DIRECTOR & FULL FACULTY SPECIALIST
Dr. Kiana Shiroma
CV
Degrees: B.A. Speech & Certificate in Ethnic Studies (2006)
M.A. in Speech (2008)
PhD in Educational Administration with a Focus on Higher Education (2014)
Hometown: Kailua, HI
Fun Fact: I love coffee and crocheting!
Motto: YOLO! (You Only Live Once)
ADVISOR
Daasha Thornton
Degree: B.S. Communication (2005)
M.Ed. Teaching and Leadership (2015)
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Fun Fact: Bailamos, I love Salsa dancing and Bachata and use to teach Latin dancing once upon a time
Motto: Faith over Fear
Dr. Maria Chun
Degree: B.A. in Psychology and B.A. in Sociology (1989)
M.A. in Psychology (1991)
Ph.D. in Psychology - Community and Cultural (1996)
Hometown: Aiea, HI
Fun Fact: I wrote the lyrics to my class song!
Motto: Believe in yourself!
AHEC ADVISOR
Aaron Joyo
Degree:
Hometown:
Fun Fact:
Motto:
SENIOR PEER LEADER
Kristyn Miyamoto
Degree: B.S. in Molecular Cell Biology
Expected Graduation: Spring 2026
Hometown: Pearl City, HI
Fun Fact: I drink half-caffeinated coffee every morning.
Motto: Optimism is a force multiplier.
Ask Me About: Majoring in molecular cell biology (MCB)
SENIOR PEER LEADER
Lauren Nakamine
Degree: B.S. in Biology (2022)
Minor: Japanese Language (2022)
Hometown: Pearl City, HI
Fun Fact: My vision is -10.75 in both eyes so my lens are about 3/8 inch wide!
Motto: Ryukyu Saying: なんくるないさ [nankurunaisa] which means "Everything will work out in the end"
Ask Me About: Taking gap years, switching from pre-med to pre-PA, applying to PA school, recommended UHM classes, video games, K-Pop
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Lauren Nakashima
Degree: B.S. in HDFS & B.B.A. Marketing (2024)
Hometown: Mililani, HI
Fun Fact: I'm left handed!
Motto: If you don't ask, the answer will always be no.
Ask Me About:
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Alicia Kaita
Degree: B.S. in Kinesiology and Rehab Science (KRS)
Minor: Honors Program
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
Hometown: Kailua, HI
Fun Fact: I've been to more countries than states!
Motto: It's not impossible, it's just hard.
Ask Me About: Extracurricular activities, volunteering, Honors Program, switching majors, anime, K-pop
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Collin Whitley
Degree: B.S. in Biology
Minor: Honors Program
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
Hometown: Hershey, Pennsylvania
Fun Fact: I was the youngest contestant ever to compete in the Hershey Half Marathon!
Motto: Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
Ask Me About: Anything medicine related (shadowing opportunities, volunteering resources, MCAT prep, school selection and research opportunities), the honors program, how to juggle a heavy course load, studying strategies and more!
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Kayla Mishima
Degree: B.S. in Psychology
Minor: Honors Program
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
Hometown: Pearl City, HI
Fun Fact: I performed my first piano recital when I was four.
Motto: It is better to try and fail than to not try at all.
Ask Me About: Majoring in Psychology, Honors Program, extracurricular activities, organic chemistry study abroad
PRE-LAW ADVISOR
Lily Ostrander
Degree:
Expected Graduation:
Hometown:
Fun Fact:
Motto:
Ask Me About:
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Mika Toor
Degree: B.S. in Kinesiology and Rehab Sciences (KRS)
Expected Graduation: Fall 2024
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Fun Fact: My cat and dog are both named Max
Motto: Thinking will not overcome fear but action will.
Ask Me About: Anything KRS related, extracurricular activities, switching majors
PRE-LAW ADVISOR
Victoria Shiraki
Degree: J.D. Candidate
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Hometown: Orange Park, FL
Fun Fact: My most listened to song so far in the year 2023 is Fireplace Crackling, Pt. 1 by Nature Helps You Sleep.
Motto: Fortune favors the bold!
Ask Me About: Law school in general, applications, Richardson, etc.
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Vinny Langit
Degree: B.S in Biology
Expected Graduation: Spring 2026
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Fun Fact: I enjoy cooking
Motto: It's only after you've stepped out of your comfort zone that you begin to see change.
Ask Me About: Pre-dental track, volunteering/shadowing, switching to a science major
Mission
Our mission is to provide comprehensive advice, information, and opportunities to students and alumni of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa so that they can discover their pre-health or pre-law and professional dreams and transform them into reality.
Service Overview
The Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center (PAC) is a walk-in resource center for students interested in law, medicine, or the health sciences (dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.). PAC also provides the following services:
- One-on-one Advising (in-person, online, or phone)
- Mandatory Advising
- Assistance in Choosing a Major
- Academic Planning
- Workshops and Orientations
- Engagement Opportunities
- Lending and Reference Library (including Test Prep Materials)
- And More!
Values
PAC operates within the following values:
- Health and law professions are open to everyone with the desire, aptitude, and motivation to pursue them.
- Career choice is one of the most important decisions one can make in life, so it is critical that students know their options, choose carefully and wisely, and know that it is okay that their career choice can change in the future.
- Students choose their own paths and make their own decisions.
- To make good decisions, students need accurate, up-to-date, and unbiased information.
- When making decisions, students benefit from sympathetic but honest guidance and from being able to discuss their options with nonjudgmental peers.
Student Outcomes
PAC students can:
- Describe the eight steps to professional school” and what they need to do for each step.
- List engagement opportunities available at UHM.
- Create an accurate academic plan that includes:
- application timeline,
- prerequisite courses,
- career-related activities,
- general education requirements,
- major requirements, and
- minimum credit requirements.
- Create a curriculum vitae/résumé.
- Use appropriate resources to research and accomplish the eight steps.
- Engage in self-evaluation in light of career goals.