Bank of Hawai‘i Marks 10 Years of College Assistance Program, Celebrates Two New Graduates

Bank of Hawai‘i is celebrating a milestone year for its College Assistance Program (CAP), marking the program’s 10th anniversary and recognizing two employees who earned their college degrees from Chaminade University last night. Since launching CAP in 2016, the bank has helped 29 employees earn degrees, covering more than $2.45 million in educational costs.

This year’s graduates are Greg Schatzeder, a security investigator who earned his degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Han Mai, who earned her degree in Business Administration. 

“Receiving my degree is incredibly meaningful to me. It represents years of persistence, growth and believing in myself even when balancing work, family and school felt challenging,” Mai said.

“CAP allowed me to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice that directly aligned with my role in Corporate Security,” said Schatzeder. “Completing college part-time over six years while working full-time made it a meaningful and personal milestone for me.”

“For a decade, the College Assistance Program has been one of the most meaningful ways we invest in our people,” said Sharlene Ginoza-Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Bank of Hawai‘i. “CAP removes financial barriers so our employees can focus on learning and building their future. As we celebrate 10 years of this program, we’re proud to recognize Greg and Han for their commitment and perseverance, qualities that reflect what this program is all about.” 

Designed to reduce one of the biggest barriers to obtaining a higher education, Bank of Hawai‘i’s College Assistance Program covers 100% of tuition upfront, pays for textbooks and materials, and provides participants with an extra paid day off during final exams to focus on their studies. Employees are not required to remain with the company upon graduation, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to supporting employees’ personal educational dreams.