College of Education > SMAP

2025 – 2026 Social Media Ambassadors

SMAP ambassadors attending a HS College & Career Fair

Ambassador Overview

Each ambassador was selected based on the following criteria:

  • Currently enrolled in a COE program (minor, bachelor, master, doctoral, or certificate)
  • Demonstrates high achievement and in good standing (e.g., coursework, fieldwork, professional dispositions)
  • Received recommendation/support from their program advisor/coordinator to serve as the face/voice of their respective program
  • Have experience using one or more social media platforms
  • Demonstrated one or more of the the following traits: creative, highly motivated, energetic, dependable, knowledgable, is an effective communicator, and displays leadership potential

As an ambassador, we encourage them to share their personal experiences and knowledge related to being in one of our College of Education programs.

To follow all the SMAP stories and posts, follow us at @uhmanoacoe on either Facebook or Instagram!

Meet the Ambassadors

Undergraduate Ambassadors

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Jonathan Castro

Jonathan Castro Minor in Education Student and SMAP Ambassador (opens in a new window)

“I tell everyone how excited I am to come to campus and be in a room with other people who love working with kids as much as I do.”
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Grace Blaney

Grace Blaney BEd in Elementary Education Student and SMAP Ambassador (opens in a new window)

“I’m passionate about creating a classroom where students can explore their interests, grow their confidence, and develop strong critical-thinking skills.”
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Ma'a is smiling and wearing a black body suit and has long black hair and a black pearl necklace on.

Ma‘alaea Collier BEd Secondary Education, English

"In the future, I hope to guide students in connecting history to their own lives and identities, encouraging them to think critically about the world and their role in it."
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Madeleine is leaning against two shelves of potted plants. She is wearing a red and white tanktop and jean shorts. She has long dirty blonde hair.

Madeleine Woodward BS KRS, Health & Exercise Science

"This field not only deepens my understanding of anatomy and physiology, but also prepares me to make a positive impact whether that’s through rehabilitation, performance enhancement, or guiding people toward healthier lifestyles."
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Niya Edwards BS KRS, Health & Exercise Science

"Kinesiology was the best of both worlds for me because it combined my passion for movement with science."

Graduate Ambassadors

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Chavella Espinosa-Ramos Master of Education in Teaching, Secondary Social Studies

"My teaching philosophy is not just to pass ʻike along, but to do so in a way that honors the significance from which it originated."
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Paige has long straight black hair and is smiling wearing a lei and a white dress in front of a beautiful Hawaii landscape.

Paige Chang MEd Curriculum Studies, Multicultural Education

"Iʻd like to let others know how important and unique the various programs are here at UH Manoa and how crucial the need for passionate teachers is."
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Betsie is smiling and wearing a maroon sweatshirt and has long dirty blond hair and brown glasses.

Betsie Cutrer PhD Education, Foundations in Transformative Education

"My own K-12 education was intended to keep my horizons very close and to serve as a mirror reflecting back on and validating my worldview."
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Jessica is standing in front of a green plant and smiling. She has black hair with bleached streaks and is wearing a white button-down shirt.

Jessica (Eint Pyae Pyae) Khin PhD Education, Foundations in Transformative Education

"My program (EDEF) also provides me with insights to the global and international education and explore diversity, policy, and changes in the field, which I believe will aid my research interest in international education and students."
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Joseph is wearing a gray aloha shirt and standing in front of a palm tree with his arms crossed.

Joseph Peters PhD, Learning Design & Technology

"The LTEC program uniquely combines rigorous research methodologies with practical application, allowing me to investigate questions that directly impact educational practice."