Enkhmaa “Emma” Gemmell (née Nyamgerel), a Senior from Mongolia majoring in business management with an emphasis in human resources, believes that through resilience and faith, she can develop strong leadership qualities that allow her to better serve others.
Raised with Purpose, Driven by Faith and Family
Born in the small town of Khovd, situated on the western side of Mongolia, Gemmell later moved to the big city of Ulaanbaatar. She grew up in a loving and fair home. Her parents treated her and her siblings equally and taught them the importance of kindness and helping others.
At the age of 13, Gemmell and her younger sister met with missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and 7 weeks later joined the church; they were the only members of their family to be baptized. Reflecting on her conversion, Gemmell shared, "I felt so much love and such happiness— I'm reminded at all times to be thankful because of how much the gospel has blessed our lives."
The move to the city was necessary because her parents believed there were better opportunities for them in Ulaanbaatar than in the countryside. "My mum and dad never went to college, but they wanted the best for us, so they pushed us to pursue better possibilities, and for me, it was basketball," shares Gemmell.
Sports were a big part of Gemmell's life, and they taught her many life lessons like discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Gemmell was so good at basketball that at 16, she was able to attend school in Japan and pursue her basketball journey. After only 10 months, she decided to return home to Mongolia. "It was tough for me. I couldn't attend church regularly, and even if I did, I didn't understand the language. I felt isolated and spiritually empty. I realized how much I missed church, renewing my covenants, and being with my family," recalls Gemmell.
Reconnecting Spiritually and Serving a Mission
Returning to Mongolia to finish high school yielded great blessings as Gemmell was able to strengthen her testimony. Gemmell believes that the gospel has always played a huge role in her life, which was one reason she decided to go on a mission. As luck would have it, she was called to serve in the Tokyo South Japan mission — back to the place where she thought she had lost her faith. This time, she was prepared. She knew there would be challenges because of the difference in language and culture.
"A new mission, a new place, new people, a new culture, and a new language; This time I learned that if I trust the process, stay patient, and pray, things get better,” shares Gemmell. "A simple prayer expressing your heart to God really does help, because He knows exactly what we're going through.”
Gemmell returned honorably in December 2019 with a new outlook on life, a new language she now speaks fluently, and a faith stronger than before.
Pursuing Higher Education at BYU–Hawaii
Coming to BYU–Hawaii was constantly on Gemmell's mind. Inspired by the lessons her parents taught her, she pursues the best and works hard at whatever she puts her mind to. Gemmell felt that BYU–Hawaii was where the Lord wanted her to be and that she would take the opportunity to pursue her academic goals. Business and leadership have been a passion of Gemmell's since her return from the mission, where she took on a part-time sales role. This experience led her to pursue a major in business management with a concentration in organizational leadership and human resources, along with minors in communications and health and human Performance.
"I've always wanted to help foster an environment of fairness and understanding in the workplace so that people don't feel undervalued and mistreated. That's why I feel the chosen academic fields would help me accomplish that," says Gemmell.
Beyond the classroom, Gemmell loves participating in all the campus workshops. Gemmell participated in the "Empower your Dreams" competition, which provides a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their skills in addressing real–world problems with solutions that make a real impact. Even though she didn't place in the competition, she took the experience as a great learning opportunity. To her, developing her entrepreneurial skills was the real prize. The seminars and workshops by the faculty and staff on campus elevate learning, while Gemmell received a variety of perspectives in her chosen field. She is grateful that the university has all these outlets dedicated to harnessing her academic potential.
Finding Love and Shared Commitment
One of the biggest blessings in her life since coming to BYU–Hawaii was meeting her husband. "We both love basketball, and he is incredibly loving and passionate about his culture," Gemmell shares. "We were both working at the Polynesian Cultural Center when we met, and I was always inspired by how he does a lot to preserve his Māori heritage and culture. I found it inspiring since I also value my culture in the same way." After several dates, Gemmell knew he was someone she would want to marry, so they both prepared spiritually and were eventually married in the Hamilton New Zealand Temple for all eternity. Having her parents attend the wedding festivities was a massive blessing for Gemmell, and she hopes that one day her parents can be sealed in the temple and experience the same joy she and her husband have. Gemmell and her husband continue to make it a priority to visit the temple often and see it as a source of inspiration.
Mentoring and Leading with Purpose
Gemmell feels a strong commitment to BYU–Hawaii’s mission, focusing on becoming a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ. Now working as a Holokai mentor, Gemmell uses this opportunity to mentor the new students by helping them navigate their educational paths while drawing from her own experiences. She emphasizes faith and making connections with others as a means to build on her skills, prioritizing her purpose and making an impact. As she puts it, "find your purpose, do the work, and trust the process; it will all be worth it." Deeply rooted in her love of service and her vision for a better future shaped by her college experience, Gemmell remains faithful, and purpose-driven as she prepares for future opportunities — whether it's graduate studies or a career in her chosen field, one thing will stay constant, her commitment to serving others as a disciple of Jesus Christ.