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:
ADVISOR
Ke`ahi Darby
Degree: B.A. in Biology (2021) Hometown: Kailua, HI
Fun Fact: I like to play games.
Motto: Life is a crazy mystical thing and sometimes you got out like a buster.
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"
SENIOR PEER LEADER
Kristyn Miyamoto
Degree: B.S. in Molecular Cell Biology
Expected Graduation: Spring 2026
Hometown: Pearl City, HI
Fun Fact: I played the violin and French horn in high school.
Motto: Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
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.
Lydia Treanor
PRE-LAW ADVISOR
Degree: M.A. History
Juris Doctor (in progress)
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Hometown: Hartland, Maine
Fun Fact: I have a dog named "Bug"
Motto: Dirigo!
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Amy Giang
Degree: B.A. Biology & B.A. English
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Hometown: Honolulu, Hi
Fun Fact: I like to do digital art.
Motto: "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Marielle Kaye Cendana
Degree: B.S. in Biology
Expected Graduation: Fall 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 Human Development and Family Studies
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Hometown: Waianae & Liliha, HI
Fun Fact: I fold origami animals and make displays to sell at a small local business!
Motto: The secret is not to run after the butterflies... It's to take care of the garden so that they come to you.
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Sina Omura
Degree: B.S. in Molecular Cell Biology
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Hometown: Aiea, HI
Fun Fact: My travel goal is the visit as many countries as I can that end in "-land"
Motto: Will this matter a year from now?
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!
Mission
Our mission is to guide students in discovering their paths in life and in transforming their professional dreams 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, 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!
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.