As a nationally competitive archer, Matthew Schaefer knows all about the significance of a straight path. But as a University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu senior, he knows the path to academic success, unlike the path of his arrows, doesn’t have to be a straight one.
For Schaefer, switching his major from Business to Cybersecurity presented challenges — self-doubt, discouragement, and disconnection. But with dedication and hard work, he pushed through. How people respond to setbacks is what matters most — a message he hopes to share with his fellow graduates at the upcoming commencement.
“Whether we took a traditional path or faced unexpected turns, we kept going,” said Schaefer, 22, of Mililani, “and that deserves to be celebrated.”
This is part of the message Schaefer hopes to share as one of two student speakers at UH West O‘ahu’s 2025 Annual Commencement, taking place 9 a.m. May 10 in the SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center on the UH Mānoa campus. All guests are welcome to the ceremony on a first-come, first-seated basis, and will be able to greet their graduates following the formal commencement program at the Clarence T.C. Ching Field. Tickets and parking passes are not required.
About 250 candidates will be participating in the commencement ceremony, which will celebrate Applied Science, Business Administration, Creative Media, Cybersecurity, Education, Humanities, Natural Science, Public Administration, and Social Sciences candidates.
Schaefer, who will receive a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity with a concentration in Cyber Operations, continues to prepare his speech for the big day.
“Our journeys weren’t always easy, but our resilience brought us to this moment,” Schaefer said. “I hope to leave everyone feeling proud of how far we’ve come and excited for what lies ahead — and to remind them to enjoy the journey and not forget to smile along the way.”
‘A future leader in the cybersecurity field’
Schaefer enrolled at UH West O‘ahu in fall 2021 as a prestigious Chancellor Scholar, an honor that provided him with the opportunity to serve as an Admissions Ambassador throughout his college career.
In that role, Schaefer participated in more than 150 hours of campus tours, proudly assisting prospective students from schools across the island, sharing his experience with them, and “helping others learn about the hidden gem that is UH West O‘ahu,” he said.
While at UH West O‘ahu, Schaefer also worked with the UHWO IT Help Desk, assisting students, faculty, and staff with various technology services needs.
“Matt is an exceptional and diligent student whose curiosity fuels his passion for learning,” said UH West O‘ahu Information Technology Director Therese Nakadomari. “His optimistic approach to cybersecurity is truly inspiring.”
Of Schaefer’s various extracurricular activities on campus, one stands out to him.
“One of my most notable achievements was being selected as a cybersecurity intern at the UH West O‘ahu CyberSecurity Coordination Center (CSCC), where I contributed to research and hands-on projects,” Schaefer said.
UH West O‘ahu Associate Professor Dr. Burrell, Director of the CSCC and Cyber Security Research Laboratory, recalled meeting Schaefer as a prospective student at a campus event where they discussed Schaefer’s interest in cybersecurity.
“He subsequently enrolled in the B.S. Cybersecurity degree program, where I had the opportunity to observe his academic advancement in multiple courses and his professional development as a cybersecurity analyst at the Cyber Security Coordination Center and recipient of a professional level technical certification,” Burrell said.
Burrell continued, “Matthew has demonstrated initiative, determination, and perseverance, which represent qualities that will enable him to be a future leader in the cybersecurity field.”
‘The result of years of hard work’
For Schaefer, balancing work, school, and internship responsibilities was one of his biggest challenges as a student.
“I overcame it by developing strong time management skills, setting clear priorities, and staying disciplined,” he said. “Support from my professors and mentors played a key role.”
Among those supporters was Dr. Michael Furuto, Schaefer’s calculus professor.
“Matthew is a superb classroom leader, friendly team player, and a model student,” said Furuto, who is also the UH West O‘ahu Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “He has never ceased to amaze me with his unparalleled work ethic, dedication, grit, and academic brilliance.”
Now Schaefer is thinking about the next chapter of his life.
“After graduation, I’m continuing to explore ways to grow in the cybersecurity field — whether through research opportunities or security consulting,” he said. “I’m especially interested in supporting organizations that protect public infrastructure and communities. Long-term, I hope to earn advanced certifications and eventually mentor others who are just getting started in the field.”
Schaefer also plans to continue his work with the State of Hawai‘i Office of Elections, where he serves as an IT System Analyst helping deliver secure, accessible election services statewide.
Looking back, he credits UH West O‘ahu not only for building his technical foundation, but also for shaping how he thinks, communicates, and solves problems.
“The hands-on experience and close-knit learning environment made a huge difference in my growth,” he said.
In this moment, Schaefer is filled with gratitude.
“Graduation is the result of years of hard work, personal growth, and the support of others,” he said. “It’s not just my achievement — it reflects everyone who believed in me along the way. I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and I’m excited to see where we go next.”