The College of Education (COE) Office of Student Academic Services (OSAS) has hired two new graduate assistants, Casey Murase and Paige Chang, as well as promoted Dolores “DeeDee” Black to Administrative Support Specialist.
Murase will provide undergraduate advising and assistance to COE students on their academic journeys. Originally from Los Angeles, California, she holds an undergraduate degree in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University and is currently working on a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the John A. Burns School of Medicine at UH Mānoa. She plans to become a speech pathologist with a concentration on special education students in underserved communities.
“I really love the people and the environment in OSAS,” Murase said. “There is so much support and positive energy around me which encourages me to continue to work to the best of my abilities and provide services to students that need them.”
A current graduate student in the COE Department of Curriculum Studies, Chang will also provide undergraduate advising. She earned her BEd in Exceptional Students and Elementary Education (ESEE) from the college and is working on her master’s in multicultural education. She says she hopes to work at an elementary school in the Leeward District, teaching students of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences.
“I enjoy working in OSAS because I get to give advice to those who are in the same situation as me when I was navigating through, figuring out what major, cohort, and pathway I wanted to pursue,” Chang said. “It’s a rewarding experience because I remember OSAS helping me during my undergraduate career, so I want to do the same for others! By working in OSAS, I’m constantly developing personal skills, such as collaboration, communication, and flexibility that will contribute to my career in teaching.”
Newly promoted to Administrative Support Specialist, Black began her tenure with OSAS in 2017 as a student worker. Her roles have evolved through the years as she continued her education. With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English, she has been a college lecturer as well as a K–12 educator.
“I enjoy the workplace environment at OSAS and cherish the bonds that have formed over the years in this office,” Black said. “I’ve had the opportunity to grow in my role here since I was an undergraduate student worker, which has given me the unique experiences of clerical work, advising, and administrative responsibilities. Being a part of OSAS allows me to help guide students in their academic journeys and play a role in preparing future Hawaiʻi educators.”
