Manoa Color Seal

University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
College of Natural Sciences

STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER

Manoa Color Seal

University of Hawai'i at Mānoa - College of Natural Sciences

STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER

Are you a current Natural Science Major?

Schedule with STAR Balance
Excluding appointments with Mathematics and Physics Major advisors

Mathematics

  • Math on Chalkboard

    Mathematics

Meet your Advisors!

Undergraduate students that are in the BA and BS Mathematics programs are advised both by their major advisors in the Mathematics Department and are assigned to a college advisor based on the first letter of their last name. We encourage students to connect with their advisors for the most relevant information.

Follow the instructions below for how to schedule an appointment with your advisor and relevant resources:

Appointments

Major Advising

To schedule an appointment with your Major Advisors, email advising@math.hawaii.edu. Appointment requests should be made from your @hawaii.edu email address, and should include your hours of availability. No same-day appointments may be booked.

College Advising

Schedule an appointment through Star Balance.

Resources

Appointments

To schedule an appointment, email the Mathematics Major Advisors (advising@math.hawaii.edu). Appointment requests should be made from your @hawaii.edu email address (if you have one), and should include your hours of availability. No same-day appointments may be booked.

Resources

How to change to or declare the Major

Fill out the Student Section of the CNS Major Declaration Form and schedule a meeting with a Mathematics Major Advisor to receive a signature for departmental approval for the major you wish to declare. Once you've received departmental approval, submit the form on the CNS Forms Page.

Appointments

To schedule an appointment, email the Mathematics Major Advisors (advising@math.hawaii.edu). Appointment requests should be made from your @hawaii.edu email address (if you have one), and should include your hours of availability. No same-day appointments may be booked.

Resources

How to declare the Minor

Fill out the Student Section of the CNS Minor Verification Form and schedule a meeting with a Mathematics Major Advisor to receive a signature for departmental approval for the minor you wish to declare. Once you've received departmental approval, submit the form on the CNS Forms Page.

Appointments

To schedule an appointment, email the Mathematics Major Advisors (advising@math.hawaii.edu). Appointment requests should be made from your @hawaii.edu email address (if you have one), and should include your hours of availability. No same-day appointments may be booked.

Resources

How to apply

Students will be considered accepted into the Mathematical Biology Certificate Program upon formal request for acceptance with the Mathematics Department (advising@math.hawaii.edu) and completion of either MATH 304 or 305 with a grade of C or better. To receive the certificate, students must complete 15 credits of approved course work with no grade below a C and attain a GPA of 2.5 in the collection of courses used to satisfy the certificate requirements. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the certificate, 6 credits of required electives will differ depending on a student’s major. Courses used towards the certificate can only be double-dipped with focus requirements.

Appointments

To schedule an appointment, email the Mathematics Major Advisors (advising@math.hawaii.edu). Appointment requests should be made from your @hawaii.edu email address (if you have one), and should include your hours of availability. No same-day appointments may be booked.

Resources

How to Apply

BA Mathematics students may apply for the Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Teacher Education in the Fall semester of their fourth year.

Follow the instructions on the College of Education's Website for how to apply. If you have questions, email the College of Education Office of Student Academic Services at osas@hawaii.edu.

Tap or hover over advisor name for contact information.

Major Advisor

Mirjana Jovovic

Mirjana Jovovic, PhD

To schedule an appointment with Mirjana Jovovic, please email advising@math.hawaii.edu from your @hawaii.edu email address (if you have one). Please include your upcoming availability in the email.

Address: 2565 McCarthy Mall, Keller Hall 419, Hononlulu, HI 96822

Room: Keller Hall 419

Phone: 808-956-7811

Email: undergrad-dir@math.hawaii.edu

DIRECTOR OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

Major Advisor

Sarah Widiasih Post

Sarah Widiasih Post, PhD

To schedule an appointment with Sarah Widiasih Post, please email advising@math.hawaii.edu from your @hawaii.edu email address (if you have one). Please include your upcoming availability in the email.

Address: 2565 McCarthy Mall, Physical Science Building 301, Hononlulu, HI 96822

Room: PSB 301

ASSOCIATE
CHAIR

College Advisor

Last Names: A-C
Irisela Martinez

Irisela Martinez

Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Hi! My name is Irisela Martinez, and I’m an Academic Advisor for the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and I’m proud to be a first-generation college graduate. I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California (USC) and my Master's from Loyola Marymount University (LMU).

Before joining UH Mānoa, I worked as a Resource Specialist Program Teacher and Case Manager at the high school level, supporting students with mild to moderate learning disabilities in the Special Education Department. My passion for education drives me to help students navigate their academic path and achieve their goals.

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family and friends, discovering new places, and indulging in sweets and spicy food. Spanish is my first language, and speak it fluently. I want to learn how to sign, in the process of that!

I’m excited to be part of the UH Mānoa community and look forward to supporting students as they pursue their academic and personal goals!

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

Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822

Room: Hamilton Library 002L

Phone: 808-956-0824

Email: irisela@hawaii.edu

UNDERGRADUATE
ACADEMIC ADVISOR

College Advisor

Last Names: D-I

April Legaspi, M.S.

Undergraduate Academic Advisor

My name is April and I joined the College of Natural Sciences Student Academic Success Center in the beginning of Summer 2023.

I'm from Guam but grew up in Yokosuka, located in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan. I received my BS in Biology at University of Guam where I did fieldwork for endangered and endemic Guam flora. I had the opportunity to be selected for an internship for the Undergraduate Research and Mentoring in the Biological Sciences Program at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2012 where I was matched with a mentor who later became my graduate advisor. I received my MS in Botany on the Phylogenetics and Molecular Systematics track with a specialization in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation in 2018 from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

I have had experience as a student, teaching assistant, and a lab coordinator within College of Natural Sciences from 2015 to 2023. I was a teaching assistant for various lab courses: Introduction to Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Genetics.

I look forward to working with you as you embark on your academic journey at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa!

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

Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822

Room: Hamilton Library 002M

Phone: 808-956-8109

Email: anjc@hawaii.edu

UNDERGRADUATE
ACADEMIC ADVISOR

College Advisor

Last Names: J-Me
Kamana Seymour

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

Phone: 808-956-0788

Email: kamanaok@hawaii.edu

UNDERGRADUATE
ACADEMIC ADVISOR

College Advisor

Last Names: *A-C, Mi-R
Jordan Abanto

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

Phone: 808-956-6174

Email: abanto@hawaii.edu

UNDERGRADUATE
ACADEMIC ADVISOR

College Advisor

Last Names: S-Wi

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

Phone: 808-956-8996

Email: aponce42@hawaii.edu

UNDERGRADUATE
ACADEMIC ADVISOR

College Advisor

Last Names: Wo-Z
Stephanie Kraft-Terry

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

Phone: 808-956-0735

Email: kraft2@hawaii.edu

INTERIM
DIRECTOR OF ADVISING

College Advisor

Max Lee

Max Lee, M.A.

Undergraduate Academic Advisor
Study Abroad Advisor

Hello! I joined the College of Natural Sciences team in June 2018, but I’ve been an advisor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Study Abroad Center since 1997. I received a double BA in Japanese and French, and an MA in French language and literature, both from UHM. While a student I studied in Germany, Argentina and France. Besides English, I speak Japanese, French, Spanish and German, at various levels. The skills I learned while navigating different languages and cultures still serve me professionally and personally.

I encourage all students to consider participating in a study abroad program while at UHM. It doesn’t have to delay graduation and can be a truly fulfilling experience.

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

Address: 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822

Room: Hamilton Library 002C

Phone: 808-956-3365

Email: maxl@hawaii.edu

UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC &
STUDY ABROAD ADVISOR

ABOUT US

We provide academic advising services to all undergraduate students in the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Hours of Operation
Hamilton Library 002K
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:00pm