The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has completed its inaugural Spring 2026 Professional Mentorship Program, connecting students with industry professionals in an effort to strengthen student success and career readiness.
The 14-week pilot program paired 20 engineering students with 20 mentors in individualized, one-on-one matches. Selected from more than 50 applicants, cohort students ranged from first-year undergraduates to graduate students.
Mentors brought diverse experience from across the engineering field, including leadership roles in renewable energy, aerospace and advanced technology. Participants included professionals affiliated with organizations such as NASA Ames Research Center, Lockheed Martin Space and Hawaiian Electric, as well as alumni who returned to support the next generation of engineers.
Student, alumni, professional, mentor
One of those professionals was Wendy McLain, a senior civil engineer and deputy manager at SSFM International, Inc. McLain mentored major Ashton Quichocho. She highlighted Quichocho’s willingness to step outside her comfort zone, explore different career paths and develop both technical and leadership skills along the way.
“It was really rewarding getting to give back,” McLain said. “There’s this sense of responsibility and kuleana to be able to do the same for others that have done for us, and especially now in our field and industry. We need more talent, so it’s really exciting to see all of the exciting new talent that’s up and coming.”
Quichocho, a graduating senior, called it a “full-circle moment” because she will soon be working full-time with McLain at SSFM International, Inc.
“I learned a lot about myself and the direction I want to go post-grad,” Quichocho said. “In the beginning, I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do or what I was going to apply for, and I’m glad that this program was able to give me Wendy because she had so much career advice for me, but also life advice for me, too.”
Throughout the semester, mentors and mentees met at least twice monthly, engaging in conversations focused on academic planning, internships, career pathways and professional development. Many pairs expanded those interactions through workplace visits, job shadowing and collaborative activities that offered students direct exposure to real-world engineering environments.
Created by students for students
Members of the helped to run the pilot program.
“As students ourselves, we wanted to create something that reflected what we believed would be most beneficial, which led us to build a mentorship program,” said Dayza Otsuka-Cabodol, an ESA who was part of the planning committee. “Working closely with our committee and continuously adjusting based on feedback, we watched the vision come together week by week.”
Organizers plan to expand the program in fall 2026, building on lessons from the pilot to reach more students and mentors. The next cohort aims to further strengthen connections between the college and industry while continuing to support student success across all stages of the engineering pathway. Apply online as or for the fall 2026 program.