Doctoral Advisees
See below for profiles of some of the doctoral students with whom I have worked.
Vanessa Ghersi Cordano
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Program in which enrolled: Ph.D. in Global and International Education
Years in program: 2021-present Research interests: International trends addressing multiculturalism, vulnerable populations, and diversity, as well as the impact that technology and different alternatives to face-to-face education have on minority populations, particularly at the level of higher education. Dissertation title: Fully Online Experiences of Undergraduate Students at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Dissertation focus: The study analyzes the complex and unique realities of online learners in the context of Hawai’i and the Ocean Pacific Islands Where from: Lima, Peru Previous education:
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Aug. 2022-Present Graduate Assistant at Dean’s Office, College of Social Sciences Assists in supporting the Director of Digital Learning Initiatives in the rapidly growing field of instructional design and digital learning technologies for higher education online courses and degree programs. Private Practice in Dentistry, Jan 2007- 2020 Dedicated exclusively to patients with disabilities. Children and adults with any limiting condition: physical, developmental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive, or emotional that requires more intensive care, medical intervention and/or specialized programs or services. UPC University of Applied Sciences - Laureate International Universities - WASC Senior College and University Commission, Jul 2019 – Oct. 2021 Lima Academic Coordinator of Basic Sciences Responsible for courses from first to sixth level within the dentistry program. Responsible for teaching achievements, syllabi, assessment, methodological strategies, use of technology and simulation. Coordination of assessment committee: management of process of evaluation of competences of career, review of results and execution of annual action plans. Management of vulnerable populations: students at academic risk, accompaniment of new entrants, review of implementation of methodological strategies for students with disabilities. Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University, Lima, May 2003 – May 2004 Part-time Teacher Teacher in Post-Graduate Area of the School of Dentistry: planned and execution of dental procedures developed in operating room of Cayetano Heredia Peruvian Hospital. Career goals: I would like to continue working in the higher education environment, either continuing my line of research, or applying my experience in sectors such as university administration, educational policy, or international programs. |
Patricia Grillet
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Program in which enrolled: Ph.D in Global and International Education
Years in program: 2022-present Research interests: Education in emergency, gender and education, education policy, education in Latin America Dissertation title: The role of refugee Venezuelan mothers in the education of their children attending school in Colombia Dissertation focus: My dissertation explores the experiences and roles of female caregivers in the education system, especially during emergency times. The case study focuses on the migration crisis between Venezuela and Colombia that started around 2017. The purpose of this study is to shed light on education systems that receive refugee populations, focusing on gender issues that might affect teaching and learning during emergencies. Given the rise of migration crises around the globe, there is an urgency to explore the ways in which education policies can better protect these vulnerable populations, both generally and in the realm of education. Where from: Caracas, Venezuela Previous education:
Previous/current work experience:
Career goals: I have three main career goals:
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Weiye Guan
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Program in which enrolled: Ph.D. in Educational Foundations
Years in program: 2021-present Research interests: Higher education, globalization, educational policy, international educational partnership Dissertation title: International Higher Education Partnerships: Challenges, Opportunities, and Impacts on Global Higher Education in the 21st Century Dissertation focus: Higher education institutions across the globe are facing the challenge of determining the best approaches to equip their graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the 21st century's globalized world while maintaining their relevance and reputation within the global higher education community. Collaborative programs, including joint and dual degree programs and other forms of partnerships, are of great interest to many institutions, but they also pose numerous challenges. The dissertation aims to investigate how international partnerships in higher education evolve in response to shifting economic, political, and social circumstances at global and regional levels. It also seeks to examine the challenges and opportunities of establishing robust and sustainable international partnerships in higher education. Furthermore, the study intends to explore how international partnerships can mitigate the negative impact of globalization and internationalization on higher education, and further the mission and goals of all participating institutions while positively impacting the participants and their communities. Where from: China Previous education:
Previous/current work experience: Graduate Assistantship, Fall 2020 - present Department of Educational Foundations, College of Education University of Hawaii at Manoa Short Term Research Internship, Dec. 2020 - May 2021 World Bank Report: Revitalizing Teacher Education in Africa: A Framework for Action Lecturer, 2009-2019 Department of College English, School of Foreign Languages Sanjiang University, China Teacher internship, 2007-2009 International Education Institute Sanjiang University, China Career goals:
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Aya "Lorraine" Kouao
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Program in which enrolled: Ph.D. in Global and International Education
Years in program: 2022-present Research interests: Post-colonialism, indigeneity, neoliberalism, student mobility Dissertation title: Impact of post-colonialism on student learning experiences and national identities in West Africa Dissertation focus: The dissertation paper focuses on examining the relationship between postcolonialism, national identities, and student mobility in West Africa. With the rising number of students’ movement toward Universities in the global north, this dissertation focuses on the motives and behaviors of West African students toward pursuing their higher education in Western countries. The purpose of this study is to explore the drivers of migration intentions and decision-making among West African students for a better understanding of the student’s responses to the effects of post-colonization and the rise of the global elite classes. The implication of this study illustrates the importance of rethinking the educational system in West African countries for suitable pedagogy and innovative curriculum designs in post-colonial and global times. Where from: Abidjan, Ivory Coast Previous education:
Previous/current work experience: Graduate Research Assistant, August 2022 – Present Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Honolulu, HI Program Coordinator, June 2021 – May 2022 Council of International and Educational Exchange (CIEE) Graduate Research Intern, March 2021 – April 2021 Swordfish Consulting International, Orono, ME Global Research Fellow, June 2020 – July 2020 Global Livingston Institute, Kampala, Uganda (Remote) Graduate Assistant, August, 2019 – May, 2021 University of Maine, Orono, ME Account Payable Analyst, June, 2018 – May, 2019 Bluelinx Corporation Inc., Oklahoma City, OK Research Assistant, August, 2017 – May, 2018 University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond Career goals:
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Yuko Maruo
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Program in which enrolled: Ph.D. in Global and International Education
Research interests: Sustainability Education, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), experiential learning, place-based education, Global governance of education (UNESCO) Dissertation title: TBD Dissertation focus: TBD Where from: Okayama, Japan Previous education:
Previous/current work experience: Previous: Director of education in global education company in Japan/Hawaii, Social studies teacher in both private middle school and high school in Japan Career goals:
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Scott Miller
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Program in which enrolled: Ph.D. in Global and International Education
Years in program: 2020-2023 Research interests: International Schools, Third Culture Kids, Transition Programs Dissertation title: Transition Support for Third Culture Kids: An International School Case Study of the Development and Implementation of a Transition Program Dissertation focus: My dissertation research is a single case study focused on developing an in-depth understanding of an individual transition program at an international school. The research is designed to learn how a well developed transition program is constructed and delivered at the school, and how the program meets the needs of TCKs. Additionally, the research investigates how a transition program is affected by globalization and the geo-polotical, economic, and sociological shifts within the international school system. Where from: San Diego, California Previous education:
Career goals: International School Counselor/Administrator and Author |
James Parker
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Program in which enrolled: Ph.D. in Global and International Education
Years in program: 2021-present Research interests: Human Rights Education, relational ontologies, inquiry-based learning, Education in Japan, East Asian philosophies of Education, decolonial approaches to global education policy. Dissertation title: The Development of Human Rights Education in Japan: A Comparative Case Study of Local Implementation of Global Educational Policy Dissertation focus: My dissertation examines how human rights education (HRE) is interpreted and practiced in Japanese schools, with particular attention to relational and interdependent understandings of self and community. Using a comparative case study, I analyze how global HRE discourses are translated, reworked, or resisted in local contexts. The study explores how concepts such as omoiyari (empathy), sōdan (interdependent dialogue), and tsunagari (connection) shape everyday pedagogical practices and students’ experiences. By foregrounding these onto-cultural differences, my research aims to broaden theoretical debates on HRE and offer educators and policymakers alternative frameworks that emphasize interdependence rather than liberal individualism. Where from: Borger, TX, USA Previous education:
Previous/current work experience:
Career goals: To work as a researcher and professor focusing on human rights education, Japanese education, and Japanese studies more broadly. I hope to contribute to stronger transnational links between Japan and the wider world through teaching, research, and collaborative projects. I am also open to roles in the non-profit and international education sectors where I can apply this work in practice. |
Tiare Sabellano-Tsutsui
Program in which enrolled: PhD in Transformative Education
Year started: 2024
Research interests: Decolonization of mindfulness practice, cultural origins of Western mental health and well-being, Indigenous research methods and methodologies, Zen meditation’s influence in Western mental health.
Dissertation title: TBD
Dissertation focus: TBD
Where from: My ancestors come from The Philippines, Japan, and China, and I was raised in Manana (Pearl City).
Previous education:
BA in Psychology from UHM (2022)
Master’s of Social Work, specialization in Behavioral Mental Health from UHM (2024)
Previous/current work experience:
Current: Graduate Research and Evaluation Assistant for Hui ʻĀina Pilipili in College of Social Sciences; Zen Teacher-in-Training at LivAwareness Zen.
Previous: Mental Health Technician and Substance Abuse Counselor at CARE Hawaii; experience in special education and disabilities in the Hawaiʻi DOE and healthcare system.
Career goals: Program creation from a Zen meditation perspective for mental health practitioners’ professional development; university teaching using decolonized approaches.
Year started: 2024
Research interests: Decolonization of mindfulness practice, cultural origins of Western mental health and well-being, Indigenous research methods and methodologies, Zen meditation’s influence in Western mental health.
Dissertation title: TBD
Dissertation focus: TBD
Where from: My ancestors come from The Philippines, Japan, and China, and I was raised in Manana (Pearl City).
Previous education:
BA in Psychology from UHM (2022)
Master’s of Social Work, specialization in Behavioral Mental Health from UHM (2024)
Previous/current work experience:
Current: Graduate Research and Evaluation Assistant for Hui ʻĀina Pilipili in College of Social Sciences; Zen Teacher-in-Training at LivAwareness Zen.
Previous: Mental Health Technician and Substance Abuse Counselor at CARE Hawaii; experience in special education and disabilities in the Hawaiʻi DOE and healthcare system.
Career goals: Program creation from a Zen meditation perspective for mental health practitioners’ professional development; university teaching using decolonized approaches.
Cindy Snyder
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Program in which enrolled: PhD International and Global Education
Research interests: 1- To research and create global education policy that will contribute to evidence-based decision making, advocate for change, and address educational challenges worldwide. 2- To research and publish about decolonization in order to create educational policy that emphasizes social justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity, while being mindful of the cultural context. Dissertation title: TBD Dissertation focus: TBD Where from: Kailua, Hawaii Previous education:
Previous/current work experience: Current: 5th grade teacher at Mokapu Elementary (Kailua, Hawaii), 2023-present Previous: 1. 6th and 7th grade teacher at Bowling Green Middle School, (Ohio) 2019-2023 2. 5th-8th grade math/ science teacher at Toledo charter schools, (Ohio) 2013-2019 3. STEM teacher in the summers working at many mainland universities such as the University of Minnesota, Vilanova, University of Colorado, University of Texas, University of Dallas, Occidental, and others in Washington DC, Atlanta, and Florida. (2017-2023) Career goals: To be a university professor working with other professors, researchers, and policy analysts from universities all over the world specializing in global education policy and decolonization. |
Manca Sustarsic
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Program in which enrolled: Ph.D. in Global and International Education
Years in program: 2017-2023 Research interests: International student mobility, intercultural exchange, global education policy Dissertation title: “Life in a year”: Intercultural exchange experiences of secondary school exchange students and volunteer host families Dissertation focus: My dissertation examined two government-funded youth exchange programs, Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs that were created to promote mutual understanding between Americans and international youth. I perform a case study using a variety of qualitative methods to offer a nuanced understanding of exchange students and host families’ culture-sharing experiences in Hawai‘i. Drawing upon soft power, geopolitics, biopolitics, cosmopolitanism, and culture learning theory as theoretical perspectives, I examine various layers of the intercultural exchange: (1) geopolitical dynamics and official government rhetoric on a national level, (2) the ways these programs attempt to instill the norms and values on an organizational/programmatic level, and (3) the experiences of exchange participants on an individual level. Where from: Slovenia Previous education:
Previous/current work experience: I have worked as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. I am responsible for the program evaluation of an educational intervention, Creating a Village, supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) grant. My teaching experience includes working as a lecturer at the K-12, undergraduate, and graduate levels. In Spring 2022, I served as a lecturer of an undergraduate course, Education in American Society, and in Fall 2022, I taught an online graduate seminar course, Foundations of Curriculum. Previously, I worked in an International Student Services office assisting international students at UH Mānoa. Career goals: Work in academia as a professor of International or Global Education. |
Billy Wolff
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Program in which enrolled: Ph.D. in Global and International Education
Years in program: 2019-present Research interests: Multicultural education, ESL, international education, soft diplomacy, sociology Dissertation title: Social and Linguistic Capital in the Context of the JET Program Dissertation focus: My dissertation examines public policy in regards to the Japan Exchange Teaching (JET) Program and what roles, if any, social and linguistic capital have to play in policy creation and implementation. Where from: Chicago, Illinois, USA Previous education:
Previous work experience: Taught at public and private, local and international schools in multiple countries. Designed curriculum and also worked in administration. Career goals: Teach at a community college, teach at a university abroad. |
Ivy Yeung
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Program in which enrolled: Ph.D. in Global and International Education
Years in program: 2022-present Research interests: Culturally responsive teaching, culturally relevant pedagogy, place-based education, legal issues in territories, international education Dissertation title: TBD Dissertation focus: TBD Where from: Honolulu, Hawaii Previous education:
Previous/current work experience: Current: Faculty/ Director of Operations/ Instructor at University of Hawaii at Manoa Previous: Director of International Cooperation, University of Hawaii at Manoa Career goals: My goals are to be a part of something meaningful and make a difference in local and/or global communities. |