University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Commencement

Commencement Speaker

Carissa Moore

5X World Surfing Champion and 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist

Born and raised in Honolulu, Carissa is a five-time World Surf League Champion and made history as the youngest surfer ever to win a world title, claiming her first championship at just 18 years old. In 2021, she etched her name in the history books once again as the first-ever Olympic gold medalist in women’s surfing, representing the United States on the world stage at the Tokyo Games.

For over 14 years, Carissa competed at the highest level on the Championship Tour, earning global recognition for her bold style, unmatched work ethic, and unwavering humility. In early 2024, after more than a decade at the top of her sport, Carissa made the bold decision to step away from full-time competition to explore new possibilities and begin a new chapter in life.

She is now the proud mother of a beautiful 3-month-old baby girl and is fully embracing the joy and transformation of mom life. While this new journey has brought its own waves to ride, Carissa is also back in the ocean — reconnecting with her love of surfing in new and meaningful ways.

But Carissa’s impact goes far beyond the waves. She is a passionate advocate for empowering young women, using her platform to uplift others through mentorship and service. In 2018, she launched the Moore Aloha Foundation, a nonprofit that helps girls build confidence and find connection through surfing and self-discovery.

Carissa exemplifies what it means to live with purpose, heart, and humility. Whether she’s competing at the highest level, giving back to her community, or simply enjoying time with her family here in Hawaiʻi, she carries the values of aloha, resilience, and excellence wherever she goes.

Student Speaker – 9:00 a.m. Ceremony

Quentin Shores

Candidate for Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Quentin Shores will be receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Communications. During his time at UH Mānoa, he specialized in social media, broadcasting, and public speaking. He’s been an active member of the campus community, serving as a campus tour guide, a section leader for the marching band, and a student reporter for UH News. Quentin is excited for what lies ahead and looks forward to opportunities that allow him to continue using his voice and presence — whether behind the mic or in front of the camera. Public speaking and performance are truly his bread and butter.

Student Speaker – 3:30 p.m. Ceremony

Jessica Chillingworth

Candidate for Doctor of Philosophy in Learning Design and Technology

Jessica Chillingworth is graduating with a PhD in Learning Design and Technology from the College of Education. Her academic background and career have been rooted in the field of communications — earning her Bachelor’s degree from UH Mānoa and her Master’s from Washington State University. Before pursuing a career in education, Jessica served as an education specialist for the State of Hawaiʻi. During her doctoral journey, she worked as a graduate assistant and taught courses as a lecturer at both UH Mānoa and Hawaiʻi Community College in Hilo. In her rare moments of free time, you can find her on the couch binge-watching TV shows or enjoying a long nap. She also loves traveling the world with her husband during school breaks. After graduation, Jessica looks forward to continuing her work in higher education — and maybe finally finishing her Netflix queue.