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Alumna Spotlights Importance of Public Health

Alexandrea Cole Patino ’24 enjoyed studying Nursing at Chaminade and excelled in her studies.

But after clinching a prestigious summer research opportunity at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore—with the help of Chaminade’s Undergraduate Research & Pre-Professional Programs office—Patino realized her passion was addressing society’s health challenges in a different way.

“I loved how research questions tied into so many other areas—science, exploration, demographics,” she said. “I went to my Nursing program advisor and explained what I was thinking. He was so helpful and helped me transition into the Public Health program at Chaminade and I wholeheartedly never looked back. Public health was absolutely the right choice for me.”

In pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Health, Patino found similarities with her advanced studies in nursing. She even realized that her experiences in patient care were valuable, including for a competitive population health internship she secured at Hawaii Pacific Health.

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She said Undergraduate Research & Pre-Professional Programs also helped her secure that opportunity, and she was grateful to find real-world applications for what she was learning in her classes. “We were doing hypertension monitoring,” she said. “It was all about public health.”

National Public Health Week is April 7 to 13 and for Patino, who is a fellow with Elevate Us Studios, it’s an opportunity to underscore the critical importance of public health in a world still recovering from the impacts of the COVID pandemic. She said public health can inform policy, research and patient care—and ultimately help build stronger, healthier communities.

As a fellow with Elevate Us, a national nonprofit, Patino is focused on developing a culturally-inclusive menstrual health education course for Hawai’i schools. During her internship at Johns Hopkins, Patino participated in research on menstrual health and she also explored the topic for Chaminade’s Summer Research Institute, an undergraduate research internship.

Patino said menstrual health education is a personal research passion in part because of her personal experiences. When Patino had her first period, at age 12, “I thought I was dying.” She remembers struggling to get answers about what she was experiencing.

Her goal is to prevent other girls from going through what she did, she said.

While she completes her fellowship, Patino is also looking for other employment opportunities, including with government and not-for-profits. She hopes to secure a job in public health research.

In the meantime, she’s championing Chaminade’s Public Health program.

She says in addition to small class sizes, the program features an “integrated, close-knit community” led by professors who “truly want to see you succeed.” She added, “They have your interests at heart and they want to encourage you to pursue opportunities.”

“I wouldn’t trade the experiences I had at Chaminade for anything.”

Business Students Take First in Global Competition

A team of Chaminade University students took top honors at an international business competition, wowing the judges with their strong presentation skills and innovative marketing strategies aimed at bolstering grassroots social media engagement.

Some 40 U.S. and international university teams participated in this year’s Fully Virtual IACBE Live Case Competition. Students spent more than a month crafting a marketing and engagement strategy for a real company—WealthFluent—as it seeks to reach Gen Z professionals.

The winning Chaminade team included John Barayuga ’25, Blake Buonopane ’25, Madelynne Knowd ’26 and Brycen Shackelford ’26, and their first-place title meant they took home a $1,200 prize. Their winning strategy: Crafting athlete and university partnerships to build a strong brand.

“Participating in this competition helped me grow as both a learner and a leader by challenging me to apply real-world problem-solving skills in a collaborative environment,” said Buonopane, the team captain.

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“As a leader, I learned to communicate effectively, delegate tasks based on team strengths, and stay adaptable under pressure. The experience strengthened my confidence, decision-making skills, and ability to guide a team toward a common goal, preparing me for future academic and professional challenges.”

He added, “Walking away with the top prize feels incredibly rewarding and validating. It’s a reflection of all the hard work and teamwork we put into bringing our idea to life. More than just winning, it feels amazing to know that our solution made an impact and stood out among other strong competitors since this was the first year it was virtual.”

The students tackled the challenge as part of their Business Strategy 469 course.

The winning Chaminade team (left to right) included John Barayuga ’25, Madelynne Knowd ’26, Blake Buonopane ’25 and Brycen Shackelford ’26.

Wera Panow-Loui, MBA, a marketing lecturer at Chaminade and an advisor for the group, said students worked hard to apply what they’d learned in a real-world setting and continuously hone their proposal. “Placing first among 40-plus teams is a prestigious achievement, especially considering the client and judges are highly-experienced professionals,” she said.

“I am incredibly proud of our students. They demonstrated exceptional critical thinking, business acumen and the ability to apply classroom learning in innovative ways.”

Eduard “Eddie” Merc, Ph.D., assistant professor of Business Administration and director of the University’s MBA program, noted that five Chaminade teams participated in the competition—held online for the first time this year.

“As mentors, we used our expertise in business analytics, marketing, and business strategies to prepare students with a comprehensive plan to solve the company’s biggest challenges,” Merc said.

Chaminade has participated in the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) competition for several years. In 2024, the University placed third overall.

Newest Diaconate Formation Cohort Welcomed

Thirty-six Chaminade students received a warm welcome on campus recently as they prepare to embark on a journey that is as much spiritual as it is scholarly.

The students are part of the newest diaconate formation cohort at Chaminade.

Together, they’ll pursue a Permanent Diaconate Education Certificate—designed to provide the academic preparation required to serve as a deacon or deacon’s wife in the Catholic Church.

Fifteen members of the cohort are simultaneously pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Religious Studies while 12 are seeking a Master’s in Pastoral Theology from Chaminade.

A special orientation event March 15 on Chaminade’s campus offered cohort members an opportunity to learn from one another as they also learn about the program—and the academic pathway they’ll take as they build a strong foundation in Scripture studies and theology.

Attendees included Allan and May Kuaana, who are seeking the diaconate certificate.

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“I am attending the Diaconate Program because, yes, it is a requirement for formation. But more importantly, it’s part of a deeper response to a greater calling,” Allan Kuaana said.

“This is where I believe God is asking me to be at this very moment.”

May Kuaana added, “I am here to walk with and support my husband in this journey of faith. This is not just his calling, it’s something we are living together—each day, one step at a time.”

Cohort members Brandon and Katherine Perea are also pursuing the master’s in Pastoral Theology. The couple said the orientation offered them new insight into the Marianists and their work to serve marginalized communities. “In this way, Chaminade’s spirituality embodies what it means to be a deacon—so it’s fitting our diocese facilitates our formation here,” they said.

The couple said they are looking to help others and expand their service to the community.

“I think I speak for everyone in the formation program when I say we are filled with a restless love for our Church and our community,” Brandon Perea said.


“Growing in relationship with Christ has resulted in this sensitivity to suffering around us. After the Mass, nothing makes us feel closer to Christ than helping others overcome physical, emotional, or spiritual barriers between them and God.”

Dustyn Ragasa, Ph.D., director of the master’s in Pastoral Theology program, said the cohort is among the biggest in recent memory. “Participants come from all walks of life,” he said. “Some are older and some are younger. Some are longtime residents and some are in the military.”

He noted the orientation, which included introductions from Chaminade President Lynn Babington and Marianist leaders, offered an opportunity for cohort members to feel like they’re a part of the Chaminade ‘ohana. It also gave them tools they’ll need as they embark on their studies.

For example, participants learned about the library resources available at Chaminade.

Ragasa said he was heartened to see the latest diaconate formation so full—including with younger parents. “It’s a full house,” he said. “I think the pandemic and everything that’s happened since has really encouraged people to slow down a little and ask, ‘What does it mean to live a flourishing life?’ People want to give to others in meaningful sorts of ways,” he said.

He said while the cohort members will be learning together, the graduate students will take leadership roles as part of their academic work. And ultimately, he added, all of them will serve in leadership roles in their parishes. “Seeing a new cohort come in, especially one with so many younger participants, gives me a sense of hope in the best of our faith tradition,” he said.

“At the end of the day, somebody who graduates from our program might be ministering to someone I know, comforting someone I care about. They’re going to be there for people in our community.”

Celebrating Admitted Student Day

Future Silverswords and their parents gathered on campus this weekend for Admitted Student Day.

Attendees got the opportunity to meet with academic programs, browse a Student Resource Fair, tour campus and pose for Silversword photoshoots.

The event also included an “Eat the Streets Lunch” with vendors serving up tasty favorites.

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President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. said the event is an “important time for some of our prospective students and their families to come have a look at our campus, meet some of our faculty and staff, and tour the residence halls. It’s a great opportunity for people interested in attending Chaminade University to come have an up-close look.”

In addition to academic open houses, financial aid counselors were on hand to discuss Chaminade’s financial aid packages and scholarships.


Among the attendees was Mathias Mafi, a high school senior.

“I’m just exploring the campus, looking at what they offer here at Chaminade,” he said. “My mom graduated from the School of Business so it’s like coming back home—great campus, great people around.”

Spring Commencement to Feature 2 Ceremonies

Chaminade University will hold its 67th annual Spring Commencement on May 3 at the Waikiki Shell.

This year, two ceremonies are planned—one for undergraduates and a second for master’s and doctoral students so families have more time to celebrate with their graduating loved ones.

The ceremony for graduates will begin at 10 a.m. and feature speaker Keiki-Pua Dancil, Ph.D., senior vice president of government affairs and strategic planning at Pulama Lana‘i and chair of the Chaminade Board of Regents. At Pulama Lana‘i, Dancil directs the efforts of the Community Development team and is also responsible for fostering relationships with government agencies, businesses and the permitting and entitlements process.

John Leong, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Pono Pacific Land Management and co-founder and CEO of nonprofit Kupu, will be the featured speaker for undergraduate students. That ceremony is set to kick off at 3 p.m.

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Pono Pacific is Hawai’i’s only comprehensive, private natural resource management company, providing conservation, sustainable energy and agriculture services. Meanwhile, Kupu seeks to develop the next generation of environmental stewards in the islands.

Madison M. Makishima ’25 will serve as the student speaker for the undergraduate ceremony. She is graduating with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. The student speaker at the graduate ceremony is Kelly Dolan-Sapp, Ed.D ’25, an experienced educational researcher and advocate.

Organizers said 320 Class of 2025 graduates are expected at the undergraduate ceremony while 250 are expected at the graduate ceremony. Because there are two ceremonies, each graduating student is allowed to bring up to 15 ticketed guests.

Lei giving will happen after the ceremony at Kapiolani Regional Park. The ceremonies will also be streamed live online.

Graduates and prospective attendees are asked to prepare for traffic in the area and to plan ahead for transportation and parking options. For the latest on the events, click here.

Newest Hall of Fame Inductees Honored

South Sudanese-Australian basketball player Kuany Kuany ’17, who competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, and longtime Silversword athletics supporters Judith and William Garrett are the newest inductees in Chaminade’s Athletics Hall of Fame.

The three were honored at the University’s Silversword Gala on March 29.

Kuany, who played guard for Chaminade, is one of the most decorated players in school history. After leaving Chaminade, he played professionally in Australia and Europe and now serves as captain of the South Sudan National Team, which he took to the Olympic Games last year.

At the Paris Games, South Sudan nearly upset Team USA in a friendly game.

Under his leadership, the South Sudan National Team has also competed in the AfroBasket tournament and the FIBA World Cup, engendering a great sense of pride in the war-torn country.

At the Silversword Gala, Chaminade Director of Athletics Tom Buning said Kuany is not only inspirational, he is a team player who understands the value of hard work and collaboration. He noted that Kuany ranks among the school’s all-time leaders in scoring and rebounding.

“For those who observed him from campus, Kuany was known for his citizenship, academic prowess, and quiet ability to speak loudly through his actions,” Buning said, adding “Kuany has followed the Marianist tradition of building community in his professional life. He has used his Chaminade education and an MBA from Victory University to make a positive difference.”

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The Garretts, who share a lifelong passion for college basketball, have been enthusiastic supporters of Chaminade’s basketball team since 2011. Their commitment to the program extends beyond the court, including as annual attendees of the Maui Invitational.

They are also members of the Chaminade Fund Society, a group of the University’s strongest supporters of unrestricted giving.

William “Bill” Garrett, who has served on Chaminade’s Board of Governors since 2018, retired as city manager of the Southern California communities of Corona and El Cajon.

A U.S. Army veteran, Garrett received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, a master’s of science in urban planning from the University of Arizona and a master’s in public administration from California State University, Fullerton.

Judith “Judy” Garrett worked for more than 30 years as a grants administrator, city planner, business district manager, fundraiser, and government consultant.

She has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Washington and a master’s in city and regional planning from the University of Arizona.

In retirement, she has served on the boards of several nonprofit and live theatre organizations and, for almost five years, was the volunteer administrator of a western art museum in El Cajon.

Buning said the Garretts’ generous donations have made multiple capital projects possible.

“Together, they serve to make a difference for our student-athletes and benefit every program, every day,” he said. “With grateful hearts and a servant mindset, Bill and Judy are following the Marianist tradition of helping make … a positive difference in the lives of student-athletes.”