A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa senior student has earned one of Stanford University鈥檚 most competitive graduate awards, underscoring the growing impact of 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa鈥檚 engineering programs.

Andrea Murillo, who is graduating this spring, has been admitted to the PhD program in electrical engineering at Stanford and is believed to be the first 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa recipient of the Stanford Graduate Fellowship, an award given annually to about 100 incoming doctoral students across the university. The fellowship provides up to three years of funding, including tuition and stipend support, to top scholars in science and engineering fields.

Murillo鈥檚 path at 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa reflects a multidisciplinary journey shaped by hands-on research and mentorship. She began her undergraduate journey as a mechanical engineering major before transitioning to computer engineering and ultimately electrical engineering in the electrophysics track, where she found her passion in mixed-signal circuit design.

Through work in several research labs, including projects on embedded systems, TinyML (Tiny Machine Learning), and integrated circuit design, Murillo discovered a passion for building more efficient hardware. She plans to continue that work at Stanford, focusing on circuit design and new technologies that can make electronics faster and use less energy.

“My experiences at 糖心Vlog官方 helped me discover not just what I enjoy studying, but how I want to contribute to the field,” said Murillo, who is an international student from Mexico. “The support from faculty, mentors and my peers gave me the confidence to pursue graduate school and aim for opportunities like this.”

Community leadership

Beyond the classroom, Murillo has been active in the community as a leader in the FabLab maker space, a member of engineering student organizations and a leader who won an award at the 2024 Honolulu Tech Week hackathon.

Her achievement highlights the role of 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa in preparing students for advanced study and contributing to innovation in high-demand fields such as electrical engineering and artificial intelligence hardware.

“By leveraging the full breadth of opportunities at 糖心Vlog官方, Andrea developed a profound understanding of the grand challenges facing contemporary hardware design. Reflecting her unwavering commitment to excellence, she has secured a place in one of the country鈥檚 most prestigious doctoral programs,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Professor Boris Murmann, who mentored Murillo and was on the faculty at Stanford for 20 years.

Murillo is expected to begin her doctoral studies this fall.

For Lauro Delos-Santos Jr., graduating from Honolulu Community College in 2026 with an associate of arts degree in Hawaiian Studies is more than just an achievement—it鈥檚 a life-changing triumph he never imagined.

Before enrolling at Honolulu CC, Delos-Santos and his wife were living at the Keahou Emergency Homeless Shelter. In September of 2020, a team from Honolulu CC鈥檚 Hawaiian Center visited the shelter to teach Hawaiian studies. For 12 weeks, Delos-Santos engaged in Hawaiian history, mythology, navigation, biology, politics, hula and even taro growing. By the end of the program, he was invited to consider returning to school—with financial aid support.

‘You can do it’

Despite initial hesitation—Delos-Santos had been recently released from prison, was on probation, and had a history as a convicted felon—Niuhelewai Program Specialist Kapulani Tuifanu and Native Hawaiian Counselor Kahale Saito persisted. They kept telling him, “You can do it.” They guided him through financial aid applications, course selection and introduced him to computers—something Delos-Santos had never used before.

With financial aid and careful planning, Delos-Santos was able to save money, obtain a driver鈥檚 license, buy a car, secure an apartment, and obtain a GED. He got his identifications in order, registered to vote, and maintained sobriety—milestones he once thought impossible.

“Ever since I came to Honolulu CC, nothing but good things have happened,” he said. “Angelic forces definitely were involved here. I鈥檓 so grateful.”

Six months after Delos-Santos started at Honolulu CC, he was given early release from probation, and his felony convictions were exonerated due to good behavior.

Hawaiian Studies helped Delos-Santos find himself through learning about his Hawaiian culture—gaining confidence, engaging with the community, and exploring self-discovery and wellness. He continued to see his substance abuse counselor, whom he credits as one of the influential factors in his recovery.

Helping others

Delos-Santos鈥� commitment extends beyond academics. He serves as a peer mentor at the Hawaiian Center, seeking to aid other students. He also led the Honolulu CC Math Society as 2024 president, preparing fellow students for quizzes and exams.

“Now, I want to be the person who helps others, like how I鈥檝e been helped,” he said.

Delos-Santos credits much of his success to the supportive culture at Honolulu CC.

“Anytime you need some help with anything, you can find it here. It鈥檚 just like home,” he said. “You can always come here, and you鈥檒l be taken care of.”

Delos-Santos will attend the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 in fall 2026 to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree in human development and family studies with a focus on child and family services. His goal is to earn a master鈥檚 degree and become a licensed social worker, giving back to the community that supported him.

He has advice for current and prospective students, “If you have doubts, remember these four words: ‘You can do it!’ The support you need is here.”

—By Iris Greges

For Janie-Maria Kikila, graduating from Leeward Community College this May is more than earning a degree—it鈥檚 a deeply personal milestone shaped by resilience, growth and determination. As a nontraditional student, mother and the first in her family to graduate from college, Kikila sees this moment as proof of perseverance.

“This shows me that if you keep going, you can finish what you started,” she said.

Raised in Whitmore Village, Kikila attended Leilehua High School before transferring to Waiʻanae High School. Her journey hasn鈥檛 been easy, but she鈥檚 remained focused on a bigger goal.

“I鈥檝e gone through a lot—from not always feeling safe as a child to postpartum depression as an adult—but I made a decision not to let those things define me,” she said. “I want to break generational cycles, and I want to be someone my keiki can look up to.”

Finding support at Leeward CC

Kikila first enrolled at Leeward CC in 2013 but stepped away to build a career in management. That was disrupted when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

“It was hard going from being financially independent to needing help,” she said. “I knew if I was going to start over, I needed a clear direction.”

She returned to Leeward CC in 2023 to pursue a degree in business management. Back on campus, Kikila found support that helped her stay on track鈥攏ot just academically, but personally. Through Leeward鈥檚 counseling services, she began working with mental health therapist Lori Lum.

“I鈥檝e been seeing Lori for a little over a year, and she鈥檚 been amazing,” Kikila said.

Turning challenges into motivation

She also credits flexible student employment and mentors, such as business division faculty Tina Lee and Dag Faustino.

“Janie leads with intention and heart,” Lee said. “She鈥檚 someone who turns challenges into motivation.”

Kikila founded , Leeward鈥檚 first marketing club, open to students of all majors across the 糖心Vlog官方 System. It brings students together to connect, collaborate and gain real-world experience.

“She saw a need and built something that brings students together in a meaningful way,” Faustino added. “That kind of initiative is what sets her apart.”

Kikila plans to transfer to 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu to continue her studies in business and marketing, with the goal of one day serving in a leadership role within the State of Hawaiʻi.

By Tad Saiki

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents approved awarding an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to Walter A. Dods Jr., recognizing his decades of leadership in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 business community, his extensive philanthropic impact and his longstanding commitment to the university.

The regents voted at the board鈥檚 March 19 monthly meeting, held at Leeward Community College. The honorary degree will be formally conferred during the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 spring 2026 commencement ceremony, where Dods will also serve as commencement speaker.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to the University of Hawaiʻi and the regents for this recognition,” said Dods after the vote. “糖心Vlog官方 has played an important role in my life, and it has been a privilege to support the university and its students over the years. I share this honor with the many people who have inspired me and worked alongside me to strengthen our community.”

Alumnus, business leader, philanthropist

A 1967 graduate of 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Shidler College of Business, Dods is widely regarded as one of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 most influential business leaders. Over a 36-year career at First Hawaiian Bank, he rose from an entry-level role to chairman and CEO.

“Walter Dods represents the very best of what the University of Hawaiʻi hopes to inspire in its graduates: leadership, service and an unwavering commitment to community,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President Wendy Hensel. “His impact on Hawaiʻi鈥檚 economic development is profound, but equally important is his lifelong dedication to giving back and creating opportunities for others. He has opened doors for generations of students and strengthened this university in lasting ways.”

Deep 糖心Vlog官方 support

His ties to 糖心Vlog官方 span nearly five decades. Dods has been a donor since 1975 and previously served as president of the 糖心Vlog官方 Foundation Board of Trustees. He chaired the university鈥檚 1998 Campaign for Hawaiʻi, which raised $116 million, and currently serves as campaign chair for the ongoing $1-billion “For 糖心Vlog官方, For Hawaiʻi” fundraising effort.

His personal philanthropy includes a $5-million gift to support student innovation and entrepreneurship at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补, resulting in the naming of the Walter Dods Jr. RISE Center, as well as a $1-million endowed scholarship supporting immigrant students and their children.

Dods has previously been recognized with the 糖心Vlog官方 Distinguished Alumni Award and the Shidler College of Business Hall of Honor Award.

The honorary doctorate recognizes individuals of national or international distinction whose contributions have had a significant impact in areas such as business, public service or scholarship. Regents cited Dods鈥� extraordinary career and enduring commitment to the university and the state as meeting and exceeding those standards.

Editor’s note: Cabuyadao was commissioned as a U.S. Navy officer on December 19 and earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree from 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 on December 20..

For Navy officer candidate Gellie Cabuyadao, the path to her December 2025 graduation from the reflects a deep commitment to service under extraordinary circumstances.

Cabuyadao will earn a bachelor of business administration in while completing training through 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (NROTC). Injured during the New Year鈥檚 fireworks disaster in Salt Lake just after midnight on January 1, 2025, she returned to the scene to ensure her girlfriend and brother were safe and helped provide immediate care.

Selected in 2022 for the Navy鈥檚 highly competitive Seaman to Admiral–21 (STA–21) commissioning program, Cabuyadao is the program鈥檚 first active–duty Sailor to graduate from 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 through NROTC.

A defining moment of courage

Just after midnight on January 1, Cabuyadao was inside a garage when sparks struck her leg and a sudden flash of fire surged toward her. The blast knocked her forward. “I felt intense heat on my arms, face and hair, and then everything went quiet except for a ringing sound,” she recalled.

She ran to safety, extinguishing flames on her clothing as fireworks continued exploding. Moments later, thinking of her girlfriend and brother, she turned back. “I just needed to find them to make sure they were safe,” she said.

Despite her injuries and the chaos of the scene, Cabuyadao located her loved ones, escorted them away from danger and helped provide immediate care until additional assistance arrived. She was later awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for heroic achievement, recognizing her courage, rapid response and decisive action despite being injured.

“The recognition has not changed how I see myself or how I act,” she said. “I do not consider myself a hero. My instinct was to protect the people I love.”

Six people died in the accident, and more than 20 others were injured.

Family, roots and early Navy service

Raised in Salt Lake by parents who immigrated from the Philippines, Cabuyadao credits her family鈥檚 sacrifices for shaping her sense of duty. With parents working long shifts to support the family, she learned independence early, often caring for her siblings and walking home through nearby military housing.

A 2016 graduate of Moanalua High School, Cabuyadao enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after graduation. She began her career as an information systems technician at Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific in Wahiaw膩, supporting satellite and telecommunications systems critical to Navy operations across the Pacific.

“That early experience showed me how essential my role is to mission success,” she said. “Leadership exists at every level. Commissioning felt like the right step because I wanted the responsibility of making final calls and leading others.”

Through the STA–21 program, Cabuyadao remained on active duty while completing her degree and training with 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 NROTC unit, blending academics with leadership development.

Balancing service, studies and resilience

Balancing early–morning physical training and military obligations with a full academic load tested her limits. She met the challenge with discipline, careful planning and support from her chain of command, NROTC staff, professors and peers to stay on track.

“Managing both responsibilities strengthened my confidence and showed me I can perform under pressure,” she said.

Fear is allowed to be there, but it does not limit me…I know I can move forward and get through what鈥檚 in front of me.
—Gellie Cabuyadao

Surviving the fireworks incident also reshaped her perspective. With support from family, friends, healthcare professionals and the community, Cabuyadao gave herself time to process the trauma.

“Fear is allowed to be there, but it does not limit me,” she said. “I know I can move forward and get through what鈥檚 in front of me.”

Graduating from 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 carries additional significance. Cabuyadao is the first Filipina American, first woman and first commissioned officer in her family to hold this milestone.

“I hope my journey shows that people from communities like mine belong in these spaces, and their stories and perseverance matter,” she said.

Looking ahead, Cabuyadao plans to take on every opportunity the Navy offers—traveling widely, holding herself to high standards and leading by example.

“As a leader, I want to challenge Sailors to be comfortable getting uncomfortable,” she said. “Long–term mission success depends on mental resilience as much as physical readiness.”

The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu held its 2025 mid-year commencement on December 13, celebrating nearly 300 students who completed their degrees during the summer and fall semesters. Nearly 190 graduates participated in the ceremony.

糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu conferred baccalaureate degrees in applied sciences, business administration, creative media, cybersecurity, humanities, natural science, public administration and social sciences, along with a range of academic certificates.

Student speakers: making our own magic, finding our honest voice

Graduates heard remarks from student speakers Nicole Quibol, who earned her BA in humanities, and Tinousi Mulitauaopele, who earned her BA in business administration.

Quibol reflected on her decision to study philosophy, inspired in part by her love of Harry Potter and the Philosopher鈥檚 Stone, while sharing her lived experience with blindness and the importance of accessibility.

“But before I found that magic, I had to face a different kind of reality, one that wasn鈥檛 written in the pages of fantasy books,” she said. “I might not look like it, but I am blind. And while blindness shapes how I move through the world, it has also shown me that accessibility is how we make the invisible visible, how we bring everyone into the circle.”

“Every one of us has our own ‘muggle struggle.’ One of mine just happens to be vision loss. But the lesson underneath it is the same: we all face barriers that try to convince us we don鈥檛 belong somewhere magical,” Quibol added. “The truth is, belonging is something we build together; through accessibility, through understanding, through community.”

Mulitauaopele spoke about finding confidence and belonging through her educational journey at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu.

“糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu did not just teach me business, or data or leadership—it taught me that my voice belongs in rooms I used to be afraid to enter,” she said.

“I believe that starts the moment you finally get honest with yourself and decide to own your story. Because your story does not become powerful when it looks impressive to others. It becomes powerful when you believe it matters. And 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu met me exactly where I was—online, juggling life, work and school. It didn鈥檛 just give me an education. It gave me a real chance to finish what I started.”

Heartfelt moment for Chancellor Benham

The ceremony also marked a significant milestone for Chancellor Maenette Benham, who presided over her final commencement before stepping down at the end of the year, marking nearly a decade of leadership.

In her remarks, Benham shared the ʻ艑濒别濒辞 Noʻeau, “ʻO ka piʻi n艒 ia a K艒k墨 O Wailau,” a saying used in admiration for someone who reaches the summit despite great difficulty.

“Indeed, ʻO ka piʻi n艒 ia a K艒k墨 O Wailau—we stand in admiration of you,” she said. “You have adapted and grown during these unprecedented times of change and adversity. You have had to be resourceful, resilient, and relentless—which has undoubtedly enriched you, adding to your tenacity, passion and humanity!”

From China to Hawaiʻi, Hongwen (Winnie) Wu has turned a career as a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) into groundbreaking reproductive biology research. This fall, she earned her PhD in the Developmental and Reproductive Biology graduate program at the at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, becoming the first Kosasa Graduate Student Assistantship recipient.

The prestigious assistantship, funded by Thomas Kosasa of Pacific IVF and a professor emeritus at JABSOM, was created to strengthen connections between the (YIBR), the OB-GYN Department, and Pacific IVF.

“Through a dynamic approach, I aspire to significantly contribute to improving individual patient health and advancing the broader landscape of women’s health research,” said Wu, who joined JABSOM鈥檚 Developmental and Reproductive Biology program from China in fall 2019.

Advancing fertility research and education

As a PhD student, Wu carried out her research in Steve Ward鈥檚 lab at YIBR, focusing on female fertility. She studied the protein EXOC5 in ovarian aging and discovered it is essential for normal egg development, with its absence leading to ovarian failure.

During her time at JABSOM, Wu co-authored five manuscripts and presented her work at seven local and four national conferences, including the Society for the Study of Reproduction and the Society for Reproductive Investigations. She received the 2024 ARCS Award in Medicine, served as a teaching assistant, volunteered at research events, and was a visiting scholar at Northwestern University.

Her long-term goal is to remain in Hawaiʻi as a research physician/scientist, blending cutting-edge research with clinical expertise to advance women鈥檚 healthcare.

“Winnie鈥檚 performance as the first Kosasa Assistantship-supported DRB student has been exemplary,” said Monika Ward, interim director of YIBR. “She contributed research of relevance to all four parties: DRB, YIBR, OB-GYN and Pacific IVF.”

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Georges Frem, a University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 graduate from Lebanon, traded a career in engineering for a future dedicated to science and service, inspired by the deep cultural values he encountered in Hawaiʻi.

Frem will cross the stage in December 2025 to accept his bachelor of science in biology from the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 , marking the completion of an academic journey that started and ended on opposite sides of the globe. After finishing his first degree in mechanical engineering at the American University of Beirut, Frem made a life-changing decision to pursue his true passion for nature and animals at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

From classroom to independent research

Frem pointed to his experience with the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 (UROP) as the single most valuable part of his academic career. After taking a BIOL 305 course with Associate Professor Amber Wright in fall 2024, he reached out to her about a project.

“We brainstormed ideas and decided to apply for a UROP grant to conduct field collections to gain insights about trophic interactions among lizards on Oʻahu through stable isotope analysis,” Frem said. “I secured the money and managed to conduct my own personal research project from start to finish.”

Frem has remained a part of the Wright lab and is currently writing a manuscript based on his UROP work for potential publication. “This immersion in the scientific process has served as extremely valuable data for the deliberation of my future career choice,” Frem said. “Having had the privilege to execute science in this manner has definitely incited me to consider a career as a scientist a lot more seriously.”

Inspired by kuleana

Frem came to Hawaiʻi partly looking for cultural exposure, but he wasn’t prepared for the commitment he found within the 糖心Vlog官方 community. He was surprised by the university’s role as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, integrating place-based science into academics and the collective consciousness.

“The fierce passion expressed by members of the 糖心Vlog官方 community when talking about Hawaiian culture and place-based science was surprising to me,” Frem said. “I was saddened by the realization that we Lebanese, seldom exhibit that same awareness, pride, and responsibility when it comes to our own culture and nation, especially as it relates to our unique ecosystems.”

This realization inspired him to act. He joined community work days and got a firsthand taste of the community’s sense of kuleana (responsibility). These efforts included:

• Helping out at 糖心Vlog官方’s Ka Papa Loʻi Kanewai and planting kalo (taro) at the Waiman膩lo Research Station.
• Volunteering at Loko Ea fishpond to remove invasive grasses.
• Assisting the 惭腻苍辞补 Cliff Restoration Project to remove invasive ginger.

“I have been humbled by the deep sense of care fostered by 糖心Vlog官方 and the Hawaiian community in general, and am deeply inspired to promote those same values in my own ʻ腻颈苍补,” he said.

Returning home

As his undergraduate journey ends, Frem is focused on how he can be useful to his home country, Lebanon.

“I know I want to contribute to Lebanon and bring forth the best in it,” he stated. His future will involve science, although he is still weighing options—possibly as a researcher studying Lebanon’s native ecosystems, or starting science-based businesses to fund community initiatives.

One thing is certain: he is ready for the next step. “I am most likely going to be applying to grad school, and my time here has undoubtedly prepared me very well for that,” Frem said.