How did your Chaminade education contribute to your professional success?
Although I went straight to graduate school after Chaminade, my degree in criminal justice from the University was key to the launch of my career in public service. The internships I did while getting my Master of Public Administration were all in the criminal justice sector. My coursework at Chaminade was what made me competitive when I applied for them, and that also allowed me to do well in them, which created other opportunities.
My first job with the City of New York was tracking management indicators for the City’s juvenile justice agency. The agency then hired me as a budget analyst, and soon I was hired by the City’s Budget Office to provide budget oversight for multiple criminal justice agencies. My initial success at the Budget Office had a lot to do with a solid understanding of the criminal justice system as a foundation. We relied on our knowledge of how the entire system interacts, as much as we relied on public finance concepts and financial systems to help allocate resources to the City’s criminal justice agencies effectively. From there I have branched out into other public policy areas, but I am thankful that Chaminade gave me the foundation I needed to get started.
Can you recall a specific moment or experience during your time that had a significant impact on you, either academically or socially?
I had the rare experience of having two different views of student life at Chaminade. I started Chaminade as an active duty Marine, taking classes on base while stationed at Kaneohe Bay. I did that for three years and earned an associate degree. When my enlistment was ending, I realized that if I became a full-time student, I could earn my bachelor’s degree in one year. I left the Marine Corps, enrolled full-time, and moved into the dorms as a senior. I am so glad that I stayed to do the senior year as a civilian student on island. Although it was only one of the four years living on the island, it made me love Hawaii and Oahu even more.
The professors were very giving with their time and advice, which I appreciated as I started to consider the next steps after graduating. I also enjoyed being exposed to island life as a student and civilian. I loved taking the bus around town, running to Waikiki Beach and back, and nothing can beat Marine Biology labs at the beach (eating poke afterwards).
How did your Chaminade education shape your perspective and personal growth?
Having grown up in New York City, I had been exposed to a diverse group of people. But my time at Chaminade exposed me to a higher level of understanding of diversity and a more engaging cross-cultural exploration. Specifically, I enjoyed interacting with so many cultures from the Pacific Rim. Whether it was trying new foods at student event potlucks or going to karaoke with Samoan classmates, I enjoyed it all. How I use that today is to try to connect with everyone I meet on a unique level. Each interaction I have is an opportunity to be part of someone else’s journey or to make them part of mine.
How have you continued to invest in your professional development since graduating?
Right after graduating Chaminade, I moved back to New York and went to New York University for a Master of Public Administration. I was leaning towards the administrative side of criminal justice, but I did not have anything specific in mind yet. I knew that it would complement my bachelor’s degree well, give me more career options and expand my professional network.
Since getting my MPA, I have taken various certificate-based classes and attended conferences. However, I would say much of my professional development has come from networking within the field, and the help of mentors and colleagues who were generous with their time and knowledge. Whenever I can, I try to pay it forward by being generous with what I know and helping others achieve their own professional goals anyway I can.
How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?
My education at Chaminade launched my career into public and nonprofit work. I was able to work my way up from analyzing criminal justice data to being an assistant dean and chief financial officer at a law school. My time at Chaminade came when I needed ways to process changes in my life. The way I did that was to learn how to set short-term and long-term goals. Attending Chaminade and getting my associate degree was a short-term goal when I arrived on base, which was part of my longer-term goal of getting a bachelor’s degree. My achievements today are because I learned then to set goals, work towards those goals, check-in periodically, and set new goals after meeting the old ones.
