The recognized students, faculty and program contributors at its annual award ceremony on April 24.

The event honored 30 graduating seniors, along with 38 new learning assistants and three new faculty members joining the program. The ceremony also highlighted four award categories recognizing excellence in teaching innovation, program advocacy, and student support.

The Learning Assistant (LA) Program places undergraduate students in courses across campus to help facilitate active, discussion-based learning. Learning assistants work with faculty to support collaborative instruction in lectures, labs and discussion sections, helping shift traditionally lecture-based courses into active learning environments. The program, which began in STEM fields, has since expanded to include a wide range of disciplines across 东精影业 Mānoa.

For the first time, graduating seniors in the LA Program were presented with honors cords, recognizing their academic progress, skill development and contributions to student success. The cords were approved following the LA program鈥檚 transition into the , after serving as a successful pilot of the Provost’s office for the past several years.

Program organizers describe the cords as a symbol of dedication, perseverance, and belonging within the LA community. They recognize students who have significantly supported active learning environments while completing their own academic journeys.

“The honor cords recognize meaningful time supporting their peers and partnering with faculty to cultivate active learning communities across disciplines,” said LA Program Director and Professor Tara O’Neill. “This program is about creating meaningful learning experiences on both sides of the classroom—where students and instructors are shaping how knowledge is built and shared at 东精影业 Mānoa. As LAs, our students are not only strengthening their own content knowledge, they are transforming learning at 东精影业 Mānoa by creating spaces that encourage engagement, questions and innovation.”

Program awardees

• Outstanding Learning Assistant Award recognizing students for excellence in supporting course instruction and fostering engaging learning environments: Katie Thai, Jack Santos and Kevin Phan
• The Agent of Change Award promoting new approaches to active learning at 东精影业 Mānoa: Instructor Astrid Delorme
• Curriculum Innovation Award for course design work that integrates LAs to improve student learning experiences: Professor Monique Chyba
• LA Advocacy Award for leadership in advancing the program: Interim Vice Provost of Student Academic Success Amy Ebesu Hubbard

Georcelle Lozano鈥檚 journey to where she is today and her upcoming graduation from the University of Hawaiʻi鈥揥别蝉迟 Oʻahu began eight years ago and about 5,370 miles away in her beloved hometown of Balaoan, La Union, Philippines. When she was 14, her family immigrated to Hawaiʻi in 2018 to reunite with relatives and build a new life in a new country.

Lozano is a first-generation college student and the only fluent English speaker among her immediate family members, who speak their native Ilokano. Over the years, both her academic and familial responsibilities involved trying to figure out unknown processes and systems not only for herself, but others in her family.

Lozano said the experience shaped her understanding of how access to information and support can significantly influence someone鈥檚 ability to succeed.

“Graduation represents years of sacrifice, both mine and my family鈥檚,” said Lozano. “It reflects the journey of leaving home, adapting to a new country, and learning how to navigate unfamiliar spaces.”

Lozano will share her story as one of two student speakers at on May 9.

Lozano earned, with distinction, a bachelor of education in secondary education with a focus on mathematics.

“For me, this moment is not just an ending, but a responsibility,” Lozano said. “It is a reminder that everything I have learned here is meant to be carried forward and used to support others who may be walking a similar path.”

Read more at .

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty member has earned international recognition for research that advances understanding in a key area of modern mathematics.

Department Chair and Associate Professor Malik Younsi received the 2026 Frontiers of Science Award from the International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS). The honor recognizes major breakthroughs in mathematics, physics and engineering.

Younsi was recognized for a research paper co-authored with Dimitrios Ntalampekos on conformal maps, a topic in complex analysis that studies how shapes in the plane can be transformed while preserving angles. In simple terms, it looks at how you can stretch or reshape something—such as a map or a piece of rubber—without changing the way angles and corners fit together, similar to how digital maps adjust views while keeping locations accurate.

“Mathematics is often about finding hidden structure in things that seem complicated at first,” Younsi said. “This recognition highlights the value of staying curious and patient, and I hope it encourages students to see that even abstract ideas can lead to meaningful discoveries.”

The 55-page paper, published in Inventiones Mathematicae, looks at when flat shapes can be transformed into ones bounded by circles and points, building on a long-standing question called the Koebe uniformization conjecture. The research helps describe when there is essentially just one possible way to do transformation, giving a clearer understanding of how these shapes work.

The Frontiers of Science Award, launched in 2023, recognizes recent papers with lasting impact after a competitive global review process. Younsi鈥檚 work was selected by an international panel of experts for its contribution to complex analysis. He will be honored at the 2026 ICBS meeting in Beijing on August 9, where leading scientists from around the world will gather to present and discuss new discoveries.

The Department of Mathematics is housed in 东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 .

Ten graduate programs at the are in the nation鈥檚 top 50, and an additional 17 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2026 , released on April 7.

东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 (JABSOM) also placed in the nation鈥檚 top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care, and 东精影业 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 ranked in a in the nation.

The highest ranked 东精影业 Mānoa programs were in the , ranking No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs.

The ranked No. 22 (tied) for best international programs, and the (SOEST) placed No. 40 (tied) for best Earth sciences programs. JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care.

“东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 strong showing in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings underscores our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success,” said 东精影业 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “These results reflect the talent and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, and Hawaiʻi can take pride in knowing their university is preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers for our community and the world.”

Rankings were based on multiple factors, including research activity (such as publications and citations), student and alumni outcomes (employment and earnings), quality assessments (from peers and recruiters), student selectivity (GPA and test scores), and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios).

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these 东精影业 News stories on previous years鈥� rankings: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  Shidler College of Business  |  School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Social Sciences  |  College of Engineering  |  College of Natural Sciences  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 16 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs, the UH law school placed No. 91 (tied) among the top law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Tax law: No. 80 (tied)
• Criminal law: No. 88 (tied)
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 92 (tied)
• Health care law: No. 92 (tied)
• Constitutional law: No. 95 (tied)
• Business/corporate law: No. 101 (tied)
• Clinical training: No. 102 (tied)
• Intellectual property law: No. 127 (tied)
• Trial advocacy: No. 175 (tied)

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation鈥檚 top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 3 for best medical schools for research.
In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 139 for speech language pathology and No. 171 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. .

Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business placed in nine subject areas. Leading the way were international programs at No. 22 (tied), accounting programs at No. 68 (tied), information systems programs at No. 72 (tied) and marketing programs at No. 91 (tied). In addition, Shidler ranked at No. 104 (tied) for best management programs, No. 113 (tied) for best executive programs, No. 123 (tied) for best finance programs, No. 125 (tied) for best entrepreneurship programs and No. 142 (tied) for best part-time MBA programs.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

SOEST placed No. 40 (tied) among the nation鈥檚 best Earth sciences programs.

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene placed No. 55 (tied) for best nursing school–master鈥檚 and No. 62 (tied) for best nursing school–doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both were the only programs in Hawaiʻi to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

College of Education

The College of Education ranked No. 57 (tied) in the U.S., the 21st straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation鈥檚 top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 89 (tied) among the nation鈥檚 top public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to an online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences placed among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 90 (tied) and at No. 92 (tied).

College of Engineering

The ranked among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 91 (tied), at No. 92 (tied), and at No. 128 (tied). The College of Engineering overall ranked No. 164 (tied) among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

College of Natural Sciences

The placed among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 97 (tied), and at No. 115 (tied), and at No. 125 (tied).

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

东精影业 Mānoa placed No. 106 (tied) among the nation’s best for fine arts programs.

Other rankings

东精影业 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa ballroom dance team won its third consecutive national title at the (NCDC), in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 27–29.

Competing against 37 colleges, 东精影业 Mānoa once again took first place for “highest point average,” as well as a close second place for the overall team championship, asserting its place among the nation鈥檚 top ballroom dance college teams. Winning top honors in the highest point average requires most team members to perform exceptionally well in all events.

The dancers of the Ballroom Dance Club @东精影业M—a registered independent organization at 东精影业 Mānoa—are trained and coached by Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti. Narayan and Sumukti also represented Hawaiʻi in the senior age division placing 1st in several events.

“We are no longer the underdogs, so all the other colleges are looking at us as the team to beat,” said Narayan, who is also an adjunct faculty member in the 东精影业 Mānoa . “The bar is getting raised higher and higher each year, but we prevailed once again. We are incredibly proud of the dedication of our dancers who put in many hours to prepare for this competition. We are grateful for the incredible support we have received from the entire ballroom community in the state of Hawaiʻi.”

The Ballroom Dance Club @东精影业M was formed in September 2022, and the team took first place for “highest team average” in 2024 and 2025.

“Nationals was an amazing and eye-opening experience for me,” said Caleb Zerbe, who competed in the nationals for the first time. “Getting to see so many people dance and enjoy themselves on the floor made me realize how fun dancing can be, even at the highest stages. It was a moment that helped me build a lot of confidence, and one that I will never forget.”

Christopher Ramirez, who competed on all three victorious 东精影业 Mānoa teams, added, “Given the opportunity to compete at my third nationals, there is always something new to learn. Winning for the third year in a row has reminded me just how incredible it is to be a part of this team.”

Tough competition

NCDC is a grueling competition with events starting at 7 a.m. every morning. It consisted of multiple events based on proficiency (bronze, silver, gold, etc.). Each student danced in up to 32 different events at the bronze and silver skill levels. They competed in all four styles of ballroom dance including International Standard (waltz, tango, viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep), American Smooth (waltz, tango, foxtrot and viennese waltz), American Rhythm (chacha, rumba, swing, bolero and mambo) and International Latin (samba, chacha, rumba, paso doble and jive).

Several students took individual first place awards in their respective divisions defeating up to 70 other competitors in some events. This trip was designed to give the team exposure to a collegiate competition, as Hawaiʻi has no statewide collegiate ballroom competitions.

More about the Ballroom Dance Club

The Ballroom Dance Club offers beginner classes to all 东精影业 Mānoa students, faculty and staff in studio 2 in the athletics department from 6—7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. No dance experience is required. For more information, or visit their Instagram page @bdcuhm.

The team would like to thank the Department of Information and Computer Sciences, 东精影业 Mānoa Department of Athletics, Student Activity and Program Fee Board, Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi, USA Dance Honolulu and the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation for facility and financial support.

东精影业 Mānoa 2026 nationals collegiate and adult team roster:

• Ravi Narayan, faculty (computer science), coach and alumnus
• Synthia Sumukti, coach and alumna
• ʻAulani Wagner, library science and American studies
• Alexander Picken, Earth science
• Amanda Kanthack, psychology and Japanese
• Caleb Zerbe, computer science
• Christopher Ramirez, linguistics
• Christopher Wright, electrical engineering
• Courtney Hisamoto, computer science
• D’Elle Martin, architecture
• Elijah Saloma, computer science
• Gregory Snyder, mechanical engineering
• Hannah Madiam, kinesiology
• Iris Calauan, pre-nursing
• Jonathan Bona, civil engineering
• Julietta Lopez, architecture
• Kanaru Ebi, psychology
• Karl Merritt, mechanical engineering
• Luis Hernandez, electrical and computer engineering
• Lyndsey Moku, political science
• Maya Ito, psychology
• Michaella Villanueva, computer science
• Noah Asano, computer science
• Samantha Reed, computer science
• Shaelyn Loo, computer science
• Tessa Heidkamp, journalism and political science
• Andrew Lin, computer science alumnus
• Sydney Kim, computer science alumna
• Jason Aguda, computer engineering alumnus
• Matthew Rummel, political science and business alumnus
• Ariel Ramos, cinematic arts animation alumna
• Yong-Sung Masuda, computer science alumnus
• Wilson Tran, computer science alumnus
• Florence Liu, faculty, mathematics

Luis Hernandez and Maya Ito dancing the American Cha-cha in the Collegiate Team Match where 东精影业 Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Elijah Saloma and Michaella Villanueva dancing the International Quickstep in the Collegiate Team Match where 东精影业 Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Coaches Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti dancing the Mambo in the Senior IV American Rhythm Championship final. (Video courtesy: Ravi Sundaram)

Students cheering for their coaches Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti (Video courtesy: Ravi Sundaram)

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 hosted a free public lecture in February 2026 that explored tipping points—sudden, dramatic moments when things can change quickly and unexpectedly. The presentation was delivered by Mary Lou Zeeman—professor of mathematics at Bowdoin College and co-director of the Mathematics and Climate Research Network—to an audience of approximately 150 students, faculty and community members.

Zeeman showed how tipping points show up all around us—from a boat that suddenly capsizes, to sudden mood swings, to ecosystems on the brink of collapse. Using simple math, she explained the hidden patterns behind these abrupt changes and why spotting them early matters. Understanding tipping points, she said, can help communities make smarter choices about sustainability, prepare for environmental risks, and respond more effectively when sudden problems arise.

Zeeman talked about “the type of math that can help us understand tipping points and how to use these models for decision support,” focusing on the example of healthy versus turbid lakes, but also including examples involving coral reefs, fisheries, neuroscience, energy and social media.

Faculty and students praised the talk for making complex ideas approachable.

“Zeeman showed how ideas from the frontiers of mathematical research could help us think about a wide array of challenging problems,” said Department of Mathematics faculty member Daniel Erman. “It was really exciting to see so many people engaged in these topics.”

A student who works on ecosystem resiliency, added, “This is now a new way to look at future work I do.”

The lecture was designed to be accessible to anyone curious about mathematical thinking, including middle and high school students, reflecting a growing effort to connect STEM research with the broader community.

“It was fun seeing the real mathematics that lies behind tipping points in nature,” said John Toews, a Kailua resident who attended the lecture.

The Department of Mathematics said the event is part of its ongoing effort to engage the public with real-world applications of mathematics and to spark curiosity across disciplines.

The Department of Mathematics is housed in 东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 .The post When the world flips: 东精影业 explores the math of tipping points first appeared on University of Hawai驶i System News.]]> 231322 /news/2026/01/21/times-subject-rankings-2026/ Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:00:36 +0000 /news/?p=228476 东精影业 Mānoa was ranked in all 11 of the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject lists.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Chess Club hosted a chess exhibition on December 11 in Keller Hall, bringing together students and faculty for an afternoon of competitive play and community engagement.

National Master Cornelius Rubsamen, a 13-time Hawaiʻi state chess champion, played 20 东精影业 Mānoa students and faculty members at the same time, rotating rapidly from board to board as about a dozen spectators watched. The exhibition, known as a “simul,” challenged participants across experience levels and tested Rubsamen鈥檚 stamina and intuition.

“If you play one person鈥ou just sit there staring at the same position hour after hour, just thinking about one game,” Rubsamen said. “Whereas in a simul, you basically have a second to look at the board and as soon as the first move that pops in your head, you basically execute. 鈥ou just play by instinct, which is something chess players develop over time.”

Rubsamen said the 东精影业 Mānoa exhibition proved especially demanding as many participants remained competitive deep into the event.

“For the participants, it鈥檚 always easier if the other participants don鈥檛 fold or resign too early, and that was the case at this simul, so it was definitely challenging, and I was definitely tired afterwards,” he said.

The exhibition marked the first in a series of chess events on campus, with organizers—including Department of Mathematics Chair and Professor Malik Younsi, and Chess Club officers Noah Capili, Ryan-Jay Koshi, Bobby Lyon and Landon Nguyen—aiming to expand future programming to local high schools.

Lecturer and alumnus

Rubsamen鈥檚 appearance also highlighted his main role at 东精影业 Mānoa. In addition to his chess accomplishments, he is a lecturer in the , where he teaches composition and rhetoric. He earned his bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees from 东精影业 Mānoa and has taught English courses on campus since 2013.

Originally from Germany, Rubsamen said his chess development accelerated after he arrived in Hawaiʻi in the 1990s, when international tournaments were held across the state. He credits those events, along with countless games played at Waikīkī Beach and the rise of computer-based programs, for his rapid improvement.

“I never really had a coach, but I was pretty competent using computers and software,” Rubsamen said. “I think I achieved a master level around the end of the 90s, early 2000s, and I鈥檝e been involved in Hawaiʻi chess ever since.”

This involvement has primarily consisted of coaching Hawaiʻi鈥檚 scholastic players, including with Kamehameha Schools, where he worked with the middle school and high school teams beginning in the early 2000s and has directed the elementary chess club there since 2011.

The idea of a simul at 东精影业 Mānoa was born out of Rubsamen and Younsi鈥檚 chess friendship and the many games they played together before the pandemic.

“We wanted to create an event that brought people together around strategic thinking and friendly competition,” Younsi said. “Cornelius was the perfect person to headline it.”

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty member Daniel Erman has been named a 2026 Fellow of the (AMS), one of the highest honors in the field. The AMS Fellows program recognizes members who have made outstanding contributions to the creation, advancement and communication of mathematics.

Erman鈥檚 work often connects abstract mathematical theory with computational and algorithmic applications, and his research helps build the mathematical foundations behind many modern technologies, from computer graphics to data analysis. Erman was recognized by AMS for his influential research in commutative algebra and algebraic geometry, areas that explore the deep structures underlying polynomial equations and geometric shapes.

“I鈥檓 incredibly honored to be recognized by the AMS,” Erman said. “I have benefited so much from the community cultivated by the AMS, and I have been especially fortunate to have had amazing mentors, collaborators and students over the years. Mathematics is a deeply collaborative discipline, and it is especially humbling to be honored by the AMS, which is such an important part of the mathematics community.”

The Fellows of the AMS program was established to recognize excellence and to support leadership within the mathematics community. Each year, new fellows are selected from a competitive pool representing less than half of one percent of the society鈥檚 membership. Fellows are chosen not only for their research achievements but also for their service to the profession and dedication to communicating mathematics to broader audiences.

Erman joins his colleague Aloysisus Helminck and emeritus colleague Edward Bertram as AMS fellows, continuing 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 legacy of excellence in mathematical research and education.

The Department of Mathematics is housed in 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 .

Thousands of curious keiki and families filled Leeward Community College鈥檚 笔耻驶耻濒辞补 campus for the college鈥檚 35th annual Discovery Fair鈥攁 free, family-friendly celebration of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

Designed for children ages 5 to 10, the fair transformed the campus into a playground of exploration and imagination on November 1. More than 35 interactive booths鈥攃reated and hosted by Leeward faculty and staff鈥攊nvited young learners to experiment, create and discover the fun side of STEAM.

Slime, magic, more

Among the biggest hits: Slime Time, where keiki whipped up their own gooey concoctions; Bubble Geometry, which revealed the surprising science of bubbles; and captivating magic shows by Mr. O the Magician, an alumnus from Leeward CC鈥檚 first graduating class in 1970.

鈥淢y kids had the best time at the Discovery Fair,鈥� said Erin Maruoka, a parent of two and a Leeward CC employee. 鈥淭hey were totally hooked on slime-making and couldn鈥檛 get enough of the magic show. Now they think this is what happens at Leeward CC every day and keep begging to come to work with me!鈥�

Other returning favorites included origami, printmaking, balloon creations by Balloon Monsoon, and upbeat tunes from 102.7 Da Bomb.

鈥淥ur goal is to spark curiosity and make learning fun,鈥� said Chancellor Carlos Pe帽aloza. 鈥淓vents like the Discovery Fair let keiki experience the excitement of STEAM firsthand, inspiring them to imagine, create and explore new possibilities.鈥�

After rounds of hands-on fun, families recharged with 驶辞苍辞 food from a wide range of local food vendors.

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