As Pacific Technology Foundation’s 2007 Technology College Educator of the Year and the bearer of a resume that spans countless awards, published papers, and professional recognitions, Dolly Samson is not short on accolades for her contributions to Hawaii’s technology industry.

As a Professor and Program Chair of computer science and computer information systems at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU), Samson is charged with the responsibility of educating the future high-tech leaders of Hawaii as well as representing the computer science and computer information systems programs within the university and in the community.

Born and raised in Southern California, Samson spent her teen years working as a maid at her parent’s family-owned motel and hanging at the beach.  It wasn’t until after her sophomore year in college, when she was forced to drop out after losing a scholarship that Samson really got into the IT world.