so that integrity and trust are maintained, and results are shown. The police and other law enforcement agencies are not “off-the-charts bad” when it comes to efficiency, decision-making, and leadership. Like any other government agency and oversight, some cases bring about much-needed change and we all should agree that the law should apply to everyone equally, with law enforcement being held to the highest standard.         

Over the past few years, there has been more interest in criminology and criminal justice programs—why do you think that is?

The main thing that I see from students and those entering the criminology and criminal justice field is a desire to help make communities safer and our society a better place. The range of positions run the gamut from law enforcement to legal work to corrections and treatment to things like working with underserved or marginalized populations (e.g., children, impoverished, homeless, substance abusers, offenders looking to get back on the right path). Also, there is always the presence of preventing people from becoming victims of crime and to help them if they do end up being victimized. So, prevention and treatment efforts across-the-board and increased investigation/legal efforts are stressed in order that we have less crime to begin with, that the crime we do have is accounted for and there is a proper balance of treatment and justice for offenders in order to have less repeat offending in the future.

Those who are looking at the field nowadays I think feel a bit more extra pressure to hold their positions with the highest level of integrity. Additionally, I feel some who have entered the field recently or are looking to enter the field in the future are also looking to be part of changing things for the better. For what it’s worth, I think now and going forward is a great time for going into the field. There will continue to be bumps in the road, but our students will undoubtedly be part of needed changes in the system.    

Chaminade’s Criminology and Criminal Justice department updated its master’s program (M.S. Criminal Justice Studies). How does the new curriculum respond to the current criminal justice environment and community needs? 

During this past year, we updated our Master’s degree program in CJ. Previously, it was known as the “Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration.” It is now the “Master of Science in Criminal Justice Studies.” In general terms, we’ve made our curriculum more contemporary with a focus on not just the advanced pillars of the field, but also on contemporary issues that are entrenched in the criminal justice landscape today—ethics, research, civil rights, forensic psychology, terrorism, cybercrime and trauma and crisis intervention. The field is broadening from law and order to a sort of safety net for a host of social issues; those in the field, especially on the frontlines, dealing with a wider array of matters than in the past. This also includes more emphasis on the front-end (prevention efforts) and the back-end (treatment and reintegration). We feel that our curriculum better reflects these shifts in the field.

Lastly, on a practical note, a master’s degree gives students a leg up when they enter the field and during their careers. As things in the field open up as the mass exodus of the Baby Boomer generation continues to occur, advanced degrees will separate one from their peers even more. For entree into the field, a master’s degree will often help in terms of being able to substitute for years of experience (e.g., common is equivalent to 2-3 years of experience). Then, once in the field, opportunities that require or desire a master’s degree will come up; moreover, advancement and promotion in certain fields can get pushed up or given advantages because of the advanced degree. As time goes on and one becomes more entrenched in their career, a master’s degree in today’s work field is seen as a must if one is being considered for higher-level positions (e.g., director, supervisory, managerial). I feel that the “payback” or return on investment from obtaining a master’s degree is high in the long run for graduates; roughly a little over a year of studies will put the graduate in an advantaged position for the rest of their careers.

Dr. Kate Perrault Receives John B. Phillips Award

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Katelynn Perrault

Dr. Katelynn Perrault, an associate professor of Forensic Science and Chemistry at Chaminade, is celebrating special recognition for her hard work—in the classroom, in the lab and in the community.

In June, Perrault was honored to learn she’d received the John B. Phillips Award at the annual International GCxGC Symposium. The award recognizes early career researchers making significant achievements and advancements in the field of two-dimensional gas chromatography.

Perrault received the award after presenting a lecture at the symposium titled, “A Secret Guide to Learning, Using and Teaching GCxGC.” Two-dimensional gas chromatography is a sophisticated method that allows researchers to separate what type of chemicals are present in complex samples.

In her case, Perrault is studying odors produced by bacteria associated with decomposing bodies.

She says the research could better identify which chemicals are released from a body after death, something that ultimately could help in search and recovery efforts and one day “help to bring closure to families who may not have known how, where or why their loved one passed.”

Perrault was also recently recognized for a very different type of work.

The American Chemical Society named her a 2021 Outreach Volunteer of the Year for her work to organize National Chemistry Week events in Hawaii. The week includes hands-on activities at Kahala Mall and a statewide illustrated poem contest that garners hundreds of entries each year.

Dr. Kate Perrault teaching her forensic science students

“Science outreach is so important to me,” Perrault said, speaking about the recognition for her work with the society’s Hawaii group. “I believe it helps people to understand the world around them through a scientific lens. We are living through an age where being able to assess information and events around us is greatly helped by a basic understanding of science and technology.”

Perrault brings that same enthusiasm to the classroom, and was recently able to see three undergraduate researchers (Kyle Furuta, Danson Oliva and Hunter Yamanaka) from her lab—the Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry—present posters at an international conference that she also chaired. More than 300 researchers, experts, students and newcomers from around the world attended the virtual, three-day Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop in February.

“The conference gave me motivation and great ideas for the next work we will perform in my own research group,” she said, “and I am grateful for the ability to have been able to share these three days with everyone in the field. It is so important, now more than ever, that we are able to remain connected to our global network within research, even if we aren’t able to gather in person.”