Tasha Kawamata Ryan

About Tasha

Aloha mai kāua! What a privilege it is to work with Kamehameha Schools Kapālama (KSK) recent alumni. I never imagined my career path would lead to KSK, but I am right where I need to be planted. With over 10 years of experience in higher education academic support, STEM program retention, scholarship/fellowship assistance, and being a co-founder of a small business, I find the greatest fulfilment in guiding students along their learning adventures.

I am the first in my family to attend college. My college journey began with three things in mind: 1) I wanted to go out of state and leave Colorado to live in a more culturally and ethnically diverse place—I wanted to go where people “looked like me”; 2) The college needed to be affordable, as mostly likely I would be relying on scholarships and paying for tuition with limited assistance from my parents and 3) The college needed to be close to family. So, off I went to the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) at Mānoa to be reconnected to my family and to island culture.

At UH Mānoa I built my community of support. I experienced dorm life, met diverse friends, enrolled in classes that were completely new to me, and participated in paid summer research programs at different universities. With the encouragement from mentors, and after a seven year break, I earned my masters and doctorate degrees.

I can’t wait to get to know you better and walk alongside you in your post-high journey. I believe everyone’s learning paths looks different. Yet, when we are guided by aloha ‘āina, we continue to Hoʻōla lāhui.

Educational Background

• PhD in Higher Education- Azusa Pacific University
• MEd in Administration: Higher Education concentration
• BA in Biology

Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO/ Wahiawā

High School: Roy J. Wasson High School

Favorite Food: My mom’s green chile smothered chicken enchiladas

Favorite Place in Hawaiʻi: Haleʻiwa Beach

Random Fact: I love going to farmers markets and because of this I daydreamt of being a farmer one day. After volunteering on an organic farm, I came to the realization that farming is HARD, underappreciated work. No farmer Tasha for me. Instead, I am an advocate for food sovereignty and locally grown food.

Best tip for Postsecondary Success: Get involved with campus life. Join student clubs and/or find an on-campus job. Embrace opportunities, even when you don’t think you are completely qualified, just try. And one last pro-nerd tip: find a study partner or a study group that holds you accountable. Study as a group for mid-terms and final exams.

Email: [email protected]