Chaminade University of Honolulu

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Four Chaminade Veterans Find New Paths After Military Service

Three Chaminade students and an adjunct professor reflect on their transitions from military service to college and new careers.

By Justin Siliva

For military veterans, leaving the service can mean adjusting to a different routine, returning to school, or preparing for a new career. 

At Chaminade University of Honolulu, four veterans have taken different paths after serving in the U.S. Army and Air Force. With Veterans Day approaching on Nov. 11, they share how their experiences have shaped their Chaminade education, leadership, and career goals. 

Victoria Francois (second from left and top photo).

Victoria Francois: Bringing Army Lessons to Chaminade

Victoria Francois, 40, grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she enlisted in the Army at 18 in April 2004. She served nearly 19 years before leaving in February 2023, reaching the rank of sergeant first class (E-7). Francois spent about 17 years of her military career as a surgical technician, assisting with operating room procedures.

The Army brought Francois to Hawaiʻi in 2017, where she was assigned to Tripler Army Medical Center. She later became the perioperative noncommissioned officer in charge, overseeing four departments: same-day surgery, the operating room, post-anesthesia care, and sterile processing. 

While she was still serving, Francois enrolled at Chaminade in 2019 and attended evening classes at Tripler. She began taking classes on campus in 2023. 

Initially concerned about returning to college as an adult learner, Francois has found opportunities to get involved. She served as a senior senator in the Chaminade Student Government Association (CSGA) and participated in the university’s Sustained Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program. 

Through the program, Francois met Dr. Abby Halston, who became her mentor. Halston later nominated Francois for the 2024 Sue Wesselkamper Award, which she won. 

Francois earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Chaminade in May 2024 and is now pursuing a master’s degree in counseling psychology. She also serves as president of Chaminade’s Psi Chi chapter, a psychology honor society, where she applies her military leadership experience to working with other student officers.

“I may know how to get things done and execute, because that’s just what the military has taught me over and over,” Francois said. “But collaboration is everything, right?”

Francois expects to finish her master’s program in May 2027. Then, she plans to pursue a doctorate in educational psychology while continuing to work as a behavioral health specialist with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education. 

Jonah Martell (back row, second from left).

Jonah Martell: Finding His Way Back to School

Jonah Martell, 22, of Las Vegas, Nevada, joined the Army in 2023 and served as a cavalry scout at Schofield Barracks on Oʻahu. He reached the rank of specialist (E-4) before an injury led to his medical discharge in 2025, ending his military career after about two years. 

As a cavalry scout, Martell conducted reconnaissance, monitored potential threats, and provided security for infantry units. His training also included clearing buildings and operating as a gunner on a Humvee.

One of his most memorable experiences came during a five-day training exercise in Georgia. Martell spent four days in heavy rain, responding to simulated nighttime attacks with little to no sleep. The exercise ended with a 12-mile overnight march carrying a roughly 30-pound rucksack.

After leaving the Army, Martell decided to stay in Hawaiʻi and attend Chaminade because it offered a Sports and Event Management program; that option wasn’t available at other universities he considered.

Now a freshman, he hopes to work in the front office of a professional sports team or become a college athletic director. He also plans to add criminal justice as a second major, giving him another career option in law enforcement. 

Before joining the Army, Martell hadn’t seriously considered attending college. He said his military experience changed how he approached school, leaving him more focused on preparing for a career.

“So, ever since I joined, now I’m more focused and, like, okay, I need to get this done, to start my career, and help myself,” Martell said. “So I think the military really changed my mindset.”

Adam Haley (center).

Adam Haley: Discovering a Passion for Psychology

Adam Haley, 28, grew up in Madison, Alabama, and attended the University of Alabama from fall 2017 to spring 2018, studying management information systems. He left college to join the Army to gain job skills, travel, and avoid student loan debt.

Haley spent six and a half years in the Army working in communications and information technology. He achieved the rank of sergeant (E-5), then worked supervising junior soldiers and maintaining communication networks used during military operations. The Army brought him to Hawai‘i for his first duty station.

After leaving the military, he became a network engineer, putting the technical skills he learned in the Army to use.

But he soon realized the work wasn’t as fulfilling as he’d expected.

While serving in the Army, Haley often found himself listening to fellow soldiers who came to him for advice or needed someone to talk to. As a noncommissioned officer (NCO), he held monthly counseling sessions but preferred talking to people over formal paperwork. He enjoyed those conversations and began to recognize his interest in understanding and helping people.

That interest eventually brought him to Chaminade, where he is now a junior majoring in psychology.

Haley chose the university for its smaller classes, psychology program, and opportunities to interact with professors. He hopes to become a psychologist and pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.

Compared with his previous experience at a larger university, Haley said he now enjoys being back in college and studying something he cares about.

“I never thought I’d be the type to say I love coming to school, love school, or anything like that, but I genuinely look forward to coming to Chaminade,” Haley said. “I really look forward to all my psychology classes.” 

Michael Rose: From the Air Force to the Classroom

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Michael Rose joined the U.S. Air Force in 2001 following the Sept. 11 attacks. He served for 20 years before retiring in 2021 as a senior master sergeant (E-8).

During his military career, Rose worked in special operations and completed several deployments. His service took him to 58 countries, where some of his most meaningful experiences involved providing humanitarian assistance to women and children in war-torn areas.

Rose said his time in the Air Force helped him develop leadership skills and changed how he viewed his responsibilities to others. After retiring, he initially pictured himself using those skills in the business world, possibly as an executive or someone managing a company division.

With family connections to Hawai‘i, Rose eventually made Oʻahu his home and enrolled at Chaminade to further his education in business and leadership.

During his graduate studies, Rose worked closely with Dr. Eduard “Eddie” Merc, an assistant professor of business analytics and supply chain management and director of Chaminade’s MBA program. Merc’s dedication to teaching and research encouraged Rose to explore opportunities in higher education.

Rose earned his Executive Master of Business Administration degree from Chaminade in 2023. From 2023 to 2025, he worked as a researcher at the university’s School of Business and Communication, studying technology, leadership, and business operations.

Although Rose initially planned to pursue a career in business leadership, he eventually found himself on the other side of the classroom.

He now serves as an adjunct professor at Chaminade, teaching EC 201, Principles of Macroeconomics, through the university’s Early College program at Sacred Hearts Academy.

Not too long ago, Rose was the one sitting in class, listening to lectures and preparing for exams. Now that he’s the one leading the lessons, Rose said the experience has shown him how much preparation goes into teaching, especially when students have questions he needs to answer.

As Veterans Day approaches, Rose hopes people remember the sacrifices military members make throughout their service.

“I think it’s just to not take it for granted,” Rose said. “And to really think about the sacrifice that military members make on a daily basis.” 

Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program Kicks Off 24th Year

The Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program is now celebrating its 24th year mentoring students seeking independent business opportunities or leadership skills to help organizations succeed, both for-profit and nonprofit. On Wednesday evening, past and current Hogan participants, alumni, and business leaders gathered to launch another year of Hogan with an inspiring keynote address and opportunities to connect, network, share inspiring stories, and celebrate one of Chaminade’s most successful institutions.

Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D., welcomed attendees to the celebration and thanked them for supporting the Hogan initiative over the years.

“It’s such a pleasure to be here with you this evening and again kick off the 24th year of the Hogan program,” Babington said.

“We are very proud of the Hogan program,” she said. “Linking students with community members enriches new ideas and opportunities here in Hawai‘i.”

This year’s Hogan Kick-Off Celebration, held at the Sullivan Family Library Lawn, featured music, good food, drinks, and time for attendees to mingle and socialize. The featured speaker for the evening was Melissa Crounse Kaufman, a renowned entrepreneur and Founding Executive Director of The Garage, a startup incubator at Northwestern University.

“Previous speakers have been terrific, but I think this is one of the best ones we’ve had that I can remember in my time,” said Roy Panzarella, Ph.D., Director of the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program.

Kaufman, who now lives in Maui and works as a school teacher, shared a story with the audience of how she once tested the entrepreneurial instincts of her students against artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

She split the class into two groups and asked each to develop an innovative idea for a new snack product. One group had unlimited access to AI tools; the other had to use their wits.

Upon conclusion of this exercise, the class determined that the best idea came from the “brain team” that was denied the use of any AI advantage. The winning team proposed selling hibiscus-flavored popcorn that comes in resealable bags.

Kaufman told the audience to take this lesson to heart.

“AI is a pattern matching machine,” she said. “It draws from what already exists, and it optimizes for what has worked before, in the past.

“The winning idea in my class didn’t come from a prompt. It came from a teenage girl’s lived experience.”

Kaufman said she owes her success not to building successful companies, but to building up people and helping them make personal connections they can translate into winning enterprises.

“Students cannot build judgment or persuasive speaking or interpret body language or build connections alone in their dorm rooms talking to Claude,” she stressed. “Students need to interact with real businesses and real business problems in real time.”

Panzarella said Kaufman’s message is poignant for the times as the rise of AI technology leaves everyone nervous for the future.

Kaufman pleaded with business leaders in the audience to deepen their engagement with Hogan students. The program’s long success lies not with technologies like AI, she said, but with the personal connections the program fosters.

“You have to help in this mission because we can’t do it alone,” she said. “You need to share your time, your expertise, and your network with the students by serving as a mentor or a guest speaker.”

In addition to raffle prizes, the event presented two awards recognizing present and future entrepreneurial success.

Kai Cowell was honored with the Hogan program’s “In the Arena” award for her success with Ka‘iulani Spices, a healthy foods and flavoring company selling products at major retail outlets. The $1,500 student award went to Liliyah-Joy Quel-Kaina, a Hogan junior juggling two majors and minors who recently landed a coveted internship opportunity. 

The latest Hogan kick-off celebration comes at the midpoint of the semester and also lands in the middle of Chaminade’s first Wellness Week, a series of events aimed at helping students pause and reset.

Panzarella said the timing for the 24th Hogan Kick-Off is deliberate. He finds participants are more engaged and primed for action at this point in the academic year compared to the beginning of the semester or in the summer.

“We wanted to take time to let the semester sort of breathe a little bit,” he said. “We found that people are much more amenable to celebrating, to community building.”

He said the 24th year of the Hogan program won’t be delivering any major new surprises, but the year will still feature plenty of exciting gatherings and inspiring speakers. He said the team is planning new leadership initiatives, including one that may happen at Pearl Harbor.

Much of this year will be spent planning for the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program’s 25th anniversary year, coming up in 2027. Panzarella promised great things to come as the Hogan program rings in 25 years of incubating new business ideas and preparing young entrepreneurs for success.

“25 is going to be big,” he said.

Chaminade DMFT Grad Shares Her Newest Book: What if Your Mother Was Wrong?

Family life is messy and complicated. For those reasons and more, marriage and family therapists must undergo rigorous training to earn their degrees, and then pass exams before they can earn their licenses.

Despite the many obstacles, Dr. Bridget C. Duncan, LMFT-S, DMFT ’26, cleared them all and is now busy sharing her knowledge with the world through books.

Last year, Dr. Duncan launched her first volume, titled “Stop Dyeing Red Flags Pink: Your Roadmap to Healthy, Balanced Relationships.” She has now published her second title, which she describes as “a clinically informed exploration of how maternal messages and early experiences can shape beliefs into adulthood.” She’s given her new book the provocative title “What if Your Mother was Wrong?: Rethinking the Beliefs that have Shaped Your Life.”

Dr. Duncan said the provocation in the title given to her newest book is deliberate.

“I know the title is controversial,” she shared in an interview. “What if my mom was wrong? I didn’t say she was, but it’s an invitation. What if she was? You know, not necessarily meaning she was, but it’s inviting the adult child to now question that.”

Duncan said her first book was inspired by conversations with her academic advisor while enrolled in Chaminade University’s Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy. Her latest book, she said, derives from her professional practice and interaction with clients. She said it is often surprising the extent to which the earliest childhood interactions with our parents can influence us well into adulthood.

“How does our system affect us and impact us, and what system are we in originally, is that home system, and usually in that early formative time, it’s usually the mom, typically the mom,” she explained. “So the book is to encourage people.”

In other words, Dr. Duncan said her newest book is an invitation to readers who may be struggling with past familial issues or trauma to recognize how our parents, especially our mothers, may be contributing to emotionally challenging states of mental health.

“What if my mom was wrong about loyalty, obligation, who am I, what I’m owed?” she said. “Maybe I can rethink that, and rethink who I am through a different lens.”

The life of a Chaminade DMFT student

Dr. Duncan holds two degrees in psychology and an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy (MSMFT). She continued working full-time as a practicing therapist while completing her three-year doctoral program at Chaminade University, the only program of its kind in Hawaii.

She even spent a year in Thailand.

While all of that was going on, she decided to write her first book.

Dr. Duncan looks back fondly at her time at Chaminade because it kept her busy–her work, her studies, her writing all saved her from boredom.

She acknowledged that Chaminade’s Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT)  program is rigorous. Still, she said it was the right fit for her given how she knew the demands of her field and how the program at Chaminade is up to the challenge of training professional therapists of the highest caliber.

“You really had to know how to be determined, resilient, to be able to manage your time,” she said.

As she shared last year, Duncan was inspired to dive into book authorship during a conversation with Dr. Emily Kahumoku-Fessler. At the time, she was describing the tendency of her clients to gloss over obvious “red flags” or warning signs that can reveal themselves in relationships of all sorts.

The euphemism she used to describe this phenomenon was “dyeing red flags pink.” Dr. Kahumoku-Fessler told her that phrase would make a great title for a book. She ran with the idea.

Now that she’s been bitten by the writing bug, Dr. Duncan said anyone interested in marriage and family therapy will see more to come.

Her new book “What if Your Mother Was Wrong?” is on sale now. Two more books are coming, and Duncan let slip that she has no intention of singling out mom. She’s already planning to write two more books: “What if Your Father Was Wrong?” and “What if Your Family Was Wrong?”

“I’m already working on book three,” she said. “So many people like, well, what about your father, Bridget? So I’ve already started the outline.”

Writing books, Duncan says, is a way for her to keep motivated, to keep moving, to keep learning, and to constantly stay at the forefront of her field.

“Like I tell my clients, I can’t be everybody’s therapist, so I’m just gonna keep writing books.”

Chaminade Ties Continue as MBA Alumni Reunite

Laughter, smiles and renewed friendships filled the Oʻahu Country Club as alumni from Chaminade University of Honolulu’s Master of Business Administration program gathered for an evening of reconnecting.

For many in attendance, the evening on August 20 represented more than a reunion of MBA graduates. Several alumni had also earned undergraduate or other graduate degrees from Chaminade, making the gathering a true Silversword reunion—and a reminder that the connections formed at the University often continue long after students leave Kalaepōhaku.

Throughout the evening, conversations turned to careers, families and life since graduation, but also to shared memories of classrooms, professors and the experiences that helped shape their Chaminade journeys. For many MBA alumni, the program was an important step in their professional development, providing opportunities to strengthen leadership and management skills while connecting with classmates from a wide range of professional backgrounds.

Those relationships, alumni said, often extend beyond the classroom. The connections made with faculty and fellow students can become part of a professional network and, in some cases, lasting friendships that continue to grow years after graduation.

“I am very thankful for the education I received at Chaminade,” said MBA alumna Betty Mastrantonio. “The close-knit community, experienced faculty and beautiful campus on the hill made the experience incredibly valuable and life-changing.”

Chaminade President Lynn Babington, Ph.D., welcomed guests and shared updates from campus before introducing Amir H. Toosi, DBA, the new dean of the College of Business, Innovation & Technology.

Toosi spoke about the intersection of art and science in business and his excitement about joining Chaminade and becoming part of the University community. Before coming to Chaminade, he served for 14 years as dean of the Division of Business and Security Studies at Rivier University in New Hampshire. Throughout his career, he has helped lead academic innovation, expand programs and develop partnerships that strengthen student learning and workforce development.

The College of Business, Innovation & Technology offers programs designed to prepare students for an evolving workplace and economy. Its programs span business administration, accounting, strategic marketing, sport and event management, interior design, computer science, data science, analytics and visualization, and the MBA program.

For working professionals, the MBA offers an opportunity to continue their education while building practical knowledge and leadership skills that can be applied to their careers and communities. The program also brings together professionals with different experiences and perspectives, creating opportunities for students to learn from one another as well as from faculty.

As the evening came to a close, guests enjoyed Chaminade favors and door prizes. But the gathering’s most lasting takeaway was the opportunity to reconnect with classmates, professors and the University that remains an important part of their lives.

The evening was also a reminder that graduation does not necessarily mark the end of a Chaminade journey. For the MBA alumni gathered at the Oʻahu Country Club, the friendships, professional connections and memories formed along the way continue to be part of the Silversword ʻohana.

Alumna Tasha Castro Returns to Lead Campus Ministry at Chaminade

As an undergraduate at Chaminade University, Tasha Castro often walked the campus searching for something deeper than a degree. Like many students, she wrestled with questions about her purpose, her future and her faith.

Today, those same walkways on Kalaepohaku have taken on new meaning.

Castro has returned to her alma mater as Chaminade University’s new Director of Campus Ministry, bringing with her a passion for accompaniment, community and helping students discover that they don’t have to navigate life’s questions alone.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Castro said. “I remember being the student who was trying to figure things out. Now I have the opportunity to walk alongside students as they discover who they’re called to be.”

A first-generation college student and graduate of Sacred Hearts Academy, Castro received a Presidential Scholarship at Chaminade while earning bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and political science in 2009, followed by a master of education in Instructional Leadership from Chaminade in 2021. She served as president of the Native Hawaiian Club and credits the university’s faculty and Marianist community with broadening her understanding of faith, culture and service.

Those experiences shaped a career devoted to education.

After graduation, Castro became a cultural educator at Bishop Museum before joining Saint Louis School as its first kindergarten teacher when the school expanded to include elementary grades. Later, principal Christopher Casupang recognized her gifts for ministry and asked her to become the school’s religion teacher.

At first, she questioned whether she was ready, and then proved to everyone she indeed was.

When the opportunity arose to return to Chaminade as Director of Campus Ministry, those same self-doubts resurfaced. Yet, Casupang reminded her that she had been gaining the skills and honing her talents for this calling all along.

“He told me, ‘What are you talking about? We’ve been preparing you for this this whole time,'” Castro recalled. “‘For six-plus years, we’ve been helping you get to this point.'”

His encouragement echoed the advice he had offered years earlier when she stepped into religious education: “Take a leap of faith.”

That message has continued to guide her.

For the past five years, Castro served as a moderator for the Marianist LIFE program at Saint Louis School, an experience that provided her with the opportunity to walk alongside current and future leaders as they deepen their faith, discern their gifts, and accompany others on their own faith journeys. She believes this ministry has helped to bridge her journey from Saint Louis School to Campus Ministry at Chaminade.

One of Castro’s first priorities is simply building relationships. Rather than waiting for students to find Campus Ministry, she hopes to meet them where they are — whether through retreats, small gatherings or something as simple as taking a walk together.

“Maybe students are struggling at school, but they need someone to talk to, and they don’t know who to reach out to,” Castro said. “Just having someone who can walk around campus with them could be a source of support.”

The idea was inspired by Chaminade’s beautiful campus and by the example of the Marianists.

“I think about Jesus and how he walked to find his disciples,” she said. “There’s something meaningful about that idea of walking with people and inviting them into the community.”

Outside of Chaminade, Castro is also a respected cultural practitioner, serving as kumu hula for Ka Ulu Lehua i ka Wai Māpuna, a hālau whose members range from young keiki to kūpuna. She sees no separation between her cultural leadership and her ministry. Both are rooted in cultivating relationships, honoring tradition and helping others grow.

As she begins this new chapter, Castro carries deep gratitude for the professors and mentors who shaped her journey, including Dr. Henry Halenani Gomes, Dr. Regina Pfeiffer, Dr. Frank Bailey and Kumu John Keola Lake. Their guidance, she says, helped her see faith not as something confined to a classroom or chapel, but as something lived every day through service, compassion and community.

She is equally excited to embrace the Marianist charism, extending its spirit of hospitality beyond the Campus Ministry office and into every corner of campus. She is also thankful to  be working with newly appointed campus minister Andrew Peter Ancheta II, who graduated from Chaminade in 2021, recently served as Chaminade’s director of student engagement and is also a beloved member of the Chaminade ‘ohana..

For the student who once walked through campus searching for direction, coming home is less than returning to the past and more stepping into a vocation she was preparing for all along.

“I have to say that it has to be part of the plan,” she said. “I’ve literally moved within this circle my whole life — Sacred Hearts, Chaminade, Saint Louis, and now back to Chaminade.”

Welcoming New Members to Boards of Regents and Governors

Chaminade University has appointed five respected business and community leaders to its Board of Regents and Board of Governors, adding a breadth of experience in business, finance, education, ministry and nonprofit leadership to the University’s governing boards.

The appointments come as Chaminade continues to expand its academic offerings, strengthen enrollment and deepen its commitment to serving Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

“We are honored to welcome these distinguished leaders to the Chaminade community,” said Chaminade President Lynn Babington. “Each brings valuable expertise, thoughtful leadership and a commitment to service that will help advance the University’s Catholic Marianist mission. We look forward to working with them as Chaminade continues to grow and serve our students and community.”

Board of Regents

Emily Fukunaga is Chief of Staff, Digital Strategy at Servco Pacific Inc., one of Hawaiʻi’s largest privately held companies. A fourth-generation Servco leader, she has held leadership roles in supply chain management, operations and strategy at Servco, adidas and DFS Group. Fukunaga serves on the boards of Servco Pacific Inc. and Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and is an Omidyar Fellow. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Colorado College and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Bro. Robert Metzger, S.M. has devoted more than four decades to financial leadership within the Marianist community. He currently serves as Director of Finance for the Marianist Province of the United States and Assistant for Temporalities/Treasurer for the Province. Previously, he served with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and has held numerous leadership roles within the Society of Mary, including service on the Board of Trustees at the University of Dayton.

Bro. Allen Pacquing, S.M. serves as Vice President and Executive Director of the Marianist Center of Hawaiʻi and is Director of Advising in Chaminade’s School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. A longtime Marianist educator and administrator, he has served in leadership positions at both Chaminade University and St. Mary’s University in Texas. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Chaminade College Preparatory in California and is active in parish ministry at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Honolulu.

Board of Governors

Michael Camacho ’92 is President and CEO of PFC Investments and former President and CEO of PFC Finance in Guam. A 1992 Chaminade graduate, he has spent more than three decades in banking and financial services and remains active in civic and nonprofit organizations throughout Guam, including Rotary and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Kanakolu Noa is founder and executive director of Kūkolu, a nonprofit organization that supports Native Hawaiian and Indigenous entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on women-owned businesses. She previously held leadership roles at Kamehameha Schools, where she helped advance sustainable industries and food systems initiatives. Noa also serves on several nonprofit boards and was recognized by Hawaiʻi Business Magazine as one of its “20 for the Next 20” honorees in 2023. She holds graduate degrees in Indigenous Studies and business administration.

The Board of Regents provides fiduciary oversight and governance for the University, while the Board of Governors serves in an advisory capacity, supporting Chaminade’s mission and strategic priorities through community engagement, advocacy and philanthropy.