As Tanner Johnson prepares to receive his master’s degree in from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补’s this spring, he’s reflecting on an academic journey shaped by both 东精影业 West Oʻahu and 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补—and the support of faculty at each campus.
Originally from Makakilo and a graduate of Kapolei High School, Johnson began his college education at 东精影业 West Oʻahu in 2016. He chose 东精影业 West Oʻahu to stay close to his family, and it was there that he found his path in mathematics.
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“I wasn’t entirely sure what I would study when I started,” Johnson said. “But I’ve always enjoyed academia, and math was something I was decent at. When I learned they were developing math degrees, it caught my attention.”
Johnson double majored in and with concentrations in mathematics, earning both degrees in 2021 during the pandemic.
From there, he went on to 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 to pursue a master’s degree under the guidance of Associate Professor and Associate Chair Sarah Post. His thesis focused on the mathematical models related to particle spin in quantum mechanics—work that bridges mathematics and physics.
“My project looked at how certain systems of math relate to the spin of particles, especially in quantum mechanics,” Johnson explained. “It’s fascinating how math can model the ways particles interact and how their spin behaves.”
Johnson successfully defended his thesis and will graduate on May 17.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Tanner and to watch him develop his mathematical maturity,” Post said. “He has conquered challenging new topics and you can see his confidence grow, as was well evidenced in his MA presentation. He has truly been a welcome presence around the department.”
Looking ahead, Johnson hopes to stay close to home and give back to the academic community. He’s interested in pursuing a lecturer position and eventually supporting other Hawaiʻi students on their own educational paths.
“I want to help students see that math isn’t just a box to check—it’s something they can use and apply,” he said. “I’ve been exploring ways to incorporate place-based learning, Hawaiian culture and pedagogy into math lessons.”
His professors at both campuses say his story represents the best of what the 东精影业 System can offer when campuses work in tandem.
“I first met Tanner in fall 2019 when he was taking Math 245 Multivariable Calculus,” 东精影业 West Oʻahu Professor Esther Widiasih said. “His work ethics and consistency stood out throughout the following semesters when he took other courses with me. Tanner showed a great potential for teaching and mentoring his peers when he was helping me in being a peer leader in Math 245, only a year after he finished that course. I hope that after finishing his master’s program, he can come back and teach at 东精影业 West Oʻahu. He will be a great example of a homegrown math instructor.”
Widiasih said that while Johnson was at 东精影业 West Oʻahu, he worked with her on a summer research project adapting a dissolved oxygen model for the Mokauea fishpond, which later became the foundation of his capstone.
Johnson encourages future students to lean on their communities and stay motivated.
“Math is something that benefits from collaboration,” he said. “You need that self-drive, especially in graduate school, but you also need to be willing to ask for help—from peers, from professors. That sense of community is key.”
He added, “I don’t think I would’ve succeeded without the relationships I built at both campuses.”
—By Marc Arakaki