UH Manoa Student Nurses Association Earns NSNA Stellar School Chapter Renewal
The Student Nurses’ Association at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (SNA Manoa) has once again earned national recognition for its exceptional leadership, professional development, and sustained involvement with the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA). At the annual NSNA Conference in April 2025, SNA Manoa was honored with a five-year renewal of its NSNA Stellar School Chapter status — a prestigious designation awarded to nursing programs that demonstrate outstanding commitment to student governance and professional growth.
SNA Manoa is an official UH Registered Independent Organization (RIO) whose members are UH Manoa Department of Nursing students. SNA Manoa members and the faculty advisor have worked diligently to meet and document the criteria outlined by the NSNA across five key categories, including:
- active participation in state leadership,
- mentorship by faculty and administration,
- implementation of professional development initiatives,
- and involvement in community service and NSNA programming.
The NSNA Stellar School Chapter Recognition Program highlights school chapters that exemplify excellence in nursing student leadership and engagement. This award is granted to official NSNA school chapters that have maintained continuous constituency status for the past five years and demonstrate outstanding performance in areas such as faculty and administrative support, leadership in state and national chapters, professional development opportunities, service learning, and strong membership participation. The school is proud to be one of only 42 nursing schools nationwide (out of an estimated 2,600 nursing programs in the United States) to have a student organization that holds this distinguished Stellar School designation.
This renewal marks SNA Manoa’s first re-designation as a Stellar School Chapter, showcasing the organization’s ongoing dedication to nurturing the next generation of nursing professionals. SNA Manoa President Kaile Olyear and Vice President Milana Camilon were instrumental in compiling this year’s Stellar School application, which highlighted the chapter’s accomplishments over the past five years.
SNA Manoa representatives who attended the 2025 NSNA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA, were honored onstage as they received the chapter’s commemorative Stellar School plaque. Students in attendance included:
- Kaile Olyear, SNA President
- Namie Sato, Delegate
- Sandra Xiao, HISNA representatives
- Candace Owens, HISNA representatives
- Xlyencia Pena, HISNA representatives
- Amber Wolnick, Member
These students proudly represented the UH Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene during the convention’s closing ceremony. With its Stellar School Chapter renewal, SNA Manoa continues to demonstrate that leadership and excellence are not only encouraged but are thriving in its nursing program, inspiring current and future students to make meaningful contributions to the field of nursing.
For more information about SNA Manoa, contact the faculty advisor Ui Chow-Rule at chowrule@hawaii.edu.