Chaminade University of Honolulu

Psychology

From Submarines to Psychology: Chaminade Student Named 2026 Tillman Scholar

Before beginning her doctoral studies at Chaminade University, Lauren Jacobs spent nine years as a U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer, serving in one of the first cohorts of women assigned to submarines. A 2013 graduate of the Naval Academy, Jacobs is dedicated to military service, which sparked a passion for supporting those facing mental health challenges and inspired her to pursue a career in forensic psychology.

Today, Jacobs is a doctoral candidate in Chaminade’s Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) program, where she also serves as Student Association President. Expected to graduate in May 2027, she has focused her clinical training on working with adults experiencing serious mental illness within the criminal justice system. In recognition of her leadership, service, and commitment to creating positive change, Jacobs was recently named a 2026 Tillman Scholar by the Pat Tillman Foundation. We recently connected with her to learn more about her journey, her passion for serving others, and her goals for the future.

Where is your hometown?

I grew up in Plano, Texas, and my husband and I have called Kailua home for the last seven years.

Why did you choose the Naval Academy?

Looking back, applying to and choosing to attend the United States Naval Academy (USNA) was a big decision for a teenager. I wanted to be part of something greater than myself and to join a community of like-minded people. Academics and athletics were both mainstays of my high school life: I played volleyball and ran track competitively while earning an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, so I wanted a college experience that valued academics, athletics, and leadership in equal measure.

Why did you choose Chaminade for your doctorate degree?

My husband Andrew and I were stationed on Oʻahu in 2019 and completely fell in love with living here. We’ve been lucky to build a wonderful community of friends and family over the years, so when it came time to go back to school, I knew I wanted to stay. Chaminade’s Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program within the Hawai’i School of Professional Psychology (HSPP) offers a generalist education with an emphasis on cultural humility and adaptability to the diverse patient populations across the islands. I was drawn to both the variety and the depth of training the program provides.

What has your experience at Chaminade been like?

I would not trade my time at Chaminade for anything. Chaminade’s HSPP has passionate faculty and staff who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and prioritize mentoring psychologists in training. The clinical training I’ve received has been thorough enough to make me competitive with psychology interns across the United States and Canada. Providing much-needed psychological services to Hawaiʻi residents while completing our coursework has been deeply meaningful to me. My mentors and supervisors have been some of the best I’ve had the privilege to work with, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Many of my classmates in the program have also become lifelong friends, and that community is one I truly cherish.

How did you hear about the Tillman Foundation?

At USNA, we learned about Pat Tillman’s story in our ethics, leadership, and professional development courses. Over the years, I heard more about the Tillman Foundation’s work as it grew, and I watched several of my USNA classmates and submarine colleagues get selected as Tillman Scholars. Their example inspired me to apply.

What does being a Tillman Scholar mean?

To me, being a Tillman Scholar means choosing service to our communities as a guiding value, often above personal ambition and comfort. Switching career paths from Nuclear Submarine Officer to Clinical Psychologist was never going to be an easy road, but it felt imperative to put my experience and talents toward making a positive difference in my community, no matter how small the impact. I’m grateful the Tillman Foundation saw value in that sacrifice and in the goals behind it.

Are you working while going to school? 

I’ve worked as a teaching assistant for several courses in the PsyD program, alongside completing our academic and research obligations. A unique aspect of earning a doctorate in Clinical Psychology is that roughly half of our workload consists of clinical training: providing psychological services to members of our community under supervision. Balancing that professional training with research and coursework is essential to becoming an effective psychologist, since this profession demands lifelong learning. I’ve learned to juggle it all by leaning on my support system here on Oʻahu: my husband, sister, brother-in-law, friends, and fellow veterans.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am deeply grateful to the faculty for their mentorship and guidance, and to my friends and colleagues for making this experience both fun and supportive. I would also like to thank the Pat Tillman Foundation for this amazing opportunity. 

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.

Students Inducted Into Psychology Honor Society

Sixty-five Chaminade Psychology students were recognized for their academic excellence and commitment to the field with induction into Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, during a Spring term ceremony.

Membership in the prestigious society is for life.

Abby Halston, Ed.D, associate professor of psychology at Chaminade, said students inducted into the society “have worked tirelessly to earn this lifelong honor.” She added, “Watching them be recognized for their dedication, resilience, and academic excellence is incredibly rewarding.

She noted that Chaminade has had a Psi Chi chapter for 26 years. Participants benefit from the prestigious recognition along with access to scholarships, research grants and networking events.

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Annie Kramer ’25 served as the president of the Psi Chi chapter at Chaminade over the past academic year. The Psychology major, who also minored in Education, said the group offers an important gathering space for students with a passion for their education and psychology.

“Like minded students are able to connect and build community together,” she said, adding participating in Psi Chi afforded her the opportunity to “deeply connect with peers and faculty members in a new light” and build her leadership skills as she pursued her studies.


“We want new Psi Chi members to feel proud of their hard work and dedication to the field,” Kramer said. “In our ceremony, we aimed to express that being inducted into Psi Chi is a great honor and that each member and their guests can celebrate their devotion for psychology.”

In addition to regular networking events over the last academic year, the Psi Chi chapter partnered with the Chaminade Counseling Center to organize and promote wellness events. Those ranged from a psychology-themed scavenger hunt to a Valentine’s Day gathering.

Enduring Memories

Chaminade Leaves Lasting Impression on Two Alumni

As they reminisced about their years at Chaminade, Clarke Antonio ’17 and Vanessa Ignacio ’18 vividly recalled their memories of laughter, professors, fellow Swords, classes, conferences, the Filipino Club and Extravaganza. Eight years later, the two alumni shared one last detail: they now bear the same last name.

“We got married on Oahu on May 11,” said Antonio-Ignacio with a wide smile during a ZOOM interview. “We have been together for seven years, and three of those were long distance. So, it has been a long road to get here.”

Their journey began by meeting through various classes, attending the same workshops and taking advantage of the many opportunities. One of the them was a chance to attend a Pre-Health Conference at UC Davis, where talks swirled about the two dating. Apparently, on the drive back to their hotel after a long day at the Conference, Ignacio had fallen asleep on the shoulder of Antonio, sparking rumors among other passengers and the driver, Dr. Amber Noguchi, Chaminade’s Program Director with the Undergraduate Research & Pre-Professional Programs.

“Yeah, we heard about that,” Antonio chuckled. “We can confirm that story is true, but we weren’t seeing each other at that point. We were seen together at different workshops so people thought we were a couple.”

  • Vanessa Antonio-Ignacio and Clarke Ignacio got married on May 11 on Oahu.
    Vanessa Antonio-Ignacio and Clarke Ignacio got married on May 11 on Oahu.
  • Vanessa Ignacio attended Clarke Antonio's commencement ceremony.
    Vanessa Ignacio attended Clarke Antonio’s commencement ceremony.
  • Vanessa Antonio-Ignacio and Clarke Ignacio got married on May 11 on Oahu.
    Vanessa Antonio-Ignacio and Clarke Ignacio got married on May 11 on Oahu.
  • Clarke Antonio and Vanessa Ignacio danced the traditional Filipino tinikling during Extravaganza.
    Clarke Antonio and Vanessa Ignacio danced the traditional Filipino tinikling during Extravaganza.
  • Clarke Antonio and Vanessa Ignacio shared their vows on May 11.
    Clarke Antonio and Vanessa Ignacio shared their vows on May 11.
  • Clarke Antonio and Vanessa attended the Commencement Ball as a couple.
    Clarke Antonio and Vanessa attended the Commencement Ball as a couple.
  • Fr. George Cerniglia (former rector at Chaminade) officiated the wedding of Clarke Antonio and Vanessa Ignacio.
    Fr. George Cerniglia (former rector at Chaminade) officiated the wedding of Clarke Antonio and Vanessa Ignacio.
  • Clarke Antonio gave Vanessa Ignacio a boquet of flowers when he asked her to the Commencement Ball.
    Clarke Antonio gave Vanessa Ignacio a boquet of flowers when he asked her to the Commencement Ball.

Yet, it wasn’t until Antonio’s junior year and Ignacio’s sophomore year did they have their first official date. Over time, their bond strengthened, in part, because of their mutual commitment to the University’s mission of service, which they took to heart. Both take great interests in inter-professional collaboration, advocacy and serving underserved communities.

“Educating for service was the primary reason I chose to go to Chaminade,” said Ignacio, a Hilo native who is in her last year of residency with the Hawai’i Island Family Medicine Residency. “I remember coming to Chaminade on a college campus tour during my sophomore year in high school, and I really liked the intimate culture and student involvement.”

Antonio cited similar reasons. After graduating from Farrington High School, the Kalihi native recognized that he preferred smaller class sizes and with a better professor-to-student ratio. He didn’t want to attend UH precisely because of its sprawl and large population. Instead, Antonio scheduled a campus tour of Chaminade, unsure even if his family could afford the cost of a private university.

“I received the Merit Scholarship so that really helped,” Antonio said. “The experience was incredible. I was exposed to so many opportunities that helped me go beyond my initial dreams and ambitions.”

One opportunity in particular helped advance Antonio’s lifetime dream of becoming a physician in Hawaii. Through an articulation agreement with A.T. Still University–Arizona School of Health Sciences, he was able to pursue his Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T). Meanwhile, Ignacio also entered into an articulation agreement with A.T. Still University, but with the school’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri, 1,300 miles away from Mesa, Arizona.

“We made it work since we were on the same academic calendar, and we had the same breaks,” said Antonio, a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who now practices full-time at Hilo Medical Center. “We literally studied together virtually, with our laptops on one side of the desk and books on the other. Sometimes, it was just complete silence but it was comforting to see each other on screen.”

As Antonio-Ignacio completes her third and final year of residency, the couple has a lot to look forward to in the coming years. And they have a lot to look back on, including their recent marriage and their time on the Kalaepohaku campus.

“Chaminade holds so many great memories for us,” Antonio-Ignacio said. “We even asked Fr. George Cerniglia (former rector at Chaminade)—whom we got close to while we were students, and kept in touch even after he moved to Missouri—to officiate our wedding. He was thrilled and happy to see so many familiar Chaminade faces since we invited a lot of our Chaminade friends to the wedding.”

PsyD Program

A counselor’s impact inspires Ji Su Park to pursue a doctorate

Since entering Chaminade’s Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program in 2021, Ji Su Park’s hair has grayed, her blood pressure has ticked up and her daily breakfast now consists of a serving of natto, the traditional Japanese food that is believed to have cardiovascular and cholesterol benefits because of its composition of whole soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis, a potent blood-clot dissolving protein.

“My husband is very supportive, but he is concerned about my health and level of stress,” says Park, who hopes to earn her PsyD degree by 2026. “Yet, he has never told me that I can’t do this.”

For the 31-year-old Australian-raised Korean native, there’s nothing that she can’t do. However, Park’s education journey has been a bumpy one. When her parents decided to move back to Korea when she was a teenager, Park lost all her friends—never easy as a high schooler—and was unaccustomed to the Korean education system. She could converse OK in Korean but the curriculum was foreign and difficult.

“I did really poorly,” Park says. “I knew after high school, I needed to move, and I decided on Hawaii because of its multicultural population.”

Dr. Sean Scanlan, director of Chaminade’s Psy.D. program, explains a concept to one of his students.
Dr. Sean Scanlan, director of Chaminade’s Psy.D. program, explains a concept to one of his students.

She first enrolled in an Associate’s program at Kapiolani Community College (KCC) then later transferred to the University of Hawaii–Manoa, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. She would return to KCC, landing an administrative job in the Counseling Office with LaVache Scanlan. The experience marked an inflection point for Park who witnessed the transformative difference a counselor can make in a college student’s life.

“The counselors were so impactful,” Park says. “I wanted to be able to do that, and to have that much positive influence over a student’s academic experience.”

Ultimately, she was faced with a decision: apply to Hawaii Pacific University’s or Chaminade’s Master of Science in Counseling Psychology? Park chose the latter, citing the University’s close-knit campus feel that she sensed while visiting Kalaepohaku. She especially appreciated the school’s service orientation toward the community, the core values foundation that are inherent in a Marianist education and the sensitivity toward Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island cultures.

Transitioning, though, from an undergraduate education to a graduate level has its challenges, namely the required discipline and time. Park possesses the discipline, but time is more difficult since she was juggling, at that time, three part-time jobs. She also sought more hands-on experience to put her knowledge in practice. After completing her master’s, Park decided to slow down. Well, kind of.

“Now I just have two part-time jobs,” says Park with a wry smile. “I never feel like I don’t have down time. I’ve never felt that my life wasn’t balanced. I still feel I have a lot of a social life.”

Formerly hosted by Argosy University, which abruptly closed its doors and permanently suspended classes and programs in March 2019, Chaminade and the Hawaii School of Professional Psychology decided to collaborate in an effort to salvage Argosy’s PsyD program. One of only two programs of its kind in Hawaii, the PsyD is a five-year track that culminates in a professional doctorate in psychology degree preparing graduates for practice in psychotherapy and psychological testing.

“We’ve graduate 80 students in the PsyD program since we started,” says, Sean Scanlan, Ph.D., Director of the Hawaiʻi School of Professional Psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu and Associate Professor. “A little over half are working in Hawaii, working in a variety of settings from community health centers, health and education agencies and institutions to forensic settings and private practice.”

Now in its fifth year, Chaminade’s program is the only American Psychological Association-accredited PsyD Program in Hawaii. Designed to prepare students for both contemporary and emerging roles in the practice of professional psychology, the program offers a five-year generalist program that supports the development of core competencies in psychological assessment, intervention, science, practice, foundations, and professional issues and roles. Training is provided so that students have the opportunity to be practitioner-scholars who are skilled in local and contextual investigation and problem solving.

“Ji Su is special because she is already licensed and working in the mental health field,” Scanlan says. “All her practicum reports have been excellent, indicating that she’s performing excellent clinical skills (i.e. clinical psychological assessments and clinical psychotherapy) in the field.”

Park is grateful for the unwavering support she receives both within and beyond the classroom.

“I do interact with faculty in the PsyD program in terms of receiving academic support, assistance in professional development and growth, and gaining knowledge and insight through their experiences and supervisions,” Park says. “Outside of our program, I receive a lot of support from offices like Financial Aid and the Counseling Center, where they are responsive to my needs to ensure my academic journey is supported by meeting other needs outside of the classroom. It’s a truly supportive community.”

NCIS Special Agents in Hawaii

Chaminade Alumni Represent True NCIS Agents

They don’t go around pointing their guns at people. They don’t detonate bombs. And they certainly don’t solve major crimes in an hour. But, what five Chaminade alumni do help to accomplish is to keep Hawaii safe.

​​As special agents for the Hawaii Field Office of NCIS headquartered at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Chris Meana ’12, Pia Teves ’85, Tamara Kenessey ’16, Olivia DeQuiroz ’12 and Kay Een ’02  are tasked with monitoring crime, conducting polygraph tests, supporting criminal investigations, and providing analytical support and technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM).

They’re important jobs for sure. And for Meana, it has been a “life calling.”

Chris Meana, right, and Kay Een promote NCIS at a recruitment affair.
Chris Meana, right, and Kay Een promote NCIS at a recruitment affair.

“When I attended Chaminade, I was really into my religious classes, and I thought that was my calling,” says Meana, an Intelligence  Specialist with NCIS since 2015 who also acts as NCIS Honors Student Internship Coordinator, and is a member of Member of the Special Agent in Charge Advisory Group. “But then I served with the Hawaii National Guard and I refined my calling, wanting to make an impact in my hometown.”

For DeQuiroz, it was not so much a calling but a necessity that led her to the NCIS Hawaii Field Office. “I needed to pay for college so I applied for an administrative position,” says the Polygraph Examiner. “Then a job came up and I was encouraged to apply, and I passed a series of tests during the hiring process.”

Today, DeQuiroz provides counterintelligence, monitoring spies, terrorists and any matter that pertains to our national security across all branches of the military. She’s also involved with “Operation Keiki Shield,” which is part of the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force that is comprised of a national network of 61 coordinated task forces, representing more than 5,400 federal, state and local law enforcement.

“Internet crimes are always challenging,” DeQuiroz says. “But we’ve managed to arrest more than 100 child predators in our Task Force in Hawaii.”

Olivia DeQuiroz administers a mock polygraph test.
Olivia DeQuiroz administers a mock polygraph test.

With the nation’s strategic focus shifting towards the Indo-Pacific region, the NCIS Hawaii Field Office’s multi-faceted capabilities are even more in demand. Stretching from the Pacific coastline to the Indian Ocean, the area  is home to more than half of the world’s people, nearly two-thirds of the world’s economy and seven of the world’s largest militaries. And in the years ahead, as the region drives as much as two-thirds of global economic growth, its influence will only grow—as will its importance to the United States.

A former electrician with his family’s business, Teves started as a Technical Investigative Specialist (TIS) Agent in 1987 and became a Technical Enforcement Officer in 2014. He is now the sole provider of technical support for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, as well as providing technical security for the entire Pacific Command.

“Before there was internet, I was looking at an actual bulletin board while I was on campus, and I came across this poster that read: Naval Investigative Service  (NIS), Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), Special Agent position. Overseas travel, Worldwide locations,” recalls Teves, whose official NCIS title is currently Technical Surveillance Specialist. “I had no idea what it was, but it sounded sexy so I applied. About nine months later, I was hired as an Agent.”

Pia Teves, wearing tank top, were on temporary duty travel to provide protective service for Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command during his official visit to Manila, Philippines in 2004.
Pia Teves, wearing tank top, and his colleagues were on temporary duty travel to provide protective service for Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, during his official visit to Manila, Philippines in 2004.

Often misperceived as a branch of the military, NCIS is not. It is, however, the federal law enforcement arm of the Department of the Navy. Comprised primarily of civilian 1811 special agents and a small cadre of active duty Marine Corps active duty investigators, NCIS has more than 14 field offices and over 190 locations. Its special agents are stationed worldwide in support of military operations.

With historical roots tied to the Office of Naval Intelligence, the modern NCIS was formally established in 1966 as the Naval Investigative Service.  It was re-organized and assigned a civilian director in 1992, along with a name change to the now Naval Criminal Investigative Service. With this re-branding, NCIS also became a primarily civilian agency as an insulation against military command influence.

“We’re an agency of around only 2,500 members, which is relatively small compared to the major players, like the DEA, ATF and FBI,” Meana points out. “But our capabilities are well respected, and we are well known for our role in counterintelligence, protective service and force protection operations.”

Solving crimes and catching the bad guys, though, aren’t the only issues that the NCIS Hawai‘i Field Office faces. Integrating itself into the local community is vital, as well, which is why the team can be seen throughout the year at a variety of functions. Some outreach efforts focus on awareness and education, spanning across such topics as internet safety and sexual assault prevention to identity theft and cybercrime.

Kay Een flashes a shaka while in Baghdad, Iraq circa 2005.

A Special Agent since 2020, Kenessey deals with death investigations, child enticement, fraud, arson and all federal-level investigations that involve criminal and security matters with the Navy.

Upon learning that her mentor, Associate Professor Dr. Joe Allen, passed away in December 2021, Kenessey was saddened by the news. “Technically I wouldn’t be here if Dr. Allen hadn’t written a letter, and told me to check out NCIS,” Kenessey says. “I think Chaminade lost a valuable professor and mentor. As I said, he was an integral part of where I am today both academically and professionally.”

Kay Een, meanwhile, praises Chaminade for its welcoming atmosphere and for the experiential learning that helped her land a job with NCIS. As NCIS’ Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer,  Een supports NCIS’ progression in the DEI arena by supporting enterprise initiatives to implement the best business practices, encouraging collaboration, and delivering proven solutions to nurture a ready and resilient, globally-engaged workforce. She was introduced to the NCIS Honors Internship Program while a Silversword.

“Much like my time at Chaminade, I believe there is great value being surrounded by people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives,” says Een, who is now in her 20th year with NCIS. “Being in a place that fosters diversity through inclusion is key to growing an innovative and agile workforce.”

As far as the authenticity of CBS’ popular NCIS franchise, Meana, Teves, DeQuiroz, Kenessey and Een agree that the drama doesn’t always get it right. “We have a close relationship with the show, and we’ve worked with them closely,” Meana says. “They try to stay close to reality, but they do add their own fictional twist.”