Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship 2022
Aloha, my name is Taylor Moniz and I am one of the recipients of the 2022 Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship. I am currently a sophomore in the Columbia University Dual BA Program with Trinity College Dublin studying in Dublin, Ireland. I plan to graduate in 2025 with two bachelor’s degrees in neuroscience from each of the two respective universities.
The Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship was developed to encourage Native Hawaiians to pursue careers in STEM fields. I am extremely honored to receive a scholarship with such an admirable purpose.
I aspire to pursue a PhD and go on to become a professor in a biological science field. The purpose of this scholarship resonates with me because as a professor I hope to encourage Native Hawaiian college students to pursue advanced degrees. Native Hawaiian students are statistically less likely to complete any college degree and less likely to go on to an advanced degree such as a master’s, PhD, or MD. Through initiatives like the Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship, more Native Hawaiian college students have the resources to continue their education.
My decision to pursue an international education was largely because of the lack of representation of Native Hawaiians internationally. Hawai’i and Hawaiian people are largely misrepresented and misunderstood, even within the United States but especially internationally. Coming to Ireland was a huge step out of my comfort zone and being the only Native Hawaiian student in the entire university is extremely difficult. All of the people I have met have never met anyone from Hawai’i and knew nothing about our history, people, or culture. Everything people may “know” about Hawai’i is from movies and TV shows which mostly do not portray our home and people accurately.
I am grateful that I can inform people from many different countries about Hawai’i and who Native Hawaiians are. I am also grateful that I can show other Native Hawaiian students that it is possible to study anywhere in the world and I encourage any Native Hawaiian student to do so. Representation of Native Hawaiians on a worldwide scale is extremely important to me and I try everyday to be a positive representative of my people and my home.
With the help of Hoala Greevy and Paubox, I am able to continue my education abroad. Support of Native Hawaiian advanced education will help Hawaiian people to thrive. I appreciate Hoala Greevy and Paubox for valuing and contributing to Native Hawaiian students’ college education. I encourage all Native Hawaiians in pursuit of attaining a degree in the STEM field to apply for this scholarship.