Dra. Audrey May Santos Hernandez
Doctor of Social Work
Doctor of Social Work
Audrey Mae (she/her) brings a dynamic blend of passion, expertise, and lived experience as a dedicated professional within the non-profit, higher education, and mental health space. As a proud queer and first-generation college graduate from Guam, Audrey Mae's journey has shaped her deep commitment to creating inclusive and culturally responsive solutions. She earned her Doctor of Social Work degree from California Baptist University, with a research focus on Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities and higher education. Audrey Mae has spent over 13 years in higher education administration, advocating for culturally centric student support services, equitable access, and increasing college completion rates for NHPI students.
Currently, she serves as the Program Director for Island Grad, a non-profit organization creating visibility for NHPI students through community, culture, and celebration. Additionally, she is an Associate Clinical Social Worker at Insight Family Counseling and Wellness Services, providing therapy services designed to meet the specific needs of the AA&NHPI and LGBTQ+ community. Furthermore, she is the Founder & CEO of Pasifika Success Collective LLC, a consulting company focusing on strategic planning for nonprofit organizations uplifting the NHPI community.
Comprehensive Project
Path to Inafa’maolek: Modern-day Colonialism’s Impact on Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) College Students
This paper outlines a comprehensive project using the Community Engagement and Social Innovation Model to drive a continuous quality improvement project focused on enhancing outcomes for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) college students. Recognizing the persistent impact of modern-day colonialism on NHPI communities and its detrimental effect on college completion rates, this paper explores innovative strategies to enhance interventions with technology to meet the community’s needs, thereby cultivating inclusive educational landscapes conducive to academic success and holistic well-being. Through a scoping review, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis, interviews, and partnership, the paper aims to contribute valuable insights regarding bolstering support systems tailored to the unique needs and experiences of NHPI students in higher education.