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Faculty of Business & Government
Religious Freedom & Human Dignity Initiative

Meet the Team

RFHD Student Fellows

The RFHD Executive Committee—composed of BYUH student fellows—strives to fulfill the initiative's mission to foster the spread of religious liberty and protection of human dignity by educating students, alumni, and volunteers through events, conferences, and research.

Group of fellows with professional clothing standing together on grass

Current Student Fellows

2024-2025 Student Fellows on top row from left to right: Riji Levaci, Jeaux Sant, Vilai Ilolahia, and Josh Tonga. Bottom row from left to right: Sam Rasmussen, Ayu Kartika Sari, Hannah Kola, and Isabel Contreras Spencer.

Former Fellows

  • Josh Tonga
    Hannah Kola

  • Fahina Lauti
    Jane Sandberg
    Soktheavy Phouk
    Brock Bennett
    Jonah Gunter

  • Taylor Nikolaus
    Angela Morales
    Sara Sharp
    Oliva Damanu
    Thomas Nebeker
    Regina Shumway
    Mila Stanley
    Joseph Brown
    Rachel Akana

RFHD Advisory Board

Professors and staff from the Faculty of Business & Government comprise the RFHD Advisory Board. They aim to support the initiative's mission and student fellow endeavors by offering associated coursework, unearthing fellowships and external opportunities, providing editorial advice, and extending project mentorships.

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David Whippy

David Whippy is an assistant professor of intercultural peacebuilding at BYU–Hawaii and the director of the David O. Mckay Center for Intercultural Understanding. In this role as an assistant professor, he teaches undergraduate courses on transformative mediation, nongovernment organizations and peacebuilding, peace education, and peace ecology. David has a bachelor's degree in psychology from BYU–Hawaii, a master's degree from the School of Government, Development and International Affairs at the University of the South Pacific in diplomacy and international affairs. He continues to work as a trainer and facilitator in the field, as well as consulting NGOs and facilitators on programs, projects, and curriculum.
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Patiola Thompson

Patiola Thompson is an administrative assistant for the Faculty of Business & Government. Patiola is also an alumni of BYUH and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in exercise sports and science with an emphasis on sports and fitness management and a minor in psychology. Right after graduation, Patiola interned as the administrative assistant for the political science program and was able to assist the faculty and students for a year. She loves serving others and spending quality time with her family.
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Aaron Shumway

Aaron Shumway grew up in Laie in the shadow of our lovely campus. He graduated from Liahona High School in Tonga, and after an additional year of high school in California, he attended BYU–Hawaii. Following a mission to Taiwan, Aaron returned to BYUH where in Concert Choir he met his wife, May Villanueva, a student from the Philippines. They enjoyed the TVA life while Aaron worked at the Polynesian Cultural Center as a tour guide until finishing school. Aaron graduated from BYUH with a degree in English and later attended Washington & Lee University School of Law. He practiced real estate and business law in Honolulu for 12 years prior to joining the Church Educational System family in Seminaries and Institutes. He served as a coordinator in S&I for nine years, during which time he also taught religion classes at BYUH. He said he is thrilled to be joining Religious Education full time. Aaron and May have six children and enjoy spending time with family in whatever activity comes up, be it singing at home, playing at the beach, or lying on the front lawn gazing at the night sky.
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Jennifer Kajiyama Tinkham

Jennifer Kajiyama Tinkham graduated from BYU–Hawaii as valedictorian in 2002, studying both political science and Japanese. As an undergraduate, she worked in the U.S. Senate for the Secretary of the Senate, the Hawaii Attorney General's Office, the Hawaii State Supreme Court, and the Hawaii State House of Representatives. Jennifer also served a mission in the Japan Nagoya mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon her return, she attended the J. Reuben Clark Law School in Provo, Utah, emphasizing in international law and alternative dispute resolutions. As a law student, Jennifer was editor-in-chief of BYU's International Law and Management Review Journal, and selected as a top oralist from the Western Region in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Jennifer also completed a Master of Public Administration from the Marriott School of Management, specifying her studies in non-profit and human resources management. Jennifer is a licensed attorney and is also a certified court mediator, divorce mediator, and arbitrator. She has worked for several judges and law firms, working on cases ranging from business law to worker's compensation and most recently, family law. Jennifer is the Legal Studies Program lead at BYU–Hawaii, professor for the legal studies classes, and serves as the prelaw society faculty advisor.
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Rand Blimes

Rand Blimes is a full-time professor and program lead in the Political Science Program and is one of RFHD's newest advisors.
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  • Dr. Michael G. Murdock

    Dr. Troy Smith

RFHD Initiative

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