GRATEFUL TO HER MENTORS: HPU ALUMNA JACELYN HO WANTS TO PAY IT FORWARD

Try new things: Hawaiʻi Pacific University alumna Jacelyn Ho has done that throughout her life. From the classroom to the workplace and in the community, Ho embraces new opportunities. 
 
“Iʻve always tried to sign myself up for new experiences to get myself out of the box,” she said. 

As a high schooler, Ho enrolled in the HPU and Maryknoll School dual-degree program in 2018, graduating with her associate degree and high school diploma in 2020. She continued at HPU, pursuing a BSBA in marketing, earning her bachelor’s degree in 2021. 

When asked about her teachers and professors, Ho enthusiastically notes many influenced her and made an impact, including HPU Associate Professor Ken Schoolland, MSFS. Schoolland taught her macroeconomics, and Ho recognizes him for his passion for economics and teaching. 
 
“He will push you hard and challenge you, but he always offers help,” she said. “I still try to keep in touch with him whenever I need an opinion. His passion inspired me.”     

Beyond her academic coursework, Ho added to her university experience, serving as a campus writing tutor and participating in two marketing and public relations internships at Olomana Loomis ISC and Hawaiʻi Energy.  
 
Hoʻs internship at Hawaiʻi Energy in her last semester of the BSBA program led her to a full-time position at the organization upon graduating. Handling the social media and community outreach for Hawaiʻi Energy, she put into practice everything she learned in her marketing courses and through her internships. 
 
“I got to use the skills I learned at HPU, implementing it at Hawaiʻi Energy, and be out in the community,” Ho said about the marketing promotions she developed and her work to educate and engage with people about energy and cost savings.    
 
Always open to new experiences and learning, Ho decided to compete in the Narcissus Festival & Pageant sponsored by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaiʻi soon after starting full-time employment. Through participation in the pageant, she had the unique opportunity to learn about the history of her ancestors, including where they came from in China, what their life was like in Hawaiʻi, and Chinese cultural practices. Ho was named the 2023 1st Princess of the Narcissus Festival & Pageant.   

“I fell in love with the aspect of self-development and networking,” she said of her introduction to pageants. “I got to meet a lot of great people not only in the Chinese community but the community in general. I heard their stories and shared my story.” 

While her role on the Narcissus Festival court ended in January 2024, Ho has remained active with the pageant, chairing the 2024 Narcissus Queen Search committee.   

Fired up by the positive experiences of participating in the Narcissus Festival & Pageant, this year, Ho involved herself with the Miss America-Hawaiʻi Pageant as Miss Honolulu. In June 2024, she was named 2nd Runner Up Miss America-Hawaiʻi and also won the Health and Fitness phase of the competition.  

One significant aspect of the Miss Hawaiʻi pageant is the community service initiative, and Ho had to commit to a platform. “Mine is called L.E.I. it on me,” she said.  

The acronym LEI stands for listen, engage, and inspire. Three actions that one can take to be a mentor to others.  She further explains LEIʻs connection to lei (garland of flowers) that you give to show gratitude to people. Ho is exceptionally grateful to all her mentors who helped her get to where she is today. The lei also represents a circle, and Ho is clear she is committed to keeping the cycle going, paying it forward, and providing opportunities to others. 
 
“The reason I chose this phrase is because it is something I want to say to my clients and to the community,” she said. “Lei it on me, your problems, your concerns, and in turn, let me help you in any way I can.” 

Ho developed her platform “LEI It on Me” at S.I.T.E. training as a new hire with her employer, Accuity LLP. She is a business analyst in the strategic consulting division of Accuity and is part of a team supporting clients in implementing technology projects. Ho’s role on the team is to assist in managing projects and implementing new technology into businesses to help them be more efficient. 

“All new hires go through S.I.T.E. development training where we use Strategic, Innovative Tools to Enable others to become reliable leaders,” she said. “During that, we have to create a personal brand. That is my personal brand.”  

As Ho develops new professional and personal development skills, she enthusiastically looks toward the future, continuing with her commitment to try new things.  

“Put yourself out there because you never know,” she said. “There will always be people through these experiences who will uplift you, in some way, somehow. You wonʻt know unless you try.”