HUAKAʻI HAUʻOLI

The road of life is a funny one. People come and people go, but some leave impressions that remain long after they’ve moved on. Several years ago, I decided to return to higher education. I missed being a teacher, the energy of the classroom, and feeling useful. Being a creative is deeply important to who I am, yet what truly satisfies my soul is having a positive impact and supporting students as they navigate this complicated world, something far more meaningful to me than simply beautiful designs or pixel pushing.

Michael Ogden (alongside Missy Price) was instrumental in my journey back to teaching. Although I had met both only briefly over several years at the annual BEA/NAB conference in Las Vegas, those connections opened a new chapter in my life. The path back to education wasn’t straightforward, and I distinctly remember Michael’s phone call to me in Atlanta, letting me know the original opportunity at ZU had unfortunately fallen through due to internal challenges within the college. The genuine care and compassion Michael showed during that call left a lasting impression.

Life moved forward, taking us briefly to Mexico City, before the opportunity at ZU resurfaced. I accepted the position, and seven and a half years ago, we moved to Dubai.

Throughout the past seven-plus years, through shifting responsibilities, roles, and even colleges, Michael has remained a valued friend. When he left CCMS, I genuinely missed our spontaneous hallway conversations. When I transitioned from CCMS to CACE, I also missed regular interactions with our mutual friend, James. Thankfully, we started our little karak club, regularly meeting at a campus coffee shop for a brew and lively chats about everything from the state of the world, our teaching and administrative responsibilities, to life, creativity, the future, and our families.

Now, as Michael prepares to head back to the US at the end of the month, I wanted to express how much I appreciate the pivotal role he played in helping me find my footing again. Without Michael and Missy’s early support, I wouldn’t be where I am today, doing work that I love, and genuinely feeling like I am making a difference rather than merely earning a salary.

Thank you, Michael, for everything! May this next chapter of your journey bring you joy, growth, and fulfilment, both personally and professionally.