Diandra"Tita" Mongan graduated from BYU–Hawaii in December 2020 with a degree in communication, media, and culture studies. Guided by faith from Indonesia to a mission in Australia and then to Laie, she discovered not only her career and life partner but also a higher purpose. Today, she serves as an area organization advisor, mentoring and training Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women presidencies across Asia to strengthen sisters.
Finding Her Way
As the youngest child and only daughter in her family, Mongan grew up watching both of her older brothers graduate from BYU–Hawaii. After completing high school, she found herself uncertain about her next steps. "I wasn't ready, and at the same time I wanted to study, but I didn't even know what to study."
She applied to BYU–Hawaii twice but did not pass the English requirement on either attempt. Rather than viewing this as a closed door, she turned to fasting and prayer for guidance. The answer she received changed her path completely. "After a few times trying, I had a strong feeling that I should go on a mission first before I went to school."
Lessons in Adelaide Australia
From 2015 to 2017, Mongan served in the Australia Adelaide Mission under President and Sister Parker. "During my mission, I learned a lot about being independent—how to live in a different country and get used to another culture, food, and environment," she reflects.
Her mission president placed strong emphasis on education and encouraged missionaries to pursue learning. During her final months of service, Diandra retook the English proficiency test. "I took the test on my mission, and I passed. The score increased a lot compared to before my mission—it was a miracle."
She received her acceptance to BYU–Hawaii before completing her mission. "I felt it was all already planned out. The Lord had figured it out for me and my path."
An Unexpected Opportunity
Two months into her studies, Mongan broke her ankle—an injury that prevented her from fulfilling her IWORK Program requirements at the Polynesian Cultural Center. She searched with difficulty for other campus jobs without success. Eventually, her counselor walked her to Career Services, where she met Keni Kalama.
The interview was on the spot and surprisingly brief. "Keni talked to me for a few seconds and said, 'Okay, you can start working here.'”
This chance meeting proved to be one of the most important professional relationships of her life. Keni became not just a supervisor but a mentor whose influence would reach well beyond her time at BYU–Hawaii. "He was my first boss, and he was really good. I learned a lot from him. I credit him for many of the work ethics I have now. He contributed a lot to my work-journey experience."
Persistence Pays
Mongan started her job search before graduation. "Don't wait until you graduate to find a job—start looking even six months before. I did that, and I got a job before I finished."
The process required considerable persistence. "Before I finished, I applied for hundreds of jobs. From those hundreds, I probably got three or four interviews—so you can see the conversion." Nevertheless, her early start paid off, and she secured a job before completing her degree.
Today, Mongan serves as an education partnership manager at Odoo, a global ERP-system company. The role brings together all of her professional interests and experience. "I've always worked in education and tech. Now that I'm here, it's perfect—education and tech together, plus partnership work I've done before. This is a perfect role for me, no doubt."
She addresses her varied career path with honesty. "People might look at my CV and ask, 'Why was she only there a few months?' or 'Why did she keep changing jobs?' All I can say is: a job is something you do almost every day—eight hours a day, five days a week. Make sure you find a job you really love. If you don't love the role, it's hard to thrive."
Counsel to Courtship
Mongan's husband, also a BYU–Hawaii graduate from Indonesia, arrived on campus about a year and a half after she did. They had known each other before but were only friends. Their relationship changed when he contacted her for professional advice a year before his graduation.
"He said, 'I'm graduating soon. I don't know what to do. Can you check my CV for me?' That was the beginning—our chats and calls became something more than friendship."
After Mongan graduated, they maintained a long-distance relationship during his final year at BYU–Hawaii, talking daily despite the major time difference. The couple married in December 2023 and were sealed in the Bangkok Thailand Temple in September 2024.
Supporting Women Across Asia
Perhaps the most significant part of Mongan's journey after graduation is her current service as an area organization advisor (AOA) for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"My role as an AOA is to support the Area Presidencies and the General Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women presidencies in assisting our Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women stake and ward presidencies.”
Her responsibilities include training newly called presidencies, giving them the knowledge and tools they need to serve well. She meets regularly with Area Presidencies to discuss strategies and receive direction on emerging needs across different cultural settings. The calling presents a unique situation: as a young professional in her early thirties, Mongan regularly trains and counsels presidency members who are decades older, many of whom bring years of experience in church leadership and service.
"One of the most rewarding parts of this calling is that I get to learn and become better at serving others. I'm still young, and most of the presidencies I train are more mature and have experience in other callings compared to me—but I've been seeing and learning more than I expected."
Counsel for Current Students
Mongan encourages students to use available campus resources fully, including Career Services assessments, talking with professors, and connecting with more advanced students in their programs.
She also challenges students to consider starting their own business as a real career option, pointing to her husband's success. "Don't think you're only allowed to work for someone else; you can also create work. Always look for opportunities. If you don't find them, create them."
Looking back on her journey from mission to marriage to meaningful service, Diandra Mongan sees divine design throughout. “BYU–Hawaii contributed a lot—through studies, work experience, work ethic—everything I’ve learned so far.”