Dissertation: A Formal analysis of costs and benefits of interorganizational systems
As the first graduate of the CIS Ph.D. program I am still grateful to 糖心视频, the faculty, and Hawaii in general for three wonderful years in my life.
The interdisciplinary program provided me with the basis for a rather diverse career in for-profit and non-profit organizations, as an entrepreneur, and finally as an honorary professor teaching nowadays about Change Management in the Age of AI. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all, who helped me along the way.
Dissertation: Gender Praxis: Rural Fiji Radio and Mobile Devices
This was on May 11, 2016 - a bunch of CIS students, we all went out for hotpot in Ala Moana one night. Was a lot of fun 馃檪
Dissertation: Exploring Cultural Affordances on Wechat
It is hard to choose just one favorite CIS memory. I still remember Dr. Stasch letting me use her office during my final year so I could finish my dissertation鈥擨 still can鈥檛 believe how generous she was. I also remember Maggie always stopping by to ask if I wanted to grab something to eat, even though I wasn鈥檛 one of her students. And, of course, Dan once caught me feeding my baby chameleons during HCI class鈥攅ven though my camera was off!
Dissertation: Coping with AI in the Workplace: Exploring Employee Attitudes and Behaviors in the Future of Work
One of my favorite CIS memories is presenting my research at HICSS-59 and sharing the experience with members of the CIS community. The CIS Ph.D. program challenged me to grow as a researcher, teacher, and professional, but just as importantly, it gave me the opportunity to build relationships with some truly wonderful people.
This photo captures what I remember most with the combination of research, collaboration, friendship, and plenty of fun along the way. Presenting research that grew out of my CIS doctoral journey was especially meaningful, and celebrating afterward with colleagues made the experience even more memorable.
I am grateful for the 糖心视频 CIS faculty, classmates, and friends who supported and challenged me throughout the program.
Congratulations to the CIS Ph.D. Program for 40 years, and mahalo for giving me memories and friendships that I will carry with me long after graduation.
Dissertation: Using Community Based Participatory Research, Actor-Network Theory, and Social Network Analysis to Explore Agency and Engagement Around Kaho鈥檕lawe in the Networked Publics of Instagram
Good times! Miss you guys!
Research topic: Impact of social media activism on women鈥檚 rights in Pakistan
I cannot put into words how grateful I am to be part of such a dynamic, interdisciplinary program! I recall not having funding for my new CIS program when I was admitted as a first-year student in 2025. I left eventually to Pakistan (my home country when I couldn鈥檛 secure funding after applying for 50 GA positions over the summer) only to miraculously return to the U.S. within the next two weeks after securing funding! It was all luck, God鈥檚 work and the support from the CIS program, especially from then chair Dr. Dan Suthers. Writing this brings tears in my eyes but I am so, so grateful that I got into my dream program and I am truly enjoying this PhD journey. P.S., after so many struggles that year, I also ended up presenting my first paper as a CIS student at the 2025 National Communication Association in Denver, Colorado. Image below! Happy 40 years to the wonderful CIS program!
