Bank of Hawaiʻi covers full tuition for two employees graduating from Chaminade

After years of hard work and dedication, two Bank of Hawai‘i employees received their diplomas from Chaminade University Saturday night, their tuition fully covered by the bank’s College Assistance Program (CAP).

With this milestone, the total number of employees who have earned their college degrees through CAP rises to 27, with more than $2.2 million in educational costs covered by the bank since the program began in 2016.

Susan Valentin, who has worked at Bank of Hawai‘i for over 30 years, received her degree in Psychology. For Vivian Pham-Agustin, earning her degree in Business Administration was a dream that once seemed out of reach. 

“The College Assistance Program made it possible for me to achieve this goal in so many ways. I couldn’t afford tuition otherwise, and I was struggling to find a work-life balance,” said Pham-Agustin. “Without the assistance and support from Bank of Hawai‘i, I never would have been able to do this.”

“We are incredibly proud of Susan and Vivian for this special achievement. Their dedication and hard work exemplify the spirit of our College Assistance Program, which aims to support our employees in reaching their educational goals,” said Sharlene Ginoza-Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Bank of Hawai‘i.

Understanding that the cost of obtaining a higher education can be a significant barrier, Bank of Hawai‘i’s College Assistance Program is designed to eliminate this obstacle for its employees.

The program pays 100% of tuition upfront, covers fees 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, underscoring the bank’s commitment to helping individuals achieve their personal educational dreams.