Overview of Services
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, veterinary medicine, etc.).
- 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!
Mission
Our mission is to guide students in discovering their paths in life and in transforming their professional dreams into reality.
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 and often defines one’s niche in society; it is critical that students choose carefully and wisely.
- 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 are able to . . .
- Describe the “Eight Steps to Professional School” and what they need to do for each.
- List engagement opportunities available at UHM.
- Create an accurate academic plan that includes the
- 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.
DIRECTOR
Dr. Kiana Shiroma
Degree: 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
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!
ADVISOR
Aaron Joyo
Degree:
Hometown:
Fun Fact:
Motto:
SENIOR PEER LEADER
Kriztofer "KC" Caraang
Year: Post Baccalaureate
Degree: B.S. in Biology (2021) Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Fun Fact: I'm always open to try new things
Motto: Life is like a trampoline. The lower you fall, the higher you go
SENIOR PEER LEADER
Lauren Nakamine
Degree: B.S. in Biology (2022)
Minor: Japanese Language (2022)
Hometown: Pearl City, HI
Fun Fact: My vision is -10.50 in both eyes so my lens are about 3/8 inch wide! Without my glasses, I am legally blind!
Motto: Ryukyu (Okinawan) Saying:
なんくるないさ [nankurunaisa] which means "Everything will work out in the end"
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Lauren Nakashima
Degree: B.S. in HDFS & B.B.A. Marketing
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Hometown: Mililani, HI
Fun Fact: I'm left handed
Motto: If you don't ask, the answer will always be no.
PRE-LAW PEER ADVISOR
Hi'ilei Casco
Degree: B.S. in Environmental Science
M.E.M in Environmental Management
Juris Doctor (in progress)
Expected Graduation: Spring 2023
Hometown: Waiʻehu and Kaupō, Maui
Fun Fact: I can say the alphabet backward!
Motto: E ola i ka wai!
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Kai Yasuda
Degree: B.S. in Biology
Expected Graduation: Spring 2023
Hometown: Mililani, HI
Fun Fact: I help coach the Mid-Pacific intermediate baseball team.
Motto: Don't worry, be happy.
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Kelly Huang
Degree: B.S. in Biochemistry (2022)
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Fun Fact: I love to solve jig-saw puzzles - the more pieces the better! 🙂
Motto: People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Marielle Kaye Cendana
Degree: B.S. in Biology
Expected Graduation: Spring 2023
Hometown: Kahului, HI (on the island of Maui :D)
Fun Fact: I have a small but every growing collection of t-shirts with puns/jokes on them! One of my favorites is "What do you call an acid with an attitude? An A-mean-o Acid"
Motto: Don't be afraid to make mistakes, just have the confidence to learn from them!
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Michael Tong
Degree: B.S. in Biology
Expected Graduation: Spring 2023
Hometown:
Fun Fact:
Motto:
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Paula Saladino
Degree: B.A. in Public Health
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Hometown: Kalihi, HI
Fun Fact: My favorite study drinks are shaken espressos or lychee fruit teas (:
Motto: "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve" - Napoleon Hill
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Tamah Tyau
Degree: B.S. in Biology
Expected Graduation: Spring 2023
Hometown: Aiea, HI
Fun Fact: I can rap all 4 minutes of "Big Bank" by YG
Motto: Hakuna matata