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Meet a Mentor
Meet a Mentor (coming soon)
Name: Kyle Bryan
Hometown: Vacaville, CA
College/Major: Shidler College of Business: HRM/Management/IB Major
Hobbies: Going to the beach of course, hiking, working out, anything
that has to do with sports I am into, and I love going to the movies
Why is this program important to you?
This program helped get me through my first semester at UH. This program helped me meet new friends and learn all the ins and outs of both being a college student and in particular a college student at UH.
As a peer mentor this program has still helped me meet some of the most fantastic people I have ever met who without this program I would have never met. I have also learned a great deal about myself and a whole new level of responsibility that I never would have had at this point in my life if I had not taken part in this program.
Why did you want to become an ACE peer mentor?
I wanted to be able to improve the program that I had been in my freshmen year. I wanted to be able to contribute and give back to something that I had done my first year that had helped me, and I felt that I could help others get a better experience in their first semester here by using my knowledge and my experiences as a guide.
Describe the program in one word and explain why you chose that word.
Self. That is because by choosing to be in this program you are making a smart decision to help yourself get through college. No other class or program can help a student or offer a student the type of resources or support we give and have. By choosing to be in this program a student truly cares about themself and their collegiate career.
How has ACE helped you or changed your life? ACE has helped me become a better person in both the classroom and in the world. I have learned responsibility, caring, compassion, and that all are unique and have an interesting story to tell. I truly appreciate the opportunities this program has given me.
Name: Dorothy Terry
Hometown: Newark, NJ and Banks, AL
College/Major: Anthropology and Classics (Latin and Greek)
Hobbies: Reading sci-fi and fantasy, cooking, being a couch potato, hanging out with my friends
Why is this program important to you?
It allows for me to give incoming freshman and insight to real college life. I like to spread knowledge to others and I feel this gives me a wonderful opportunity.
Why did you want to become an ACE peer mentor?
I was an ACE student in my freshman year and I loved my peer mentor. I felt I could bring something to the table and influence others the way she influenced me.
Describe the program in one word and explain why you chose that word. Different: I use this word because not every college student learns the information that is brought to the table in this program. One learns more about oneself than anything else and that is a knowledge more powerful than just about anything else you could learn in college.
How has ACE helped you or changed your life?
ACE has put me in contact with a group of wonderful peer mentors that I gladly call friends. It has influenced my future career path which may or may not lead to teaching. It is also nice to know that I might have influenced one person, which is enough for me. :)
Name: Mari Takemoto–Chock
Hometown: Hilo, Hawaii
College/Major: Political Science
Hobbies: Reading, watching movies, hiking, beach expeditions, traveling, discovering new foods, and spending time with friends. Oh, and I’m obsessed with baseball. If you’re looking for me during the baseball season, I’m probably at home in front of my computer, watching the Yankees on the Internet.
Why is this program important to you?
If I could go back in time, there are a lot of little pieces of advice I would give to my younger self; small things, like the importance of developing personal relationships with my professors and the utility of knowing about the many different resources Manoa has to offer. I was not a part of the ACE Program in my Freshman year so I had to figure out a lot of basic college survival strategies on my own. The ACE Program is important to me because the information and mentoring that it provides incoming students are incredibly useful. Learn them in your first semester through ACE—don’t wait till your sophomore year to figure them out on your own!
Why did you want to become an ACE peer mentor?
I wanted to become an ACE Peer Mentor for several reasons. One, I strongly believe in the mission of the program and think it provides a needed service to the UHManoa community. Two, becoming an ACE Peer Mentor was a great way to hone my leadership skills. And three, I am considering becoming a teacher, and the ACE experience was a great way to dip my toes into the waters of teaching.
Describe the program in one word and explain why you chose that word.
Happy. Programs tend to reflect the personality of its leaders, and this is definitely true of ACE. Led by the always smiling and infectiously cheerful Leilani Takeuchi, ACE is all about good spirits, optimism, and having fun.
How has ACE helped you or changed your life?
ACE has really helped me develop and refine my leadership skills. After a whole semester of leading a classroom, I gained more confidence in my public speaking skills and in my ability to manage a group. And of course, the friendships you develop in the program will stay with you throughout college and beyond.
Name: Andrew Itsuno
Hometown: Pearl City, Hawaii
College/Major: Biology and Political Science
Hobbies: Songwriting, reading, healthcare reform, and international politics
Why is this program important to you?
This program has helped me mentor freshman students through their first academic year at the University. A student's first year experience in college is crucial to their academic success and retention. The ACE program builds this concept into its core curriculum by helping expose students to the abundant resources and opportunities available to them during their first year.
Why did you want to become an ACE peer mentor?
I wanted to be able to share my personal experiences with incoming students. Everyone comes to college with diverse backgrounds but few seem to realize that there are different ways to achieve their goals. I wanted my students to realize that it's okay to be different and it's okay to achieve your goals differently from the status quo.
Describe the program in one word and explain why you chose that word. Opportunity. There are so many opportunities available to you at any University. Focus on your academics but don't forget to experience college life. Meet new people and learn new things! Have fun.
How has ACE helped you or changed your life?
ACE has made me realize that learning never truly ends. As a mentor, you have the opportunity to not only teach freshmen, but to learn from them. Always keep an open mind.
Name: Kory Solatorio
Hometown:Papakōlea, Hawai`i
College/Major: Hawaiian Studies and Social Work
Hobbies: Playing volleyball, watching movies, hanging out with friends, singing, listening to some “`ONO” hawaiian music, and attending functions that help to perpetuate the hawaiian language and culture.
Why is this program important to you?
The ACE program helps UHM students get acclimated with the UHM system. It also helps students meet other students from around the world and helps them become more enthusiastic about attending college.
Why did you want to become an ACE peer mentor?
In my freshman year at UHM, I was enrolled in an ACE cluster. In our class, my ACE mentor shared with us college tips and personal advice that helped make my transition into college much easier. It was because of my positive experience and the gained knowledge from being in an ACE cluster that I decided to become a peer mentor my sophomore year. It is my chance to give back to the ACE program and inspire other students as it has inspired me.
Describe the program in one word and explain why you chose that word. “Waiwai!” This Hawaiian word has many different meanings that describe the ACE program very well. The literal translation of waiwai means valuable. Everything learned in this program is of value and essential for incoming freshman to get acclimated with UHM. Another definition of waiwai means to be rich. The knowledge that the ACE program provides students allows them to become wealthy with knowledge. Wai, by itself means water. As water is the source of life, so is the ACE program, a source for helping students on their academic journey.
How has ACE helped you or changed your life?
The ACE program has helped me since my freshman year, and continues to do so as I embark on my junior year in college. As a student, ACE has taught me so many lessons, such as time management and how to be resourceful, and I apply these lessons to every single day of my life. I was also fortunate to meet a diverse group of people from across the nation and form long lasting friendships. As a peer mentor, ACE has enhanced my speaking skills and made me aware of how to improve my teaching skills. It was a great experience that truly enriched my life!