2019 News Article
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December
HPU Model United Nation Team Awarded ‘Honorable Mention Delegation’
Ten students from HPU’s United Nations Club, accompanied by professor Serge Marek, Ph.D., attended the National Model United Nations in Washington, D.C.
HPU Hosts NatGeo-sponsored SACNAS Conference Participants
The College of Natural and Computational Sciences hosted the diversity in STEM conference participants.
Executive Director, Oceanic Institute of HPU, Presents at International Conference on Shrimp Farming
Shaun Moss, Ph.D., participated in the 12th Philippine National Shrimp Congress.
College of Health and Society (CHS) Launches Legacy Speaker Series
Initiated in Fall 2019 by CHS Dean Halaevalu Vakalahi, Ph.D., this legacy series provides the opportunity for CHS students and alumni to engage a dynamic and well-known scholar and educator.
November
Graduate Valedictory Speaker Named for Fall 2019 Commencement Ceremony
Graduate Valedictory Speaker Named for Fall 2019 Commencement Ceremony
Undergraduate Valedictory Speaker Named for Fall 2019 Commencement Ceremony
Undergraduate Valedictory Speaker Named for Fall 2019 Commencement Ceremony
Hawai‘i Pacific University to Celebrate Fall 2019 Commencement
Hawai‘i Pacific University to Celebrate Fall 2019 Commencement
Information Systems Faculty Gives Talk on Big Data & Analytics
Assistant Professor of Information Systems Ghazwan Hassna, Ph.D., presented at the Southern Business Administration Association annual meeting.
HPU Student Invited to Tomodachi Kakehashi Inouye Scholars Generation Summit in Tokyo
Lauren Nosworthy was selected out of 50 applicants to represent the program’s U.S. alumni at the 2019 Tomodachi Generation Summit in Tokyo, delivering a speech to more than 250 attendees.
School of Education Faculty Presents at International Conference on Education and Social Justice
Han Nee Chong, Ed.D., Assistant Professor and Instructional Designer-School of Education, joined higher education colleagues at this 9th annual conference, presenting on the topic, "Preparing Teachers and Leaders for Advocacy."
HPU Team Wins Alaka‘i Debate Championship
In addition to winning the championship, HPU swept the speaker awards.
Nursing Faculty Present at Madridge International Nursing Conference
Cate Critz, PhD, CPNP, PMHS, APRN-Rx, and Hobie Etta Feagai, EdD, MSN, FNP-BC, APRN-Rx, presented their research findings, entitled "Presenteeism among Nursing Students in Three Countries."
Social Work Faculty Presents at US Psych Congress
Lori Daniels, PhD, LCSW, co-presented with a colleague from Oregon Health and Science University and the Portland VA, their collaborative research.
HPU Professor Co-authors Research with Bishop Museum and Monterey Bay Aquarium Colleagues
David Hyrenbach, PhD, is a co-author of a study tracking changes in heavy metal concentrations and trophic positions in Hawaiian seabirds.
New Study Shows Larval Fish Are Eating Our Trash
Researchers from Hawai‘i Pacific University, NOAA, and other agencies release study
October
Hānai Volunteers Help First-Year Students Form Their Own HPU ‘Ohana
Hānai volunteers and Peer Mentors organize gatherings for their first-year student groups.
General Counsel Presents at Annual Human Resources Conference and HPU Debuts Its HPU Next Program
Jan Boivin presented employment law updates, and HPU debuted HPU Next, a workforce development program.
HPU’s Lead Security Officer Receives Excellence in Service Award
Ana Pesaleli received the “Top Cop” award from The Law Enforcement and Security Coalition.
Hawai‘i Pacific University Named ‘Hawai‘i’s Best’
HPU received top rankings from “Guide to Online Schools” and “WalletHub.”
Master of Social Work (MSW) Student Named a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Minority Fellow
CSWE announced MSW student Destiny Brown a fellow for the 2019-20 academic year.
College of Health and Society (CHS) Supports Breast Cancer Awareness
CHS students, faculty, and staff organized a campus “Wear It Pink Day” to support and spread awareness of breast cancer.
College of Health and Society (CHS) Supports Children and Youth Day Event
Nursing and Public Health students participated in this annual community event held on October 6 at the Hawai‘i State Capitol.
School of Social Work Alumni Updates 2019
See what the School of Social Work Alumni are doing in service of the community and the profession.
September
HPU Presents Keynote Speaker and Participates in Panel at TechForce Hawai‘I
HPU Presents Keynote Speaker and Participates in Panel at TechForce Hawai‘I
Rossi Speaks at Project Management Conference
Rossi Speaks at Project Management Conference
TESOL Delivers 6 Group Programs this Summer
TESOL Delivers 6 Group Programs this Summer
Mahalo to the Staff and Faculty Volunteers Who Helped During Orientation and the First Week of School
Mahalo to the Staff and Faculty Volunteers Who Helped During Orientation and the First Week of School
Historic Judd Building on Merchant Street Once Housed the Bank of Hawaii
On the corner of Fort and Merchant Streets between Pioneer Plaza and Aloha Tower is the Judd Building.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program Representative Visits HPU
A CLS program representative visited HPU to inform students of the opportunity to apply for a scholarship for a summer intensive language study in another country.
Oceanic Institute of HPU (OI of HPU) Finfish Program Director Presents at the Marine Aquarium Conference of North America (MACNA)
Chad Callan, Ph.D., recently gave an invited talk entitled "Don’t try this at home? Taking marine ornamental aquaculture from scientific discovery to commercial feasibility.”
You@HPU: Succeed, Thrive and Matter
HPU has a new tool for students that will be an extraordinary asset for students, faculty and staff.
TESOL Faculty Deliver Workshops in Japan
TESOL faculty members Hanh Nguyen, Ph.D., and Jean Kirschenmann delivered invited workshops at Ibaraki Christian University and Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, respectively.
Hawai‘i Pacific University Is Different
The city is HPU's campus, and our facilities are consolidated within a triangle, anchored at our Aloha Tower Marketplace.
Aloha Tower, a Historic Icon and a Landmark for HPU’s Campus, Turns 93 on Sept 11
Completed in 1926 and standing at 184-feet tall, Aloha Tower was at one time the tallest building in Hawai‘i.
Graduate Investment Course Students Get Hands-on Experience
Charod Dodd, Ph.D., led his students in the graduate Investment Course, FIN 6310, in the practical application of managing two $100,000 portfolios.
Managing Internship Expectations
Students should view an internship as a continuation of their academic journey.
College of Health and Society Participates in Inaugural Tri-University International Cultural Immersion Program
Associate Dean Jayne Smitten, PhD, MEd, CHSE-A, and nursing students, Georgia Havens and Sarah Peterson, participated in this program at Tokyo Women’s Medical University in June.
Public Health Adjunct Featured As a Breast Cancer Warrior
Anaeliz “Mina” Colon tells her story in the August/September 2019 issue of Generations Magazine.
August
Meet the New Social Work Faculty
The School of Social Work recently added two new faculty members to its `ohana! Dr. Vince Okada-Coelho is an Assistant Professor of Social Work with a PhD in Social Welfare from the University of Hawai`i. He says "I think stories are what I'm most excited about. I think social work students have very interesting, and inspiring stories I'm excited to hear." Dr. Danielle Giroux is an Assistant Professor of Social Work with a PhD in Clinical Community Psychology from the University of Alaska at Anchorage. She plans to "create projects that partner students with organizations or programs that are going on in the community."
Visit to Mauna a Wākea and Pu`uhonua Pu`uhuluhulu
Associate Professor of Social Work, Dr. Peter Mataira recently traveled to Mauna-a-Wākea as part of his ongoing work on community sustainability and the advancement of indigenous place-based education. Accompanied by Dr. Peter Hanohano, Executive Director of the World Indigenous Nations University – Hawai’i Pasifika (WINU-HP) and Vice-Chancellor of the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortia (WINHEC), along with visiting Professor Jolan Hiesh, from the National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan, the trip was an opportunity to gain a first-hand understanding of the significance of the mountain’s sacredness, the intergenerational transference of cultural practices, the importance of Kapu Aloha as a framework for reconciliation, and, to learn about the impact of the TMT on sovereign rights.
Effects of Social Work Practice on Practitioner Spirituality
Spirituality is important to the lives of the clients, families, and communities that we serve. It is important that we have the knowledge and skills to explore this important area with them. The literature on this aspect of social work practice has been growing over the past 30 years. This research has looked at ethics related to imposing practitioner spirituality on clients as well as tools and models that incorporate spirituality into practice. However, one aspect of spirituality that has received scant attention is the effect of our social work practice on our own spirituality. Kelli Larsen, former assistant professor here at HPU, and I recently published an article in the Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work entitled ‘Effects of social work practice on practitioners’ spirituality’. We found that there were three ways that social work practice influences spirituality: practice can serve as a source of spirituality via new spiritual knowledge and growth; practice can support existing, fixed spiritual beliefs and values; and denial of influence of practice on spirituality. The article caught the attention of our new Dean, Halaevalu Vakalahi and was awarded the first College of Health & Society Dean’s Manuscript of the Year award. The article was co-authored by some amazing two graduate assistants, Christiana Chun (MSW, ’17) and Chloe Harrington (MSW, ’17). Read more about the project here.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Students Successfully Defend Their Projects
Two doctoral candidates, Kendra Spaulding, MSN, AGACNP, APRN-Rx, and Sandra Kakiuchi, APRN, MS, GCNS-BC, present their research projects.
HPU’s Hana Ka `Ike Program: Offering Guaranteed Internships and Experiential Learning
HPU's Guaranteed Internship and Experiential Learning program offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on, practical experience, preparing them to graduate as active members of a global society.
Faculty and Undergraduate Research Assistants Survey Native Hawaiians on Hawai‘i Island
Assistant Professor of Political Science Ngoc Phan, Ph.D., with Kupuna in Residence Lynette Cruz, Ph.D., and undergraduate research assistants recruited Native Hawaiians on Hawai‘i Island for their research survey.
Waianae High Teachers and Students Participate in Aquaculture Workshop
Students and teachers from Waianae High School’s Marine Science Learning Center attended a three-day aquaculture workshop at the Oceanic Institute of Hawai‘i Pacific University.
Dean of Libraries & Learning Commons Presents at Scholarly Communications Institute
Pam Lough, MLS, PhD, presented some of the work of Metadata 2020 at the FORCE11 Scholarly Communications Institute at UCLA.
Information Systems Faculty Presents Talk on ‘Big Data, The Oil of the New Digital Economy’
Assistant Professor of Information Systems Ghazwan Hassna, Ph.D., demonstrates how Big Data and Analytics are growing and shaping the new digital economy.
HPU eSports Summer Training Camp Concludes with Special Guest Presentations
The eSports summer campers participated in a hands-on workshop to create their own video game and a presentation focused on Twitch streaming.
Economics Professor Presents in China and Meets with His Former Students
Associate Professor of Economics Ken Schoolland traveled to China in July, delivering a series of lectures at the Northeastern University summer camp of international economics and management scholars.
Announcing the New HPU Mobile App
Launched on July 31, HPU's new mobile app is available for download on the Apple App and Google Play stores.
July
Hawai‘i Pacific University Offers All Alumni $4K per Year to Come Back for Master’s Degrees
Hawai‘i Pacific University Offers All Alumni $4K per Year to Come Back for Master’s Degrees
Check out the New MyHPU Portal
While some services from Pipeline will migrate to the new platform, new technologies will offer MyHPU users additional services.
Psychology Professor and Students Present Research at Industry Conference in DC
Katherine Aumer, Ph.D., and students from her Emotions and Relationships lab attended the annual conference of the Association of Psychological Sciences.
Student Shares One of Her Great Food Finds in Kaka‘ako
Tatiana Brittian loves going on food adventures, and one of the places she recommends checking out is only a six-minute walk from Waterfront Plaza.
June
Public Health Professor Co-Authors Article in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Publication
Assistant Professor Emily Roberson, Ph.D., an epidemiologist, participated in a contact investigation of a case of Meningeal and Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
HPU Continues to Grow with Three Vital Doctoral Programs
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Psychology and Doctor of Physical Therapy
HPU Introduces High Schoolers to a Career in Criminal Justice through CSI Event
HPU invited local high school students to participate in its 3rd annual murder mystery event, showing them how rewarding a career in criminal justice can be.
Golden Apple Awards Presented to Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff are recognized by their colleagues for their contributions toward the advancement of teaching, scholarship and service at HPU.
Professor of English Publishes Article in the Journal Slavery and Abolition
Laurie F. Leach, Ph.D., professor of English, has published an article entitled “Roots and the Trope of the Good Slaveholder.”
May
Hawai‘i Pacific University Announces Tuition Assistance to Active-Duty Navy Personnel
HPU is offering this tuition assistance in the wake of the U.S. Navy's announcement that college tuition assistance funding has been depleted for the current federal fiscal year.
HPU Names Its 2019 Teacher of the Year
Assistant Professor of Political Science Ngoc Phan, Ph.D., was named the 2019 HPU Teacher of the Year at the University’s May 9 Commencement ceremony.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Celebrates a Milestone
As of spring 2019, the TESOL Program now has alumni teaching and working in more than 70 countries and states around the world.
HPU Secures the National Student Advertising Competition District Win
The team will proceed to the semi-finals phase of the competition on May 8.
Senior Leadership’s Community Service at Ulupō Heiau – Stewards of Aloha, Pono, Kuleana
The team had a unique opportunity to “give back” while learning the history of the Kailua Kawainui Marsh area.
English Course Students Get Career Advice from Guest Speakers
HPU 2015 alumna Bianca Flores and Hawai‘i Poet Laureate Kealoha spoke with students in the Ways of Reading Film, Literature, and Culture course.
Cathedral of St. Andrew Named to Honor King Kamehameha IV
King Kamehameha IV died on November 30, 1863, the feast day of St. Andrew.
Hawai‘i Pacific University to Celebrate Spring 2019 Commencement
Among Graduates are Five Maryknoll High School Students
Graduate Valedictory Speaker Named for Spring 2019 Commencement Ceremony
Graduate Valedictory Speaker Named for Spring 2019 Commencement Ceremony
Undergraduate Valedictory Speaker Named for Spring 2019 Commencement
Undergraduate Valedictory Speaker Named for Spring 2019 Commencement
April
School of Social Work Joins 2019 International Violence, Abuse, and Trauma Hawaii Summit
The International Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT) Hawaii Summit occurred from April 23-26th at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. Among the 1500 mental health practitioners and emergency service workers attending this year from Hawaii and around the world were several HPU Social Work students, faculty and staff. The College of Health and Society (CHS) was a Bronze Sponsor for this year’s event, reconnecting HPU with this long-standing conference that has been in Hawaii for over 12 years.
United Nations (UN) Club Participates in National Model UN Conference
A delegation of 10 students alongside the club advisor Andrea Malji, Ph.D., journeyed to New York City to participate in the National Model UN Conference.
For Undergraduate Students:
HPU is offering more than 300 on-campus and online courses this summer, plus up to $3,000 in grant money to help pay for it.
‘Iolani Barracks Once Housed Royal Guard
Halekoa, also known as ‘Iolani Barracks, is a building designed by a German architect and constructed from over 6,000 blocks of coral.
Environmental Ethics Students Visit Mount Ka‘ala
Students of Associate Professor of Philosophy and Humanities Matthew LoPresti, Ph.D., safely visited and learned of the unique natural history and ecosystem of the natural reserve area.
Business Law Seminar Hosted by College of Business
The seminar featured guest speakers, Hawai‘i Supreme Court Chief Justice, the Honorable Mark Recktenwald, and attorneys Dick Mosher and Gregory Kim.
Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) Students Complete Mentoring Program
Four HTM students completed the 2018-19 Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association Generational Mentoring Program.
Reminder: HPU@HIFF Adcard Competition Submission Deadline
The deadline for the competition is Friday, April 26, 5 p.m., and all HPU students are welcome to enter.
First Look Mixed Media Festival Poster Contest Winner Announced
Congratulations to Angeleyh Pasco, Multimedia Cinematic Production major, who is the winner of the contest.
Cinematography Workshop Students Create Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Film
Multimedia Cinematic Production students wrote, produced and directed a 10-minute short film for the MDA.
College of Health and Society (CHS) Students and Faculty Take Part in Medical Mission
CHS faculty and nursing students spent Spring Break in Guatemala, completing a medical mission.
Members of the HPU ‘Ohana Participate in Mālama HPU
Approximately 40 members of the HPU ‘ohana participated in the Monday, April 15, service project.
Classical Studies Students Share Their Work
Students of Professor Margo Kitts, Ph.D., in CLST 3100, Female Figures in Classical Myth, Literature, and Religion, participated in a Thursday, April 4 brown-bag event sponsored by the Arts, Humanities & Languages department.
Our Lady of Peace Cathedral Is Over 175 Years Old
Associate Professor of History Douglas Askman, Ph.D., provides this historical write-up on the cathedral, which is the oldest building on Fort Street Mall.
HPU Students Receive Hands-on Learning Opportunity through Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association
HPU students took part in a project-based learning experience, helping to organize a workforce development workshop.
March
Students Participate in Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society State Conference
Three students took away three of the top prizes for their papers presented at the Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society State Conference.
College of Health and Society (CHS) Students Participate in Winter Cultural Exchange Trip
CHS students from the Nursing, Public Health and Social Work programs traveled to Japan and Vietnam from Dec. 19 to Jan. 5, participating in the inaugural HPU Inter-professional Education Cultural Exchange Trip.
TESOL Students and Faculty Participate in Conference
Five TESOL students and Professor of Applied Linguistics Hanh thi Nguyen, Ph.D., presented at the annual Hawaii TESOL conference.
Hawai‘i Pacific University Advances on Planned PsyD Program
Hawai'i Pacific University is moving forward with plans to offer a full, accredited doctorate in psychology (PsyD) program in the wake of the sudden shutdown of Argosy University, whose Hawai'i campus had provided the state’s only PsyD program to date.
Professor of Applied Linguistics Co-edits Book on Conversation Analysis
Professor Hanh thi Nguyen, Ph.D. (TESOL) co-edited "Conversation Analytic Perspectives on English Language Learning, Teaching and Testing in Global Contexts,” which was recently published.
Honors Class Explores Oahu’s Waste Stream and Sustainable Waste Futures
Residential Honors Program sophomore students in the HON 2200 “Plastic Fantastic?” course studied Oahu’s waste stream by participating in the Honolulu City & County’s “Opala Tour.”
Hawai‘i Pacific University welcomes Argosy transfers, provides bridge for vital doctoral program
Hawai‘i Pacific University welcomes Argosy transfers, provides bridge for vital doctoral program
Assistant Professor of Music Alec Schumacker, D.M.A. Won World Projects Composition Contest
Joining with renowned composers from across the globe, Alec will perform his composition at a summer festival, forging new connections and opportunities to collaborate.
OI Mullet Release at Waikiki Aquarium in Honor of Earth Day
OI-donated striped mullet fish get released by Waikiki Aquarium in its annual Earth Day festivities, symbolizing the importance of preserving Hawai‘i’s environment.
Senior Vice President Recognized with ‘Women Who Mean Business’ Award
Senior Vice President and General Counsel Jan Boivin is among the distinguished businesswomen named a 2019 “Women Who Mean Business” awardee.
Career Development Team Selected to Present Annual ‘All Association of Colleges and Employers' Webinar
The HPU team delivered their presentation entitled 'Delivering Career Development to a Diverse Student Population: Programming That Supports Every Student’s College-to-Career Transition.'
McKee and Boivin Provide College Campus Safety Training to Kamehameha High School Seniors
Their training session addresses campus safety generally as well as street-smart safety tips.
Nate Lingard Named Facilities Operations Manager
Effective March 1, 2019, Lingard has accepted the position of facilities operations manager.
February
Avoiding Emotional Triggers during a Job Interview
Learn tips for making a good impression on a potential employer in this article by HPU's Career Development Coordinator.
HPU Student Veterans Association (SVA) Represented at National Conference
Four student veterans and the Assistant Director of the Military and Veterans Center, representing HPU's Student Veteran Association, attended the 2019 Student Veterans of America National Conference in Orlando, Florida, from Jan. 3 through 5.
Navy Commander and Foreign Policy Advisor among the Guest Speakers for International Relations Class
CDR Jonathan Odom from the Daniel K Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies and Du Tran, career foreign service officer, US Department of State, and deputy foreign policy advisor, headquarters, US Indo-Pacific Command led discussions with international relations students at Hickam Air Force Base.
English Major Places Poem in Prestigious National Anthology!
Nyna Dies’s poem "clenched fist and honeycomb" was selected for inclusion in the 2019 issue of plain china: Best Undergraduate Writing.
College of Business Professor Leads Research on Asymmetric Impact of Decision Making in Marketing
Assistant Professor Ji Mi Park, Ph.D., has recently published two articles in leading marketing journals.
Faculty and Staff Support Fin Week and Display Their Hoop Skills at the Annual Faculty and Staff Basketball Game
Over 30 faculty and staff teamed up to build camaraderie, playing in a semi-competitive halftime basketball match at halftime of the HPU versus Dominican men's basketball game held on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
Smithsonian Institution Visits HPU, Presenting Internship and Career Opportunities
Smithsonian Institution representatives visited HPU to present internship and career opportunities for HPU students.
Hawaiʻi Pacific University and Young Brothers Provide Project-Based Learning Opportunities for Students
HPU business students to gain career experience working alongside Young Brothers employees on projects to address challenges and opportunities unique to the local company
First Look Poster Competition: Open to All HPU Students
The Multimedia Programs have announced the 2019 First Look Mixed Media Festival Poster Design Competition.
January
Staff Council Honors Director, Center for Academic Success
Lisa Ishikuro, director, Center for Academic Success, was named the Fall 2018 Ke Kaukahi individual recipient honoree.
Staff Council Recognizes the Contributions of Information Technology Services
Information Technology Services is the Fall 2018 department recipient of the Ke Kaukahi recognition of excellence.
HPU Libraries Offer 24/7 Chat Service
HPU Libraries offer a 24/7 virtual reference service to support students, faculty and distance education programs.
Students from McKinley and Roosevelt High Schools Win $15,000 Scholarship from HPU
McKinley and Roosevelt students take home victory at Hawaiʻi's inaugural eSports Scholarship Tournament
Spring 2019 Commencement to Be Held on May 9
HPU's Spring 2019 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 9, 5 p.m., at Neal Blaisdell Arena.
An Introduction to Title IX by Our Title IX Coordinator
William Sabio is the University’s Title IX coordinator. The HPU ‘Ohana This Week staff recently had a conversation with Sabio on the topic of Title IX.
HPU Names Jennifer Walsh Provost
Walsh to oversee the development, growth and quality of all academic and student affairs programs to advance the academic mission of HPU
Career Development Center Staff Present and Participate in Annual Conference
Career Development Center staff attended and presented at the Mountain Pacific Association Colleges and Employers Annual Conference.