Meet the 2026-27 UHHSA Team

Why did you run for student government?: I ran for student government because students deserve leaders who listen, communicate, and work to create meaningful opportunities for the entire campus community. UH Hilo is more than just a place to earn a degree. It is a community of students, faculty, staff, and organizations working together to help one another grow and succeed. I want to help foster a campus culture where students feel heard, valued, and connected while encouraging greater involvement and collaboration across campus.

Whether that means supporting student organizations, strengthening communication, advocating for student needs, or helping bring new ideas to life, student government should be visible, approachable, and focused on making a positive impact. To me, success is reflected in a student body that feels represented, committees that work effectively, and a campus community that continues to grow stronger through shared purpose. Student government plays an important role in shaping that experience and helping ensure that UH Hilo remains a place where students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: My favorite part about UH Hilo is the strong sense of community. The campus feels like a family, where students, faculty, and staff genuinely care about one another and want to see each other succeed. I also appreciate the unique opportunities UH Hilo provides, allowing students to gain hands-on experiences, build meaningful connections, and make a real impact both on campus and throughout our island community.

Get to know Sage!

• Major: B.S. Biology (Cell, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences)
• Minor: Chemistry
• Hometown: Hilo, HI
• Email: uhhsaprz@hawaii.edu
• Campus & Community Involvement: Outside of student government, I help coach high school Judo at Kamehameha and am grateful to have earned my black belt, which has taught me discipline, patience, and respect. I also volunteer in the local community, supporting projects that help those experiencing homelessness and working with at-risk youth. I enjoy helping with campus events that bring students together, and for me, it’s about giving back, supporting others, and helping make the community stronger.

Why did you run for student government?: I ran for student government because I want to help improve the student experience at UH Hilo through stronger student outreach, better communication, and greater awareness of opportunities on campus. I’m passionate about helping students stay informed, involved, and heard so decisions reflect what best benefits the student body. I also hope to strengthen the connection between students, faculty, professors, and campus leadership so the UH Hilo community feels more supported.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: One of my favorite parts of UH Hilo is the small campus environment because it creates a close community between students, professors, and faculty, while also allowing you to meet people from many different cultures and backgrounds.

Get to know Jodee!

• Major: Chemistry (Health Sciences)
• Hometown: Hanapēpē, HI
• Email: uhhsavp@hawaii.edu
• Campus & Community Involvement: President of HOSA - Future Health Professionals, Co-Chair of the Health and Medicine Committee, Vice President of The Hawai'i Chemical Society, Future Healthcare Leaders Society Member, AHEC Future Docs Member.

Why did you run for student government?: I ran for student government because I wanted to give the students who might feel like they don’t have a voice, one that they could depend on to express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions about what is occurring on campus and how we can make a change.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: All of the connections I have made! I have met so many amazing people and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to meet people and share my experience and knowledge with them.

Get to know Brooklyn!

• Major: Political Science
• Pre-Law Certificate
• Hometown: Charlevoix, Michigan
• Email: uhhsadd@hawaii.edu

Why did you run for student government?: I ran for the student government so I could give back to the community that gives so much to me.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: I love the relaxed vibes and island feel that is submersed in Hawaiian culture.

Get to know Mindy!

• Major: Sociology
• Hometown: Waimea, HI & Los Angeles, CA
• Email: uhhsatr@hawaii.edu
• Campus & Community Involvement: I am a part of the Rotaract club, and the Malama Aina sustainability Club.

Everett Nguyen-Roach

Why did you run for student government?: I would love to make an impact on my community and help others have a great college experience to best lead them to a successful and fulfilling future. I love getting involved and being able to participate in a leadership role to take initiative and make a positive difference to my fellow students. I believe that students should have multitudes of opportunities and accessibility to best prepare themselves for their future, such as internships, volunteer work, and other education programs while having an unforgettable and joyous experience at this college.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: I love how community and culture oriented the school is. Everyone is so inviting and friendly to make you feel as if the school is a home away from home. The teachers are all extremely helpful and determined to lead you to your best future.

Get to know Everett!

• Major: Political Science
• Hometown: Anaheim Hills, CA
• Email: uhhsa2@hawaii.edu
• Campus & Community Involvement: I am apart of the women’s basketball team and love volunteering around campus.

Why did you run for student government?: I ran for the student government because I belive there is room for improvement in several areas of campus life like recycling opportunities and food quality in particular.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: I like the small class sizes and the climate.

Get to know Roland!

• Major: Agriculture: Animal Health & Management in Tropical Agroecology
• Email: uhhsa1@hawaii.edu
• Campus & Community Involvement: Hawai'i Sheep and Goat Association

Why did you run for student government?: Connections are key! I hope to create opportunities for students to have the opportunity to form long term relationships with peers and professionals alike.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: The tight knit community creates the perfect environment meet incredible people and form long lasting relationships with peers and professionals alike.

Get to know Christian!

• Major: Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Hometown: Hilo, HI
• Email: uhhsa11@hawaii.edu
• Campus & Community Involvement: Secretary for the Future Healthcare Leaders Society (FHLS), PSA subject competitor for HOSA - Future Health Professionals, Green Giving Drive recyclables initiative founder

Why did you run for student government?: I ran for student government because I believe every student deserves to feel like they belong here at UH Hilo and that their voice matters. I am passionate about bridging the gap between our colleges and building on the strong sense of community that makes this place so special. I want every student to know that there are plenty of opportunities available to them and I am here to help make those resources more visible and accessible. My goal is to leave a lasting positive impact for the current and next generation of Vulcans.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: My favorite part about UH Hilo is the strong sense of community, our beautiful campus, and the opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

Get to know Lili!

• Major: Business Administration, Concentration in Agriculture
• Email: uhhsa3@hawaii.edu
• Campus & Community Involvement: Outside of student government, I am a member of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Committee and the Sociology Club.

Anna Alfred

Why did you run for student government?: I ran for student government because I wanted to help create a supportive and connected environment for pharmacy students. I am passionate about student wellbeing, accessibility to resources, and making sure student voices are heard. Throughout my time serving, I’ve worked to promote initiatives that support mental health, reduce stress, and encourage community engagement. I hope to continue strengthening communication between pharmacy students and campus leadership while creating opportunities that help students feel supported both academically and personally.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: My favorite part about UH Hilo is how welcoming and friendly the community is. There is always something happening on campus, whether it’s student events, cultural activities, or opportunities to get involved. I also love being surrounded by Hawai‘i’s natural beauty, it has helped me reconnect with the environment and appreciate a healthier balance between academics and personal wellbeing.

Get to know Anna!

• Major: Pharmarcy
• Hometown: Madison, WI
• Email: uhhsa4@hawaii.edu
• Campus & Community Involvement: Outside of student government, I serve as the President-Elect of the Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) and am a brother of the professional pharmacy fraternity Phi Delta Chi (ΦΔΧ). I will also be serving as a Resident Assistant for the 2026–2027 academic year, where I hope to continue fostering a supportive and welcoming environment for students on campus.

Keanokualani Perreira

Why did you run for student government?: He manaʻolana koʻu e hoʻonui aʻe i ka hoʻohana ʻia o ʻike, ka ʻōlelo, a me ka mōʻaukala Hawaiʻi ma ke kula nui. No ka poʻe Hawaiʻi a me ka poʻe e hōʻea mai ana no ka hele kula, ua waiwai ka paʻa o ka ʻike Hawaiʻi, ka lohe a ʻike ʻana i ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, a me ke aʻo ʻana hoʻi no ka mōʻaukala o ko kākou Lāhui. Ma ka hoʻohana ʻana i ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi e ʻume hou ʻia ai nā aloha ʻōlelo a aloha Lāhui o ka wā e hiki mai ana.

(I am eager to take initiative in normalizing Hawaiian knowledge, culture, language, and history throughout our campus. I believe it is important for both Hawaiʻi residents and non-residents to understand the significance of our culture, the value of hearing and seeing our language, and the depth of our history. Perhaps, by expanding the use of Hawaiian language, we help ensure a thriving and dedicated future for our people.)

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: He mahalo koʻu i ke ʻano o ka pili ʻana o ke kaiaulu kula nui. (I'm really fond of the close-knit community at UH Hilo.)

Get to know Keanokualani!

• Major: Hawaiian Studies
• Hometown: Hilo, HI
• Email: uhhsa5@hawaii.edu

Allison Kelton

Why did you run for student government?: I am passionate about making the UH Hilo campus a positive and uplifting space for students to thrive in. I hope to help upkeep campus safety and foster engagement and development events for the benefit of students across the institution.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: My favorite part of UH Hilo is the amazing and inspiring people I meet every day!

Get to know Allison!

• Major: Biology: Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science (TCBES)
• Hometown: San Diego, CA
• Email: uhhsa6@hawaii.edu
• Campus & Community Involvement: I love assisting the Kaiameaola Club on campus to benefit the community and other TCBES students. In my free time, I enjoy attending volunteer days to mālama ʻāina and donating blood to the local blood banks.

Why did you run for student government?: As a non traditional student myself, I ran for student government because I understand the challenges many students face while trying to balance school, work, family, and financial responsibilities. I am passionate about expanding support services, mentorship, and networking opportunities for students who may feel overlooked or disconnected from traditional college experiences. I hope to bring a fresh perspective that helps students better access local resources, build meaningful connections, and realize that there are many different pathways to success. Most importantly, I want to help create a campus culture where students feel empowered to pursue goals that may have once seemed out of reach.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: My favorite part about UH Hilo is the diverse student body.

Get to know Nani!

• Major: Pyschology, Pre-Med
• Hometown: Ka'u, HI
• Email: uhhsa10@hawaii.edu
• Campus & Community Involvement: I am a member of Psi Chi; honor society of psychology, and enjoy training jiujitsu, boxing and MMA in my free time.

Why did you run for student government?: The issue i'm passionate about is the disconnect between on-campus students and local commuter students. My initiative is to make local commuter students feel more connected with campus life.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: I like how small UH Hilo is, it allows for more meaning connections and the campus feels like one family.

Get to know Clint!

• Major: Nursing
• Hometown: Hilo, HI
• Email: uhhsa7@hawaii.edu

Why did you run for student government?: My top priorities are strengthening student support systems, expanding peer mentorship opportunities, and increasing culturally grounded representation at UH Hilo. I am passionate about ensuring that students are aware of and able to access the resources available to them, especially those who may feel disconnected from campus or unsure where to seek support. I hope to strengthen mentorship pathways that help students transition into college, build confidence, and feel a sense of belonging through connections with peers who understand their experiences. I also want to advocate for greater recognition and support of Pacific Islander and diverse student communities by creating spaces where students feel represented, valued, and encouraged to give back to their communities.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: Since attending UH Hilo, I appreciate how much campus events students are able to attend and network!

Get to know Janis!

• Major: Communication
• Certificate in Pacific Island Studies
• Hometown: Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
• Email: uhhsa9@hawaii.edu

Why did you run for student government?: I’m passionate about encouraging students to embrace campus life and make the most of their college experience. Although UH Hilo offers so many opportunities, I recognize that not every opportunity is accessible or works out for everyone. I want to help bridge that gap, encourage students to recognize their potential, and create more opportunities for them to thrive. At the end of the day, I love seeing people smile, and I want to see more of it.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: Food options, campus facilities (such as the gym and library), the overall campus atmosphere and sense of community, and the weather.

Get to know Riko!

• Major: Political Science
• Hometown: Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
• Email: uhhsa8@hawaii.edu

Matt Kalahiki

Why do you serve student government?: I support student government because it’s important for students to have a voice. My own leadership experiences taught me how valuable that growth can be, and now I want to help the next generation of student leaders represent their peers, grow individually, and return to their communities as forces for positive change.

Top Goals:

• Help Student Leaders Grow: Mentor and support student leaders so they can build confidence, learn leadership skills, and take those experiences with them into their careers and communities.
• Keep UHHSA Running Strong: Make sure student government runs smoothly and transparently by helping the Senate follow fair processes, manage resources wisely, and truly represent student voices.
• Build a Culture of Advocacy & Involvement: Encourage students to speak up about issues, push for solutions, and create initiatives that will make a positive difference for current and future UH Hilo students.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: I am a proud UH Hilo alumnus, having earned both of my degrees here. What I love most is the strong sense of community, where students, faculty, and staff support one another. UH Hilo gave me the chance to grow both as a student and as a person, and I will always value the connections and experiences I gained.

Get to know Matt!

• Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (2013) and Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics (2015)
• Hometown: Hilo, HI
• Email: mmkk@hawaii.edu
• While I serve as UHHSA’s Staff Advisor, my primary role is Associate Director of Campus Center, where I support chartered student organizations, coordinate activities and events, and assist RISOs to uplift student life. This year, I’ve also taken on the kuleana of Acting Director of the Student Life Center. Beyond these roles, I serve on the Staff Council to model shared governance for student leaders and on the Commencement Committee to ensure students are celebrated at graduation.

Why do you serve student government?: I am drawn to advising student government because of the multiple roles in organization governance I hold in the community. On campus, my other roles involve coordinating New Student Orientation (NSO), Registered Independent Student Organizations (RISOs), and the Ka Lama Kū student leadership development and awards. Overall, I hope that the various hats I wear as an employee of UH Hilo helps to model the way for students and my colleagues in developing a strong sense of kuleana to self and others.

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: Hilo is my hometown and I had the best experience as a non-traditional student at UH Hilo. Part of our philosophy in Campus Center is "learning is a lifelong adventure" and that truly resonates with me.

Get to know Vanessa!

• Degrees: BA in Communication, MS in Nonprofit Management & Leadership
• Hometown: Hilo, HI
• Email: vlc411@hawaii.edu
• I serve on the UH Hilo Staff Council as a Division of Student Affairs representative. I am also on the Kuleana & Community Talk Story series committee. In the community, I serve as board president at Big Island Substance Abuse Council (BISAC) and as a director and social committee chair with the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce. I volunteer my time with the Alzheimerʻs Association-Hawaii.

Mila Rexford

Why do you serve student government?: One of my biggest passions is elevating the voices of others and helping them feel connected. To do that within our UH Hilo community, I applied for this position to get more involved on campus and support the foundation built by those who share similar goals, the members of UHHSA. Serving in student government gives me the chance to learn how to make an impact for others while bringing a fresh perspective to the table.

Top Goals:

• Assist in keeping things smoothly behind the scenes so everything stays organized
• Support events, projects, and initiatives that makes campus life more fun and create more opportunities for students
• Advocate for a stronger, more connected community within UHHSA

Favorite Part of UH Hilo: The people. UH Hilo’s diverse community brings together so many fresh and unique perspectives, and it’s amazing how much you can learn from everyone on a single campus. It’s fun to collaborate, connect, and just enjoy my time here with people from all kinds of backgrounds. UH Hilo really celebrates that blend of cultures and voices, which is what makes it my favorite part of being here.

Get to know Mila!

• Major: Astronomy
• Hometown: Waianae, HI
• Email: uhhsasgi@hawaii.edu
• Member of the University Astrophysics Club