Kōkua Center

Melissa Matsubara (She/Her): Director of the Kōkua Center & Global Engagement

Melissa has worked at HPU since 2008, serving in a range of roles focused on student success, including overseeing Academic Advising. In addition to being the Director of the Kōkua Center, Melissa oversees all study abroad and international exchange programs at HPU, helping students gain career-ready skills through study and internship opportunities in more than 65 different countries. Students can study or intern abroad for a semester, summer or full year, earning credit towards their degree while paying roughly the same as they would to study locally at HPU.  Melissa is deeply committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging initiatives on campus and to making study and internships abroad possible for every student. 

Born and raised on Oʻahu, Melissa has lived, worked or studied in Türkiye, Chile, Japan, Italy, Singapore and Australia, giving her firsthand insight into the transformative experiences she helps students pursue. Melissa earned her M.A in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University and a certificate for Teaching English as a Foreign Language from ACLE in Italy, and served as a Study Abroad Advisor at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. 

In her free time, Melissa volunteers as a community organizer for kanuhawaii.org and loves travelling, camping, karaoke, and salsa dancing with her wife.

Ali Ancheta (She/They): Assistant Director, Kōkua Center and First Year Programs

Ali Ancheta has worked at Hawaiʻi Pacific University since 2023, developing curriculum and planning programs that help students uncover their personal vision of success and create meaningful pathways to achieve it. In addition to her role as Assistant Director of the Kōkua Center, Ali also oversees the coordination of HPU's First Year Seminar, UNIV 1000, supporting students as they navigate their transition to university life and build foundations for academic and personal growth.

After experiencing challenges with their first attempt at college, Ali took several gap years before returning to university and earning a B.A. in Global Health from Arizona State University, followed by an M.A. in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. The experience of being a nontraditional student strengthened their commitment to collaboration, equity, and student success while providing a unique perspective on higher education. 

Ali remains dedicated to fostering collaboration, advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sense of belonging in higher ed spaces, and creating educational experiences that empower students to succeed both in and beyond the classroom. When Ali is not at HPU, she loves learning new crafts, hiking, and spending time with her family.