UOG alumna awarded two prestigious scholarships for doctoral studies in New Zealand

The Wellington Doctoral Scholarship, one of the university鈥檚 most competitive awards, provides three years of tuition and fees along with a living stipend of NZ$32,000 per year. It is awarded to top-ranked candidates across all academic disciplines. The Pasifika Doctoral Scholarship, also offered to Blas, recognizes Pacific scholars conducting Pacific-focused research.

Blas was among just 25 scholars selected from over 500 applicants for the July 2025 scholarship round.

鈥淓ver since I committed to History in undergrad, I knew that pursuing a PhD was part of my path,鈥� Blas said. 鈥淚 believe VUW鈥檚 History program is a great fit, and many Pacific historians consider Aotearoa (New Zealand) as the heartland of Pacific Studies.鈥�

She added, 鈥淩eceiving this scholarship means I can dedicate myself fully to my research without financial concerns.鈥�

Blas earned her master鈥檚 degree in Micronesian Studies in 2024 and a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2022, both from UOG. Her thesis, Resetting the Margins: Centering Nasi贸n CHamoru in Guam History, received UOG鈥檚 Graduate Student Community Impact Award earlier this year.

She credits her mentors for helping her envision a future in academia.

鈥淲hat shifted things for me were the History professors who recognized my potential and pushed me to believe in it myself,鈥� she said. 鈥淔rom my very first class with Dr. Anne Perez Hattori, she didn鈥檛 just encourage me 鈥� she made me see myself differently.鈥�

Dr. Hattori, Professor of History, Micronesian Studies, and CHamoru Studies, guided Blas throughout her undergraduate and graduate work, expressed pride in her accomplishments.

鈥淢akaelah is an exceptional scholar whose work reflects both academic depth and a strong sense of purpose,鈥� said Dr. Hattori. 鈥淗er success reflects the kind of academic and personal growth that UOG strives to cultivate in all of our students.鈥�

Blas鈥檚 academic journey began with uncertainty 鈥� she explored majors in biology and political science before finding her home in history. Her passion deepened through UOG鈥檚 Micronesian Studies program, where she engaged in courses that connected her to her heritage and the broader Pacific.

Outside of her studies, Blas serves as a program coordinator at Pacific Historic Parks, working on initiatives that highlight Guam鈥檚 WWII history, and she teaches a Critical Thinking course at UOG.

She said the journey has not been easy 鈥� balancing life as a student, mother, employee, and partner 鈥� but she remains grounded in her goals.

"Pursuing my PhD is central to my goal of becoming a historian who tells Indigenous histories on our own terms, using approaches that prioritize our voices, knowledge, and experiences.鈥�

Blas departs for Wellington next year to begin her doctoral research.