Faculty

New Volume Explores Scottish Literature in the Pacific

June 16, 2025

Two English professors at Chaminade are celebrating the publication of a new volume, Scottish Literature of the South Seas: Critical Studies of Scotland and the Pacific, which grew out of a 2019 conference at the University aimed at spotlighting and celebrating Scottish literature.

Allison Francis, Ph.D. and Richard Hill, Ph.D. said the project was something of a labor of love.

The volume turns to an international group of academics and writers to “consider the Scottish presence in the Pacific Islands and Oceania during the 19th century,” Francis said.

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The collection also includes “fascinating new scholarship” on the topic.

“Scots settled and married into Pacific cultures in a way that other British didn’t (especially English), and consequently there is a Scottish presence in modern Pacific life,” Hill said.

allison_francis_headshot 136x200 — Allison Francis, Ph.D.

Richard Hill, Ph.D.

“We have traced very early Scottish literary presence through to modern day parallels that has not been done before.”

The professors noted they are thankful to everyone who made the volume possible, including a number of Chaminade students who assisted with re-writing, compiling and editing for the book.

They also hope to continue exploring the subject. And in the fall, they plan to hold a reading and question-and-answer session on the volume for the Chaminade campus community.

Employee Milestones Celebrated

April 15, 2025

Chaminade employees were recognized for years of service milestones at a University luncheon this week.

Also honored were five team members retiring at the end of the academic year, including a philosophy professor who has taught at Chaminade for nearly six decades.

Three years of service honorees are celebrating a quarter century or more at Chaminade.

Huo Chen, a maintenance worker, marked 25 years with the University. Rui Huang, also in maintenance, was recognized for 30 years with Chaminade, and Caryn Callahan, a professor of Finance, is celebrating 35 years.

Meanwhile, Philosophy Professor Chitha Unni is marking his 58th year with Chaminade as he prepares for retirement. Other retirees include Psychology Professor Tracy Trevorrow, Communication Professor and Discipline Coordinator Clifford Bieberly, Communication Professor Eva Washburn-Repollo, and Emelda LaForteza (in Facilities).

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The years of service honorees and retirees were celebrated at Chaminade’s annual End of Year Employee Luncheon on April 14. In all, 36 employees were recognized as they marked from five to 35 years of service with the University, including Provost Lance Askildson, Ph.D. (five years).

Tai Arakawa, Library Technical Services Supervisor
Lance Askildson, Provost & Senior VP for Academic Affairs
Jane Chang, Assistant to VP Mission and Rector
Katie Chun, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology
Meghan Hazen, Assistant Teacher-L. Robert Allen Montessori
Jim Heller Sutton, Assistant Provost for Faculty Development
Amber Noguchi, Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Research & Pre-Professional Programs
Wera Panow-Loui, Senior Lecturer of Business
Lianne Philhower, Director of Clinical Training & Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology
Dustyn Ragasa, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies & Director MPT Program
Claire Reddy, Lead Montessori Teacher
Ariz Sanchez, Director of Student Success
Sean Scanlan, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of Clinical Psychology
Jeff Stern, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology
Joy Tanji, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology
Lisa Trumbull, Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management and Community Partnerships
Scott Wylie, Assistant Provost of Institutional Research and Effectiveness

Leiko Bedoya, Assistant to Vice President for Student Affairs
Mefleen Billy, Custodian
Maxine Nihei, Mail Specialist
Andrew Perez, Grant Specialist
Junghwa Suh, Associate Professor of Arts and Design
Michael Weaver, Lecturer of Historical and Political Science
Tina Yamamoto, Assistant to the President

Jolene Cogbill, Associate Professor of Biology
Seiko Kulliano, Custodian
Lori Shimoda, Research Associate
Justin Wyble, Assistant Professor of English

Tom Galli, Senior Lecturer of Communications
Allison Jerome, Vice President of Student Affairs
Choong Lim, Assistant Vice President and Controller
Cassandra Sakamoto, Program Manager for Chuuk Programs
Eva Washburn-Repollo, Professor of Communication

Huo Chen, Maintenance Worker

Rui Huang, Maintenance Worker

Caryn Callahan, Professor of Finance

Psychological Association Honors Chaminade Professor

January 30, 2025

Darren Iwamoto, Ed.D., a professor of Psychology and associate dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, was honored in January with the Hawai‘i Psychological Association’s (HPA) 2024 Outstanding Professor of Psychology Award.

In recognizing Iwamoto, HPA said the professor not only oversees Chaminade’s Counseling Psychology, School Psychology and Educational Psychology programs, but also serves on a long list of university committees and has published in over a dozen academic journals.

His teaching experience includes more than 30 undergraduate and graduate courses.

“Dr. Iwamoto exemplifies the qualities of an exceptional teacher who deeply cares about his students and their learning experiences,” the Hawai‘i Psychological Association said.

“By getting to know each student individually, he creates a safe and welcoming space where students feel encouraged to participate and learn at their own pace. This dedication to his students is reflected consistently in course evaluations, where he is rated at the highest levels.”

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Iwamoto said the award was “completely unexpected” and humbling.

“I find so much joy in teaching because being with students and watching them grow and develop into amazing scholars and professionals right before my eyes truly puts me in awe,” he said, adding he is grateful to his mentors in the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences.

“Without their insights and motivating words, I would not be where I am today.”

Iwamoto started at Chaminade in 2007 as the internship director for the Master’s in School Counseling program. He then served as an assistant professor and full professor, and became the associate dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences in August 2024.

Iwamoto said his biggest joy in life is seeing Chaminade graduates become professionals and embrace the University’s mission of serving others. “I believe that Chaminade is not only an institute of higher education, but we also support our students’ transition into adulthood,” Iwamoto said, adding, “Being able to mentor and teach students is so much fun.”

The School of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Chaminade offers undergraduate programs in Psychology, Elementary Education, Criminology and Criminal Justice and more.

Graduate degrees offered through the school include the Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology or Organizational Leadership for Adaptation and Change, and Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Faculty Embrace Learning Opportunities

January 8, 2025

Learning isn’t just for students.

In fact, James Heller Sutton’s primary mission as Chaminade’s assistant provost for Faculty Development is helping faculty members learn how to take their teaching skills to the next level.

And Faculty Learning Communities at the University are designed to make that happen, offering collaborative environments for faculty members to engage with one another around teaching and learning.

The faculty learning communities program was launched at Chaminade in Fall 2022 and has matured and grown since then, offering faculty members outlets to learn about everything from advances in educational technology to yoga to Hawai’i history (complete with walking tours). One of the newest FLCs will tackle generative AI.

Groups are typically kept small—with 12 faculty members or less—and together they tackle semester- or year-long projects together.

“These communities are structured to promote active participation and the exchange of ideas among faculty,” Sutton explained.

FLCs focus on four primary categories: Teaching, scholarship, service and social activities or wellness. Each group of faculty members gather for a variety of activities aimed at fostering collaboration, professional development and community-building, Sutton said.

“It gives those faculty who really want to explore a topic deeply the opportunity to do that,” Sutton said.

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Koreen Nakahodo, Ph.D., who teaches English at Chaminade, led a faculty learning community whose members read and analyzed Laudato Si, an encyclical from Pope Francis focused on caring for the environment.

She has also participated in several more FLCs, from a Catholic intellectual tradition reading group to a hands-on learning effort to create an aquaponic pond on campus.

*Hiking has been one of the wellness activities undertaken by FLCs. Here, Chaminade faculty members pose during a break on a hike.*

“The FLCs allow me to connect with other colleagues through common interests or academic pursuits,” Nakahodo said. “We are all so busy that it is an opportunity for us to take some time to learn from each other or serve the community. The FLCs allow us to break those silos.”

That’s music to Sutton’s ears.

He said the end goal of the effort is to create a “stronger, more connected faculty community, drive innovation in teaching and learning practices, and support the personal and professional development of faculty members”—and to have some fun along the way.

Sutton added that each FLC has a liaison from Chaminade’s Center for Teaching and Learning, ensuring not only that the group has the resources they need but also that they’re able to make key professional development connections aimed at elevating their practice.

“The activities within the FLCs support faculty in becoming better teachers and mentors by providing a structured, supportive space for reflection, collaboration, and feedback,” Sutton said, noting FLCs are also interdisciplinary so faculty members from across campus build relationships.

“By engaging in discussions with colleagues from diverse disciplines and perspectives, faculty expand their professional networks, learn from each other’s experiences, and gain fresh insights into teaching and mentoring. This cross-disciplinary collaboration ultimately enriches their own practices, making them more adaptable and innovative educators.”

Faculty Honored for Excellence, Scholarship

August 15, 2024

The Faculty Institute wrapped up with honors for three faculty members who exemplify the University’s commitment to excellence, innovation and mentorship.

Generative AI. Classroom tech. Enhanced teaching tools.

Those were just some of the instructional trends and pedagogical approaches that Chaminade professors tackled Aug. 13 as part of a daylong Faculty Institute.

But the day wasn’t all talk.

In the final hour of the institute, three Chaminade faculty members were honored for their strong commitment to academic excellence and innovation, scholarship, and mentorship.

Nominated by students Trachelle Iwamoto ’26 and Ava Barclay ’26 along with Forensic Sciences lecturer Kari Inda, Criminology and Criminal Justice program Director Dr. Kelly Treece was awarded the Chaminade Excellence in Teaching Award.

Nominees said Treece, in the strong tradition of Marianist education, tirelessly pursues projects of social justice—inside and outside of the classroom—and instills those same values in her students and peers.

Faculty members gathered for their annual Institute at Eiben Hall.

“I know I may just be a little voice compared to others who are nominating other extraordinary professors, but one voice can go a long way, and that is just one small token of knowledge that professor Kelly Treece has taught me,” wrote Iwamoto, in her nomination. “She has shown so much strength and grace, and has surpassed the expectation of teaching in the Marianist values.”

Relatively new to academia, Inda has been inspired by Treece’s dedication and passion to educate. “She knows how to keep her students wanting to learn,” Inda said. “She implements interactive assignments, and is constantly thinking about ways to improve her courses. I admire her consistency to always wanting to do better—and not just in the classroom—but as a person.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Steiger was honored with the Fr. John F. Bolin Excellence in Scholarship Award.

In remarks at the Faculty Institute, Assistant Provost for Faculty Development Jim Heller Sutton said Steiger was selected for the award because of his outstanding contributions to scholarship and significant impact on the academic community at Chaminade University.

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An associate professor of Religious Studies, Steiger has presented his work internationally at conferences in Canada, Japan and Australia, further enhancing the reputation of Chaminade University across the broader academic community.

“Moreover, his commitment to sharing his expertise with the wider Catholic community in Honolulu through presentations to youth groups, Diocesan events and lecture series at St. Theresa’s Co-cathedral reflects his dedication to service and outreach,” said Sutton, who is also the director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. “His contributions embody the spirit of the John F. Bolin Excellence in Scholarship Award, and we are proud to honor him for his outstanding achievements.”

Dr. Koreen Nakahodo was named as the recipient of the Dr. Joseph Allen Collegiality Award, which recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates values of collaboration, mentorship and teamwork.

Nakahodo called the award a true honor.

“I was touched and humbled to be recognized by my colleagues,” she said.

Honoring faculty members with these rewards has a longstanding tradition at Chaminade. Not only do they foster a sense of community, but the awards also underscore Chaminade’s commitment to excellence, best practices, professional development and a positive academic culture.

“The selection process was done by a representative group of faculty from each school,” Sutton explained. “Each group then completed scoring rubrics based on the strength of the nomination letters against categories that aligned with the award descriptions.”

School of Education Welcomes Alumni

June 14, 2024

School of Education alumni and faculty gathered recently to share stories and trade laughs

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over Brogan Hall’s patio deck.

It was a perfect summer evening, one that seemed tailor-made for the occasion: A reunion of School of Education and Behavioral Sciences graduates.

The event had been weeks in the planning, said Assistant Professor of Special Education and Elementary Education Dr. Denise Dugan, who organized the reunion.

Dugan said she wanted to give alumni the chance to talk story and rekindle old friendships. As guests trickled in, each was greeted with warm embraces.

“The main reason I wanted to do this was to get our former students who are current teachers in Hawaii together to network,” Dugan said. “There is so little support for our teachers, so I wanted them to be able to connect and find support systems still here with Chaminade.”

Class reunions play a big role in maintaining a vibrant alumni community, nurturing connections, and supporting the ongoing mission and goals of Chaminade.

Campus leaders say aside from networking and a sense of nostalgia, reunions strengthen the sense of community and belonging among alumni, as well as afford the opportunity to reconnect with former professors and mentors, fostering a continued relationship and sometimes even collaboration in academic or professional fields.

By creating positive experiences and reinforcing the value of the alumni community, reunions can motivate attendees to stay involved with the university through volunteer work, mentoring and other forms of engagement. Attendees also often use reunions as a time for personal reflection, to assess how far they’ve come since their college days and to set new personal and professional goals.

As the evening progressed, the alumni took turns sharing their experiences. They laughed over amusing classroom anecdotes, and offered advice for overcoming common challenges. The conversation flowed easily, a testament to the strong bond these Silverswords had formed during their Chaminade years.