Chaminade University of Honolulu

Press Release

Chaminade University Launches Economic Education Center

Chaminade University’s School of Business and Communication, in partnership with the Hawaiian Council for Economic Education (HCEE), has launched the Economic Education Center for Excellence. The Center’s vision is to create a higher quality of life in Hawai‘i through economic and financial education and research and through support of sustainable nonprofit organizations and projects.

“At Chaminade, we understand that in order to continue to offer an excellent and relevant education we must be able to rapidly respond to the needs of learners, the workforce, and statewide and global priorities,” said Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington. “Our new Economic Education Center for Excellence does all of that by supporting local and national financial literacy mandates and the state’s vision for a sustainable Hawai‘i.”

The Center’s mission is to train teachers and students in financial literacy and to provide meaningful research to aid upward social mobility and an economically healthy society. Initial activities are focused on the Spring 2021 Economics Challenge hosted by HCEE for Hawai‘i high school students and teacher training sessions in alignment with Hawai‘i Department of Education standards for K-5 economic education.

“We’re pleased to partner with Chaminade University on the Economic Education Center for Excellence to provide pathways to reach and equip public and private K-12 educators,” said HCEE Chair Jim Dixon. “The Center will foster economic educational leadership and establish measurable learning outcomes for economic and financial literacy education in the state.”

Future Center initiatives will include high school entrepreneurship camps, upward social mobility research and programming, collaborative curricular development with Chaminade’s School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and interdisciplinary research in support of economic education, the economics of climate change and the support of sustainable and effective nonprofit organizations. 

“I applaud Chaminade University for establishing its Economic Education Center for Excellence,” said Rich Wacker, president & CEO of American Savings Bank. “Improving education, and especially financial literacy, is incredibly important for the future of our island community.”

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society. For more information, visit chaminade.edu.

Chaminade University Welcomes Jeff Scofield as Dean of Financial Aid

Jeff Scofield, Dean of Financial Aid

Chaminade University has named Jeff R. Scofield as Dean of Financial Aid, where he will oversee operations of the financial aid office. He brings more than 30 years of experience to the position.

“We’re excited to welcome Jeff to the Silversword team,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, president of Chaminade University. “His expertise will prove invaluable as he leads our experienced team of financial aid professionals in helping to guide students and their families through our many scholarships and financial aid opportunities available.”

Scofield most recently served as Assistant Vice President, Student Financial Services for Seattle University. Prior to that, he was Director of Financial Aid at University of Hawaii at Hilo. He also held financial aid positions with Longwood University in Virginia, Our Lady of the Lake University in Texas and Schreiner College in Texas.

Active in professional organizations, Scofield is a member off the Pacific Financial Aid Association, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and The College Board. He received his master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Coe College in Iowa.

Chaminade University’s Financial Aid Office offers numerous financial aid opportunities, including merit aid, scholarships, grants, federal loans, alternative loans and federal work study. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 97 percent of undergraduate students received some form of financial aid; more than $15.8 million was awarded in undergraduate aid; and an average of $15,340 in grants and scholarships was awarded to each student.

To learn more about Chaminade’s financial aid program, visit Chaminade.edu/financial-aid.

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.

Chaminade University Names Pamela Smith as Associate Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions

Dr. Pamela Smith (Associate Dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions)

Chaminade University has named Pamela D. Smith, EdD, APRN-Rx, FNP-BC, as Associate Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions. She will lead Chaminade’s Community and Public Health program and the planned Doctorate of Nursing Practice* (DNP) program. The DNP program was developed in response to student demand for health-related professional degrees and will help nurses advance their careers.

“We are pleased to welcome Pamela to our Silverswords ‘ohana,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, President of Chaminade University. “Her extensive expertise and diverse background will prove invaluable to our students working toward careers in the health care.”

Smith brings more than 20 years of nursing, health sciences, and administrative experience to the position. Most recently, she served as chief nursing administrator, chair of Nursing Department at Hawai‘i Pacific University. She also held a number of other positions within the university, including family nurse practitioner coordinator, director of clinical facilities, faculty, and associate chief nurse administrator. She has worked as a nurse practitioner at various clinics and hospitals on O‘ahu in primary care and surgical practice.

Active in professional and community organizations, Smith serves in the Hawai‘i Medical Reserve Corp to assist with COVID response and vaccine administration. She also serves on state-wide committees and task forces with the Hawai‘i State Center for Nursing.

Smith received her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of New England; Master of Science in Nursing from Hawai‘i Pacific University; Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University; and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University.

Chaminade University’s School of Nursing and Health Professions offers a variety of learning opportunities. The curriculum of both the nursing program as well as the community and public health program prepares students for the unique challenges they’ll face in the healthcare sector, with hands-on preparation, state-of-art tools, and a robust mentorship component. For more information, visit chaminade.edu/nursing-health-professions/.

* Chaminade’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program is pending WSCUC approval

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.

Chaminade Receives Grant in Support of Distance Learning

Chaminade University of Honolulu recently received a $20,000 grant from the G. N. Wilcox Trust, Bank of Hawaii, Trustee to provide educational technology packages to high-need students. The packages will include a laptop computer, headphones with a microphone, and an external flash drive for secure data storage.

“This generous grant from G. N. Wilcox Trust will help us meet some of our students’ critical technology needs and allow for continued student success,” said Dr. Helen Turner, Chaminade’s Vice President for Strategy and Innovation. “Even as face-to-face classes have resumed, ensuring our students have the proper equipment will provide resiliency against future lockdowns, and provide for those students who have elected to stay online because they or their family members have compromised immune systems.”

Across the nation, the transition to distance education in response to COVID-19 has exposed a digital divide. The Technology Package program reflects Chaminade’s continuing mission to serve low income students with an exceptional college education.

G. N. Wilcox Trust provides support for programs that better the lives of individuals and families in Hawai‘i. It was created by George Norton Wilcox, who began his career growing sugar at Hanalei, Kauai in 1863 and later became owner of Grove Farm plantation. He also served as a representative for Kauai from 1887 until annexation of the Islands in 1898. As a philanthropist, Wilcox’s interests centered largely around religious and educational work and expanded to include arts & culture, community, environment, health and human services.

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.

Chaminade University Receives Grant from Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation

Chaminade University of Honolulu has received a $15,000 grant from the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation to support its Performing Arts Program. The grant will provide professional music training to Performing Arts students participating in Chaminade University’s annual Summer Theatre Festival.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation for this generous donation,” said Chris Patrinos, the new director of Chaminade’s Performing Arts Program. “Though the future for performing arts is uncertain, we are still hoping to hold a festival in the summer of 2021. This gift will allow us to offer the best possible musical support for the student performers and help us to bring first-rate theatre performances to Hawai‘i audiences.”

Chaminade’s Summer Theatre Festival began four years ago to give college students from Hawaiʻi an opportunity to participate in performing arts during the summer. The 2020 festival was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation was founded in 1967 by talented opera singer, Mae Orvis. Mae created the foundation in memory of her husband, financier and philanthropist, Arthur. The two loved the arts very much, and were each great supporters of the arts in Hawai‘i. Their legacy of generosity lives on through their Foundation.

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.

Vice President and Dean Receives National Award for Outstanding Performance

Allison Jerome, Chaminade University Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students, has received the Region VI Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean/Vice President from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).

Allison Jerome, VP of Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Named for NASPA’s founding Chair of the Board of Directors and former dean of men at the University of Wisconsin, the Scott Goodnight Award recognizes sustained professional achievement in student affairs work, innovative response in meeting students’ needs, effectiveness in developing staff, and leadership in community and college or university affairs. The recipient is also someone who has earned stature among and support of students, faculty, and fellow administrators on campus, and made a significant contribution to the field through publications or involvement in professional associations.

“Allison is incredibly deserving of this award for her contributions to our school, our community, and most importantly, our students,” said Chaminade University President Dr. Lynn Babington. “She is well respected by everyone, including her peers.”

With more than 20 years of higher education administration experience, Jerome joined Chaminade University as a Program Counselor in 2004. She has held a number of student-facing positions, including Director, Academic Achievement Program; Associate Dean of Students; and Director of Retention, Advising and Career Preparation. She was named Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students in 2016. 

Jerome will also serve as a NASPA mentor to one of two Chaminade students who were accepted into the 2020-2021 class of NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program. The highly competitive fellowship gives students from traditionally underrepresented and historically disenfranchised communities a chance to learn more about careers in student affairs and higher education.
Each year, NASPA recognizes the outstanding contributions of members who are transforming higher education through exceptional programs, innovative services, and effective administration. 

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society. For more information, visit chaminade.edu.