Aloha and Welcome!

My name is Denise Nakaoka. I serve as the Director of the Office of Student Academic Services. I am a proud graduate of the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa where I received my MEd and BEd degrees in Elementary Education.

My entire professional life has been devoted to the field of Education by serving in various capacities as an academic advisor, mentor to faculty and students, program supervisor, and teacher to children in grades 2-6. I have absolutely loved the 30+ years that I’ve spent working with students.

Please contact our wonderful faculty and staff members who are eager to help you reach your educational and professional goals.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Hi, I’m Denise Abara, the Associate Director/Academic Advisor for the College of Education’s Office of Student Academic Services (OSAS).

I completed my BA in Psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where I was also a student-athlete on the Women’s Soccer team. While enrolled in the MEd in Counseling and Guidance program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, I was a graduate assistant (GA) in the Athletics department serving as an academic advisor. Upon graduating from the MEd program, I began working as a faculty specialist academic advisor in the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS) where I worked until I joined OSAS in the Fall of 2011.

I look forward to meeting you and helping you attain your academic goals!

Hello! My name is Jolene and I’m an academic advisor for the College of Education. Before coming to the College of Education, I taught middle school science, tutored students and led a program at UH for students interested in health careers.

I grew up on Oʻahu and attended university in California. I completed my BS in Anthropology, BS in Biology and MS in Anthropology at Stanford University, and later completed my MEdT in Secondary Education Science at UCLA. In my free time I enjoy hiking and listening to science podcasts. Do you have any recommendations? I’d love to hear them!

I look forward to learning about you and supporting you on your academic journey at UH Mānoa!

Though most of my career at SAAS had been spent coordinating learning services and working with our football team, I was equally so very fortunate to have learned from the voices and stories of our female head coaches and our female student-athletes through my doctoral research studying female leadership development through intercollegiate athletics. I valued my time with SAAS, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and students at the College of Education.

I received my BA degree in Art (with a focus in Art History), my MEd in Educational Psychology, and also my EdD all from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Aloha! My name is DeeDee and I advise undergraduate students with an interest in Education at the Office of Student Academic Services. I have been working at OSAS since 2017, when I was an undergrad pursuing a BA in English with a double minor in Education and History. Since then, I have earned my Master’s degree in English with a Literary Studies focus from UH Mānoa. I enjoy working with students and helping them plan their educational and career goals focused on creating passionate educators who will continue to teach the youth of Hawai‘i.

Available for General Advising Sessions Only

Hello! My name is Mang Gwen and I am a Graduate Assistant under the College of Education’s Office of Student Academic Services. I advise current and prospective students. In my free time, I enjoy drawing and playing games.

I received my Bachelor’s of Arts in Chinese and minors in Second Language Studies and Education here at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Learning Design and Technology.

I am excited to learn more about you and work with you on your academic journey as well as your personal and professional development! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you soon!

Available for General Advising Sessions Only

Hi, I am Sidney Bumgarner! I am a Graduate Assistant at the Office of Student Academic Services under the College of Education. I also have over three years of experience in Student Housing Services as a RA. I have a deep love for students and helping those around me. I hope to continue this into my professional career, while developing this skill further as a current masters student in Educational Administration here at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. I also recently received my BA in Psychology and BA in Ethnic Studies from Mānoa, as well as a certificate in Spanish. My BA in Ethnic Studies afforded me the opportunity to apply for the 5 year combination Bachelor’s and Masters’ degree pathway or BAM program.

I am originally from Northern California and have been lucky enough to reside in Mānoa for the last four years. In that time I have deepened my love for the waters and this beautiful ‘aina. In my freetime I love snorkeling/ freediving, as well as hiking.

I look forward to getting to know you and helping in any way I can on your journey!

Hello! My name is Kori and I am the Administrative Manager at OSAS. I have been with the OSAS team for many years. I am a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a Bachelor of Arts in History.

I was born and raised on the Windward side of Oʻahu. Over the years, I have lived in
various places on Oʻahu and briefly in Massachusetts.
I enjoy listening to music, watching videos, traveling and I adore animals, especially
cats and otters.

Aloha! My name is Geri and I have been the Secretary for the Office of Student Academic Services (OSAS) since 2007 but an employee with the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa since 2004.

I was born and raised in Kalihi here on the island of O’ahu and graduated from W.R Farrington High School. I received my Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Administration of Justice from Honolulu Community College and received my Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration with a concentration in Justice Administration as well as a certificate in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (DPEM) from the University of Hawai’i West O’ahu. I have also earned credits towards the Master of Education in Educational Administration and hope to jump start my studies soon.

I look forward to meeting you and hope to be of assistance in your journey here at the College of Education!

Hi everyone! My name is Jennifer (but you can call me Jenn) and I am a Kinesiology major and English minor student at UH Manoa. I have been a clerk typist for OSAS since Spring 2022.

After graduation I am interested in pursuing occupational therapy. Although initially I was interested in physical therapy, I realized after previously working as a medical assistant in orthopedics that I’d like to specialize in hand therapy. It makes me happy to be able to help others! Occupational therapy also allows me to be creative. In my free time I enjoy drawing, reading, watching anime/dramas, going to the gym, and listening to music.

I look forward to meeting and assisting you all as best as I can, thank you!