The University of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈’蝉 Roy Suda, Carol Oshiro and Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program have been selected as the university’s nominees for the Governor’s Awards for Distinguished State Service. The award honors the state’s executive branch employees and managers who exemplify the highest caliber of public service and dedication to serving the people of Hawaiʻi.
Manager of the Year: Roy Suda
Roy Suda demonstrated exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment through 31 years as an IT manager in enrollment management. Those who nominated him noted that he fosters accountability and timely project completion through excellent management, while empowering his team to high engagement. He is dedicated to ensuring data security and fostering community involvement in cybersecurity.
From ensuring the seamless operation of critical enrollment systems to spearheading innovative projects that directly benefit students and the institution, Suda’s exceptional management, drive for innovation and unwavering commitment to data security underscore his profound impact. His leadership has not only elevated the IT infrastructure but has also significantly contributed to the university’s overall effectiveness and the success of its students.
Suda is a leader who cultivates a culture of excellence by leading by example, demonstrating an exceptional work ethic and fostering a supportive and innovative environment. He is a dedicated mentor who invests in his team’s professional growth and encourages self-advancement and career progression opportunities.
His ability to effectively balance critical priorities demonstrates management excellence. He ensures that vital systems supporting critical departments are up-to-date, and vulnerabilities are promptly addressed.
Employee of the Year: Carol Oshiro
Carol Oshiro is the strategic initiatives manager of the 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 (CTAHR) and is instrumental in ensuring the smooth operation of the dean’s office. Oshiro has dedicated more than 20 years to CTAHR, beginning as a student assistant during her undergraduate studies. Throughout her tenure, she has led numerous initiatives that significantly enriched the academic experience for students, fostering collaborative projects and mentorship programs.
Oshiro is the chief designer and implementer of CTAHR’s exemplary Shared Services unit, which has filled the gap created by the loss of more than 10 staff positions in various departments and county offices. The Shared Services unit addresses the urgent need for streamlined fiscal processes, ensuring no critical financial functions are neglected.
Oshiro implemented CTAHR’s new scholarship procedures to improve efficiency. She played a pivotal role in awarding more than $1.2 million in scholarships over the past five years; many of these scholarships were neglected prior to her arrival, enhancing accessibility to education for countless students.
She also redesigned recruitment materials to increase awareness of CTAHR’s academic programs and boost student enrollment—helping to increase undergraduate enrollment by 2.5% and graduate enrollment by 6%.
Team of the Year: CTAHR’s Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program
The (SOAP) at 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 has achieved remarkable success in advancing sustainable agriculture. They secured more $4.5 million in grants, enabling innovative projects that improve soil health and crop quality. The team is comprised of Theodore Radovich, Amjad Ahmad, Rosemary Gutierrez-Coarite, Emilie R. Kirk, Eric Collier, Jari Sugano, Jennifer Hawkins, Jensen Uyeda, Joshua Silva, Kylie Wong, Lara Kalilimoku and Sharon Motomura-Wages.
Through partnerships with local organizations, SOAP trains more than 200 farmers annually, enhancing local food systems. Their hands-on workshops and educational resources support both novice and experienced growers. The program’s efforts have led to economic growth, reduced agricultural input costs and improved environmental resilience. By integrating research and community engagement, SOAP exemplifies a commitment to sustainability in Hawaiʻi.
SOAP’s applied research includes pioneering work on replacing imported fertilizers, improving soil health and selecting varieties for dozens of high-value and culturally significant crops, such as sweet potato, taro and turmeric. Research-based, place-specific resources on cover cropping, organic pest control, composting and soil health management have also been developed.
The program supports Student Organic Farm Training (SOFT), GoFarm and Master Gardener programs, as well as the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau and the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union. SOFT also holds hands-on training programs and facilitates strategic partnership-building with local non-profits, schools and government agencies.