Silversword Spotlight

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

My master’s challenged me to grow professionally as both a writer and communicator.  I really grew into a more confident, public speaker, and honed my analytic writing capability.  I also was able to shape my leadership style that would show in my military service and classroom teaching approach at two public high schools: Moanalua High School and Waianae High School.

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

My master’s thesis really pushed me to leave my comfort zone. The fact that it was a non-classroom type of event that I had entire control over—minus the deadlines—was exciting. It took some grit, a lot of coffee and many weekends at the library to get through it, but the finish line was worthwhile.

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

Personally, I didn’t know I was capable of balancing being a new father, working full-time and going to school in the evenings. This opportunity helped me mature professionally, and gain greater confidence. After graduating from Chaminade, I enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard, where I would then pursue officer candidate school. Completing my master’s at Chaminade with a 4.0 GPA not only helped me academically, but it helped me to believe in myself that I could transition to the military where I would later serve for 14 years.

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

When I have an opportunity to mentor or speak at public events, I certainly do. I also attend many defense industry technology conferences where I have an opportunity to meet and hear from thought leaders in technology.

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?
Although I started my master’s to gain an advantage on pursuing law school, it opened up opportunities for me in business. I’ve  been fortunate to lead sales organizations, grow my network and travel internationally.

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

The education I received was monumental and pivotal in being able to start my first business in the nonprofit sector. It gave me the skills and expertise needed to obtain contracts, to provide mental health and substance abuse services, and to grow the business. It also grew my communication and leadership skills that transcend all career paths. Being in the real estate investment industry now, the skills I learned while enrolled in the counseling psychology program are abundantly relevant, especially when it involves people skills—being able to connect and listen to them. At the end of the day, all you have in life are relationships. No matter the career path, relationships come first, and the product or service you offer is a byproduct of those relationships. Counseling psychology taught me how to connect, have empathy, and ultimately help people heal. In real estate, that is what we do. People come with a problem, and we help provide an answer but ultimately, it’s a human connection that allows walls to come down, trust to be built, and the solution achieved.

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

I made lifelong friendships. I met my best friend and business partner at Chaminade, Chelsea Torres. Also, I graduated alongside my parents, Michael and Yvonne Haxton. There’s nothing more special than doing life—academics, business and community alongside family and friends.

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

It allowed me to grow in self-confidence. I was nurtured by amazing people like Dr. Darren Iwamoto, who gently pushed and challenged me to be the best version of myself. We all have those professors who stick with you, and he is definitely one of them. Sometimes their belief gives you the confidence to believe in yourself.

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

Absolutely. I am a huge proponent of education and self-development. I have since attended many seminars, masterminds and mentorships, in addition to personal development through counseling and life coaches. A lot of entrepreneurship is learning and developing, and continually becoming and implementing. The key to success is never giving up and being comfortable being uncomfortable. The way to decrease stress and fear is to continually learn and implement. 

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?

Education has been a part of my development during the majority of my life. I went straight from high school into the Chaminade bachelors’ program, and then directly into the master’s program. I am still learning today through mentorships and courses. It taught me discipline, structure, perseverance and responsibility.  Education put me in situations where I was uncomfortable, for example, doing presentations and public speaking, and being able to overcome and push through. All of these are lifelong values that I carry and are actions that are necessary for success in all aspects of life.

How did your education at Chaminade University of Honolulu contribute to your professional success?

Chaminade University does a tremendous job at creating a business work place environment in the classroom, where students are tasked to communicate and collaborate with one another, critically think and problem solve, research and apply what was learned and present on the assignment. With these core skills taught, I have been able to thrive in work and group discussions. 

Having entered the Bank of Hawaii Management Training Program in 2017 right out of college, then going on to manage six branches on Oahu and now being a Senior Vice President & Senior Market Manager of Bank of Hawaii’s Branch Division overseeing our West Pacific Branches (Guam, Saipan, and Palau), I credit the majority of my success to my education I learned at Chaminade and I take great pride being a graduate of Chaminade University of Honolulu.

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

It is truly hard to pin point one specific moment or experience that had a significant impact on me, as I have had great professors, coaches, and mentors along the way at Chaminade that truly cared for me and made an impact on my life. 

I initially attended Chaminade to play basketball on the Men’s Basketball Team coached by Coach Eric Bovaird. However, through the encouragement and challenge from Coach Bovaird and the rest of the coaching staff to immerse ourselves in the student body and join school clubs, I was able to gain experiences more than just playing on a basketball court that has shaped me who I am today. I am proud of myself for listening to Coach Bovaird and challenging myself to participate in as many clubs as I could, joining the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program, Accounting Club, attending the Campus Ministry retreat, Marianas Club, and Student-Body Government. 

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

My education at Chaminade has shaped my perspective and personal growth tremendously. After my first few weeks of attending Chaminade, I quickly knew that I did not need to be at a largely attended university to get the full college experience I dreamt and heard about growing up. I have been able to call former classmates of mine friends for life, better yet brothers and sisters. I have been able to view my professors as more than just teachers teaching a subject, but mentors who truly care and still message me to this day.  I learned more than just a subject in class, I have learned how to adapt in a community filled with students with different values, beliefs, cultures, upbringings, and passions, and knowing how to communicate and succeeded with one another which has helped me in my personal growth and perspective.  

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

I have referred back to old notes that I took in college to refresh my memory on the core lessons being taught, reached out to former classmates of mine, seek mentorship from established professionals, enrolled into and graduated from the graduate program, and have joined various business boards.  

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?

My education has influenced my personal goals and achievement by being able to understand that change is inevitable and if you get comfortable in change, you will be successful in life. What I have learned through my education and time at Chaminade is that many times we set goals for ourselves to strive for but we have to understand that there are many times how we achieve those goals will not be the easy dotted line we thought would happen. There will be bumps in the road and we will have to jump over those hurdles to reach and achieve our goals.   

How did your education here contribute to your professional success?

A business degree taught me critical thinking, problem solving, time management and interpersonal skills along with the technical aspects of Business Management. In the mid 80’s, I responded to a job posting for a Customer Service Representative, a “college degree’ was listed as ‘desirable’. Back then, we were responsible for writing letters in response to customer inquiries and then having a secretary type them. I looked at those situations like writing a paper for a Business Policy class in which you state your case and list several points on why the customer should ‘buy’ from you. Additionally, the skills I learned in a Speech and Communications class taught me listening and inter-personal relationship skills that are used daily in interactions with Customers, Teammates and Management.

Education is invaluable. I learned many things but foremost was critical thinking, problem solving, time management and writing skills. Juggling a full-time class load and determining which assignments to complete first is time-management. This is critical in juggling multiple high-priority tasks on the job. What needs my immediate attention and can be completed immediately; what will need my undivided attention; and equally important – what can I delegate to an associate? The “Business Policy and Theory” class I took required a paper written every other week. Half of the grade was based on the content and how you backed up your theory and the other half was based on Grammar and Punctuation. I still practice many of the writing skills and grammatical practices I’ve learned both in high school and at Chaminade. I’m from the “double-space between sentences” era.

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

The legal age when I was attending Chaminade University of Honolulu was 18-years old and at that time going to the disco was the “thing to do”. Towards the end of my first semester, I realized that if my parents were contributing to my education and I was working part-time to pay for my education there was no way I could fail any of my classes because I had “skin in the game”. I made sure that if I wanted to go clubbing, I had to make sure I made time to study and complete my assignments. Failure was not an option. That has served me well throughout the years.

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

Most of the instructors for the classes I took were nurturing and approachable and the smaller class sizes made it easy to seek and ask for help. It made it easy to learn that ‘different is different’ and there really is no stupid question because everyone has a different perspective which is based on their upbringing, background and experience. I’ve tried to keep this in mind as I met and interacted with people through work and extracurricular activities. Through the years I’ve promoted the benefits of attending a smaller college and also how living in a college dormitory or sharing off-campus housing and participating in student government taught me how to interact with others, how to compromise and negotiate and cooperate in a group setting.

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

Learning does not stop after earning a degree or a professional certificate as a tradesperson. To remain relevant, one needs to keep up with rapidly changing technology. The Covid pandemic shutdown made this painfully clear with remote work and virtual meetings. I incorporate reading, attending seminars and webinars to continue learning and adding tools to my toolbelt. Six months after the pandemic shutdown, I became the president of the NAWIC Hawaii Chapter (National Association of Women in Construction). All membership meetings were via the Zoom platform. A month prior to assuming my new role, I took a webinar on “Presenting with Influence in the Virtual World.” What I learned is that it is basically no different from doing a Sales Presentation face to face with a customer. Personal appearance is important. Keeping your message concise and to the point is also important and audience involvement and engagement keeps it from feeling like a lecture. Also, I did at one time seriously consider returning to Chaminade to earn a Master’s degree. However, that never came to fruition due to timing and because it really would not have advanced my career at what I though was the company I would retire from. However, I am involved in several trade associations and have served on some of the boards for these organizations. That has afforded me opportunities to serve in leadership positions and hone my public presentation skills as well as mentoring and coaching skills. The bottom line is that education in some form or fashion is an on-going process.

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?

Earning a degree while working as an intern or at a part-time job was a personal goal and major achievement. Hence, setting a goal, mapping the steps to achieve it has been the roadmap that I’ve followed throughout the years. And now when opportunities to coach and mentor others arise, I think of those who have taught and nurtured me at Chaminade and after graduation and I try to embody the best of those I’ve met along the way.

How did your education at Chaminade University of Honolulu contribute to your professional success?

The diverse education I received at Chaminade has opened many doors for me. This education helped me build a solid foundation in several fields: business, environmental science and data science. 

This foundation is critical to the work I do every day as an Initiatives Lead in the Technical Operations Department at Hawaiian Airlines. In my current position, I frequently utilize the data visualization skills and business mindset I developed in school. I also have the opportunity to utilize my environmental science background to work on sustainability initiatives and help advocate for the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit.

As a Junior, two of my professors assigned me class projects to learn more about local companies. This project work led me to pursue local internship opportunities, which ultimately led to my current position.

I am proud to be an alumna of Chaminade University; Chaminade has a great reputation for graduating students with a strong work ethic and helping the local community. Because Chaminade is such a tight knit community, I’ve connected with several members of the Chaminade ‘ohana at work and continue to build strong relationships there as well.

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

There were lots of little moments that had a significant impact on me during my time at Chaminade. Whether it was Brother Allen picking up my family from the airport when I arrived for freshman orientation or Dr. Gao giving us a high five when we answered questions in her economics class, I always felt like I had team supporting me and cheering me on. 

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

I was fortunate enough to attend a Marianist high school. It meant a lot to me to attend a Marianist University and to continue shaping my faith and strengthening my commitment to community service. 

Attending Chaminade gave me a great opportunity to learn more about Hawaiian culture and to get involved with local nonprofits. Whether it was talking story with those at our feed-the-hungry events downtown or wading knee deep through loi patches on the east side, Chaminade helped me to be part of this incredible Hawaii community. Both my classmates and the Chaminade staff showed us the importance of sharing aloha. Also, the friends I made at Chaminade are still my closest friends, and these friendships will last a lifetime.

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

For the past two and a half years since graduating, I’ve had the opportunity to work as an Associate Analyst and Initiatives Lead. Although both positions were challenging, the experience I have gained has been very valuable. At the moment, I am pursuing two project management certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) and Smartsheet Project Management.

How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?

My education, particularly in Environmental Science and with  Campus Ministry, highlighted the importance of making meaningful contributions to our community. Our class work with coral reefs drew me closer to environmental protection and restoration efforts. I continue to volunteer with nonprofits, such as Malama Maunalua, to this day. 

The Hogan Entrepreneurship Program guided and supported me on my first trip abroad. This trip fueled my passion to continue learning more about other cultures and visit other countries. During the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to visit 10 countries I had never been to before, and I hope to continue traveling. 

My education at Chaminade has given me the confidence and courage to try new things. It means a lot to me to be part of this ohana.