McKenzie Kurosu is the first University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa / graduate to earn a . It is issued by the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB), which is operated by the Public Relations Society of American (PRSA). The certificate demonstrates a fundamental competency and knowledge for college graduates entering the public relations profession.

Kurosu is a May 2025 graduate who double majored in communication and journalism from the . She received the certificate in December 2025 after taking required courses and passing an exam.

“This certificate really helps bridge the gap between what you learn in a classroom and real-world applications,” said Kurosu. “Having this on a résumé helps you stand out to recruiters, and serves as a great first step to pursue an APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) designation later in your career.”

Public relations or related majors may apply for the certificate, but must be members of PRSA or student chapters of UAB participating organizations. At UH Mānoa, Kurosu completed the public relations coursework while serving as a vice president and director of communications of the David A. Ward chapter of PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America). Kurosu said belonging to PRSSA was a career-defining experience.

“Beyond the leadership roles, I had the chance to travel to California for the ICON conference, and network with professionals and peers who share my passion for the industry,” she said.

For more information about the certificate and to check eligibility, or contact PRSSA faculty advisor Ji Young Kim at jkim22@hawaii.edu.

Fourteen University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa academic subjects were ranked among the world’s best in the 2026 , released on March 25.

Four subjects placed in the top 22 in the nation and top 100 in the world. Leading the way was geology (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), geophysics (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), Earth and marine sciences (No. 21 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world) and linguistics (No. 22 in the U.S. and No. 61 in the world).

Ten additional subjects placed in the world’s top 2% (within top 500 in the world out of ):

• English language and literature: No. 28 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Agriculture and forestry: No. 30 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Anthropology: No. 31 U.S., No. 101–200 world
• Modern languages: No. 41 U.S., No. 251–300 world
• Environmental sciences: No. 66 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Communication and media studies: No. 68 U.S., No. 251–275 world
• Physics and astronomy: No. 70 U.S., No. 401–450 world
• Education: No. 78 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Medicine: No. 99 U.S., No. 451–500 world
• Biological sciences: No. 100 U.S., No. 451–500 world

“These rankings highlight the exceptional work and commitment of our faculty, students and staff,” UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “They showcase the university’s global standing and reinforce that UH Mānoa offers outstanding educational opportunities and experiences for both our local community and those joining us from around the world.”

UH Mānoa was ranked in three broad subject areas and 14 narrow subject areas. The QS World University Rankings by Subject are calculated using five criteria: academic reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs by asking academic experts to nominate universities based on their subject area of expertise), employer reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs among employers), research citations per paper (measures the impact and quality of the scientific work done by institutions, on average per publication), H-index (measures both the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar) and international research network (measure of an institution’s success in creating and sustaining research partnerships with institutions in other locations).

The 2026 edition of the rankings by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds analyzed the performance of more than 18,300 university programs, taken by students at more than 1,700 universities in 100 locations around the world.

Other rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026
• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026

As a student, Suzanne Neufang gravitated to the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa because of its location and connection to the Pacific. Today, she works to strengthen the bonds that hold the business travel industry together as the CEO of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).

“Having grown up in the middle of the continent in North America, it was so enriching for me to have such a view of not just Asia, but the Pacific, and then �鶹��ý’s history in and amongst that,” said Neufang.

Inspired by UH professors

While studying at UH, Neufang became fascinated by telecommunications—especially how vital technology is for a geographically isolated island chain. Encouraged by her professors, she researched and submitted a paper that was selected for discussion at the Pacific Telecommunications Conference in Waikīkī. Her thesis examined Integrated Services Digital Network, an early digital standard for transmitting voice and data over phone lines that was once viewed as the next stage of broadband.

“Thinking about what technology has to do with something as old as human communication, I think without the professors and the students who are challenging each other, I don’t think I would have made it that far,” said Neufang. “Both the theoretical as well as the practical was something that I enjoy mixing every day.”

Forging a path in communication industries

After graduating with a master’s degree in communication from UH in 1992, Neufang spent a decade at �鶹��ý Public Television and GTE Hawaiian Tel. That cemented her understanding and belief that communication and connection to others is integral to the human experience.

“While telecom and broadcasting can be considered mediated connections, travel as a face-to-face or now as we say in-real-life connection, was a natural evolution for me to navigate towards professionally,” Neufang said.

Neufang oversees the GBTA’s mission to deliver community, learning and advocacy for industry members worldwide. That includes delivering innovative business-to-business solutions to customers who need them. The tools she learned at UH help to lay the foundation needed to make connections on a global scale.

The earned high marks in nearly 20 academic subjects in the , with , and leading the way among the highest-ranked programs.

Oceanography ranked No. 5 in the U.S. and No. 7 in the world, atmospheric science placed No. 8 nationally and No. 11 worldwide, and hospitality and tourism management ranked No. 12 in the U.S. and No. 32 in the world.

The rankings were released by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy and is considered one of the most comprehensive and objective assessments of university performance by discipline.

UH Mānoa also posted strong global and national placements across science, engineering, social science and other fields. tied for No. 17 in the U.S. and ranked No. 51–75 worldwide, while ecology and each tied for No. 24 nationally and placed No. 76–100 globally.

Additional UH Mānoa subjects recognized in the 2025 rankings include communication, education, political science, water resources, biological sciences, civil engineering, food science and technology, environmental science and engineering, agricultural sciences, economics, management and physics.

“These rankings reflect the depth and consistency of excellence at UH Mānoa,” Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “Our faculty are advancing research that matters locally and globally, while preparing students to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our world.”

UH Mānoa was evaluated alongside approximately 2,000 universities from more than 100 countries and regions, selected from a global pool of more than 25,000 institutions. The rankings are based on measures such as world-class faculty, world-class research output, high-quality research, research impact and international collaboration.

Other recent rankings:

• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .

—By Marc Arakaki

The ancestor spirit represents my deep appreciation to my ancestors, who I feel are always guiding me in life.
—King James Mangoba ()

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, Hamilton Library’s and the Center for Philippine Studies at the UH ����ԴDz� opened , an exhibition linking 1500s colonial maps with tattoos as living archives of Filipino cultural memory, on view through February 2026.

Opening events, held October 15–17, drew more than 100 participants for workshops, talks and live tattoo demonstrations. Attendees explored how Filipinos have used body art and the written word to resist erasure—from rare 16th-century maps and letters from the Philippine Revolution to underground newspapers from the Marcos era, all part of Hamilton’s Philippine Collection.

Mapping identity through body and archive

Philippine Studies Librarian Elena Clariza opened the program with a presentation on early colonial maps, connecting “fragile maps on paper with living maps of the body—tattoos as archives of ancestral knowledge and cultural memory.”

Guest artists from California’s Spiritual Journey Tattoo Shop and members of Tatak ng Apat na Alon (Mark of the Four Waves) demonstrated traditional hand poke and tapping tattoo techniques, sharing their nearly 30-year effort to revive Indigenous Filipino tattoo practices.

“In the beginning it was just for us to find our identity, to represent the culture in some way,” said Elle Festin, tattoo artist at Spiritual Journey and a Datu (chief) of the Mark of the Four Waves tribe. “It’s important to get the tattoos to show the resistance and to revolt against the systematic colonial mentality.”

UH community connects to heritage

For King James Mangoba, a UH ����ԴDz� double major in communication & marketing and Hamilton Library social media content creator, the event was a personal and cultural milestone.

“The rice symbolizes my family’s livelihood of rice farming back in the Philippines. The ancestor spirit represents my deep appreciation to my ancestors, who I feel are always guiding me in life,” he said. “This tattoo is a permanent reminder of where I came from and my appreciation to my ancestors who came before me.”

Doctoral candidate Matthew Melendez, from the , participated in the tattoo sessions. “Receiving knowledge from the Tatak ng Apat na Alon tribe through our cultural portal of batok (tattooing) has profoundly transformed me from within,” he said.

The event was co-sponsored by UH ����ԴDz�’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies and Center for Philippine Studies, and Spiritual Journey Tattoo Shop. To support programs like this at Hamilton Library, visit the .

.

Mark of the Four Waves members visit the Philippine Studies section at Hamilton Library.The post Exhibit links Filipino tattoos, maps across centuries first appeared on University of Hawaiʻi System News.]]> 225411 /news/2025/11/13/the-human-connection/ Thu, 13 Nov 2025 23:44:47 +0000 /news/?p=225355 Interactive activities and panel discussion help students build essential workforce skills.

For Grace Nushida, a leap across the Pacific became the experience that inspired her future. While studying at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�, she earned a scholarship to study abroad in Okinawa—the only �鶹��ý student selected to attend the newly opened Okinawan Prefecture Arts University in Shuri.

She describes her year abroad as a life-changing immersion into music, culture, cuisine and her Okinawan heritage.

Transformative experience abroad

“Studying in Okinawa was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I had the opportunity to live in a foreign country where I didn’t speak the language fluently, which pushed me far outside my comfort zone,” Nushida said. “Okinawa gave me the courage to fail, reflect and grow.”

Back home, Nushida completed a bachelor of arts in communications in 1996. She credits UH ����ԴDz� for giving her the foundation to succeed both personally and professionally.

UH isn’t just where I earned my degree, it’s where I learned how to lead, listen and grow.
—Grace Nushida

Formative years at UH ����ԴDz�

“My time at UH was incredibly formative. I had excellent professors in the College of Communications and one of my elective courses with Glen Grant left a lasting impression. He was legendary among students for his captivating storytelling, while dressing up and sharing �鶹��ý ghost stories that made learning unforgettable,” she said.

Leadership, connection and community

Today, Nushida is sales manager at UHA Health Insurance, where she works to make health coverage easier to understand and access. She stays closely connected to UH and its alumni ʻohana, carrying forward the lessons and values she learned on campus.

“As someone who works closely with businesses across �鶹��ý, I’m constantly presenting to, collaborating with or servicing UH alumni. That shared connection opens doors, builds trust and reminds me we’re all part of something bigger,” she said. “UH isn’t just where I earned my degree, it’s where I learned how to lead, listen and grow.”

The David A. Ward chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s earned the for the 2024–25 academic year. This national award recognizes the chapter’s outstanding achievement and leadership in community engagement.

“We dedicated our time and effort to ensure that we upheld the highest standards set by PRSSA,” said Mailani Magbanua, chapter president and a in . “We can’t wait to see how our chapter will continue to flourish in the future.”

To earn the Star Chapter Award, PRSSA student chapters must meet at least eight of 11 rigorous requirements, which include strengthening relationships with a sponsoring professional chapter, addressing ethics in meetings, participating in community service, and engaging in national events and awards.

The UH Mānoa PRSSA students organized a variety of academic and professional events, including a speaker series, communication skills workshops, community service projects and fundraising efforts. The chapter also held semi-annual career day tours and, this past spring, offered members a behind-the-scenes glimpse of �鶹��ý Business Magazine and Anthology Marketing Group.

“This award reflects our members’ passion and dedication to achieve the chapter’s goals,” said Ji Young Kim, faculty advisor and associate professor of communication. “This is the second time the chapter has earned this national recognition, and I am looking forward to their continued success.”

Added Amy Hennessey, the chapter’s professional advisor, “As an alumna, it gives me great pride to see how they’ve continued to build on the legacy of so many members before them. I continue to be inspired by the quality of our students and their contributions to the profession and our local PR community.”

.

The School of Communication and Information is part of UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s .

University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� alumna Keʻalohi Lee Lucero is returning to the islands to showcase her latest feature film, . As the executive producer, she helped bring to life the heartfelt story of a father with terminal illness teaching his disabled son to bag groceries in preparation for a life of independence.

The critically acclaimed film has earned 12 awards so far, including Best Premiere at the Heartland International Film Festival. It stars Police Academy’s Lance Kinsey as Oscar, along with the up-and-coming Cole Massie as Oscar’s son Billy—both of whom were recognized for their roles.

“What makes Paper Bag Plan unique is that it redefines the superhero story—sometimes heroes don’t lift cars, they lift their children.” said Lucero. “I want this film to stick with people. I want people to contact their family members—their mother, their father, or their child, and just reach out to them.”

Consolidated Theatres Ward will be showing the film September 18–25, with the possibility of future shows based on reception. Lucero will be hosting a Q&A on September 19 and 20 after the 7 p.m. showings.

An industry veteran

Lucero is no stranger to Hollywood, working for years as a live studio director, producer and editor. Some of her most notable contributions have been to series such as Baywatch and America’s Got Talent.

However, she got her foot in the door as an intern for the �鶹��ý Public Television station where she soon made her way to being their youngest live director.

“I fell in love with all of it,” said Lucero. “I spent every waking moment in that studio.”

This hands-on experience complemented her studies at UH ����ԴDz�, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication. Lucero was also fascinated with the business side of the industry—which her UH classes helped her to understand—as well as production.

“Collaborating creatively with like-minded people in my classes was really helpful,” said Lucero. “I wouldn’t be where I am today had I not gone to UH.”

Passion project

While Lucero is still behind-the-scenes on larger scale productions, she has personally helmed feature films such as Paper Bag Plan, which she produced with her husband Anthony, the project’s director.

“We wanted to be unique and tell an original story, not just follow another manufactured formula,” said Lucero.

Unlike many box office productions that focus on drawing crowds in with big names, Paper Bag Plan takes a small idea and turns it into an epic story, while highlighting people with disabilities.

To learn more about the film, visit .

—By Josslyn Rose

University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� students swept all 24 student awards at the annual Excellence in Journalism awards, hosted by the (SPJ), July 30.

Headlining the group were the following first-place winners:

• Student Investigative Journalism in Any Media—Lili Hurd ( major)
• Student Breaking News in Any Media—Emma Davidson (journalism major)
• Student Feature Journalism in Any Media—Flynn Hamlin (2024 journalism graduate)
• Student Sports Journalism in Any Media—Justin Gardner (2024 journalism graduate)
• Student Journalism Featuring Video—Lili Hurd
• Student Journalism Featuring Photography—Kiersten Morgan (exploratory major)
• Student Journalism Featuring Audio—Alyssa Francesca Salcedo (2025 journalism graduate)
• Student Editorial/Opinion Writing—Emma Caires (2025 journalism graduate)

Associate Professor Youjeong Kim from the in UH �Ѳ��ԴDz�’s and faculty sponsor of the UH ����ԴDz� SPJ Student Chapter, said, “It’s incredibly rewarding to see our students recognized for their hard work. They’re not just learning how to report the truth—they’re out there doing it, with heart and a strong sense of responsibility. Their work makes a real difference in �鶹��ý, and I’m proud to support them.”

Other students who won awards included majors in , and . Suah Cho, an incoming PhD student in the communication and information sciences program, won three awards for stories that were published in Civil Beat, where she interned in 2024. Many faculty members and alumni also earned awards in professional categories.

.

Taking a leap of faith across the U.S. and Pacific, Quentin Shores—a communications major from New Albany, Ohio—arrived at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa knowing no one. But it didn’t take long for him to uncover a passion for storytelling, public speaking, and building meaningful connections that would define his college experience.

“I didn’t even know there was a college out here, and I’d never been here. I didn’t know a single person here, so it was just kind of like a shot in the dark,” said Shores.

Discovering passion through community, social media

In his second year, Shores worked at the as a campus tour guide, where he discovered his passion for communications. His humor and charisma quickly resonated with prospective students and families, making each tour an unforgettable experience.

Meet more amazing UH spring graduates

That experience opened new doors, leading to a student host role on UH News’ weekly “What’s Up This Week” social media videos, where he honed his professional speaking and broadcasting skills. Shores was able to showcase and refine a range of his talents, aligning more closely with his passion for communication and performance.

“I feel like I’ve been able to match things like the art of public speaking and being able to present ideas clearly. UH really helped me narrow in on what I’m good at and where I want to go with it.”

Shores wore many hats: DJ, social media manager for multiple organizations, and tenor saxophone section leader (and social media manager) for the UH Mānoa Marching Band. His social media videos for the band drew more than 100k views.

“The band was like a found family experience,” Shores said. “So I was able to come into the university and have, like, basically a group of friends right off the bat. That really helped me integrate into the island, as well as culturally into the campus.”

A message of resilience and new beginnings

Selected as the student speaker for commencement, Shores hopes to remind his fellow graduates that success isn’t always a straight line.

“I want to reassure everyone that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. Society makes you think you need to know exactly what you’re doing after college. The truth is, it’s always going to be hard,” Shores said. “But if you’ve gone to college and built skills, it’s just a matter of time. You’ve already done the hard part.”

After graduation, Shores plans to travel and soak in new experiences before heading to Orlando in the fall to join the Disney College Program. There, he hopes to bring stories to life, spark joy through performance, and continue honing his craft in communication.

“I came here not knowing anyone, not knowing what I was doing,” he said. “But now, I leave feeling like I really found myself. And I think that’s the whole point of college. I always tell people—don’t be afraid to take risks. You might just find your people, your purpose, and a place that feels like home.”

—By McKenzie Kurosu

Twenty two academic subjects at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� earned high marks in the 2025 , released on March 12.

Leading the way was linguistics, which earned a No. 11 ranking in the U.S. and No. 40 ranking in the world. Library and information management (No. 17 U.S., No. 51–100 world) and Earth and marine sciences (No. 20 U.S., No. 51–100 world) also placed within the top 100 in the world.

Eleven additional subjects placed in the world’s top 1% (within top 250 in the world out of ):

• Geophysics: No. 30 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Geology: No. 31 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Anthropology: No. 35 U.S., No. 101–170 world
• Agriculture and forestry: No. 34 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• English language and literature: No. 40 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Philosophy: No. 42 U.S., No. 201–225 world
• Geography: No. 34 U.S., No. 201–250 world
• History: No. 42 U.S., No. 201–250 world
• Politics: No. 43 U.S., No. 201–250 world
• Physics and astronomy: No. 45 U.S., No. 201–250 world
• Communication and media studies: No. 57 U.S., No. 201–250 world

“These rankings reflect the outstanding scholarship and dedication of our faculty, staff and students,” UH ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno said. “They reaffirm our university’s reputation for excellence and innovation, not just in �鶹��ý, but on a global scale. For the communities we serve and the students considering UH ����ԴDz�, these rankings are a powerful endorsement of the exceptional education and opportunities we provide.”

UH ����ԴDz� was ranked in four broad subject areas and 22 narrow subject areas. The QS World University Rankings by Subject are calculated using five criteria: academic reputation (survey responses from academics), employer reputation (survey responses from graduate employers worldwide), research citations per paper (citations data sourced from Elsevier Scopus), H-index (measures most cited papers and the number of citations) and international research network (reflects ability to diversify the geography of their international research network).

The 2025 edition of the rankings by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds analyzed the performance of more than 18,300 university programs, taken by students at more than 1,700 universities in 100 locations around the world.

Other rankings

UH ����ԴDz� also received these notable rankings:

• UH ����ԴDz� earns highest national research designation, February 20, 2025
• 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 23, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2025 Best Colleges rankings, September 24, 2024

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� continues to solidify its status as a leading research institution, ranking No. 92 among the top 660 research universities in the U.S. and No. 68 among the top 420 public universities. This is according to the latest , which measures research and development (R&D) expenditures across various disciplines and serves as the primary source for R&D data in U.S. higher education.

• Related UH News story: UH ����ԴDz� among nation’s best in latest research rankings, February 5, 2024

Top-performing disciplines

UH ����ԴDz� demonstrated research excellence across a range of critical fields, with several disciplines maintaining their place in the top 10% nationally for fiscal year (FY) 2023:

• Ocean sciences and marine sciences: No. 7 out of 414 (top 2%)
• Astronomy and astrophysics: No. 15 out of 517 (top 3%)
• Geological and earth sciences: No. 13 out of 414 (top 3%)
• Computer and information sciences: No. 39 out of 500 (top 8%)
• Communication and communications technologies: No. 37 out of 474 (top 8%, ranked in top 10% for the first time)
• Atmospheric science and meteorology: No. 41 out of 414 (top 10%)

UH ����ԴDz� also excelled in agricultural sciences (No. 40 out of 343, top 12%) and electrical, electronic, and communications engineering (No. 49 out of 403, top 12%).

“Our continued presence among the nation’s top research universities reaffirms the strength and consistency of our research programs at UH ����ԴDz�,” said Interim Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship Christopher Sabine. “These rankings are a testament to our faculty and researchers and proof of our commitment to innovative research and scholarship to address challenges here in �鶹��ý and beyond.”

Examples of UH ����ԴDz� projects that attracted significant funding, include:

• The �鶹��ý Ocean Time-series (HOT) established in 1988 that studies climate and environmental changes in the North Pacific. After nearly 350 expeditions to the exact same location north of �鶹��ý dubbed station ALOHA, the 35-year time-series record is still going strong. Read more on UH News.
• A UH telescope on Maunakea that will support NASA’s $19.5 million Landolt Space Mission by helping calibrate telescopes with an artificial “star” satellite and creating new star brightness catalogs. Read more on UH News.
• Earth scientists studying the chemical evolution of the Hawaiian hotspot and Kīlauea’s volcanic cycles, revealing the submarine Hawaiian volcano Kamaʻehuakanaloa has erupted at least five times in the last 150 years. Read more on UH News.

Record-breaking extramural funding

UH ����ԴDz� received a record $464.9 million in extramural awards in fiscal year 2023-2024, leading the way in the UH 10-campus system’s record-breaking $615.7 million that fiscal year, surpassing the previous year’s record by $99.8 million.

Extramural funding, which comes from external sources, mainly the federal government, supports research and training initiatives by university faculty and staff. This marks the third consecutive year UH has exceeded half a billion dollars in funding.

National research trends

The HERD survey revealed an 11.2% increase in national academic R&D spending in FY 2023, the largest growth rate in two decades. Total U.S. academic R&D expenditures reached $108.8 billion, a $11.0 billion increase from FY 2022.

“UH ����ԴDz�’s performance aligns with this upward trend, further emphasizing its role as a key contributor to the national research landscape,” said UH ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno.

A University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� alumna is believed to be the first person from �鶹��ý to win a title at the Miss Asia USA pageant in its 36-year run.

Emily Smith, who graduated summa cum laude from UH ����ԴDz� in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in in the , was crowned Miss Asia USA America 2025 on November 16 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center in California. Smith, who is half Japanese and half Welsh, represented Japan in the cultural pageant. Her national costume included a kimono designed by Sueko Oshimoto, who worked on the Emmy-awarded project Shogun.

“It shows that no matter where you’re from, even if you’re from a small town and you don’t have as many pageant resources in �鶹��ý, as long as you work hard and you have a good team of people and you practice hard, you can achieve your dreams,” Smith said.

Smith entered UH ����ԴDz� at age 16 after graduating early from ���ʻ����� School in Wahiawā. Despite having some of her college years disrupted by COVID-19, she credits her university experience with teaching her valuable lessons about teamwork.

“I love how UH ����ԴDz� really emphasizes teamwork, even during COVID, when we were having Zoom classes,” Smith said. “The fact that teachers were still emphasizing and putting importance on working with your peers really taught me the importance of having a good team.”

After earning her master’s degree in communication management from USC in 2023, Smith transitioned from her role as a digital media specialist at �鶹��ý Magazine to focus full-time on her pageant coaching business, Elevated Pageant Coaching.

“We really don’t have the same resources as maybe girls in California or Texas have when it comes to pageantry,” Smith said. “I want our girls in �鶹��ý to not only feel prepared when they’re joining pageants, but also have the same resources to grow themselves, to grow their confidence, to have good interview skills, to learn how to walk with grace.”

Kelly Tolar opened the third location of her island lifestyle boutique at the Ala Moana Center in November. Already a favorite on �鶹��ý Island, with locations in Hilo and Waikōloa, Coconut Ave offers resort wear, swimwear and accessories designed for the island lifestyle.

Tolar, a co-owner, earned an associates degree from in 2018 and a bachelorʻs degree in from the in 2019.

“I just really had the burning desire to get my bachelor’s degree. I feel like I gained some valuable friendships and also valuable knowledge to take me to where I am today,” Tolar said.

At UH ����ԴDz�, the Public Relations Student Society of America and the �鶹��ý Student Entrepreneurs Club also provided valuable experiences.

“I gained a unique perspective and a lot of motivation from seeing the interests and ambitions of my fellow members,” she said. “I had an incredible time organizing ways to give back and connect with the community—it was both rewarding and a lot of fun!”

Tolar hopes that current community college students seize their opportunity to continue their education at UH.

“Higher education offers not only valuable knowledge, but also lifelong connections that can shape your future,” she said.

A small, locally owned business on Oʻahu’s east side is shining a spotlight on Hawaiian honey. University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� alumna Shiyana Thenabadu, who graduated with her master’s degree in communication from the College of Social Sciences in 1994, recently opened a storefront for her venture, .

“I think we need to have a brick-and-mortar store for people to take us seriously,” said Thenabadu.

She credits her connection to the community to her student days at UH ����ԴDz�.

“It was a fabulous experience. I got to meet so many people from different parts of the country…and we really felt the aloha spirit in our classes,” she said. “I was a foreign student, so it wasn’t easy, but [my professors] made it easy for me to assimilate and do well, basically.”

Inspired by bees

Her journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she left her job as a teacher for McKinley Community School and began reading about the challenges bees face. Inspired, she decided to start a hive and try her hand at beekeeping.

Her hobby soon grew into a small business, beginning with sales from her front yard and local deliveries by bicycle.

“We source locally as much as possible. We want to help �鶹��ý agriculture, �鶹��ý farmers, and we want to help other small businesses,” she said. “We know it’s not easy to survive and I think collaboration is where it’s at, not competition.”

With this new venture, Thenabadu is also looking to give back and support other women entrepreneurs.

“If there’s anything I can do to help other women entrepreneurs who might want to start their own business at UH, I would love to talk to them and give them a hand,” she said.

.

While U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono works on behalf of the citizens of �鶹��ý, Elise Inouye is by her side to communicate positions and policies. She is Hirono’s press secretary—crafting press releases, floor speeches and more on a daily basis.

From a young age, Inouye knew she wanted to be in public service. Her time at the , specifically her first women’s studies course, solidified her decision.

“I didn’t know that that was an area of study that was even an option afforded to me,” said Inouye. “It may sound a little dramatic, but I do think that taking that one course has really changed my life.”

Inouye graduated from UH Hilo in 2017 with a double major in communication and gender and women’s studies. She said UH Hilo prepared her for her current role.

“I think that both of those programs and degrees that I received from UH Hilo have led me to where I am today, but also I use the skills that I gained and the knowledge and insight from those courses on a regular basis,” said Inouye.

She pushes preparation, especially for those with double majors.

“I think the biggest piece of advice would be to plan ahead,” said Inouye. “My career counselor, the guidance counselor that I had at Hilo was my best friend. I saw him on a monthly basis just to touch base.”

Being based in Washington, D.C. has shown Inouye that staying connected to the UH alumni community is critical.

“Being far away from �鶹��ý and home and having that sense of community out there is crucial,” said Inouye. “It’s so important.”

Learn more about other outstanding .

Local television, news and public relations professionals engaged with students from the University of �鶹��ý at for an evening of networking in September. Students were able to meet and share resumes with more than 30 communications industry professionals, many of whom were UH alumni.

“This event was such a great experience! It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with current students, alumni and learn more about the industry and potential career paths,” said UH ����ԴDz� student Julia Welch.

A panel discussion featured Dillon Ancheta (BA ‘17, UH ����ԴDz�) “This is Now” anchor and producer, Hawaii News Now; Shere‘e Quitevis (BA ‘10, UH ����ԴDz�) associate vice president of public relations, Anthology Marketing Group; and Filip Humler (BBA ‘22, UH ����ԴDz�) area marketing manager, Outrigger Hospitality Group. It was facilitated by UH ����ԴDz� senior Crystal Castille.

“The Post-Grad Communication and Journalism Internship Meet and Greet was a fruitful experience for both students and alumni,” said Castille. “This effort to promote the alumni-student connection strengthens the communications field and provides students with a stable footing in the professional world. The networking and story talk shared throughout the night are conversations I will hold close and will construct my future career path.”

The UH Office of Alumni Relations and the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy (OVPAS) recently launched the Post-Grad Success Initiative, which aims to provide internship opportunities to current UH students through the UH alumni network.

“UH students are clearly hungry for more opportunities to learn about available internships, and well aware of their importance in developing the soft skills and professional connections they’ll need to ensure post-graduate success,” said Christine Beaule, OVPAS director of workforce development. “We look forward to working with our partners at the UH Foundation to provide more of these opportunities for students.”

Haley Taylor is a shining example of a student who found her passion at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�. And for the past few years, the spring 2024 graduate and student has been paying it forward to the community through her service in Alohathon, a UH Manoa-based non-profit organization, and to future Rainbow Warriors as a tour guide with the .

Discovering academic interests

Taylor began her academic journey at UH ����ԴDz� in the midst of the pandemic, unsure of what the university would have to offer and what major to pursue. After enrolling in a few courses in the ’ , she found that these classes resonated with her interests.

“I’ve met some really amazing faculty who really wanted me to thrive,” Taylor said. “They taught me things about new emerging social media and media connections and how vital communications is in the world we live in now.”

Inspiring future ‘Bows

Taylor was born in Tennessee and went to high school in Las Vegas, but in between spent four years residing in �鶹��ý Kai, so she wasn’t new to living on Oʻahu. While Taylor lived on campus during her freshman year, most of her classes were online due to the pandemic. She recalled that when her parents visited, she couldn’t tell them what most of the buildings were. This is what inspired her to apply to be a campus tour guide during her sophomore year.

“By luck they hired me and I’ve loved it ever since I started—just being able to talk to prospective students and tell them what I’ve learned, what I’ve gained from it and hopefully allow them to see what kind of amazing opportunities they might not be thinking about, and how it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get your education in a place like this,” Taylor said. “It really is unlike any other.”

She continued working as a tour guide through her senior year and also became a leader to welcome and connect new students and their families with the campus.

“At orientation, they’d come up to me like, ‘Hey, you’re my tour guide. I heard you talk about this. I knew I wanted to be a part of it when I came to the school.’ And that’s just a feeling you can’t really describe,” Taylor said. “It’s just like, ‘Wow, I made an impact on someone’s major life decision.’ It’s not solely because of me. It’s because of how amazing the university is.”

Giving back

Becoming a part of the UH Manoa ʻohana inspired Taylor to look for ways to give back to her campus community. In her sophomore year, she called it her “proudest moment” when she led an organization called Alohathon at UH ����ԴDz�. They helped raise more than $27,000 for Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children.

Stepping toward the future

Taylor is headed to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, to pursue a master’s degree in communications, with a focus on artificial intelligence. While she’ll be leaving the islands, at least for now, a piece of her legacy will remain at the place it all started—the admissions office. Inspired by the impact UH ����ԴDz� had on their daughter’s academic career, Taylor’s parents made a generous contribution to revamp the welcome center in the Office of Admissions—the place many prospective students see when they first step foot on campus and where Taylor spent many memorable hours.

“To revamp this and to get this to be a fresh new happening place for prospective students to come in and see, it’s a good first look for the university,” Taylor said. “In however many years when I have a family, I can come back and show them not only the place that I love, the island that I love, but the place I spent so much of my undergraduate time in.”

Check out more stories of our UH spring graduates

When asked about what UH ����ԴDz� has meant to her, Taylor concluded, “UH has meant everything. This has been the best four years that I could have ever imagined. I can’t imagine going to a different undergraduate program.”

—By Marc Arakaki

The placed in the nation’s top 20 in eight subjects, the best performance by UH’s flagship institution in the .

Released April 10, QS’s 2024 version of the rankings listed UH ����ԴDz� among the nation’s best in the following categories:

• Linguistics: No. 10 U.S., No. 22 world
• Hospitality and leisure management: No. 15 U.S., No. 46 world
• Anthropology: No. 19 U.S., No. 51–100 world
• Modern languages: No. 19 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Geophysics: No. 20 U.S., No. 47 world
• Geology: No. 20 U.S., No. 49 world
• Earth and marine sciences: No. 20 U.S., No. 51–100 world
• Geography: No. 20 U.S., No. 101–150 world

“These rankings are a testament to the excellence of our faculty and the dedication of our entire staff,” UH ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno said. “To the communities that we serve, they affirm that this university represents the very best in scholarship and education. And to our prospective students and their families, the rankings are a strong endorsement of the quality and value of an education from UH ����ԴDz�.”

UH ����ԴDz� also placed in the nation’s top 50 in nine additional subjects:

• English language and literature: No. 30 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Archaeology: No. 30 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Agriculture and forestry: No. 34 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Physics and astronomy: No. 39 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Sociology: No. 42 U.S., No. 201–250 world
• Politics: No. 44 U.S., No. 201–250 world
• Communication and media studies: No. 46 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Arts and humanities: No. 47 U.S., No. 210 world
• Environmental sciences: No. 49 U.S., No. 251–300 world

UH ����ԴDz� was ranked in four broad subject areas and 24 narrow subject areas. The QS World University Rankings by Subject are calculated using five criteria: academic reputation (survey responses from academics), employer reputation (survey responses from graduate employers worldwide), research citations per paper (citations data sourced from Elsevier Scopus), H-index (measures most cited papers and the number of citations) and international research network (reflects ability to diversify the geography of their international research network).

The 2024 edition of the rankings by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds analyzed the performance of more than 16,400 university programs, taken by students at more than 1,500 universities in 96 locations around the world.

Recent rankings

UH ����ԴDz� also received these notable rankings:

• 2024 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings, April 9, 2024
• QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, December 11, 2023
• 2023 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects released by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, October 29, 2023

For more information on rankings, see the .

—By Marc Arakaki