HDFS (FamR) alumna Sheri Daniels has taken the position of executive director of Papa Ola Lokahi, an organization dedicated to improving the health status and well-being of Native Hawaiians and their families through advocacy and the development of culturally appropriate strategic actions. After receiving her BS in 1996, Sheri worked in the fields of substance abuse, mental health, child welfare, trauma and violence, behavioral health, and criminal justice. These jobs, in both government and non-profit sectors, were across Hawai’i but mostly on Maui, where she was born and raised. She also earned an MS degree in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University and then a PhD in Education from Argosy University. She says, “The BS degree in FamR was critical in shaping my abilities to organize and develop time management skills that have been invaluable over the years. Without the experiences I gained in my undergraduate program, I would not have been so willing or excited to continue to strive forward.” Sheri was recognized in 2014 with the Maui County Women of Excellence award; she was also chosen as one of the Pacific Business News – 40 under 40 (2010) and as a Ka Ipu Kukui Fellow (2008). Papa Ola Lokahi is lucky to have her!
Lena Phomsouvanh and Sen Mazie Hirono through hard work and determination, HDFS (FamR) student Lena Phomsouvanh earned a full-time internship in Washington, D.C., with Sen. Mazie Hirono during spring 2015. She was immersed in the political realm and learned firsthand about the legislative process and the political sector. Lena writes that she was truly humbled to be one of the four students representing UHM. She felt fulfilled knowing that she was making a difference through the work she did. She has always had a strong interest in family public policy and how legislation can impact minority families, and now she is strongly committed to public service and hopes to continue on to serve her community. During her time in D.C., Lena was able to analyze how U.S. legislation affected Hawai‘i in the areas of education, health, and social welfare. Lena explains that the government crosses all sectors, and interning in D.C. is a great opportunity for all majors to learn about its role. She concludes, “I encourage all CTAHR students to apply because you will gain more than you would even imagine. Students do not necessarily need a political science background to intern! As CTAHR students, we are able to bring a unique perspective to the Hill through our diverse majors. If you have a willingness to learn and bring your own knowledge and experience, you can achieve anything.”
HDFS (FamR) alumna Esther Yasuda didn’t return to college until she was 29, but once she started, she was hooked: she just graduated this summer with a master’s degree in Education from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. Family Resources wasn’t her first choice, either, she admits; she had originally planned to go into nursing, but a counselor suggested she look into HDFS (FamR), and she couldn’t be happier with her decision. She writes, “I had many people help me realize what I wanted to do with my career. All of my instructors instilled in me the values, skills, and knowledge that equipped me, along with sound advice and wisdom.” After graduating, in addition to working on her master’s, she took a position with a non-profit organization working with youth and senior citizens in Kalihi; now she works with the YMCA of Honolulu as an outreach treatment counselor for middle-school students. She says, “My job is quite a challenge, but it is quite fulfilling and rewarding, too. I am glad that I am able to help the people of Hawai‘i through my job. I don’t know what the future holds as far as a career path, but as long as I can help people that’s fine by me.”
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