- Years at UHM: 28.5 years
- Last position held: Assistant Faculty Specialist, Department of Information and Computer Sciences
- Retirement date: December 2020
- Past roles (with years):
- 2005-2020 Assistant Faculty Specialist, Department of Information and Computer Sciences, UHM
- 1992-2005 Acting Director, Career Services, UHM
- 1992 Secondary Education Teacher, Department of Education
- 1988-1991 Senior Computer Systems Designer, Martin Marietta Technical Services
- 1987-1998 Senior Systems Analyst, Planning Research Corporation
- 1981-1987 Work Package Manager, TRW
- 1978-1981 Data Processing Systems Analyst IV, Department of Social Services and Housing and Department of Education
- 1977 Mathematical Programmer, UHM
I was honored and privileged to be paired with Gerald in 2016 through the GUIDE Mentorship Program. He helped me prepare for my second contract renewal. The greatest lesson that I have learned from Gerald was to always remember that students come first. Everything Gerald has done throughout his career was focused on helping students as much and as deeply as possible. I hope to also be able to look back at my career and say the same.
- What do you wish you had known when you first started?
Gerald wishes that he had begun with stronger skills on how to communicate with people. He said that if anyone had reviewed his Myers-Briggs personality quiz results, they would see that his personality was perfect for being a programmer. He had to build up these communication skills and learn how to read people and not be as blunt.
- What was the biggest challenge that you faced in your career and how did you address it?
In the aerospace industry, there were no courses that Gerald could take on satellites, so that was a very steep learning curve for him. For UH, the biggest challenge for Gerald was to gain counseling skills and learn how to navigate the structure of UH and how to work with others so he was not working in just one area, but learning how advising branched out into other areas as well. Now, his biggest challenge is trying to stay active. His wife “takes him for a walk for 30 minutes each day.”
- Thinking back on your career, what was your favorite memory or proudest accomplishment?
Gerald’s proudest moment is helping two first-generation college students who were socially and economically behind the curve. One of the students is now working for Boeing with a six-figure salary while the other chose to stay here and take care of his family. He is proud that he was able to really help these students and leverage education to better themselves and their future.
- What is your biggest piece of advice for advisors?
When first starting as an academic advisor, Gerald’s advice is to try your best to do a good job. Make sure that you attend to students and be straight with them. Gerald said that most of the time he was correct and he apologized if he wasn’t, which would gain students’ respect.
Later on, in one’s career, he recommends that advisors look at where their function fits into the larger campus, UH System, and community. He worked with the College of Natural Sciences, other organizations related to computer science, and Maui College. He had a colleague at Maui College who needed to do workshops on Oʻahu and was able to secure a lab for him so his colleague could teach his students. He said, “If you can do that [trying your best to do a good job], then you will have a successful career that is at least rewarding. You can also do the University good.”
- What is your favorite retirement activity?
Back in 1968, when Gerald was 16, he tried to learn how to play guitar and liked classical music. Back then, it was hard to find a classical guitar teacher, but he found one who had a really strong background in music theory. His teacher had recently cut a record and it was doing really well. Gerald had scheduled a session with his teacher, who was 20 minutes late for the session. When his teacher finally showed up, the teacher asked him to skip the lesson because he wanted to drive his new car. His teacher was Keola Beamer, who ended up being a local guitar legend. That was the last time Gerald had touched a guitar. After retiring, Gerald bought a new carbon fiber guitar and is really excited to learn how to play it.
The activity that Gerald is looking forward to most, though, is seeing his granddaughter grow up. He grew up in a family with two brothers and then he went on to have two sons of his own. Thus, he has never raised a female, which makes him even more excited to see his granddaughter grow up.
Kiana Shiroma, PhD
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa