New officers selected for UHWO Alumni Association
The UH West Oʻahu Alumni Association elected new leadership at its annual meeting on February 1. President Shannon Takai, Vice President Mahealani Kahala, Secretary Kelli Maeno, and Treasurer Brandon Carlos were voted on as the association’s officers for 2017.
“I believe we have a great group of leaders and mentors who will help to guide us in the revitalization process of the UHWO Alumni Association,” Takai said. “We are all excited to be working with each other again and to have a new adventure as alumni with the university. One of the priorities and goals our leadership team has for 2017 is to work with the UH Foundation to reach out to UHWO alumni and let them know about the alumni association.”
The UHWO Alumni Association is planning to have an Alumni/Scholarship Luncheon in May.
President
Shannon Takai earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a concentration in Psychology. She was an active member and leader of the Psi Chi International Honor Society of Psychology, a peer mentor in the PUEO Leadership and Mentoring Program, and received a Volunteerism Medal through Student Life. She currently works for the Hawaiʻi Department of Education at a local elementary school.
Vice President
Mahealani Kahala earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with a concentration in Creative Media. She represented the Fall 2016 class as the Commencement Speaker and was the co-recipient of the Service and Leadership Distinction Award through Student Life. Many of her efforts go toward volunteering and serving the community with her church and a local non-profit, Life 360 Network, which focus on assisting and mentoring “at-risk” youth through all aspects of life. She works for State Rep. Andria Tupola, 43rd District, as her PR/Marketing person.
Secretary
Kelli Maeno earned a degree in Social Sciences and concentration in Psychology. While she was a student she had a few on campus jobs and participated in Psychology Club and Psi Chi International Honor Society. After graduation she was employed at the Board of Water Supply. She currently serves as an administrative assistant in the UHWO IT department.
Treasurer
Brandon Carlos earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with concentrations in Psychology and Sociology. As a student of UHWO, he was active member in Psi Chi International Honor Society of Psychology and Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society. He is a Pueo Scholars Dual Credit Coordinator at UH West Oʻahu, where he works with high school students taking Early College classes.
Image courtesy of Terri Ota. From left: Kelli Maeno, Brandon Carlos, Shannon Takai, Mahealani Kahala, and UHWO Chancellor Maenette Benham.