Demonstrating excellence and motivation to improve government operations, twelve University of Guam employees were among more than 100 individuals nominated and featured in the Association of Government Accountants Who’s Who in the Government of Guam 40 Years and Under publication.

The AGA Guam chapter created the publication to help celebrate its 45^th anniversary on island, said Vince Duenas, Program Coordinator for the AGA Guam chapter. This recognition was given to government employees 40 years old and under who demonstrate leadership skills and work to improve GovGuam.

“We’re highlighting the young crop of emerging leaders in GovGuam,” he said.

The twelve UOG employees that were featured are Research Assistant at the UOG Marine Lab David Burdick, Assistant Professor of Public Administration Dr. John Rivera, Instructor at the College of Natural and Applied Sciences Joliene Hasugulayag, Director of Integrated Marketing Communications Jonas Macapinlac, Assistant Professor of Social Work Tricia Lizama, Instructor and MARC Editor Kisha Borja-Quichocho, Assistant Professor of Chamorro Studies Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs Norman Analista, Acting Associate Budget and Processing Officer Rachel Field Cubacub, Assistant Professor of Geography Dr. Romina King, Assistant Professor of Health Science Dr. Yvette Paulino, and Managing Editor of University Press Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero.

Cubacub, said working in the public sector was something she wanted to explore after earning her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting at UOG in 2009. She eventually made her way back to the University first as a student in the Professional Master of Business Administration program and then as an employee shortly after.

“It’s been a great experience for me working for the Government of Guam,” she said, “and UOG is where minds are molded. It’s great.”

Burdick said it was the intersection of opportunity and timing that lead him to entering the public sector and eventually working for the University to run a coral reef monitoring program.

“What’s been great about working at UOG—particularly the Marine Lab—is that it’s set up for the work I do,” he said of the infrastructure, available equipment and proximity to marine areas. “We try to get out in the water and take a pulse of Guam’s reefs. Also, I get to interact with students, faculty and other research associates that share my interests and stimulate thinking.”

Paulino, who received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biology from the University of Guam, said she always knew she wanted to work for a university. Returning to her alma mater made her transition from student to professor more rewarding now that she gets to motivate and inspire youth not unlike herself.

“Working for the University of Guam has definitely been a positive experience,” she said. “I had a wonderful experience here. I had so many opportunities. I felt that there are many other students that could take advantages of those opportunities so I wanted to come back and pay it forward.”

Cubacub, Burdick and Paulino shared the same sentiment and gratitude for being chosen as one of the island’s influential and impactful government employees.

“Just to be recognized for your work is a good thing,” Cubacub said. “This was a great tool to show that there are people doing good things in GovGuam.”

Duenas noted that despite where they work, the majority of the recipients also were graduates of the University of Guam.