Name: Jaimee Macanas Neel.
BYUH Employee since January 2024.
My job at BYUH is... an adjunct professor of history and political science.
I grew up in: I was born in Kahuku but grew up in San Diego.
I chose to teach at BYUH because... I love teaching and I love the students at BYU–Hawaii. My parents are BYU–Hawaii alumni, and my grandma was a piano teacher here. After over 20 years as a diplomat, we moved home to Laie, and I was excited for the opportunity to teach the courses I enjoy.
My favorite thing about teaching... is the students! I teach international relations and it is a great experience to have most of the class hailing from so many different countries. Hearing such varied perspectives and insights on the concepts we are learning is so enriching to the class, and I also learn so much.
My most cherished memory at BYUH... was actually when I was about eight years old. My grandma took me and my brother on a walk to BYU–Hawaii's grassy lawns to fly a kite. As soon as we got there, we launched the kite and it immediately flew into a tree. We tried hopelessly to shake it loose to no avail. My grandma then took off her sandal and tossed it up into the tree to try to knock it down, but then her sandal got stuck in the tree! We could not get the kite or her sandal down - and instead laughed all the way home, with my grandma walking with one foot shoeless.
My advice to incoming first-year students is... to get to know your classmates and share your insights! BYU–Hawaii is very special with a diverse international student community. Get to know someone from a different background, from a different country. Learning from others will broaden your perspective in meaningful ways.
My advice to graduating seniors is... to see every opportunity as a learning experience and a steppingstone to what Heavenly Father has in store for you. Sometimes it is hard to see right away what your future and career path might be. Trust yourself, and more importantly, trust in your Heavenly Father.
My favorite lecture/course to teach is... I enjoy teaching all of my classes, but my favorite is Modern History of China. My great grandmother was Chinese, and I served a mission in Taiwan. Later as a diplomat, I worked in our embassy in Beijing and consulate in Shanghai and most of my professional foreign affairs experience was focused on China and U.S.-China relations. China is so fascinating and interesting, and I love seeing students make historical connections.
The next big trip I'm interested in... my husband and I went to Tahiti for our honeymoon, and I am so excited to go back to celebrate our 25th anniversary! My plan is to float in its beautiful lagoons and eat at all the delicious restaurants we remember.
My favorite holiday is... Christmas. I love everything about the Christmas season. I usually try to put up our Christmas decorations in November because I love having our tree up as long as possible. As a special holiday season to remember our Savior, Christmas is also a time for family gatherings. At Christmas time, I always feel peace in my heart.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to... the amazing places we have lived to see friends and walk down memory lane. London's many world-class museums, the views in Athens, Cairo's history, Beijing's street markets, Shanghai's soup dumplings, and Nairobi's safari parks are all part of our family's story living abroad and they are all at the top of my list to travel back to.
When I have 30 minutes of free time... Last year I started cross-stitching and it's become a favorite hobby for me. I have a couple projects going on at once and if I can bring them along to the beach, in car rides, or waiting at the doctor's office I will.
One item on my bucket list is... to visit Antarctica - it is the last continent that I need to have visited all seven continents.
During the summer months... I will be laying out at the beach! We have access to the marine base, and my husband can arrange to take a pontoon out to the sandbar in Kaneohe Bay. It is so relaxing to float in the most beautiful, crystal-clear water on the island where you can see your toes all the way to the bottom. There are always turtles and sometimes manta rays on the sand bar and we like to snorkel to the reef.
What's one thing that can instantly make your day better? I have two Persian cats and when I come home from a long day, they are usually waiting for me by the door. I love scooping them up for a hug (even if it is against their will sometimes).
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? I love dark chocolate. I think it's one of my required daily food groups.
What are your hobbies, and how did you get into them? I love planning trips for my family to see the world! Living overseas we have been able to explore so many amazing places in Africa, Asia, South America, the Middle East, and Europe. I also like to make photo albums of our adventures.
On Friday nights, you'll find me... either at a Kahuku high football game (my son is in the band), at the temple with my husband, or at home watching a movie with my family.