Thank you for coming out to our first event of Spring 2017! We hope you enjoyed hearing from our panel and the ice cream sundaes!

Sara Samiano

She is a Sophomore, active within the UHM community by serving as American Marketing Association’s Vice President of Communications. Sara shared about her desire to pursue art at an institution away from Hawaiʻi, but found a family within AMA. She is now on track to obtain a double major in Marketing and Management at the Shidler College of Business with a minor in Art! Sara talked about the difficulty of balancing work, school and internships, but getting involved is important. Finding clubs and other places to put your time and energy exercise your ability to prioritize. College is your time to “put yourself out there and put yourself first; be selfish because this is about your future.”

Joanna Galingana

Joanna stressed the importance of over coming the challenges you face. Working three jobs since the age of 16 to fund her college education was tough, but she exemplifies that you can achieve what you work hard for. Being the first in her family to pursue college, Joanna learned all aspects of this venture on her own. She initially pursued a degree within the College of Education, however, she is now finishing her degree in Family Resources! Joanna wants students to be proactive within the UHM community by joining clubs early to gain experience and meet people. This is your time away from the classroom to make connections. Joanna leaves some advice, “Don’t be afraid, be positive, never give up; asking stupid questions will get you answers!”

Tasha Haili-Silva

Tasha has a huge passion for helping others; pursuing a double major in Hawaiian Studies and Family Resources. Throughout college she battled with deciding if college was sincerely the route she wanted to take. When Tasha began Hawaiian Studies courses at Kapiolani Community College, she found passion for Hawaiian Studies because Hawaiʻi is home. After her transfer to UHM, Tasha decided to take on her double major because Family Resources is more related to what she wants to do with her career. Tasha stresses the importance of making friends in your classes because those are the people you will graduate with. Without her friends, Tasha is convinced she would have dropped out of college; they held her accountable when it came to her education.