Featured Story

Dr. David Carter Recognized for Achievements in Forensic Sciences

May 27, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) recognized Chaminade University’s Forensic Sciences Director and Professor Dr. David Carter for his significant contributions to the discipline, to the broader community and to his students with the AAFS Pathology/Biology Section Award for Achievement in the Forensic Life Sciences.

The prestigious honor from the organization, which has more than 6,500 members around the US and globally, is reserved for those who have demonstrated exemplary excellence in the practice, advancement and teaching of forensic applications in the life sciences.

In addition to Carter’s myriad professional accomplishments, committee members applauded his commitment to cutting-edge scholarship and his service as a mentor for young scientists in the field. Carter is chair of the AAFS Pathology/Biology Research Committee, which helps fund young investigator research proposals, and he volunteers to moderate educational sessions at annual academy meetings.

In a recent interview, Carter said he was moved and humbled by the recognition.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “I feel like I’m just now starting to do my best work.”

Carter joined Chaminade in 2012, and he said he’s proud of how the Forensic Sciences program has continued to grow and evolve over the years. “What I try to do with my teaching is tap into our program’s identity and communicate that in an informative and interesting way,” he said.

He added one of the biggest highlights of his work is teaching and mentoring students.

“They provide me with hope for the future. They provide me with a constant stream of rewarding experiences,” he said. “All that is fuel. It’s motivating and encouraging. I just find myself smiling a lot.”

He added, “Many of them are interested in making the world a better place.”

In forensic sciences, Carter said, students find a discipline that at its core is “all about taking care of people.” Carter’s work, for example, focuses on getting answers in decomposition cases—in which key clues to a person’s cause of death are harder to find. “I help police, medical examiners, the coroner … understand decomposition better so they can do their investigations better,” Carter said.

And ultimately, that provides families and loved ones with answers—and closure.

Carter added that while all the elements of his work have their own unique rewards, one thing that never fails to brighten his day is when he hears from a graduate who is doing well in the field. “They’ll send you a message and say, ‘you taught us how to do that thing in class and I used it,’” he said.

Looking ahead, Carter said he’s excited about advances in his field—and about how technology is allowing researchers to take another look at old challenges. “I’m just hitting my stride,” he added, when asked about his own career. Plus, Carter is in good company in being honored with the achievement award. Dr. Lee Goff, Chaminade’s former Forensic Sciences director, received it in 2008.

Chaminade Launches Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy Program

May 26, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

To help meet a critical need for mental health services, leadership and program administration in Hawaii, Chaminade University has launched a new Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT) program and is already receiving applications for the inaugural cohort—whose members will begin instruction in Fall 2022.

The doctoral degree received WASC accreditation, in recognition of the high quality of academic preparation and rigor for participating students, said the program’s director Dr. Blendine Hawkins.

Hawkins, an assistant professor of Psychology at Chaminade and a licensed marriage and family therapist, said the graduate degree will welcome students with diverse educational and professional backgrounds, including in psychology, counseling, social work or marriage and family therapy. Applicants must have a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy or completed coursework sufficient for MFT licensure. They also must be clinically active or be working to achieve licensure.

“We want to take their skills to the next level as they become expert clinicians, serving Hawaii in a culturally sensitive way,” she said, adding that the degree will prepare students for leadership, supervision and consultation, teaching in higher education, and for program administration.

“Hawaii has a dearth of experts in this field,” Hawkins said. “This program is about helping the next generation of marriage and family therapy clinicians build their skills. We think with the family in mind all the time and that’s really what sets us apart. Our prime purpose is to strengthen those connections, to honor families, to look at those areas of hurt and pain, and to help people build resilience.”

The Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy will be delivered fully online, with both synchronous and asynchronous classes. With 10-week terms, students can complete their degree in as few as 36 months.

The degree, the only one of its kind in Hawaii, is also practice-focused and designed for working professionals. The cohort system allows participants to make progress toward their degree as a team, Hawkins said, supporting one another and building strong relationships along the way.

As part of the degree, participants will complete a dissertation and be encouraged to select an action research project focused on hands-on learning and maximizing their positive impact. “Students will be able to conduct their dissertation research in their workplace or as part of a clinic experience, understanding how to better help their clients and evaluating programs,” Hawkins said.

Chaminade President Lynn Babington, PhD, said the doctoral degree helps to meet a strong need for marriage and family therapy clinicians operating at the highest levels of the discipline. “The Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy is all about leadership and preparing students to take the next step in their careers so they can better advocate for families and build healthier family units which in turn positively impacts our community,” she said.

“Service and social justice are at the foundation of this degree, aligning with our broader Marianist values at Chaminade that seek to educate the whole person and help students pursue positive change.”

Dr. Dale Fryxell, dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, added that the professors serving the program were hand-picked and are all experts in their field. “These faculty-mentors are not only well-versed in theory but in practice, bringing decades of experience to the program,” Fryxell said.

“They are perfectly suited to supporting our DMFT participants as they build on their professional identities in advanced levels of clinical intervention and also grow adept at systemic leadership, program building and consultation to practitioners, nonprofit organizations and healthcare entities.”

Hawkins said the program is designed to appeal to a wide range of students, including mid-career professionals and those who have just completed a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Participants, she added, will have access to a strong network of support from faculty members, program advisors and Chaminade support staff. Hawkins also said the coursework—like the dissertation—is designed to stress experiential learning, skills building and leadership development.

“They’ll have opportunities to hone their skills in real-world settings, weaving in unique challenges, complexities and nuances present in Hawaii,” Hawkins said. “And at every turn, we will employ a socially just, informed lens to working with clients while recognizing no two families are alike.”

Chaminade Associate Professor Awarded Fullbright-Hays Grant

May 24, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

Eva Washburn-Repollo, School of Business and Communication

The Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program under the U.S. Department of Education recently awarded a $100,000 grant to Dr. Eva Washburn-Repollo of Chaminade University to fund a summer program meant to increase Hawaii’s capacity in Filipino culture-based education in K-12 classrooms.

The federal funding will support a short-term, curriculum development project spearheaded by Dr. Washburn-Repollo titled the “Cebuano Language and Culture Program,” in which program participants will travel this summer to the Philippines. Dr. Washburn-Repollo is an associate professor at the university’s School of Business and Communication.

During the Philippines trip, a travel group of undergraduate and graduate Education majors, administrators and higher education instructors and K-12 teachers will develop creative Cebuano-English educational resource materials as part of their lesson plans on the islands of Negros Oriental and Cebu in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, where the Cebuano language is spoken primarily.

Program selectees will receive language lectures/workshops from the Cebuano Studies Center in the University of San Carlos. On Cebu, they will also visit thematic sites such as indigenous herbal gardens, mangroves and coral reefs. On Negros Oriental, they will attend lectures/workshops at Silliman University’s Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences (SU-IEMS), and Silliman’s Marina Mission Clinic, sites chosen because of their strengths in the focal areas of marine biology and indigenous gardens. They will also be working in partnership with scientists from the Jose Rizal Memorial State University.

Program activities will begin on June 13, 2022, and end on July 23, 2022.

The GPA program leverages Chaminade’s strong teacher education program and links to Hawai‘i’s K-12 classrooms, its success rate working with diverse student populations, and its strong connections to Hawaii’s Filipino community. Dr. Washburn-Repollo is the program’s project Director and her strength as a native Cebuano speaker and translator, her connections to the Philippines and the partner institutions, and her background in curriculum development and creative pedagogies will be supported by Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication and the School of Behavioral Science and Education.

Dr. Washburn-Repollo hopes through the program to increase Hawai‘i’s capacity in offering Filipino culture-based education in the K-12 classrooms.

“It is an honor as a native Cebuano speaker and translator to be able to partner with local institutions,” Washburn-Repollo explained. “It is vital to encourage educational development by honoring children’s language and culture.”

As part of their Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) program, the U.S Department of Education provides grants to support overseas research. Approximately $100K or about 100 percent of the total cost of the project will be financed through the federal funding, with the remaining amount of the project paid for by Chaminade University through in-kind contributions and other grant sources.

# # #

Chaminade University of Honolulu believes in the power of education to drive positive change, broaden perspectives, and deepen our understanding of one another. With an emphasis on transformative service-learning experiences, we prepare students to serve as tomorrow’s leaders, inspiring and challenging them to use their minds and their hearts to help build stronger and more just communities. We are proud to serve as Hawai‘i’s only Marianist university and rely on these values to guide us in delivering a high-quality education with an individualized approach and a focus on excellence, innovation, and change. Established in 1955, we offer more than 30 undergraduate and graduate programs, including doctoral degrees in education, psychology, and nursing practice.

Celebrating the Past and Future: Nursing Pinning and White Coat Ceremonies

May 23, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

The journey to becoming a nurse requires hard work, endurance—and plenty of support along the way.

It’s a lot like a marathon.

And leading up to the finish line, there are milestone moments aimed at recognizing students’ achievements. That’s exactly what the Pinning and White Coat ceremonies are all about, two time-honored traditions in the field that underscore just how important nurses are to the community, congratulate students on their accomplishments, and help forge a strong nursing fellowship.

This year, Chaminade’s School of Nursing and Health Professions held the ceremonies in-person, welcoming not only nursing students but members of their families and faculty mentors to celebrate.

The Pinning Ceremony for 57 graduating seniors in Nursing was on May 7, and loved ones had the opportunity to do the pinning honors. As Nursing and Health Professions Dean Rhoberta Haley, PhD, explained at the event, the roots of the tradition date to the 1860s when Florence Nightingale—known as the founder of modern nursing—was awarded the Red Cross of St. George for her service.

Pinning ceremonies later grew to mark the beginning of a nurse’s career.

“A pinning ceremony is a time to welcome newly graduating nurses to the profession,” Haley told attendees. “We gather for this occasion to mark the transition from student nurse to graduate nurse, and to celebrate the start of a professional practice in nursing.” Haley added Chaminade’s unique Nursing pin symbolizes a life dedicated to professional health care and service to others.

“Please wear it proudly,” she told graduates, “and with our very best wishes.”

Leilani Higashi intends to do just that. She said the ceremony was the perfect conclusion to her preparation as a nurse and the perfect beginning to her life as a nurse. “Pinning to me is like the final recognition. There’s no more, ‘Let me check with the nurse.’ We are the nurses,” she said.

Higashi said she went into nursing after growing up taking care of her grandfather.

“I got to meet so many amazing nurses that were part of his care team,” Higashi said. “I wanted to provide that same care and comfort that they did for us to other people. Now I’m looking forward to new adventures and I can’t wait to get out into the workforce and help my community.”

Graduating senior Zane Biscocho was beaming after the ceremony.

“This is a congratulations and a ‘you made it,’” he said, adding that he hopes to serve in Hawaii.

Katelyn Toba also described the Pinning Ceremony as a celebration. She said the four years of nursing school have been difficult, but she has appreciated the support of her loved ones, friends and professors. “Chaminade has that family spirit and it helped me over the years,” she said.

Graduate Taryn Sagapolu said the gathering “felt like an accomplishment after all the hard work.”

Sagapolu attended the ceremony with her parents, both of whom are nurses.

“We know it’s the hardest thing ever,” said her mother, Sharon, after the event. “She saw us both come home exhausted, especially during the COVID pandemic. But she never gave up.” Sagapolu’s father, Kamaki, agreed. “We are so proud of you,” he told his daughter, giving her a big hug.

A day before the Pinning Ceremony, 122 members of Chaminade’s Nursing junior class and their relatives and friends gathered for the White Coat Ceremony. The event recognizes students’ entry into the health profession as they undertake clinical education. After receiving their white coats, students took the International Council of Nurses pledge to uphold nursing ethics and deliver the best care.

In her address to attendees, Haley pointed out that nursing is the most trusted profession in the country. It is critical to maintain that bond of trust, she added, and for every nursing student to fully understand the duties and obligations of the profession before they ever see their first patient.

“Nursing is both a respected science and a caring art,” Haley said. “Your success will depend on your ability to understand and apply ethical and professional values. Over a lifetime in nursing, you will repeatedly turn to these values, depending on them as the foundation of your practice.”

Among those key values: responsibility, trustworthiness, honesty and respect. “At Chaminade, we believe in these values and are committed to helping you achieve your highest level of performance and providing assistance when needed,” she said. “It is a privilege for Nursing faculty and staff to promote professionalism and share what we know and love about nursing with our students.”

The White Coat Ceremony is traditionally conducted in students’ sophomore year, but the COVID pandemic meant the event couldn’t be held last year. A ceremony for sophomores will be held this Fall.

Junior Autumn Fairall was moved after getting her white coat.

She said she has wanted to be a nurse since she was 10, when she diagnosed with leukemia and “blessed with a kind and capable medical team. The nurses who took care of me daily inspired me.”

Fairall said that day-to-day, it’s easy to focus on the challenges of nursing school.

But the ceremony reminded her of all that she has overcome and accomplished. “The White Coat Ceremony was a time of celebration, both of the hard work complete and the blessings that will come,” she said. “I am looking forward to working as a nurse and giving back what previous nurses gave me.”

Student Hannah Hovestol said she went into Nursing because she wants to serve her community, especially in the areas of mental health and psychiatric nursing. After receiving her white coat, she said she was proud and humble. “The ceremony was a confirmation and validation of the hard work that I have devoted to my studies and nursing obligations,” she said. “Attending this ceremony also demonstrated the communal nature of the profession, being there with my classmates.”

She said those classmates are like family now.

“It reminded me that even when I graduate and become a nurse, I will never be alone as there is a community in the healthcare team to collaborate with,” she said. “The end of my educational chapter is near, but my future nursing chapter is yet to be written. I am so excited to see what the future holds.”

Students Take Second in National Business Case Competition

May 19, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

A big pizza brand wants to expand their reach to target more Generation Z customers.

How do you help them do it?

That was exactly the real-world challenge that participants of this year’s IACBE Business Case Competition tackled, putting together an in-person presentation that included a robust marketing plan, business analytics, and an overall strategy for delivery—and all in less than a month.

A team of Chaminade students from the School of Business and Communication was up to the challenge. And after a lot of research and hours of planning, they traveled to the competition in Costa Mesa, California to make their pitch. The result? A second-place win and some excellent experience.

“Our team came up with a great business strategy,” said Chaminade senior Tyrone Rixie, after the awards were announced. “It included big improvements to their app, website, and an art contest. The enhancements were all about making the company more modern and digital-friendly.”

Chaminade junior Peyton Oshiro, who was also on the team, liked that the competition was reality-based. The business strategy was for Donatos Pizza, which serves customers across 400 locations in 30 states. Oshiro said developing a plan for an actual company made the competition all the more difficult.

“When we arrived, we were a little nervous,” Oshiro said.

“Overall, we really came together. It was a great experience and I think we really killed it.”

Juniors Michael Rose and Ashley Yoshikawa were also on the team, which received support from lead faculty mentor Richard Kido, an associate professor of Accounting, and two team advisors: Wera Panow-Loui, who teaches Marketing, and Dr. Eddie Merc, an assistant professor in Business Analytics.

For their business presentation, the Chaminade team conducted a survey of more than 100 Gen Z students, polling them on what social media platforms they prefer and their habits online. At the core of their strategy was reimagining the brand to include a cutting-edge online experience that also highlighted the company’s family foundation given Gen Z values and social awareness.

They also pitched a strong Instagram presence designed to bolster engagement.

The judges praised the students for their professionalism, the strength of their presentation, and for weaving in innovative strategies to attract younger customers. One of the judges thought the Chaminade team put together the best package of strategies for a Gen Z profile.

Faculty mentors also said the judges appreciated the poise and confidence the Silversword team demonstrated during a question-and-answer session. The takeaway: it was clear they were prepared.

Yoshikawa, the junior, said that was particularly positive feedback.

“We did a lot of work. There was a definite lack of sleep and lots of late nights of preparation,” Yoshikawa said. “To be able to present our work to professionals, it was a really great experience.”

Chaminade Hosts Pacific Region Data Science Challenge

May 17, 2022 by University Communications & Marketing

Rewarding. Difficult. Inspiring. Those were some of the words student participants used to describe their experiences in the inaugural Advanced Computing for Social Change Challenge in the Pacific, hosted earlier this spring by Chaminade University’s Data Science, Analytics and Visualization program.

Dr. Rylan Chong, director of the program, said about 20 students from across the Pacific—including Saipan and Guam—participated in the remote, week-long event along with six undergraduate mentors.

The challenge in March was held in coordination with similar events scattered across the country, Chong said, and with support from Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE) and Texas Advanced Computing Center, whose supercomputer was used by student participants.

Chong said the challenges are meant to test participants’ data analysis and interpretation skills, creativity, innovation, and ability to work under pressure. Participants also get invaluable training and mentorship—all as part of a broader effort to help them connect real-world data to actionable solutions.

Over the course of the week, students identified a research question, pored over the relevant data, arrived at results, created data visualizations, and then presented their work. Along the way, they also attended workshops on everything from statistics to text mining in order to hone their skills.

He said the projects students worked on included a study of COVID-19 in Hawaii and an exploration of native birds of Haleakala. “Each project provided data sets for participants to derive their project from,” he said. “The data sets included thousands of records and results were used to inform researchers.”

He added that the underlying theme of the challenge was about building capacity and learning communities in the Pacific to “harness the power of technology and data to address” challenges.

Chaminade Data Science student Sarah Carroll ’24 jumped at the chance to participate in the competition to build on her skills and apply them. She focused on COVID-19 in Hawaii, text-mining Twitter data to analyze community sentiment on the virus and the government response.

“It was very rewarding to see that I am capable of implementing what I learned,” Carroll said, adding that she was thrilled to be able to put together a project and get immediate feedback on her presentation. “This experience really boosted my confidence in working with data.”

Punohu Keahi is a first-year student at Chaminade, majoring in Environmental Studies, and participated in hopes of learning more about how to turn big data sets into results that communities can actually use to make decisions. “My biggest reason for joining this program was to step out of my comfort zone,” Keahi said. “Getting this experience is something I will never forget.”

Keahi opted to dive into data from the Haleakala National Bird survey.

“I love native birds and I’m interested in knowing more about the different factors that could have caused the fluctuations in the bird population,” she said. “My biggest challenge during this program was figuring out how to code and then create different scatter plot and bar graphs.”

One of the greatest thrills? Using a supercomputer for the first time.

Armando Luna, a Data Science student at Chaminade, said the competition was tough—but a worthwhile experience. “The biggest challenge was ensuring I would have a presentable and complete project in time,” Luna said. “However, we had fantastic mentors who helped us through the week.”

Mentors like Dairian Balai ’22, who said she wanted to volunteer because of her own positive experiences at Advanced Computing for Social Change Challenges on the mainland. She was in the 2019 ACSC cohort and said the mentors were key to ensuring the event was filled with both learning and fun.

She said many of the students participating in this year’s challenge didn’t have any experience with coding, programming or working with big data sets. That meant they needed some extra help to ensure they didn’t get overwhelmed. “The students persevered and created incredible posters,” she said.

She added that what she enjoyed most about being a mentor was watching students grow in the challenge. “You can tell how much confidence they gained,” Balai said. “I also like seeing those great ‘aha!’ moments when they’re running into issues and then they finally make a breakthrough.”