Silversword Spotlight

How did your education at Chaminade contribute to your professional success?

I went to Chaminade knowing that I ultimately wanted to help people with their finances. My education in accounting allowed me to build a strong foundation for understanding both business and personal finances, knowing that at the heart of both disciplines, accounting is the blood that keeps the heart beating. After I pivoted my career from tax accountant to personal financial planner due to changing career aspirations, my accounting experience sharpened my eyes to be able to delve deeper into my client’s financial situations. 

Can you recall a specific moment or experience during your time that had a significant impact on you? 

Coming from a high school class of a few hundred students to a very intimate classroom setting of 10-15 accounting students is what encouraged me to grow into the confident person I am today, as my voice was not drowned out by others. Due to the more intimate classroom sizes, the cohort of accounting students I befriended are the relationships I hold dearly today. Also, as a two-year participant in the Hogan Entrepreneurial program, I learned the importance of being a self-starter and an advocate for myself in life. 

How did your education here shape your perspective and personal growth?

Chaminade’s service-oriented and purpose-led education is what inspired me to become a financial advisor in the first place. Beyond my own socio-economic status, I was exposed to a spectrum of individuals who had financial issues through the service learning projects and internships I was able to participate in. This experience not only humbled me, but it also ignited a passion to help others become financially independent and knowledgeable. 

How have you continued to invest in your professional development since graduating?

Beyond Chaminade, I also became a Certified Financial Planner^TM  and Certified Exit Planning Advisor^TM, to become the best version of myself. These designations allowed me to further refine my expertise in personal financial planning and business exit planning strategies to be a strategic advisor for my clients. 

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?

My career at Edward Jones is an entrepreneurial endeavor in itself.  It’s awesome to see how my education and experience have led me to work and live within the West Oahu community. Having the knowledge and opportunity to help my family, friends and our community are life achievements that I am very proud of.

How did your education at Chaminade contribute to your professional success?

During my time at Chaminade, I learned so much about the connection between the body and mind. Since we were required to take the Stress-Management course at the beginning of the master’s program, I believe this set us up for success. It allowed us to understand ourselves better when we start to feel a sense of fatigue within school or our future careers. 

Can you recall a specific moment or experience during your time that had a significant impact on you? (can be academically or socially)

My time at Chaminade, specifically in my master’s program, there were a lot of significant moments. The program really allowed for us to dive deeper into our own past traumas, our personal issues and family issues, which may need to be seen from an alternate approach or different lens. With this, the impact allowed me to heal, grow, face my life challenges, and be the best version of myself to help support our communities. 

How did your education here shape your perspective and personal growth?

Chaminade really supported the personal growth of students. This program was designed to help us get to the root of our internal possible issues and to find our internal compass. My attitude or perspective on life and toward future clients were shaped by Chaminade’s amazing professors. They spent a lot of time explaining concepts and going deep into each course. Learning the differences between personalities, traumas and diagnosis all helped support my internal growth. 

How have you continued to invest in your professional development since graduating?

Since graduating this past May, I have continued to take educational courses that are more specific to my own therapeutic style, which include Yoga Therapy, Vagus Nerve activation, Trauma-Informed Somatic Movement, and other personal studies that interest me and provide growth for my personal private practice. 

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?

Chaminade influenced my personal goals and achievements by supporting me from the very beginning. I have my Associate Arts in Business and bachelor’s in Psychology with Chaminade. Since I’ve always had so many great experiences here, I pursued my master’s with Chaminade. The process to get where I am today was solely between my motivation to help the communities and Chaminade rooting for me the entire time. The professors truly supported us and highlighted our positive qualities, while supporting us in areas that may have needed growth. The feeling of non-judgment and understanding was felt and heard during my time at Chaminade, and I am forever grateful. 

How did your education at Chaminade contribute to your professional success?

Attending Chaminade allowed me to experience working in two very diverse fields: forensics and admissions. As a Forensic Sciences student, I was able to gain skills in scene investigation, evidence collection and analysis, research and many other areas of forensics. I also got professional experience through my internship with the Honolulu Medical Examiner Office. Concurrently, I was an Admissions Student Ambassador. I gave campus tours, conducted calling campaigns, participated in fairs, and learned about the admission profession. Thanks to Chaminade’s close-knit community, I was also able to form meaningful mentor-mentee relationships with the faculty and staff. They recognized my strengths and provided me with guidance as I was searching for a career post-graduation. Being able to learn from their experiences and lean on them when I have questions has made all the difference as I continue to grow professionally.

Can you recall a specific moment or experience during your time that had a significant impact on you, either academically or socially?

When I started senior year, I had a lot on my plate. In addition to school and my jobs as an ambassador and TA, I had student government, an internship and the realization that I was graduating in less than a year. As an overachiever, I was used to being heavily involved, and I wanted to ensure that I put forth 150% of my energy into all things. As the semester progressed, I began to feel overwhelmed, and it was hard to find moments to relax. If I had to give up something, I knew it had to be student government, but I was scared to disappoint the people who wanted me there. I remember mustering up the courage to talk with the staff advisors at the time, Joseph Granado and Andrew Ancheta II. They had always had my best interests at heart and acknowledged all the work I had put into my position as Executive Vice President and the Student Senate. They helped me understand that it was OK to put myself first, especially if it meant prioritizing my well-being. Throughout my life, I had always been ready to put aside myself to make others happy but they, along with many other people from the Chaminade community, helped me realize that I deserved 150% of my energy too.

How did your Chaminade education shape your perspective and personal growth?

One of the biggest ways in which my education at Chaminade shaped my perspective is by showing me that it’s OK to change your path and goals. I’ve always been adaptable except when it came to my goals. My tendency was to pick a path and stick to it. Being surrounded by others who had major shifts in their career paths while at Chaminade encouraged me to be fine with the idea of change. Talking with my mentors and advisors helped me to recognize my strengths and passions, leading me to the career I’m in now. I’ve grown to believe that, if I am doing what I am passionate about, I am on the right path. Going through life means discovering where you should be, and I’m thankful that attending Chaminade helped me realize that.

How have you continued to invest in your professional development since graduating?

I jumped into my career as an Admission Counselor less than a month after graduation. During my first year, I learned about a highly selective admission process, was trained in outreach and yield efforts, and got to know students from all over the country. I’ve also taken advantage of professional development opportunities that are open to admission professionals. In August, I attended the Summer Admission Institute which is designed for first and second year admission counselors. Here, I learned from seasoned professionals about their experiences and best practices for working in this field. I’ve also attended two conferences so far, the Western Association for College Admission Counseling and QuestBridge Conference, where I met with colleagues from other institutions, high schools and organizations to learn about how we can best collaborate to help high school students through their college search and application journey. As I move through my career, I know that I will continue to learn something new every day and grow professionally.

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?

Being a first-generation student, Chaminade was essential to achieving my goal of attending and graduating college. Growing up, I didn’t have much guidance when it came to continuing my education after high school. All I knew was that I had to get into a good school and graduate. Looking back, I recognize that Chaminade was the best place for me to attend. I loved the small class sizes, weekly events and welcoming community that I was surrounded by every day. My experience helped me understand what it means to go to college. It’s more than just an education. You’re going for an experience as well. Working in the admission office and sharing my story with prospective students showed me how much I loved helping them find their “fit.” The summer before my senior year, while working with the Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program, was when I decided that that’s what I wanted to do when I graduated. I committed to my goal of encouraging a college-going culture among high school students. Thanks to the guidance of the faculty and staff at Chaminade, I was hired by the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Stanford where I get to pursue a career that is aligned with my personal goal.

How did your Chaminade education contribute to your professional success?

Although I went straight to graduate school after Chaminade, my degree in criminal justice from the University was key to the launch of my career in public service. The internships I did while getting my Master of Public Administration were all in the criminal justice sector. My coursework at Chaminade was what made me competitive when I applied for them, and that also allowed me to do well in them, which created other opportunities.

My first job with the City of New York was tracking management indicators for the City’s juvenile justice agency. The agency then hired me as a budget analyst, and soon I was hired by the City’s Budget Office to provide budget oversight for multiple criminal justice agencies. My initial success at the Budget Office had a lot to do with a solid understanding of the criminal justice system as a foundation. We relied on our knowledge of how the entire system interacts, as much as we relied on public finance concepts and financial systems to help allocate resources to the City’s criminal justice agencies effectively. From there I have branched out into other public policy areas, but I am thankful that Chaminade gave me the foundation I needed to get started.

Can you recall a specific moment or experience during your time that had a significant impact on you, either academically or socially?

I had the rare experience of having two different views of student life at Chaminade. I started Chaminade as an active duty Marine, taking classes on base while stationed at Kaneohe Bay. I did that for three years and earned an associate degree. When my enlistment was ending, I realized that if I became a full-time student, I could earn my bachelor’s degree in one year. I left the Marine Corps, enrolled full-time, and moved into the dorms as a senior. I am so glad that I stayed to do the senior year as a civilian student on island. Although it was only one of the four years living on the island, it made me love Hawaii and Oahu even more.

The professors were very giving with their time and advice, which I appreciated as I started to consider the next steps after graduating. I also enjoyed being exposed to island life as a student and civilian. I loved taking the bus around town, running to Waikiki Beach and back, and nothing can beat Marine Biology labs at the beach (eating poke afterwards).

How did your Chaminade education shape your perspective and personal growth?

Having grown up in New York City, I had been exposed to a diverse group of people. But my time at Chaminade exposed me to a higher level of understanding of diversity and a more engaging cross-cultural exploration. Specifically, I enjoyed interacting with so many cultures from the Pacific Rim. Whether it was trying new foods at student event potlucks or going to karaoke with Samoan classmates, I enjoyed it all. How I use that today is to try to connect with everyone I meet on a unique level. Each interaction I have is an opportunity to be part of someone else’s journey or to make them part of mine.

How have you continued to invest in your professional development since graduating?

Right after graduating Chaminade, I moved back to New York and went to New York University for a Master of Public Administration. I was leaning towards the administrative side of criminal justice, but I did not have anything specific in mind yet. I knew that it would complement my bachelor’s degree well, give me more career options and expand my professional network.

Since getting my MPA, I have taken various certificate-based classes and attended conferences. However, I would say much of my professional development has come from networking within the field, and the help of mentors and colleagues who were generous with their time and knowledge. Whenever I can, I try to pay it forward by being generous with what I know and helping others achieve their own professional goals anyway I can.

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?

My education at Chaminade launched my career into public and nonprofit work. I was able to work my way up from analyzing criminal justice data to being an assistant dean and chief financial officer at a law school. My time at Chaminade came when I needed ways to process changes in my life. The way I did that was to learn how to set short-term and long-term goals. Attending Chaminade and getting my associate degree was a short-term goal when I arrived on base, which was part of my longer-term goal of getting a bachelor’s degree. My achievements today are because I learned then to set goals, work towards those goals, check-in periodically, and set new goals after meeting the old ones.

How did your education at Chaminade contribute to your professional success?

After completing my MBA, I went back to work for Bank of America and was admitted to their MBA Global Commercial Banking Training program, which opened up opportunities to become a client manager on large commercial accounts. This program was highly competitive, accepting only nine candidates each year, and it provided me with invaluable training and experience. Having a higher educational degree opened many doors for my future in senior leadership roles. It was a strategic investment that not only equipped me with advanced knowledge and skills, but also enhanced my credibility and marketability in the corporate world. This foundational experience paved the way for my eventual transition to the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), where I could blend my financial acumen with my passion for cultural initiatives.

Can you recall a specific moment or experience during your time that had a significant impact on you, either academically or socially?

One pivotal moment during my graduate studies was when my Marketing Professor pulled me aside during my first quarter. She emphasized the importance of graduate school and advised me to refocus my efforts. At that time, I was juggling a full-time job and the demanding task of opening the Nordstrom Ala Moana store, which had led me to neglect my schoolwork. She pointed out that I was on track to getting a B in her class, while my goal was a 4.0 GPA. She also recommended an opening in Career Services that she thought I would be perfect for. I was hired and spent the rest of my grad school years working full-time for Chaminade. This role not only helped me stay on track academically, but it also provided me with a supportive community where I made lifelong friends, such as Allison Jerome, who is now the Dean of Students at Chaminade. The friendships and professional connections I built during this period have had a lasting impact on my life.

How did your Chaminade education shape your perspective and personal growth?

Graduate school taught me the importance of dedication and the long-term benefits of investing in myself. I vividly remember a moment in my economics class when I finally grasped the complexities of international treasury and government data. Prior to this, despite working in the banking industry and attending meetings with government entities, I often found the terminology and concepts confusing. This newfound understanding not only boosted my confidence but also enhanced my performance at the bank. My education at Chaminade made me realize that applying myself diligently to my studies could significantly benefit my future career and personal development.

How have you continued to invest in your professional development since graduating?

Since graduating, I have consistently sought opportunities to further my professional development. I have taken online leadership courses with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to stay current with best practices in fostering inclusive work environments. This summer, I will be starting a leadership program with Central Washington University’s Women in Leadership initiative. These ongoing educational pursuits reflect my commitment to continuous learning and growth, ensuring that I remain effective and progressive in my leadership roles.

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?

Going to graduate school was a personal goal and a significant lifetime achievement for me. I have always believed that higher education is key to unlocking greater possibilities in the workforce. Obtaining my MBA was a strategic move, allowing me to pause my career temporarily to invest in myself. This investment has paid off by expanding my career options, and enabling me to achieve senior leadership positions, such as my current role at MoPOP. The discipline, knowledge and connections I gained through my education have been instrumental in shaping my career trajectory and personal growth.