CTAHR | Academics | ASAO | CTAHR Student Ambassadors

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Meet our Ambassadors

Meet our 2023-2024 CTAHR Ambassadors!

Student Ambassadors are CTAHR student and alumni volunteers. It is the purpose of Student Ambassadors to recruit prospective students, encourage student interest and participation in CTAHR, and to positively portray CTAHR to the University and community at large.

Student Ambassadors represent the college in a variety of ways. They give presentations about college life, the different majors within CTAHR, and career opportunities available with a degree from CTAHR. They represent CTAHR at information and career/college fairs and are available for shadowing by prospective students. Ambassadors are available to travel to any high school or community college in the state of Hawai‘i to make a presentation. They are more than happy to take prospective students to their classes and on a tour of the UH Mānoa campus.

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Michelle Au

Major: Entomology

About Michelle: Aloha, Michelle is a graduate student in Entomology in the Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences Department (PEPS). She completed her undergraduate degree in CTAHR as well in Tropical Agriculture and the Environment (TAE). Michelle grew up in Hawaiʻi loving nature from the mountains to the ocean and is always interested in trying new things! CTAHR has provided her with opportunities to travel to South Africa to do research as well as Kalaupapa for restoration work. Michelle has been a CTAHR Student Ambassador for 5 years and strives to share with everyone all of the amazing things the college has to offer!

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Cecili S Rivera

Major: Dietetics

About Cecili: Making her amateur debut this Spring as a Women's Physique Competitor in the bodybuilding world, Cecili will graduate in the middle of her first stage preparation! She has dedicated her life to nutrition and fitness and desires to coach others to reach their goals by setting an example.

Devon Bearden

Major: Food Science and Human Nutrition

About Devon: Passionate food science and human nutrition student with a goal of making good health accessible and simple for everyone. Outside of studying Nutrition, Devon is fascinated about sociology, language, indigenous traditions and spiritual practices.

Chynna chun

Major: Tropical Agriculture & the Environment (TAE)

About Chynna: Born and raised in Mililani, O‘ahu, Chynna is a Mililani High School Class of 2019 Graduate. She is currently majoring in Tropical Agriculture & Environment (TAE) with a focus in plant production & management. Chynna is also a past Hawaii FFA State Officer where she served in the positions of Treasurer and Vice President for O'ahu county from 2019-2020. Outside of school, she loves to do conservation work and aloha ‘āina work around the island whenever possible. Chynna also loves to garden and listen to all kinds of music, including pop, classic rock, R&B, Hawaiian/reggae, and some good ol' country.

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Kate Crowell

Major: Natural Resources and Environmental Management

About Kate: Kate Crowell is a sophomore at the University of Hawaii of Manoa majoring Natural Resources and Environmental Management with a specialization in environmental policy. She is incredibly passionate about environmental issues, specifically plastic pollution, and climate change. Kate has been involved with the Surfrider UH Student Club, serving as the Policy Chair since last Fall. Recently, Kate became a Senator for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources in the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii at Manoa 108th Senate, where she hopes to promote sustainability initiatives on campus. After completing her undergraduate studies, Kate plans on attending law school to pursue a career in environmental law.

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Manuel Diaz Jr.

Major: Tropical Agriculture and the Environment

About Manny: Manuel is a transfer student from Leeward CC and is in his first year at UHM CTAHR. He is in the TAE program and will be focusing on soils and fungi. Outside of school Manny runs his own businesses in photography and agriculture consulting. He enjoys anything beach related, skating downhill, and being in his garden at home. As an ambassador Manuel will do his best to provide CTAHR students with help and connect them to the resources CTAHR has to offer.

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Bryana Kawamura

Major: Bioengineering

About Bryana:

Aloha, This is Bryana Kawamura and this is her 3rd year majoring in bioengineering and minoring in public health. She is from Kapaa, Kauai, just a 30 minute plane ride from Oahu. Currently she is interested in the cardiovascular side of bioengineering and is hoping to go to either graduate school or medical school in the near future. On her free time she likes to always keep herself busy with her other jobs, go to the beach to get her tan on, and do word searches so her spelling doesn't slip up.

Riana M. Kawasaki

Major: Human Development and Family Studies, Sociology

About Riana: Born and raised on Oahu, Riana is currently a fourth-year HDFS and sociology undergraduate student. She hopes to use her HDFS degree to enter the healthcare field as a nurse, while also using her sociology degree to advocate for medical injustice and health-related issues. In her free time, Riana enjoys thrifting, eating out with friends, watching shows, or playing video games. She is beyond thankful to CTAHR for providing her with so many amazing opportunities and for being such a supportive community. :D

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Conrad Morikone

Major: Natural Resources and Environmental Management

About Conrad:

Conrad was born and raised in Kaimuki on the Island of Oahu and grew up enjoying nature through hikes in the mountains and time on the beach. His hobbies include outrigger canoe paddling, reading, and spending time with friends and family. Conrad is Passionate about animals and the environment and hopes that his studies in Natural Resources can help him gain the skills to share this passion with others. He chose CTHAR because of its broad selection of courses and its dedication to bringing a more sustainable future to the islands.

Kasey Purcell

Major: Food Science and Human Nutrition

About Kasey: Raised on the Oregon Coast in a small town called Tillamook, Kasey loves hiking, swimming, and being outside and has dedicated herself to pursuing her passion for dance, health, and wellness. She has seen firsthand how being well-nourished is important to the growth and development of children. Through a career in Nutrition, Kasey hopes to help communities make informed, affordable, and healthy food choices. UH has been a great fit that has allowed her to continue learning about nutrition, while also pursuing a minor in dance.

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Jada Rogers

Major: Fashion Design and Merchandising

About Jada: Jada is a sophomore majoring in Fashion Merchandising. She has started her own business making custom clothes and is currently working on a specific line. Jada loves exploring the island, finding new beaches, trying new hikes, and even taking surfing lessons! She hopes to be able to assist CTHAR students in their future endeavors.

Juliana Salehi

Major: Tropical Agriculture and the Environment

About Juliana:

Juliana Salehi (she/her) is a third year student in CTAHR from Baltimore, Maryland. She is majoring in Tropical Agriculture and the Environment with a specialization in Pests, Pathogens, and Invasive Species. Juliana is a Resident Assistant on campus, serving on the Diversity and Social Justice committee where she promotes awareness of environmental injustice. Outside her classes Juliana is a brass player in the UHM marching band and volunteers doing native plant restoration!

Michael Tong

Major: Human Development and Family Studies

About Michael: Michael was born and raised in the Waianae and Liliha neighborhoods on Oahu. He is majoring in Human Development and Family Studies with intent to pursue a career in medicine, and specialize in geriatrics to foster health and wellness in our kupuna. Michael enjoys spending time with family, tending to his garden, folding origami, walking outdoors, cooking, and trying new foods.

As a first-generation college student and S-Cubed club leader with the TRIO Student Support Services, Michael understands the importance of mentorship and the value in accessible opportunities. Throughout his academic journey Michael has honed a deeper understanding of healthcare, medicine, and community social needs through various experiences as a student research assistant, a pre-health peer advisor, and as a volunteer at a student-run free clinic for houseless patients. He is enthusiastic to mentor and help new college students become established at the University of Hawaiʻi, and pursue a meaningful education with the College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources.

Socheatha Tork

Major: Bioenginering

About Socheatha: Hello! This is Socheatha Chea Tork and he is a fourth year transfer student majoring in bioengineering. He was born in Oakland, CA and transferred from Laney College with an Associates in Natural Sciences. Socheatha became a bioengineering major because it gives him the notion of becoming a jack of all trades. As a bioengineering major, the curriculum allows him to connect to a majority of scientific fields. Currently, he is interested in biodegradation of plastics, bioenergy production, and fungi. Besides studying for courses, Socheatha likes to skateboard around UH, dance, and play video games. He plays league of legends, various mmos, and Pokemon!

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Jamie Wayne

Major: Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology

About Jamie: Born and raised in Mililani, Oahu, Jamie is a Mililani High school class of 2020 Graduate. He is Majoring in Molecular Biosciences and biotechnology. He is passionate about human anatomy and physiology specifically in the Musculoskeletal system. In his free time he enjoys playing volleyball, swimming, and eating. Jamie loves to exercise and stretch to jump higher and get the splits down.

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Angelica Valdez

Major: Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering

About Angel: Angel is a graduate student in the Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering Program in CTAHR. She is very passionate about marine conservation and aquaculture. Her current research is centered around 'opihi and finding out ways to keep these amazing animals around. If she is not in the lab, she is at the beach enjoying the sun and all the great things the ocean has to offer.

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Hailey Yessis

Major: Natural Resources and Environmental Management

About Hailey: Hailey Yessis was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawai’i in Kailua-Kona. She is majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Management and is pursuing the Social Science Pathway with the Cultural and Community Resources Management specialization. She loves spending time outdoors and exploring, being active in the community, and taking care of the environment. She is also passionate about photography, spending time with loved ones, and diving. Currently, she is a student worker at the Micropropagation Lab at Lyon Arboretum.