Attn: We Are Oceania (WAO), 720 North King St., Honolulu HI 96817ajojoscholars@gmail.com (808) 430-2017
Kalem Ringlen
Homeland: Pohnpei, FSM / Maui, Hawaiʻi High School: Maui High School College: University of Missouri – Columbia Major: School Psychology Pursuing: Ph.D. Expected Graduation: 2031
Biography
My name is Kalem Ringlen, and I was born and raised in Hawaiʻi on the island of Maui. I am fortunate to come from a diverse family background, with a mother of Puerto Rican and Portuguese descent and a father of Pohnpeian descent. I graduated from Maui High School (2022). I attended the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, where I earned my Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts (2024), then transferred to the University of Hawaii at Mānoa (UHM) where I completed my Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology (2025) , with a minor in Education. I will be continuing my education at the University of Missouri – Columbia, where I will be pursuing my PhD in School Psychology.
During my undergraduate studies, I obtained my first job as a community health worker for our island’s community clinic Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center. I served as a liaison between our clients and their care team. Our clients came from various backgrounds with their own unique lived experiences that required us to approach each individual with cultural awareness and understanding. This would serve as a foundational step towards building rapport with our clients, and allowing us to provide the necessary resources to reduce the barriers that may impact their ability to take care of their well-being in any way (e.g., transportation, child care, food, housing, and translators). Also, I have worked as a Registered Behavior Technician, working with individuals on Autism Spectrum Disorder. I had the privilege to be able to assist several clients in achieving essential life goals through the application of Applied Behavior Analysis.
In addition, I have had the honor of serving as President and Vice President for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Chapter for the Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. I led a group of passionate individuals where we were able to create enriching experiences for our members, with the goal of enhancing their understanding of the field of psychology, whilst making their own unique contributions to the field as well. As a result of our club’s hard work and dedication, we earned a distinguishable club award, the Psi Chi Model Chapter Award (2025). Also, I was one of eight recipients internationally to receive the 2025-2026 Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarship
These will serve as invaluable towards my future career as a school psychologist. I have tailored my experience to ensure that I am equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to serve future students in the public school systems and to aid them in their success as students, and beyond.
Inspiration
Dr. Joakim Peter was posed with the question regarding “who might we turn to change these challenges [cross cultural education] into opportunities?”. Humbly, Dr. Peter continues to answer “Assuming that one person can affect all of the changes. And we hope that you know, we hope that it’s as easy as that, but it’s not…”.
This was an interview between Dr. Peter and ThinkTech Hawaiʻi focusing on the challenges within the Micronesian community, particularly in education and how our culture is underrepresented within school curricula. The reason I quote this specific portion of the interview is because Dr. Peter was right – up to a point. When prompted about leadership, he provided an answer that most would expect. However, whether he recognized it or not, Dr. Peter himself was a leader that has left an enduring impact on our community.
Dr. Peter dedicated his life ensuring that Micronesians were seen and heard. His work serves as a reminder that we each have the ability to make a difference, no matter how large or small our actions may seem. What matters the most is our intentions and the effect it has on other people. With this, I hope to carry his legacy into my field of work of school psychology and to serve students by equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to become successful in their academics, and beyond.
Community Service
Hawaiʻi Association of School Psychologists (HASP) Annual Conference, October 2025
Hawaiʻi Association of School Psychologists (HASP)
Supported event organization by setting up the venue, welcoming attendees, and helping with meal preparation and service for a total of 7 hours.
National Suicide Prevention Month, September 2024, September 2025
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Tabled for a total of 6 hours at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Psi Chi Chapter event, which focused on raising suicide prevention awareness.
Provided informational resources and hosted a small interactive activity for passersby.
Food Drop, October 2024, November 2024, February 2025, March 2025, April 2025
Food Vault Hawai’i, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Completed 3 volunteer hours each month supporting the school’s food distribution initiative for students and the local community, in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Psi Chi Chapter, totaling 15 hours to date.
Hele for Autism Volunteer, April 2024 and April 2025
Autism Society of Hawaiʻi
Supported the annual resource fair at the Hele for Autism event in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Psi Chi Chapter, contributing a total of 8 hours.
Assigned to manage the food distribution station, where the chapter distributed non-perishable items and provided beverages to guests attending the resource fair.
NAMIWalks Participant, October 2024
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hawaiʻi
Participated in the NAMIWalk event for a total of 3 hours in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Psi Chi Chapter and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Psi Sigma: The Psychology Connection club.
Ka Papa Loʻi O Kānewai, October 2024
Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Engaged in a 3 hour restoration of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa – Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge’s loʻi (taro) patch in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Psi Chi Chapter.
Learned about the loʻi’s history, cleared the area, built planting mounds, and cleaned the ʻauwai (irrigation ditch).
Back-to-School Preparation, July 2024
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
Spent 3 hours filling backpacks with school supplies for distribution at a community event at a local mall.
Maui Fire Donations, August 2023
Maui High School
Volunteered 6 hours at Maui High School, collecting community donations for those impacted by the Lāhainā fires.
Celebration of Fathers Event, June 2023
J. Walter Cameron Center
Contributed 3 volunteer hours serving as a Community Health Worker, providing information about the resources and services offered by Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center.
ʻOhana Fest 2023, April 2023
Maui Nui Botanical Garden
Served 3 volunteer hours as a Community Health Worker, providing information on the resources and services available through Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center.
40th Prince Kūhiō – Ho’olaule’a (Festival), March 2023
Paukūkalo Park
Dedicated 3 volunteer hours as a Community Health Worker, informing the community about services offered by Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center.
Leadership Experience
Marion Maccarrell Scott Scholarship, Hawai’i Community Foundation, May 2026
AlohaCare Foundation Scholarship, Aloha Care, May 2026
Student Marshal, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, December 2025
2025-26 Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarship, Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, August 2025
President, Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Chapter, January 2025 – May 2025
Vice President, Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Chapter, August 2024 – December 2024
Sentry Scholars – Baccalaureate Scholarship, August 2024 – December 2025
Model Chapter Award, Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, May 2025
Dean’s List, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and December 2025
Psi Chi Inductee, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, May 2025
Transfer Merit Scholarship, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, August 2023 – January 2025
Scholarship, Puerto Rican Association of Maui, July 2022 and July 2024
Scholarship, Portuguese Association of Maui, July 2023
Hawaiʻi Promise Scholarship, University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, August 2022 and January 2023
Dean’s List, University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, Fall 2022
Legacy Project
As an aspiring school psychologist, I intend to incorporate diverse methods and culturally responsive services within my practice. To continue to evolve and learn as a practitioner to be able to provide appropriate and relevant services to our students. Most importantly, to acknowledge that each student carries their own stories and to understand the significant role it plays in understanding who they are.
Ultimately, I hope to return to the State of Hawai’i to serve the community that has contributed to the individual that I am today. As I was once an individual that was part of Special Education, and was provided services from several school psychologists. It is my goal to join the fight towards earning proper recognition as a profession in the State, and to have the ability to certify aspiring school psychologists. As a result, this will enable us to train and support future school psychologists in Hawai’i. We can ensure that our local talents remain, and allow these individuals to incorporate their unique experiences into their practices.
Like Dr. Joakim Peter, I hope to achieve this goal through advocacy, community engagement, and leadership. I want to be able to create an educational environment that understands the strengths in cultural diversity, and the significant role that it plays in our children’s development and success as individuals. Dr. Peter reminds us that there are no limits to what we can accomplish when we stay true to our intentions and purpose.
Kalem Ringlen
Homeland: Pohnpei, FSM / Maui, Hawaiʻi
High School: Maui High School
College: University of Missouri – Columbia
Major: School Psychology
Pursuing: Ph.D.
Expected Graduation: 2031
Biography
My name is Kalem Ringlen, and I was born and raised in Hawaiʻi on the island of Maui. I am fortunate to come from a diverse family background, with a mother of Puerto Rican and Portuguese descent and a father of Pohnpeian descent. I graduated from Maui High School (2022). I attended the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, where I earned my Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts (2024), then transferred to the University of Hawaii at Mānoa (UHM) where I completed my Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology (2025) , with a minor in Education. I will be continuing my education at the University of Missouri – Columbia, where I will be pursuing my PhD in School Psychology.
During my undergraduate studies, I obtained my first job as a community health worker for our island’s community clinic Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center. I served as a liaison between our clients and their care team. Our clients came from various backgrounds with their own unique lived experiences that required us to approach each individual with cultural awareness and understanding. This would serve as a foundational step towards building rapport with our clients, and allowing us to provide the necessary resources to reduce the barriers that may impact their ability to take care of their well-being in any way (e.g., transportation, child care, food, housing, and translators). Also, I have worked as a Registered Behavior Technician, working with individuals on Autism Spectrum Disorder. I had the privilege to be able to assist several clients in achieving essential life goals through the application of Applied Behavior Analysis.
In addition, I have had the honor of serving as President and Vice President for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Chapter for the Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. I led a group of passionate individuals where we were able to create enriching experiences for our members, with the goal of enhancing their understanding of the field of psychology, whilst making their own unique contributions to the field as well. As a result of our club’s hard work and dedication, we earned a distinguishable club award, the Psi Chi Model Chapter Award (2025). Also, I was one of eight recipients internationally to receive the 2025-2026 Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarship
These will serve as invaluable towards my future career as a school psychologist. I have tailored my experience to ensure that I am equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to serve future students in the public school systems and to aid them in their success as students, and beyond.
Inspiration
Dr. Joakim Peter was posed with the question regarding “who might we turn to change these challenges [cross cultural education] into opportunities?”. Humbly, Dr. Peter continues to answer “Assuming that one person can affect all of the changes. And we hope that you know, we hope that it’s as easy as that, but it’s not…”.
This was an interview between Dr. Peter and ThinkTech Hawaiʻi focusing on the challenges within the Micronesian community, particularly in education and how our culture is underrepresented within school curricula. The reason I quote this specific portion of the interview is because Dr. Peter was right – up to a point. When prompted about leadership, he provided an answer that most would expect. However, whether he recognized it or not, Dr. Peter himself was a leader that has left an enduring impact on our community.
Dr. Peter dedicated his life ensuring that Micronesians were seen and heard. His work serves as a reminder that we each have the ability to make a difference, no matter how large or small our actions may seem. What matters the most is our intentions and the effect it has on other people. With this, I hope to carry his legacy into my field of work of school psychology and to serve students by equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to become successful in their academics, and beyond.
Community Service
Hawaiʻi Association of School Psychologists (HASP) Annual Conference, October 2025
Hawaiʻi Association of School Psychologists (HASP)
National Suicide Prevention Month, September 2024, September 2025
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Food Drop, October 2024, November 2024, February 2025, March 2025, April 2025
Food Vault Hawai’i, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Hele for Autism Volunteer, April 2024 and April 2025
Autism Society of Hawaiʻi
NAMIWalks Participant, October 2024
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hawaiʻi
Ka Papa Loʻi O Kānewai, October 2024
Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Back-to-School Preparation, July 2024
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
Maui Fire Donations, August 2023
Maui High School
Celebration of Fathers Event, June 2023
J. Walter Cameron Center
ʻOhana Fest 2023, April 2023
Maui Nui Botanical Garden
40th Prince Kūhiō – Ho’olaule’a (Festival), March 2023
Paukūkalo Park
Leadership Experience
Marion Maccarrell Scott Scholarship, Hawai’i Community Foundation, May 2026
AlohaCare Foundation Scholarship, Aloha Care, May 2026
Student Marshal, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, December 2025
2025-26 Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarship, Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, August 2025
President, Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Chapter, January 2025 – May 2025
Vice President, Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Chapter, August 2024 – December 2024
Sentry Scholars – Baccalaureate Scholarship, August 2024 – December 2025
Model Chapter Award, Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, May 2025
Dean’s List, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and December 2025
Psi Chi Inductee, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, May 2025
Transfer Merit Scholarship, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, August 2023 – January 2025
Scholarship, Puerto Rican Association of Maui, July 2022 and July 2024
Scholarship, Portuguese Association of Maui, July 2023
Hawaiʻi Promise Scholarship, University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, August 2022 and January 2023
Dean’s List, University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, Fall 2022
Legacy Project
As an aspiring school psychologist, I intend to incorporate diverse methods and culturally responsive services within my practice. To continue to evolve and learn as a practitioner to be able to provide appropriate and relevant services to our students. Most importantly, to acknowledge that each student carries their own stories and to understand the significant role it plays in understanding who they are.
Ultimately, I hope to return to the State of Hawai’i to serve the community that has contributed to the individual that I am today. As I was once an individual that was part of Special Education, and was provided services from several school psychologists. It is my goal to join the fight towards earning proper recognition as a profession in the State, and to have the ability to certify aspiring school psychologists. As a result, this will enable us to train and support future school psychologists in Hawai’i. We can ensure that our local talents remain, and allow these individuals to incorporate their unique experiences into their practices.
Like Dr. Joakim Peter, I hope to achieve this goal through advocacy, community engagement, and leadership. I want to be able to create an educational environment that understands the strengths in cultural diversity, and the significant role that it plays in our children’s development and success as individuals. Dr. Peter reminds us that there are no limits to what we can accomplish when we stay true to our intentions and purpose.
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