From Students to Supporters

January 2026

Peter and Joyce Chan grew up in families that struggled to make ends meet—Peter in Mainland China and Hong Kong, and Joyce in Singapore. Their parents all worked hard but they had few opportunities, and the idea of pursuing higher education or living abroad seemed improbable.

Then faith made the unlikely possible. Both Joyce and Peter joined the Church as teenag­ers, and years later they met at BYU–Hawaii as sponsored students—a predecessor to today’s IWORK program.

“We came from humble families with few resources, and without such support, a university education would have been beyond our reach,” Peter says. “The gospel of Jesus Christ gave us hope and direction, and a gospel-centered edu­cation lifted us out of generational poverty.”

Education has remained central to their lives. Both earned master’s degrees from Brigham Young University, and Peter went on to earn a PhD. In 2002 they returned to BYU–Hawaii, where Peter became a professor, started a pro­gram in instructional design and development, and served as special assistant to the academic vice president for Asian projects. Joyce taught English as a second language (ESL and TESOL) and religion classes. In 2010 the family moved to Provo, Utah, where Peter now serves on the BYU–Hawaii Alumni Executive Board, with responsibility over Asia.

The Chans are passionate about what makes BYU–Hawaii unique. “BYU–Hawaii students have the remarkable opportunity to graduate debt-free. On-campus employment and work opportunities at the Polynesian Cultural Center further strengthen their career preparation,” Peter explains. “Add to this the extraordinary cultural diversity that fosters global understand­ing and, above all, a secular education anchored in the gospel of Jesus Christ, which makes all the difference.”

Paying It Forward

Grateful for the support they received as sponsored students, the Chans are committed to giving back. Peter shares, “There is a well-known Chinese saying: ‘When you drink of the water, remember its source.’. . . Giving back—and giving forward—feels not only natural but deeply meaningful.”

As members of the Cowley Society, the Chans hope to impact students’ lives with their finan­cial support. “We know that the resources we give now, or plan to leave through the Cowley Society, can literally change the lives of students at BYU–Hawaii,” Peter says. “We have witnessed it firsthand.”

He continues, “Our desire is to give more than just financial resources, which are modest compared to some donors. What we do have is a lifetime of experience that we can share with students as they pursue internships and profes­sional opportunities in a gospel-centered way.”

Expanding the Circle of Support

The Chans hope fellow donors, alumni, and senior professionals consider supporting stu­dents through internships, job options, and mentoring. “Many of these young people need real-world experiences to help them spring­board to higher places and prepare to lead and serve in their home countries,” Peter says. “From our experience, engaging students and grad­uates in this way is both impactful and deeply fulfilling.”

Peter and Joyce recognize that there is no other university like BYU–Hawaii in the world, and they hope students from Asia and Oceania understand the blessings offered through the university’s unique approach to education. “The students at BYU–Hawaii are truly genuine gold,” Peter says, “and we count it a privilege to help refine them.”