Reynold Kajiwara

Undergraduate Academic Advisor

My name is Reynold and I’m an Academic Advisor for the College of Natural Sciences! I was born and raised here on O’ahu and grew up in Waipahu.

I received my Bachelor’s of Arts in Japanese and Second Language Studies here at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. While in college, I participated in the UHM Study Abroad Center’s Year in Japan Program, was the President of the UHM Japanese Culture Club, and a Student Interchanger.

After graduating, I spent a year and a half working as an Academic Program Assistant and ESL instructor for a local English Language School which housed many students from across the world. Before joining the NatSci Advising team, I worked as an Express Academic Advisor for the UHM Advising Center for the Colleges of Arts & Humanities and Languages, Linguistics, and Literature.

I’m excited to work with you to make your experience at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa impactful, meaningful, and relevant to your academic/professional goals!

To schedule an appointment, log into your STAR Balance account.

Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822

Room: Hamilton Library 002L

Kamana Seymour, M.P.A

Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Aloha mai kākou!

My name is Kamana Seymour and I joined the College of Natural Sciences Student Academic Services Center in late 2022.

My professional background includes over ten years of service at UH Manoa working primarily within the Office of Residential Life and Student Housing Services. There, I worked directly with residential students and student staff to support their educational experiences and provide direct supervision and paraprofessional training. I also had extensive experience with student resourcing as well as facilities management.

My personal background includes being born in Honolulu and being raised on both Oahu and Hawaii island. I attended public schools on Oahu and began my higher education journey at Kapi’olani Community College before transferring into UH Manoa. I am a proud two-time graduate of UH Manoa, with a BA in American Studies and a Master of Public Administration. In my spare time I enjoy community service, cultural advancement, martial arts, travel, and other hobbies. I strongly believe that our students thrive when supportively engaged by faculty, staff, peers, and educational and professional resources.

I am excited to work with you in your academic journey and am committed to helping you have the best overall experience at UH Manoa! Go Bows!!!

To schedule an appointment, log in to your Star Balance account.

Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822

Room: Hamilton Library 002M

Jordan E. Abanto

Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Hello everyone! My name is Jordan Abanto and I joined the team in late Spring 2023.

I earned my Master of Education in Educational Administration & Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management and Accounting here at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. I previously worked as an Admin and Fiscal Support Specialist at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. In my free time, I enjoy trying out places to eat, gaming with friends, and catching up on books I planned on reading a while ago.

I look forward to advising you and helping you throughout your academic journey here at this University!

To schedule an appointment, log in to your Star Balance account.

Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822

Room: Hamilton Library 002H

Amanda Ponce,

Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Amanda Ponce is a Chicana from Omaha, Nebraska, where she has made a deep-seeded commitment to working with communities in education, social work, as well as improving her community civically. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate at University of Nebraska-Omaha. Post undergrad,she completed a Public Policy fellowship with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington D.C. Returning to Nebraska she served at the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Juvenile Services as a Juvenile Service Officer and Caseworker.

Over the past decade, Amanda has supported and advocated for first generation, low-income and under-served students and families by providing college access, during her tenure at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Metropolitan Community College in Nebraska. In addition to breaking down systemic barriers in education; she has helped run political campaigns, created and supported organizations who are civically engaged. Amanda loves traveling, dancing, digging deeper into her cultural heritage and connecting with Mother Nature.

Scholars, I look forward to being a part of you becoming the best version of yourself and assisting you in reaching your goals here at UH Mānoa.

To schedule an appointment, log in to your Star Balance account.

Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822

Room: Hamilton Library 002H

Stephanie Kraft-Terry, Ph.D.

Interim Director of Advising

I am currently serving as the Interim Director of Advising for the College of Natural Sciences. In addition, I advise undergraduate students in Zoology (no longer accepting new students).

I am originally from Hillsboro, Oregon. I completed my BS in Chemistry with a minor in Art at Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR. I then moved to Omaha, NE where I completed my PhD in Experimental Neuroscience in 2011. I studied the effects of HIV-1 on the brain using proteomic techniques. I moved to University of Hawaiʻi as a postdoctoral researcher in 2011, where I focused on HIV-1 clinical research before starting my current position in the Department of Biology in the summer of 2012.

I am eager to work with students to align their educational pathway with their personal and professional goals. Coming from a science background myself, I understand the unique needs of science majors and work to ensure that the College of Natural Sciences Advising Unit meets these.

Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822

Room: Hamilton Library 117