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
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:
AHEC 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
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.
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! 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-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-LAW ADVISOR
Lilian Ostrander
Degree:
Expected Graduation:
Hometown:
Fun Fact:
Motto:
PRE-LAW ADVISOR
Lydia Treanor
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
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
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.
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!
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.
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, 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 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 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.