Chaminade University of Honolulu

Student Life

Students Welcomed at Early College Summit

Chaminade University welcomed more than 100 high school students Dec. 16 from Kapa‘a High School, Sacred Hearts Academy, and Saint Louis School for a full-day campus visit that included classes, tours, and workshops as part of the university’s Early College Program.

“Our Early College Summit is a unique opportunity for our students pursuing dual high school and college credit to learn more about Chaminade’s cutting-edge academic programs, chat one-on-one with their professors and get details on our individualized student support services designed to set them up for success,” said Chaminade President Lynn Babington, Ph.D.

“Hosting these exceptional students is our honor—and part of Chaminade’s commitment to offering robust pathways for Hawai’i students to earn college credit, and for some their associate’s degrees, before they even graduate from high school.”


The Early College Program at Chaminade provides access to a college education for a diverse group of Hawai’i high school students as part of the University’s mission to prepare leaders for tomorrow, ready to make impactful contributions to their communities and professions.

Studies show that early college students are better prepared for full-time college entry, college life and expectations. Students who earn college credit while still in high school are also more likely to go to college, stay in school and graduate.

“The earlier you have the experience of being on a college campus, of experiencing classes, it gives you time to think about: Is college the right fit for me? What college do I want to go to? And also what might I want to study,” Babington said.

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“It also helps students realize they can succeed in these college classes while they’re in high school.”

In addition to a special welcome from President Babington and other University administrators, Early College students at the summit visited Chaminade’s state-of-the-art Nursing simulation labs, the United Nations CIFAL Honolulu Center, and Forensic Sciences Crime Scene Lab.

Business Competition Offers Real-World Lessons

Loke Kaho’opōmaika’i Yokoyama ’25 hopes to pursue a career that allows her to bring together fashion marketing and sustainability. Those passions were on display in the recent Silversword Business Competition, which tasks participating teams with crafting a real-world business proposal.

Yokoyama and her group of three other students—John Paul Pacura ’25, Brianna Gutierrez ’25, and Heavenly Campbell ’25—used $250 in seed money to develop “Charmed by Kalaepōhaku,” selling hand-crafted, sustainable jewelry that celebrates the natural beauty of Chaminade’s campus.

“We aim to educate Chaminade students, faculty, and the broader community on the indigenous and invasive plant life thriving on Kalaepōhaku, the hill upon which the university resides,” Yokoyama explained. “Each piece is designed to connect wearers to the land’s beauty.”

That way, she added, people can “carry a piece of Kalaepōhaku wherever they go.”

The innovation, heart and meticulous planning at the center of the team’s business proposal wowed judges in the competition, held Nov. 22 on campus. And at the end of the night, Charmed by Kalaepōhaku walked away with a $1,000 check to reinvest into their small business.

Dr. Masahisa Yamaguchi, an associate professor of Strategic Management at Chaminade, teaches the Business 469 class that culminates in the competition and said all participants—not just the overall winners—get the opportunity to build relationships with mentors and gain real-world experience.

That’s made the competition, first held in Fall 2021, a hit with students.

“Students prepared for the business competition presentation by thoroughly understanding the competition’s rules, criteria, and target audience,” Yamaguchi said.

“They crafted a clear and compelling story that highlights the problem, the solution, market opportunity, business model, and financial projections, supported by professional, visually appealing slides.”

Four groups participated this year, including one that sold tapas and another that offered soccer training.

“The idea behind this competition was to give Chaminade students a greater appreciation for what they are learning in business, how it is applied in the marketplace and the importance of relationship-building,” Yamaguchi said. And that’s exactly what students gained along the way.

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Judges for the competition were:

• Kynan Pang MBA ’13, a commercial Realtor
• Kendrick Morikawa MBA ’22, of SmartClean
• Chaminade Regent Eric Fujimoto MBA ’94
• Kristine Stebbins ’87, chief experience officer at Bank of Hawaii
• Jay Higa, SBC Advisory Board member
• Kristal Koga, local small business owner and Soroptimist International board member

Yokoyama described the competition as challenging, stressful and rewarding—much like running a real business.

“The seed money helped us kickstart our business with a budget higher than we were willing to provide from our own pockets,” Yokohama said, adding that she has made jewelry in the past as a hobby and jumped at the chance to turn a fun craft into a business that she could get behind.

The group sold their creations at a recent open market held on campus.

With a big win under their belt, the team is excited about pursuing next steps.

“We ran into various time constraints as a team due to our individually demanding schedules and commitments outside of class,” Yokoyama said. “However, I will say that we were dedicated to upholding strong communication to ease any of our stressors, and remain on the same page.”

Peer Mentors Offer Listening Ear

Mentors help peers with stress management, school-life balance and more

In addition to comprehensive individual, crisis and group counseling for students, Chaminade has also trained a cadre of peer mentors as part of an innovative program aimed at offering another layer of support to Silverswords who may feel uneasy seeking help or don’t need intensive services.

Earlier this year, five Silversword juniors—now all seniors—went through 16 hours of rigorous QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training, learning the signs and warnings of what to look for in their classmates as part of their preparation for Chaminade’s Peer Mentorship Program.

Director of Counseling Services Leilani Harness says a Marianist grant helped start the mentorship program in Fall 2023, and she was able to add five paid peer-mentor positions this semester.

Brit Hall, second from left, is doing an internship with the Counseling Center for her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. She is surround by Peer Counselors, from left, Claire Heffernan, Mya Dawkins, Annie Kramer, Megan Nakamura and Micah Sanders.
Brit Hall, second from left, is doing an internship with the Counseling Center for her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology degree. She is surrounded by Peer Counselors, from left, Claire Heffernan, Mya Dawkins, Annie Kramer, Megan Nakamura and Micah Sanders.

Harness adds she has always valued peer-to-peer mentorship and jumped at the chance to start the initiative.

As NASPA-certified peer educators in the Counseling Center, Annie Kramer ’25, Micah Sanders ’25, Megan Nakamura ’25, Mya Dawkins ’25 and Claire Heffernan ’25 have helped their fellow Silverswords struggling academically, emotionally or mentally. Some of those they’ve helped are worried about grades, while others are concerned about personal relationships.

(Historically, NASPA stood for National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. However, the organization updated the name of the association to NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.)

According to Kramer and Sanders, students many times want more information about school-work-life balance, followed by stress management and coping skills.

“We saw between 10-12 clients last semester,” said Kramer, who is now the administrative assistant at the center and peer mentor co-lead with Sanders and Nakamura.

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Kramer said the peer mentoring program is effective because some students feel more comfortable sharing thoughts with people “who are their same age and who look like them.”

The peer mentors lend an empathetic ear to any student who needs support. They seek to build trust, create a safe environment, and show compassion. Sometimes, they just hang out.

“It feels more organic,” said Sanders, who spent hours under the supervision of Harness.

“Having a program like this peer mentorship is extremely important, especially on campus where students might feel anxious and homesick.”

Sanders said his biggest piece of advice to students is: Go out, meet new people and get out of your comfort zone. “The Counseling Center is a lifeline to the different departments,” he adds.

As the school year progresses, Harness emphasized that the Counseling Center is available for individual sessions, couples therapy and small friend groups Mondays through Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“I am always available after hours, so feel free to contact me at any time,” Harness adds. “That’s literally my job—to be here for students and employees 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

For a full list of crisis resources available to anyone in need, click here.

All five peer mentors say they appreciate the hands-on experience of talking with fellow students and, most importantly, being able to help.

“This program really aligns well with what I want to do, which is to become a high school or college counselor,” Kramer says. “And Chaminade is providing the opportunity for me to reach that goal.”

New Student Orientation a Success

Incoming freshmen got a Silversword welcome at the daylong event.

With fists pumping in the air and boisterous “woo-hoos,” freshmen walked through a gauntlet of Chaminade faculty members dressed in full academic regalia, clapping loudly as students filed out after the Academic Convocation during New Student Orientation on Friday.

Held at Mamiya Theatre, this formal ceremony officially marks the beginning of the academic year—and holds significant meaning for both the University and incoming students.

A nursing major, freshman Rex Paguirigan poses with Chaminade Student Government Association President Victoria Zembik.
A nursing major, freshman Rex Paguirigan poses with Chaminade Student Government Association President Victoria Zembik.

“We gather to welcome new families and students,” said Chaminade President Lynn Babington, in her opening remarks at the convocation.

“You will meet new people and form new bonds, and you will laugh with each other and struggle with each other. You will learn new ways of thinking and discerning who you are and who you want to be.”

New Student Orientation is designed to acquaint incoming freshmen, transfer and exchange students with the campus and the many resources available to them—both for their academic success and personal development.

Orientation activities focus on several important areas, including the curriculum, academic advising, college success, scholarships and financial aid, campus activities, student services, student organizations, Silversword Spirit and campus facilities.

Also from Chaminade News: Students Welcomed on Move-in Day

“College is a new chapter in your life, an unwritten page in your book,” said Chaminade Student Government Association President Victoria Zembik, in her address at the Academic Convocation.

“As you embark on this journey at Chaminade, remember that college is not just about the classes you take or the grades you earn. It’s about the experiences you have, the challenges you overcome, and the person you become along the way. Embrace every moment—the highs and the lows—and know that each day is an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to become a better version of yourself.”

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Starting college life successfully can be challenging. But NSO gatherings were designed to set the right tone for incoming students, encouraging them to embrace curiosity and try new experiences.

“We see in you transformation through education,” said Provost Lance Askildson. “This is an inflection point in your life. You will struggle and even fail at times to achieve your goals—and that is OK. You’ll have untold opportunities to grow, learn and push yourself beyond your comfort zone. Our kuleana, our duty is to support you, to guide you and teach you. You are not alone in this journey.”

In her concluding remarks, Zembik offered some sage advice. “Every day is a new day,” she advised. “No matter how good or bad today was, tomorrow is different. Just like a sunset, no two days are the same.”

Students Welcomed on Move-in Day

Incoming freshmen spent the day settling into their new dorm rooms.

College move-in day can be an emotional experience, oftentimes marking the first time that many incoming students leave behind their family, friends and pets for a new adventure.

At Chaminade on Thursday, freshmen said they were excited to be moving into their dorms.

“When I first visited Hawaii with my family a few years ago, I knew my goal was to live here,” said Alexis Lopez, who was checking into her dorm room at Hale Lokelani with the help of parents, Denise and Efren Lopez, and younger sister Madeleine.

“I’m excited about my Forensic Sciences classes, exploring the campus and meeting new people.”

Efren and Denise, with youngest daughter Madeleine, accompanied Alexis to the Chaminade campus.
Efren and Denise, with youngest daughter Madeleine, accompanied Alexis to the Chaminade campus.

Often followed by New Student Orientation events and campus tours, move-in day introduces incoming freshmen to their roommates, hallmates and resident assistants, while also gives them a chance to learn the campus and school traditions.

“As a resident assistant, we take care of all the students,” said Temika Hemmings ’25, while writing a welcome message on a floor-to-ceiling blackboard wall. “We help spread the aloha and make them feel welcome. We help them grow to become the best version of themselves.”

Accompanied by grandparents Karen and Tom Perez and her dad Joey Cruz, Ha‘ane Cruz learned she was assigned a room just doors down from where the Perez’ son, Aleksander Perez ’22, roomed six years ago.

“I also have two uncles who came here, so I feel like I already know a little bit about Chaminade,” said Ha‘ane Cruz ’28, who plans to major in biochemistry.

“I’m looking forward to the next four years, and meeting new people.”

Also moving in at Hale Lokelani, Shailah Decoito is a new transfer student from Hilo.

“I started the nursing program at the University of Hawaii–Hilo, but it was too competitive. I heard a lot about the Chaminade nursing program and I decided to apply, and I was accepted. I feel lucky because almost all of my credits from UH–Hilo transferred over, so I’m not starting from scratch.”

Checking out the kitchen and common area at Hale Lokelani, Laureano Almada-Roa ’28 roamed the room with his mom, Nora Luna, and his little brother Emiliano Almada.

“I’m nervous, excited and sad all at the same time,” said Luna, an Argentinian native. “He’ll be so far from home, but this is where he wanted to go to college.”

After touring campus, Almada-Roa said he was convinced he chose the right university.

“I saw or read something about Chaminade, and it just felt comfortable,” said the Brooklyn native. “It is far away from home, but I’ve heard that this is a close and supportive community from the people whom I’ve already met here.”

Register now for New Student Orientation

The agenda includes breakout sessions for students and their families.

New Student Orientation is just around the corner—and the agenda is jam-packed.

The event for first-year, transfer and exchange students, along with their families, is set for Aug. 16. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. on Zuberano Lawn, while a welcome gathering will kick off at 9:30 a.m.

Attendees should register now to secure their spots and get full details on the agenda, which includes breakout sessions for students and parents, a special lunch, campus tours and more activities.

To register for New Student Orientation and see the full agenda, click here.

Jennifer Creech, vice president for enrollment management and associate provost for student success, said New Student Orientation is a “pivotal day designed to welcome and support new students as they transition into our campus community.”

She said students will get the chance to connect with peers, faculty and staff at the event. They’ll also be invited to explore campus and engage with student support services in a stress-free setting.

“This year, we are excited to offer special sessions for parents and guardians that will introduce them to campus resources and ways they can best support their students,” Creech added.

And before students head to dinner, all attendees are invited to a gathering on the Marianist Oval Lawn.

Creech said New Student Orientation offers new students a chance to begin a new chapter right. “Your attendance is essential for a smooth and successful start to this new academic journey,” she said.