Wayland Hinds

I’m fortunate to call Hawai'i home. I was raised in Wai'anae on the west side of O'ahu, and I’m a proud Polynesian of Native Hawaiian and Samoan descent. Growing up in Hawai'i looks slightly different from growing up in Ohio - trading winter coats and boots for board shorts and flip-flops! I have my cultural foundation to thank for so much of who I am today and what drives me. I came to Ohio State for an education – and stayed to create a career and life here – partly because Ohioans seemed very similar to people in Hawai’i. Both tend to value family, community, and a relentless pursuit of improvement through hard work. 

As a kid, I dreamed of being a pilot. I was obsessed with the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds, and I was fortunate to see airshows throughout my childhood. Although my career went in a different direction, those early dreams taught me that “the sky was the limit” to what I wanted to accomplish!

My early education in Hawai’i has had a lifelong impact on me. I was fortunate to attend the Kamehameha Schools, a private educational institution started by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop for Native Hawaiian students in the late 1800s. The schools’ $15 billion endowment supports three campuses with preschools, high schools, and post-high school educational endeavors for Native Hawaiians. My experiences there – and here at Ohio State – influenced my decision to pursue a career in higher education, where I’m fortunate to help remove barriers for others to achieve their goals and dreams. 

I actually started college at the University of Hawai'i, but then transferred to Ohio State because it was a school that had it all. This university’s resources, opportunities, and caliber are second to none. And the community here is unlike any other. Being a Buckeye is like being part of the most driven, competitive, and proud family. Whether it’s on the football field, in the classroom, on stage, or in the community – Buckeyes push the limits to achieve at the highest levels. We like to win, and we do that very often. We also do this knowing that the university has a base of more than 650,000 living alumni, which means you’re NEVER far from friends you just haven't met yet!

My development career journey began as an Assistant Director of Development with Ohio State’s Alumni Association and then I did a stint as the Director of Development at Wittenberg University. I joined this college in 2024 and I’ve found a true home here. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is how much dental professionals care. Whether it’s about their patients or the people they work with, there’s such a feeling of mutual care around the profession that I feel fortunate to be part of it. It makes the conversations about engagement and philanthropy feel incredibly natural and authentic. 

To be honest, moving to Ohio feels like one of the most adventurous things I’ve ever done! When I transferred here in 2010, I knew one person – my roommate, and my closest family member was on the west coast. It was an opportunity for me to be in a place where, as a Native Hawaiian, there was virtually no one else was like me. I had a chance to figure out who I was as an individual and, as a result, I’ve had countless adventures and have met some of my favorite people in the world!

On my first day of Men's Glee Club rehearsals here at Ohio State, one of the senior members invited me to join a bunch of the guys for lunch, and those guys ended up becoming some of my best friends – and still are to this day. 

Hawaiians have a collection of proverbs or “wise sayings” called ʻŌlelo Noʻeau. One of my favorites is a quote from the first King Kamehameha to his warriors during a battle. Loosely translated, it says, “Go forward, my young brothers, and drink of the bitter waters, for there is no turning back.” That statement has long held such meaning for me because life can be a series of obstacles and tough situations, and the only path to success or victory is to experience them and learn from it!

I want people to know that fundraising is a key part of my role, but the true foundation of my work is building meaningful relationships. I want our alumni to feel a deep, personal connection to the College of Dentistry, knowing that philanthropy is just as much about sharing your time and talent as it is about financial support. When I reach out, my goal is to learn your story and understand how Ohio State shaped your journey. I’m here to ensure our office supports your path and that you feel like a true partner in everything we do!