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)
PRE-MEDICAL 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!
PRE-MEDICAL ADVISOR
Christyn Mellor
Degree: M.D. Candidate
B.S. in Biology at UH Mānoa
Hometown: Kailua, HI
Fun Fact: I like to play music!
Motto: You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.
PRE-MEDICAL ADVISOR
Dr. Sheri Fong
Degree:
Hometown:
Fun Fact:
Motto:
AHEC ADVISOR
Aaron Joyo
Degree:
Hometown:
Fun Fact:
Motto:
PRE-LAW ADVISOR
Zhanelyn Cacho
Degree: J.D. Candidate
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
Hometown: Honoka'a, Hawaii Island
Fun Fact: I’ve hiked 2 of the most active volcanoes in the world - Kīlauea on the Big Island and Mount Fuego in Guatemala.
Motto: You don’t have to feel ready to begin.
Ask Me About: Law school in general, applications, Richardson, etc.
PRE-LAW ADVISOR
Titus Vela
Degree: J.D. Candidate
Expected Graduation: Spring 2028
Hometown: Ewa Beach, Oahu
Fun Fact: I grow over 10 Ti leaf plant varieties.
Motto: Academics is a marathon, not a sprint.
Ask Me About: Law school in general, LSAT, personal statements and resume, and Richardson.
SENIOR PEER LEADER
Lauren Nakamine
Degree: Masters of Medical Sciences Physician Assistant Candidate at Hawaii Pacific University (2026)
B.S. in Biology (2022)
Minor: Japanese Language (2022)
Hometown: Pearl City, HI
Fun Fact: My vision is -11 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: PA school, taking gap years, switching from pre-med to pre-PA, applying to PA school, video games, K-Pop
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, KRS, Honors Program, switching majors, and study abroad!
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Jaden Kiese
Degree: B.S. in Molecular Cell Biology
Minor: Honors Program
Expected Graduation: Spring 2028
Hometown: Mililani, HI
Fun Fact: My favorite thing to do at the gym is cardio.
Motto: Better live your life, We were running out of time.
Ask Me About: Pre-med track, past classes+ advice, study advice and motivation, being an MCB major, organizational skills, time management skills, opportunities to expand your resume (clubs, volunteering, working, etc.)
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Kayla Mishima
Degree: B.S. in Molecular Cell Biology
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
Hometown: Pearl City, HI
Fun Fact: I studied Organic Chemistry abroad in Ireland!
Motto: It's better to try and fail than to not try at all.
Ask Me About: Majoring in Molecular Cell Biology, switching majors as a Pre-Med, extracurricular activities, Organic Chemistry Study Abroad
PRE-HEALTH PEER ADVISOR
Erin Shoemaker
Degree: B.A. in Biology
Minor: Sociology
Expected Graduation: Spring 2028
Hometown: Denver, CO
Fun Fact: I was in choir for 9-10 years and performed in a few musicals.
Motto: Study to learn, learn to study.
Ask Me About: Biology major related questions, study tactics, taking on a minor.
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!
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, 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 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 UH Mānoa.
- 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.
Testimonials
Collin was very clear and encouraging. I highly recommend him in whatever endeavor he takes on. He was the first advisor I went to that I felt I could have a genuine conversation with and not feel ashamed. Above all, he knew what he was talking about and gave me a real and feasible plan to succeed my goals.
Dr. Fong did an amazing job helping me prepare for upcoming medical school interviews. She asked a lot of great questions and provided thorough feedback! I really appreciate her!
Meeting with Lauren was such a great opportunity. I was able to somewhat relate to someone who understands what I'm going through. She was super understanding and I felt very comfortable talking to her.
Dr. Kiana provided clear and concise explanations, creating a comfortable atmosphere throughout the entire session. She thoroughly addressed my questions and ensured any confusion was clarified. I highly recommend her to students pursuing a health-related major.
Kayla was very friendly and helpful! She gave good advice, and her email with all her notes summarizing the meeting is very informative. I only expected to receive advice regarding LORs but ended up with helpful resources such as the application checklist/timeline. Thank you!
Thank you, Dr. Shiroma, for remembering me and informing me about switching my major to align with my desired graduation date. Also keeping me accountable for what may arise in my future. Furthermore, I will start to utilize the plan that we created to keep track of my progress for my degree pathway.
Alicia is knowledgeable and helpful. My advising appointment with her was comprehensive and critical to the next steps in my academic pursuit.