Chaminade University of Honolulu

Institutional

Chaminade University Receives $10 Million Grant for United Nations Sustainability Center

The National Science Foundation (NSF) selected Chaminade University to lead a groundbreaking $10 million, five-year grant project to create new leadership pathways into data science careers for students and working professionals across Hawaii and the Pacific region.

The grant is part of a comprehensive $39 million effort to establish four new NSF INCLUDES Alliances nationwide designed to bolster diversity and inclusion in scientific leadership, innovation and discovery.

With the help of the transformative funding, Chaminade University’s new United Nations sustainability center, CIFAL Honolulu, and Data Science program will spearhead the launch of the university’s new Alliance Supporting Pacific Impact through Computational Excellence (ALL-SPICE). Working with a consortium of partners, ALL-SPICE will focus on the application of data analytics to solve critical sustainability issues and promote sustainable development across the Pacific region. The program will also focus on workforce development, providing opportunities for skills building in data science to meet employer needs in this high-demand field.

The first Alliance programming will begin this September.

“Chaminade University is honored to lead this important initiative charged with empowering STEM leaders for tomorrow from across Hawaii and the Pacific, equipping them with the cutting-edge data analytics skills they need to drive sustainable development,” said Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington.

“This grant is part of a collective and exciting effort to meet a pivotal moment in our history by expanding opportunities to a new generation of change-makers. This program is founded in our mission of serving community needs and building d healthier, more resilient and socially just communities in Hawaii and the Pacific region.”

CIFAL Honolulu Executive Director Dr. Gail Grabowsky said ALL-SPICE will be “laser-focused” on data science as critical to helping Hawaii and Pacific region communities meet their sustainable development goals, including bolstering renewable energy, reducing inequality and forming sustainable communities.

“This project is about putting Pacific data in Pacific hands to effect regional change and develop the capacity for data-driven decision support,” Grabowsky said. “Our communities are facing big challenges and so this alliance is about helping tomorrow’s Hawaii and Pacific leaders to find big solutions.”

Dr. Helen Turner, research director of Chaminade’s CIFAL Honolulu Centre, is the principal investigator for ALL-SPICE along with Data Science Director Dr. Rylan Chong. She said the Data Science program at Chaminade has taken a community-focused approach from the start.

“Our data science faculty has a portfolio approach to data science education that meets students, working professionals and community members where they are to offer academic, training and informal learning programs,” she said. “NSF recognized the potential of applying this strategy across our Pacific region with a focus on using data analytics to promote sustainable development goals.”

The ALL-SPICE Alliance will have three central functions:

  • Offering training and education programs;
  • Conducting data science research on sustainable development;
  • And building capacity for data analytics, including with cyber infrastructure.

The Chaminade University-led consortium includes the University of Hawaii, East-West Center and the Texas Advanced Computing Center.

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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. Learn more at chaminade.edu.

Kosasa Foundation Awards $25,000 to Chaminade University for Emerging Scholars Program on Kaua’i

Kauai students visiting campus during emerging scholars program

Chaminade University recently received a $25,000 grant from the Kosasa Foundation in continued support of its Emerging Scholars Early College program. Now in its second year, the program is designed to promote pathways to college for rural Kaua‘i high school students. 

Open to qualified high school juniors and seniors, the Emerging Scholars program gives students a chance to discover and explore their passions and academic interests while earning dual-enrollment (high school and college) credits. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the program plans to enroll 40 Kapa‘a High school juniors and seniors.

Kauai students visiting campus during emerging scholars program

“We are extremely proud of our Emerging Scholars Early College program and grateful to the Kosasa Foundation for its ongoing support,” said Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington. “Programs like this allow Chaminade to provide access to college education for rural high school students, enhancing their enrichment opportunities and ability to grow as civic minded individuals.”

The Emerging Scholars Early College program is comprised of distance learning featuring Chaminade faculty and guest speakers. At the beginning of each semester, a team of Chaminade faculty and staff will visit Kapa‘a High School for an orientation with students, parents and teachers. At the completion of the academic year, students will participate in a culminating event on Chaminade’s campus, where they will stay in the residence hall and enjoy a sample college experience. 

In its first year, the Emerging Scholars program on Kaua‘i, which was also funded by the Kosasa Foundation, had a cohort of 24 juniors and seniors from Kapa‘a High School. 

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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. Learn more at chaminade.edu.

Chaminade University to Add Men’s Baseball, Women’s Beach Volleyball for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

Chaminade University today announced it will add Men’s Baseball and Women’s Beach Volleyball to its Athletics offerings for the 2023-2024 academic year.

After an absence of more than 40 years, Chaminade Baseball will join the Pacific West Conference. In addition, Chaminade will become one of only two schools in the PacWest and one of three Division II institutions in the West Region to field teams in Beach Volleyball.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome these sports to Chaminade University starting in 2023, the first new additions in 17 years,” said President Dr. Lynn Babington. “Athletics are an important part of the spirit of our campus, and the addition of these new teams will help us to attract even more students interested in excelling in both athletics and academics.”

Chaminade Men’s Baseball
Chaminade University last fielded an intercollegiate baseball in 1980. In their inaugural season, the ’Swords finished 20-6 and earned a berth in the NAIA District 2 Playoffs. However, due to budgetary restrictions, the program dropped to club level status in 1981 before disbanding altogether the following year. The search for a baseball head coach is currently underway.

Chaminade Women’s Beach Volleyball
Chaminade has fielded beach volleyball as an exhibition sport since Spring 2013, playing various Division I schools over the years. Because the conference does not sponsor the sport and the NCAA does not separate beach volleyball into its traditional divisions (I, II, III), Chaminade will compete as an independent and be eligible for national championships at the same level as other high-profile programs. Current women’s volleyball indoor coach Kahala Kabalis Hoke will serve as the head coach of beach volleyball.

Added Chaminade University Director of Athletics Dr. Tom Buning, “This Chaminade University of Honolulu initiative reinforces the co-curricular value of our Silversword athletics to the campus experience. This decision aligns with the university’s mission to serve and educate the local community which has an abundant source of talented interscholastic athletes who deserve the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level while earning a degree and staying close to home.”

Both baseball and beach volleyball will begin competition in the spring of 2024, raising the number of intercollegiate programs at Chaminade to 12.

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About Chaminade University
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. Learn more at chaminade.edu.

Chaminade University Names Jennifer Creech as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success

Jennifer Creech, Chaminade Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success (1)

Chaminade University has named Jennifer Creech as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success, where she will oversee the school’s Admissions, Financial Aid and Student Success teams.

Creech brings more than 15 years of experience to the position. Prior to her new position, Creech has served as Chaminade University’s Assistant Vice President for Student Success and Registrar since 2020.

“Jennifer has played an integral role in student success and retention,” said President of Chaminade University Lynn Babington, PhD. “With a strong background in academic affairs and student recruitment, her operational expertise and leadership will help Chaminade attract and support students who come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.”

Prior to joining Chaminade University, Creech served as Assistant Vice President and Registrar in Strategic Enrollment Management at the University of Dayton and served as a Graduate Assistant for Greek Affairs and Graduate Assistant for Union and Facilities Office at the University of Central Missouri.

Active in professional affiliations, Creech is a member of the American Talent Initiation (ATI) Transfer, Equity & Inclusion, Veterans, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), Ohio Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (OACRAO), Southwest Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE), and National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

Creech earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Heidelberg University and a master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration from the University of Central Missouri.

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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. Learn more at chaminade.edu.

Chaminade University Announces New Board of Governors and Regents Members

Chaminade University has named three new members to its Board of Governors and two new members to its Board of Regents.

Newly named to its Board of Governors are:

Bob Eisiminger
Bob Eisiminger was a Co-founder of Knight Point Systems (KPS) and served as Chief Executive Officer until its sale in 2019. He led KPI to the Inc. 5000 list and Washington Post’s Top Workplaces. In 2018, he was named one of the Distinguished Members of the West Point Society of DC and was named The EY Entrepreneur of the Year in the Government Contracting for Mid-Atlantic in 2019. Additionally, he serves on the Board for the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, and Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund. Eisiminger earned his bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and later served as an Air Defense Artillery Officer with tours of duty in Texas and Germany.

Joseph McClelland, Jr., U.S. Coast Guard RADM (Ret.)
Retired from the U.S. Coast Guard, Rear Admiral McClelland was commissioned through Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in 1966. He served as a surface operations specialist having served five sea tours, including command in icebreakers and command of the Coast Guard’s oceanographic research ship. He received a master’s degree in Physical Oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School and qualified as a Ship Salvage Diving Officer and Helium-Oxygen Diving Officer. He is a Rotarian and a Life Member of the Navy League. He served as the president of the Rotary Club of Metropolitan Honolulu and as president of the Honolulu Council. McClelland was awarded the Coast Guard’s Distinguished Public Service Award for his service as Chairman of commissioning committees in Hawai‘i between 2017 and 2019 for five Coast Guard cutters.

Matthew Morgan, MEd ‘02
Matthew Morgan is the Chief Business Process Officer and a member of the Global Management Committee of Teneo, a global CEO advisory firm headquartered in New York. Morgan began his career as an Army intelligence officer and is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star, and served as a company commander and in various staff and leadership roles. He is a prolific author and speaker and has published several books, including A Democracy Is Born (2007), The American Military after 9-11 (2008), and the six-volume series The Impact of 9-11: The Day that Changed Everything? (2009). He earned a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and graduate degrees from Harvard Business School (MBA), University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (MA Political Science), and Chaminade University of Honolulu (Master of Education). In addition to serving on the Advisory Board for the University of Montana Mansfield Center, Morgan also serves on the Board of the Capital Classics Theatre Company.

Newly named to its Board of Regents are:
Eric Fujimoto

Eric Fujimoto, MBA ‘94
A proud Chaminade graduate, Eric Fujimoto is the Principal for Ho‘ea Wealth Advisory Group and a member of Ameriprise Financial Services. He was awarded the US Small Business Administration’s Small Business Person of the Year for the City and County of Honolulu in 2020. He was also named the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Professional Advisor of the Year and Chaminade Alumni of the Year. He volunteers at Drug Free Hawai‘i, Rotary Club of Pearlridge, Central Union Church, and for University of Hawai‘i athletics with ‘Ahui Koa Ānuenue and Na Koa.

David Underriner

David Underriner
David Underriner is the Executive Vice President of O‘ahu Operations and Chief Executive Officer of Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children, Pali Momi Medical Center and Straub Medical Center for Hawai‘i Pacific Health. Prior to his appointment, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Health Officer at Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA); President of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals for the Hawai‘i region; and as the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive of Providence Saint Joseph Health (PSJH) Oregon. Underriner is a graduate of Oregon State University and holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Management from the University of Washington. He has served on many boards with a focus on behavioral health, children, economic development and poverty reduction. He currently sits on the Oregon State University Foundation Board, and is Board Chair for Credena, a specialty pharmacy subsidiary of PSJH.

Chaminade’s Board of Governors and Board of Regents serve to create and authorize school plans and policies and to ensure that they articulate the vision and mission of the university system.

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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. Learn more at chaminade.edu.

Chaminade Launches EdD in Educational Psychology Program

teacher with a student

As part of an exciting partnership with the Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE), Chaminade University is gearing up to welcome its inaugural cohort for the new Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology program.

The EdD program, which is offered fully online, is designed for mental health professionals serving in educational settings and driven to build their skills as leaders, mental health counselors and scholar-practitioners. Dr. Darren Iwamoto, program coordinator, said the degree’s cutting-edge curriculum includes a wealth of hands-on experiences, including around psychological test administration.

He added the doctoral program was developed to help Hawaii meet a critical and growing need for advanced clinical professionals in educational settings. And while the Fall 2022 cohort will be restricted to Department of Education employees, Chaminade plans to open seats to the public within two years.

“We worked incredibly closely with the DOE and other key stakeholders in designing this program so it was a pure partnership from the very beginning,” Iwamoto said. “It’s about a meeting a need that’s currently a gap in the Department of Education system and the community more broadly.”

Iwamoto said the program was specifically tailored to meet the rigorous Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs academic requirements for mental health licensure. Participants also complete 600 internship hours and a dissertation that’s woven into coursework.

After finishing the 60-credit hour program, students will be fully qualified to serve as educational psychologists in Hawaii PK-12 schools or in related sectors, such as with nonprofits that deliver services to youth. Iwamoto added the doctoral degree puts a strong emphasis on cultural awareness and considering the whole student as part of a push to broaden key support systems.

“This program is all about helping students with the highest needs,” he said. 

Chaminade President Lynn Babington, PhD, said the program underscores the university’s tireless commitment to meeting community needs head-on—with quality, innovative and relevant programming designed to prepare students to serve others and drive positive change.

“The COVID pandemic and its fallout have not only highlighted the shortage of mental health professionals in Hawaii, but worsened it,” Babington said. “We know the new Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology is part of the solution and look forward to seeing graduates of this program taking on the challenges they see around them and helping build healthier, happier communities.”

Coursework in the program helps students to build a strong foundation for their direct service and leadership opportunities. It includes explorations of legal, professional and ethical issues, techniques for advanced counseling and group facilitation, and special education identification and assessment.

“This program—years in the making—was made possible thanks to the invaluable support, insight and expertise of our valued collaborators at the Hawaii Department of Education,” said Dr. Dale Fryxell, dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. “We are proud to be partnering with them on a multi-year effort to strengthen the psychological support framework in Hawaii’s public schools.”

In an added benefit, Iwamoto said the Department of Education was able to secure federal grant funding to cover tuition, fees and other expenses for members of the inaugural cohort. Chaminade hopes to have 20 members in the first class, and they will begin their coursework in October.