Chaminade University of Honolulu

Alumni

The Gift that Gives Twice

“It is a gift and privilege to be able to pay it forward.” – Hoʻea Foundation

Eric and Lori Fujimoto want to level the playing field. With their heartfelt mission, dedication to servant leadership, and philanthropic support of Chaminade University, they are reducing barriers that prevent deserving students from accessing opportunity. 

“There are students that should be given the opportunity for college based upon their readiness and skill set, as opposed to whether they can afford it,” Eric said. “The weight of tuition can prevent them from the opportunity. So if the donors and the community can support Chaminade, we are leveling the playing field and making college accessible.”

Eric and Lori both graduated from Pearl City High School and earned degrees from Chaminade, Eric with an MBA in 1994 and Lori with a BA in 2001. They have never forgotten the care and attention that their professors and advisors bestowed upon them, and how Chaminade’s close-knit, belonging community made the college experience meaningful and transformational. 

They give back to Chaminade in numerous ways, from philanthropic support to leadership and volunteerism. Remembering what it was like to be students who needed real world experiences, Eric and Lori started and provided the prize money for the student Silversword Business Competition through the School of Business and Community each year.  They established the Eric, MBA ’94 and Lori ’01 Fujimoto Family Opportunities Fund as a perpetual way to support the University and they joined the Chaminade Fund Society, which is the University’s leadership giving group. Eric now also serves on the University’s Board of Regents.

The Fujimotos exemplify the spirit of giving that enables Chaminade to provide resources and scholarships to students, inspired to not only level the playing field but to also set an example for their own sons, Dylen, 24, and Camden, 20, to follow. 

Eric and Lori co-founded Hoʻea Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of Hoʻea Wealth Advisory Group, the financial planning company that Eric leads. Hoʻea is also the backer of the annual Unity Prom, which celebrated its third anniversary this past November. The Unity Prom brings college students and special education high school students together for a special event complete with dancing, music, food and fun with the purpose of providing a prom experience that special needs students may not have. Chaminade business students and student-athletes have become increasingly involved with the event each year, finding just as much joy in the experience as the high school students who attend.

“I think the word unity is so powerful that it can mean 10 different things,” Eric added. “Because you go in thinking that you’re trying to provide unity for the student with special needs. But you exit, realizing that it’s unified, your Chaminade University, classmates, teammates are united too.” 

“The university students left with their hearts filled,” Lori added. “The special education students taught the university students something too, and that’s great. Itʻs like if you want to make a difference or feel good, give, give something. Give something to someone else. That feels good.”

Victoria Hanes: From Mililani to Healthcare Leadership

When Victoria Hanes ’02 arrived at Chaminade University from Mililani as an only child with aspirations of becoming a therapist, she never imagined her path would lead to the executive suite of one of Hawaiʻi Island’s largest healthcare organizations.

Today, Hanes is preparing to take on a new role as Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Island Community Health Center, effective Nov. 1, 2026. Earlier this year, she was also recognized by Hawaii Business Magazine as one of its “20 for the Next 20,” honoring emerging leaders helping shape Hawaiʻi’s future.

For Hanes, the journey began at Chaminade, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and discovered a community that would leave a lasting impression on her life.

“Coming from Mililani Town as an only child, I was suddenly surrounded by a vibrant, diverse group of peers from all over the world who quickly became like an extended family,” Hanes said.

She credits Chaminade with providing both the academic foundation and personal support that helped shape her future.

“Chaminade created a nurturing and supportive environment, especially for those of us living on campus, and it allowed me the space to mature into a young adult,” she said. “Those moments and lessons have stayed with me, and I will always cherish that unique period of my life.”

After graduating, Hanes continued her studies in psychology and behavioral health, earning advanced degrees while pursuing her passion for helping others. Her professional path led her to the Rural Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health Training Program at I Ola Lāhui, where she completed an internship and postdoctoral fellowship serving communities across the state.

That experience introduced her to Kailua-Kona, where she found both a professional calling and a place to call home.

In 2010, Hanes joined Hawaii Island Community Health Center as a licensed clinical psychologist. Over the next 16 years, she helped guide the organization through significant growth, serving first as Behavioral Health Department Director and later as Executive Vice President of Administration and Operations.

Today, HICHC employs nearly 500 people and provides care to approximately 40,000 patients across Hawaiʻi Island through medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and school-based health programs. The nonprofit, federally qualified health center was founded to ensure access to quality healthcare regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

“One of the most meaningful parts of my work is watching our employees grow with the health center, much like I did,” Hanes said.

Her appointment as CEO reflects both her deep institutional knowledge and long-standing commitment to community health. In her new role, she will work with the board of directors to advance strategic priorities, expand healthcare access across Hawaiʻi Island, strengthen financial sustainability and support the organization’s workforce and patient-centered mission.

“I didn’t initially set out to pursue a career in healthcare administration,” Hanes said. “My early work as a psychologist in community health centers, however, showed me both the profound impact of direct patient care and the systemic barriers that often limit access and equity.”

Those experiences ultimately inspired her to pursue leadership as another way to serve.

From a psychology student eager to help others to the leader of an organization providing care for tens of thousands of residents, Hanes has built a career defined by service, compassion and a commitment to expanding opportunity. Along the way, she has demonstrated how a passion for helping individuals can grow into a broader mission of strengthening the health and well-being of entire communities.

For more information about Hawaii Island Community Health Center, visit HICHC.org.

Silverswords Reunite for Fun Night

Graduating seniors in the Class of 2026 and recent alumni gathered on May 1 for ALUMNIGHT, an evening of connection, laughter, and friendly competition at Dave & Buster’s, transforming the popular entertainment venue into a hub of Silversword pride. The event drew recent graduates eager to reconnect with classmates, meet fellow alumni, and unwind over games, food, and shared memories.

As guests filtered in, the energy quickly picked up. Alumni greeted one another with excitement—some reconnecting after only a year apart, others reuniting for the first time since graduation. 

The program began with a warm welcome from Director of Student Engagement Andrew Peter Anchetta II ’21, who thanked attendees for staying connected to the university and to one another. He emphasized the importance of the young alumni community and encouraged guests to make the most of the evening—not just by enjoying the activities, but by strengthening the relationships that began on campus. Following the welcome, Fr. Martin Solma, SM offered a prayer, grounding the gathering in gratitude and shared purpose.

Guests made their way to the food line, as alumni shared updates about careers, graduate school, and life beyond campus. Alumni enjoyed classic arcade games, basketball shootouts, racing simulators, and interactive challenges. The step-and-repeat photo area was a popular feature throughout the night, as friends captured moments together. 

Door prize drawings were an exciting and fun part of the evening with prizes provided by the Office of Admissions, Office of Advancement, and Office of Student Engagement. Items included Chaminade-branded bags, a commemorative 70th anniversary Yeti water bottle, and exclusive collaboration pieces from Aloha Collection. Each prize reflected both school pride and appreciation for the alumni community.

The alumni event at Dave & Buster’s was more than a night of games and good food—it was a celebration of community, shared experiences, and the enduring ties that continue long after graduation.

Hard Work Pays Off

At 19 years old in 2014, Jasmine-Kortney Young-Gusman ’26 began her journey in the health care field as a Medical Assistant and Technician at Straub Benioff Medical Center. After working there for nine years, she found out she was pregnant. The delivery was a harrowing experience for her. She needed an unmedicated, emergency cesarean section. During the surgery, a nurse stood by Young-Gusman, holding her hand, and ensuring she didn’t feel alone in the Operating Room.

“Having her [the nurse] there with me was a comfort in probably the scariest moment I’ve ever experienced,” Young-Gusman said. “After going through that I realized, I could be someone’s comfort and hold their hand and help them,” she explained.

That experience motivated her to apply to and start nursing school even with a ten-month-old son. 

“It took a lot for me to come back to school because I think if I didn’t go through that with my son, I would have just returned to my job,” Young-Gusman reflected. 

Her son is now four years old and will be cheering his mom on at Chaminade University’s Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony at the Waikiki Shell on May 9. She is graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and receiving Latin honors. She was also selected for Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, which has criteria of a minimum 3.0 GPA and being within the top 35% of their graduating class.

Young-Gusman says her biggest struggle in the past four years was balancing being a present mom for her son while also ensuring that she was meeting her goals in school. 

“I had a lot of doubts even though I’m a very confident person and I know I’m smart and I’m capable. It took a lot of sleepless nights, crying and praying,” she said.

There were times she had to miss bed time with her son or was unable to go to his baseball games because she had clinical or needed to study. She said it was very draining but she kept in mind that the sacrifices were temporary. 

“It all paid off because not only am I graduating with my bachelors, I was the first person in my whole family to go to college so I’m a first generation,” Young-Gusman stated. 

Completing nursing school can be daunting. Young-Gusman couldn’t have done it without her support system.  

“I‘ve had professors that have been so loving and supportive,” she said. 

While working towards her degree, Young-Gusman did her nursing preceptorship in the ER. She says she thrives in the ER environment because it’s fast-paced, very demanding and she loves it. 

Young-Gusman has already started working on the next step in her career. She has accepted a job offer from The Queen’s Medical Center – West Oʻahu for the Emergency Technician position and will start soon. She hopes to transition to the Queen’s Hawai‘i Nurse Residency Program in September or January.

She says she’s made life-long friends through Chaminade University. Her advice to incoming students is to believe in yourself, find people that believe in you and hold onto them.

“I didn’t think I could do this, and I did and it’s only because I found the right people. I found the right friends and the right professors who rally behind me,” she said.

Doctoral Students Gain Practicum, Serve Community Needs

With practicum, internship, and dissertation requirements, hands-on learning and intensive scholarly inquiry are critical parts of Chaminade’s Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology. 

And thanks to the University’s assessment center, graduate students can tackle some of that patient-focused work right on campus.

The Chaminade Assessment Center (CAC), launched in Fall 2023 gives PsyD students the chance to conduct psychological evaluations and fill a community need at the same time.

Dr. Sean Scanlan, director of the Clinical Psychology program at the University, said the CAC started off small but with a strong mission: To offer children and young adults psychological evaluations so they can get the right  treatment and educational accommodations.

“We had Chaminade PsyD students searching for practicum sites, and we saw community members needing these psychological assessments,” Scanlan said.

The center’s first clients were Chaminade students. From there, the clientele was expanded to include students referred from nearby private schools. Scanlan said the center was able to serve about 30 patients in their first year and almost 50 in their second.

Meanwhile, about three PsyD students at any one time work under a supervisor at the CAC. Scanlan said each client requires six to 15 hours of testing, which may include an interview and cognitive, personality, and learning assessments. From there, the psychologist and PsyD students synthesize the findings and issue a report with a diagnosis and recommendations.

“For our PsyD students, it’s a lot of work,” Scanlan said. “Because it’s not just the student preparing  to be with an actual client; they have to be prepared to sit and listen to real world problems, all the while trying to conceptualize a diagnosis.” 

But Scanlan said that this real-world, experiential learning experience is critical to their training, similar to that of trainees in the medical fields. He stressed, their clinical supervisor is always there to offer expertise and guidance. The supervisor also handles initial and critical client interactions so students can see practiced psychological evaluations and interactions at work.

Sammie Wilkinson, PsyD ’27 was one of Chaminade’s first PsyD students to serve at the center following its launch and has since put in additional time there as an administrative and assessment specialist. She summed up her practicum experience at the center in one word: “Rewarding.” 

“I learned about comprehensive psychological evaluations and assessment, which are major components of the role of a clinical psychologist and a focus of the PsyD program,” Wilkinson said.

“During my practicum, I was able to support both Chaminade students and clients in the community by conducting assessments, identifying and diagnosing various challenges that often impact academic performance and social functioning. Since completing my practicum, I have continued to support the CAC with scheduling and helping clients access services.”

Wilkinson explained that assessment and diagnosis help clients put a name to specific mental health challenges they’ve been experiencing and provide a starting point for healing and support. 

“It has been a privilege to work with clients from diverse backgrounds, which has deepened my appreciation for taking a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to assessment,” she said. “One of the biggest challenges is determining an accurate diagnosis, as many conditions can resemble one another. For example, trauma may present similarly to ADHD. Therefore, it is so important that we are thorough, take our time to rule out diagnoses and consider each client holistically.”  

She added that helping to broaden access to community-based services has been especially meaningful—and she’s excited about the center’s continued growth. “Psychological assessments are in high demand but often come with long waiting lists or high costs so it has been wonderful to be part of a center that provides these services in a timely and affordable way,” she said.

Scanlan noted that the center started to accept insurance in 2025.  In the program’s first two years, services were free and mostly referral-based. “I think we have the foundation now where we can begin to increase the number of PsyD students we can take and, as a result, the number of clients we can see,” Scanlan said. “We’re happy to be providing this service to the community.”

The center’s growth comes as Chaminade’s School of Education and Behavioral Sciences also launches another win-win program for aspiring mental health professionals and clients in need of services. In spring 2026, the University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program launched its new MFT Training Clinic, where graduate-level MFT therapists in training provide care under the supervision of licensed clinicians. Services are affordable and open to anyone on Oahu. 

“This clinic is a training ground for future marriage and family therapists,” said Blendine Hawkins, Ph.D., LMFT, director of the Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy program at Chaminade. “By focusing on couples and families and embracing culturally humble, evidence-based approaches, the clinic is a meaningful new resource for our local community. We’re excited to share this development with those who value strengthening relationships and supporting families.”

Alumni Office Hosts San Diego Reunion

More than 80 alumni and prospective families gathered on a beautiful San Diego waterfront for a special Sunday brunch on March 8 that brought the Chaminade spirit to the mainland in a meaningful way. Against the backdrop of the harbor, the event offered a warm and welcoming space for Silverswords to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate their enduring ties to the University.

Attendees traveled from across the region—and beyond—to be part of the occasion. Many alumni made the drive from throughout California, while one dedicated alumna even flew in from Arizona specifically to attend. Their efforts underscored the strength of the Chaminade community and the lasting impact of the relationships formed on campus. Whether reconnecting with classmates after years apart or meeting fellow alumni for the first time, there was a shared sense of pride and belonging throughout the gathering.

President Dr. Lynn Babington joined the group and spent time connecting personally with alumni and guests. She offered updates on the University, highlighting continued growth, new academic initiatives, and the ways Chaminade is evolving to meet the needs of today’s students while remaining grounded in its mission and values. Her remarks reinforced the University’s commitment to fostering a close-knit, purpose-driven community—one that extends far beyond the shores of O‘ahu.

The event also created opportunities for prospective families to engage with alumni and learn firsthand about the Chaminade experience. Conversations flowed easily between generations, with alumni sharing stories about their time on campus, the friendships they built, and how their education has shaped their personal and professional journeys. For prospective students and their families, it was a chance to see the lasting value of a Chaminade education come to life through these authentic connections.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, attendees enjoyed Chaminade-themed swag and participated in a drawing for prizes, bringing an element of fun and excitement to the morning. Chaminade magazines were also available, offering a deeper look at campus developments, student success stories, and the continued momentum of the University community.

Events like this serve as a powerful reminder that the Chaminade connection does not end at graduation—or at the edge of the island. Instead, it continues to grow and thrive wherever alumni gather. The San Diego brunch was more than just a reunion; it was a reflection of a vibrant and engaged alumni network that remains deeply connected to the University and to one another.