{"id":158852,"date":"2022-05-10T15:38:49","date_gmt":"2022-05-11T01:38:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=158852"},"modified":"2024-03-14T23:16:16","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T09:16:16","slug":"uh-manoa-commencement-student-speaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2022\/05\/10\/uh-manoa-commencement-student-speaker\/","title":{"rendered":"Student speaker developed love for higher ed from Kapi\u02bbolani CC<\/abbr>, UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Tiare Sabellano-Tsutsui<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For someone who once didn\u2019t believe in the power of higher education, Tiare Sabellano-Tsutsui<\/strong> has just earned an impressive academic accolade. The graduating College of Social Sciences<\/a> senior in the Honors Program<\/a>, who will earn a bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology<\/a>, was selected as student speaker at UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa\u2019s 2022 commencement ceremony on Friday, May 13. Sabellano-Tsutsui remembers how, when she graduated from Pearl City High School in 2011, she went straight to work for seven years.<\/p>\n

“After a lifetime of believing I wasn\u2019t good enough for college, I entered Kapiʻolani<\/span> Community College<\/a> before transferring to UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa,” said the 28-year-old Wahiaw\u0101 resident. “I instantly fell in love with higher education.”<\/p>\n

More highlights from the commencement ceremonies and our amazing graduates<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At UH<\/abbr>, Sabellano-Tsutsui became the epitome of an involved student\u2014serving as a tutor, peer mentor, academic coach and teacher assistant. She was an editor for both Kapiʻolani<\/span> CC<\/abbr> and UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa student journals; developed and hosted Zen mindfulness classes via Zoom for Kapiʻolani<\/span> CC<\/abbr> students during COVID-19\u2019s impactful first semester; and worked as a research assistant for faculty in psychology, psychiatry and public health. In addition, she volunteered weekly for the UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Prison Education Project\u2014co-teaching positive psychology and developing mindful awareness exercises and lessons for inmates at Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> correctional facilities.<\/p>\n

Off campus, she is a black-belt sensei (teacher) in karate; likes to try different sushi restaurants; and keeps fit and agile by practicing traditional Chinese lion dance. She hopes to enjoy a fun summer before joining the master\u2019s program in fall 2022 at the UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health<\/a>. After that, she is determined to earn a PhD<\/abbr> in social welfare, then start a non-profit organization or become a university faculty member.<\/p>\n

As a commencement student speaker, what is her message to fellow graduates?<\/p>\n

“With everything going on in our world, these times call for individuals like us to rise and become the best versions of ourselves for humanity,” said Sabellano-Tsutsui. “May the breath of M\u0101noa be always at our backs as we venture forth into this great unknown we call life.”<\/p>\n

Sabellano-Tsutsui\u2019s experiences in higher education is an example of UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa\u2019s goal of Enhancing Student Success<\/a> (PDF<\/abbr><\/span>), one of four goals identified in the 2015–25 Â鶹´«Ã½<\/a> (PDF<\/abbr><\/span>), updated in December 2020.<\/p>\n

The student speakers for UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa\u2019s 2022 commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 14 are Maansi Murty<\/strong>, candidate for bachelor of science in biology, and Genice Tran<\/strong>, candidate for bachelor of education in elementary education. For more on the student speakers, visit the UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa commencement website<\/a>.<\/p>\n