SOEST Maile Mentoring Bridge celebrates ocean and earth science graduates

Spring 2016 Maile Mentoring Bridge graduates, mentors and administrators from UH Mānoa and Kapiʻolani CC, photo courtesy of Chip Fletcher

The SOEST Maile Mentoring Bridge program strives to recruit and retain Native Hawaiian and kamaʻāina undergraduates in ocean, earth and environmental science degree programs at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST). In May, the first cohort of Maile students—Charles “Aka” Beebe, Kanani, Lhiberty Pagaduan and Diamond Tachera—earned bachelor’s degrees with the support and encouragement of their mentors.

“Native Hawaiians and kamaʻāina are underrepresented in the ocean, earth and environmental sciences. Which is really unfortunate because Hawaiʻi kids often have strong cultural, family or personal connections to the local environment,” said Postdoctoral Researcher Tiffany Anderson, Maile Mentoring Bridge co-manager and one of about a dozen mentors. “Many times, they are also the first in their families to pursue higher education in science, and can really benefit from the experience of someone who has already gone through the program.”

Armed with their diplomas and a strong network of colleagues and friends, the Maile Mentoring Bridge students are ready for their next step. Beebe, a recipient of the Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation graduate assistantship, will be pursuing a graduate degree in the SOEST oceanography department in the fall. A father of two, Beebe is committed to instilling the values of aloha ʻāīna and kuleana in his children. Tachera will pursue a graduate degree in geology and geophysics, where her research will focus on geochemistry and groundwater flow. Kanani, who is dedicated to the integration of traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific methodologies, will begin the graduate program in geology in August. As a student and mother of three, Kanani balances her scholarly achievements with family values. Pagaduan will continue working part-time for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) and was selected to participate in the summer 2016 GEAR UP Alumni Leadership Academy professional training in Washington, D.C. She plans to apply to SOESTʻs professional master’s degree in geosciences for fall 2017.

Read more on UH News.