By Eustoria Marie Borja
MALIBU, Calif. — Hisaye Nakamura of Palau graduated from Pepperdine University on May 7 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, marking a significant personal milestone and a proud moment for her family and community.
Pepperdine, a private liberal arts university perched above the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, is known for its academic excellence and its emphasis on purpose, service and leadership—values that Nakamura said deeply resonated with her throughout her time at the institution.
Nakamura was the only Palauan student enrolled at Pepperdine during her studies, an experience she described as both challenging and rewarding. She said that despite moments of loneliness, her Christian faith helped her persevere and remain focused on her goals.
Her decision to attend Pepperdine was influenced by her father, Senator Siegfried Nakamura, and her uncle, Shallum Etpison, a university alumnus. “I saw that the values of the school—purpose, service, and leadership—aligned with my own,” Nakamura said.
Throughout her undergraduate years, she found support in professors, mentors and peers, and said the university community helped her grow academically, personally and spiritually. Her time at Pepperdine, she added, reinforced her commitment to her faith and her desire to serve her country.
Nakamura plans to pursue a master’s in business administration and gain work experience in the United States before returning to Palau. Her long-term goal is to support young Palauans in their pursuit of higher education and contribute to national development.
“I hope to give back to my country and family by becoming a contributing member of society,” she said.
Nakamura’s graduation has been celebrated by many in Palau as a symbol of perseverance, faith and the importance of education. Her story has resonated with young Palauans seeking to follow similar paths abroad.