Chaminade University of Honolulu

Faculty

Faculty Honored for Excellence, Scholarship

The Faculty Institute wrapped up with honors for three faculty members who exemplify the University’s commitment to excellence, innovation and mentorship.

Generative AI. Classroom tech. Enhanced teaching tools.

Those were just some of the instructional trends and pedagogical approaches that Chaminade professors tackled Aug. 13 as part of a daylong Faculty Institute.

But the day wasn’t all talk.

In the final hour of the institute, three Chaminade faculty members were honored for their strong commitment to academic excellence and innovation, scholarship, and mentorship.

Nominated by students Trachelle Iwamoto ’26 and Ava Barclay ’26 along with Forensic Sciences lecturer Kari Inda, Criminology and Criminal Justice program Director Dr. Kelly Treece was awarded the Chaminade Excellence in Teaching Award.

Nominees said Treece, in the strong tradition of Marianist education, tirelessly pursues projects of social justice—inside and outside of the classroom—and instills those same values in her students and peers.

Faculty members gathered for their annual Institute at Eiben Hall.
Faculty members gathered for their annual Institute at Eiben Hall.

“I know I may just be a little voice compared to others who are nominating other extraordinary professors, but one voice can go a long way, and that is just one small token of knowledge that professor Kelly Treece has taught me,” wrote Iwamoto, in her nomination. “She has shown so much strength and grace, and has surpassed the expectation of teaching in the Marianist values.”

Relatively new to academia, Inda has been inspired by Treece’s dedication and passion to educate. “She knows how to keep her students wanting to learn,” Inda said. “She implements interactive assignments, and is constantly thinking about ways to improve her courses. I admire her consistency to always wanting to do better—and not just in the classroom—but as a person.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Steiger was honored with the Fr. John F. Bolin Excellence in Scholarship Award.

In remarks at the Faculty Institute, Assistant Provost for Faculty Development Jim Heller Sutton said Steiger was selected for the award because of his outstanding contributions to scholarship and significant impact on the academic community at Chaminade University.

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An associate professor of Religious Studies, Steiger has presented his work internationally at conferences in Canada, Japan and Australia, further enhancing the reputation of Chaminade University across the broader academic community.

“Moreover, his commitment to sharing his expertise with the wider Catholic community in Honolulu through presentations to youth groups, Diocesan events and lecture series at St. Theresa’s Co-cathedral reflects his dedication to service and outreach,” said Sutton, who is also the director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. “His contributions embody the spirit of the John F. Bolin Excellence in Scholarship Award, and we are proud to honor him for his outstanding achievements.”

Dr. Koreen Nakahodo was named as the recipient of the Dr. Joseph Allen Collegiality Award, which recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates values of collaboration, mentorship and teamwork.

Nakahodo called the award a true honor.

“I was touched and humbled to be recognized by my colleagues,” she said.

Honoring faculty members with these rewards has a longstanding tradition at Chaminade. Not only do they foster a sense of community, but the awards also underscore Chaminade’s commitment to excellence, best practices, professional development and a positive academic culture.

“The selection process was done by a representative group of faculty from each school,” Sutton explained. “Each group then completed scoring rubrics based on the strength of the nomination letters against categories that aligned with the award descriptions.”

Years of Service

Staff and faculty members recognized for their dedication

After acknowledging the efforts and dedication of staff and faculty during Chaminade’s year-end annual Employee Luncheon, Dr. Lynn Babington turned her attention to the day’s retirees, which included Drs. Bob Santee and Dave Coleman, and librarian Valerie Coleman and assistant professor Denise Cooper of the School of Nursing and Health Professions.

“I am so grateful for your years of service and commitment to Chaminade,” Babington said. “Bob, I’ll miss your deep-breathing exercises; Valerie, you’ve had such an impact on the success of our library; and Dave, you’ve played so many roles during your 50 years here.”

With only two weeks remaining until commencement, the event allowed employees to gather under the sails at the Sullivan Family Library Lawn for a bento lunch and cups of Asato Family Shop’s refreshing sherbert. Since this time of the year always equates to a rush of finals and year-ending responsibilities, the luncheon was a welcomed reprieve for many staff and faculty members, who congratulated honorees who were wearing a lei. The event highlights employees who have been with Chaminade starting with five years and then in additional five-year increments. This year, 31 employees were recognized for their years of service, which cumulatively amounted to 366 years.

Professor Richard Kido, center, shares a moment with fellow employees.
Ethan Garrido, left, and Fr. Martin Solma enjoy a cup of refreshing sherbert from the Asato Family Shop.
Faculty and staff members gathered beneath the Sullivan Family Library sails to recognize the years of service of some of the university's employees.
Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington welcomed faculty and staff, thanking them for their commitment to the University and their support for students.
The Asato Family Shop parked its truck and served employees cups of refreshing strawberry, green river and pineapple sherbert.
Lines formed as employees waited their turn to get a cup of strawberry, green river or pineapple sherbert from the Asato Family Shop.

Five Years of Service:

Paul Arakaki
Adam Joseph
Dani Masuda
Carolyn Nakamura
Jacky Sanqui
Fr. Martin Solma
Jennifer Tolentino
Kelly Treece

10 Years of Service:

Kacie Cohen
Genevieve Griffiths
Frederique Kandel
Julieta M. Rosado
Deneen Wong

15 Years of Service:

Sherry Bagoyo
Tammy Hohu
Bryan Moseley

20 Years of Service:

Allison Francis
Aulani Kaanoi
Debbie Murayama
Amy Takiguchi

25 Years of Service:

Ann Kishi

Retirees:

David Coleman Congratulations on your Retirement after 50 Years!
Valerie Coleman Congratulations on your Retirement after 35 Years!
Denise Cooper Congratulations on your Retirement after 11 Years!
Bob Santee Congratulations on your Retirement after 30 Years!

To watch a video of the honorees, click here.

Peer-Reviewed Paper

International journal accepts paper from Professor David Carter and colleagues

David Carter, Ph.D., literally wrote the book on forensic microbiology so, it was only natural that he was invited to co-author a published paper that will appear in Nature Microbiology. Completely comfortable discussing an issue that is often squeamish for many, the Forensic Sciences Program director casually speaks of cadavers and PMI (Post Mortem Interval) as if he’s talking about the weather.

“There’s definitely increasing interest in PMI (or the time that has elapsed since an individual’s death),” Carter says. “It’s critical information that could be key to solving a crime—or providing an alibi—in absence of any witnesses … or insects.”

Dr. David Carter holding his AAFS Pathology/Biology Section Award for Achievement in the Forensic Life Sciences.
Dr. David Carter holding his AAFS Pathology/Biology Section Award for Achievement in the Forensic Life Sciences.

The microbiomes associated with decomposing human cadavers are universal regardless of location or environmental conditions, the paper published in Nature Microbiology suggests. The findings show a conserved and predictable sequence of microbial interactions that break down organic matter, which could have implications for forensic science.

Decomposition is essentially nature’s recycling system. It is a fundamental process that recycles dead biological material to fuel biological processes, such as plant productivity and soil respiration. Microbial fungi and bacteria are predominantly responsible for decomposition, and although this process is well studied, research has focused predominantly on the breakdown of dead plant biomass. In contrast to plants, animal carcasses, including those of humans, are enriched in readily decomposable proteins and lipids, but their impact on biogeochemistry and community ecology are poorly understood.

In their research, Carter and his colleagues tracked the decomposition process in 36 human cadavers, which had been willed to science. The bodies were placed in three locations with either a temperate or semi-arid climate, with three cadavers placed at each location for each of the four seasons, and the researchers took samples of the cadavers’ skin and surrounding soil throughout the first 21 days postmortem. Their study found that decomposing human cadavers had a universal consortium of microbes, regardless of the location, climate or season, that are rare in non-decomposition environments and appear unique to the terrestrial breakdown of flesh.

“Jessica Metcalf of Colorado State and Rob Knight of UC San Diego and I initiated this research in 2011,” Cater says. “Our findings are a sign of success, but we’re still not quite there.”

With metagenome-assumed genomes and metabolomic profiling of soils adjacent to cadavers, Carter and his co-authors reconstructed a network of interaction that revealed how fungi and bacteria share resources as they metabolize decomposition products. Carter and his colleagues suggest that insects may serve as vectors that disperse these microbes from one decomposing animal to another.

According to Carter, using data on the microbial timeline of cadaver decomposition, combined with a machine learning model, they were also able to predict the time since death, which could have potential future applications for forensic science.

“We now have techniques that we didn’t have 20 years ago,” Carter asserts. “It’s also a lot easier for new science and other developments to get in the hands of lawyers and investigators, which makes for a stronger working relationship with criminologists to achieve criminal justice.”

Faculty Award Winners

Faculty Institute Awardees Drs. Chong, Halston and Mukina honored for their work

Acknowledging the tragedy that befell Maui residents and visitors alike, Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington asked faculty and staff to take a moment of silence to honor the victims of the worst natural disaster in U.S. history in more than a century. “Let’s keep them in our thoughts and prayers today and in the coming days,” she said, before delivering her welcoming remarks.

As the new academic year begins, Babington first looked back at the University’s many “points of pride” during the past year, including another successful Commencement at the Waikiki Shell, as well as the inaugural graduation ceremony of eight Halawa Correctional Facility inmates. It was indeed, as she said a “chicken-skin moment” for all those in attendance.

Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington delivered a welcoming address to faculty and staff on the Sullivan Family Library Lawn.
Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington delivered a welcoming address to faculty and staff on the Sullivan Family Library Lawn.

Looking ahead, Chaminade University will welcome one of its largest incoming classes of new students with a projected 1,572 undergraduate students and 642 graduate students for a total of 2,214 student enrollment. The incoming class of freshmen and transfer students amounts to 481.

“This will be one of the largest incoming classes in recent history,” Babington said. “It’s gratifying to see so many local high school graduates and others selecting Chaminade as the institute to pursue their higher education. We also have the highest graduation rate of Hawaiʻi colleges, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, and that’s something of which we’re really proud.”

During lunch at the Sullivan Family Library Lawn, Jim Heller Sutton, Assistant Provost for Faculty Development and Director, Center for Teaching & Learning, was proud to announce the three faculty winners of the Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH) Excellence in Teaching Award, the Fr. John F. Bolin Excellence in Scholarship Award and the Dr. Joseph Allen Collegiality Award.

Education Assistant Professor, Travis Mukina, Ph.D., was honored with the CUH Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing his approach to teaching mathematics that involves challenging and reshaping students’ pre-conceived beliefs about the subject.

“My goal is to ‘un-teach’ the negative beliefs that students hold towards math,” Mukina said. Rather than traumatize them, I want to ease their fears of numbers and calculations, guiding them to find their own solutions.”

Faculty members gather for a group shot on the steps of Eiben Hall.
Faculty members gather for a group shot on the steps of Eiben Hall.

“Clearly, Dr. Mukina is making a positive and lifelong impact on his students,” wrote Katrina Roesler in her nomination of Mukina. “And it is our great privilege to present him with this award.”

Designed to recognize a full-time faculty member for achieving excellence in scholarship, the Fr. John F. Bolin Excellence in Scholarship Award went to Dr. Abby Halston, Ed.D, NCC, LMFT. Dr. Halston’s research philosophy centers on the transformative power of scholarly inquiry and mentorship for academic and personal growth. Embracing collaboration and a student-centered approach, she fosters an environment that encourages critical thinking, ethics and creativity in research.

“She is dedicated to mentoring undergraduates, providing meaningful research experiences and empowering the next generation of scholars,” said Dr. Darren Iwamoto, who nominated Halston for the award. “The Fr. John F. Bolin Excellence in Scholarship Award recognizes a faculty member with a clear research philosophy who has advanced knowledge in their field, and it is our pleasure to recognize Dr. Halston with this award.”

Data Science Program Director and Assistant Professor, Rylan Chong, Ph.D., was honored with the Dr. Joseph Allen Collegiality Award, recognizing his extensive engagement with fellow faculty members, and his mentorship, collaboration and teamwork across a wide array of university activities, including research endeavors and curriculum development.

“His collegial work spans student programs, admissions, advising, faculty policies, career development, and community outreach, exemplifying his clear role in promoting Chaminade’s mission and values,” said Laura Tipton, a former Chaminade Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization Assistant Professor. “Dr. Chong’s wide-reaching involvement in the institution and his investment in developing relationships within the university ‘ohana has made a significant impact at Chaminade. I can think of no one more deserving of a collegiality award than Dr. Chong.”