top of page

GET TO KNOW ME

Håfa Ådai & Mabuhay, I'm Sam!

Empowerment    Dr. Shirley “SAM” Mabini Young believes in empowering individuals to succeed, and has worked on advocating for workforce development initiatives, locally and nationally.  She received her Ph.D. in Work and Human Resource Education (2008) from the University of Minnesota, along with a M.Ed. in Work, Community and Family Education (2001).  She is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Postsecondary Career & Technical Education Research, sponsored by the ECMC Foundation at North Carolina State University and University of Alabama.
 

Servant Leadership   Dr. Mabini Young has had leadership roles in the public and private sector.  She was the Director for the Guam Department of Labor, Provost at Pacific Islands University, Adjunct Associate Professor with University of Maryland Global College, and Associate Dean at Guam Community College.  She also served as Acting Director for the Guam Public Library System and General Manager of PBS Guam.
 

Business Focus    Dr. Mabini Young was a business loan officer for Bank One Arizona, and an Executive Accountant at Valley of the Sun United Way.  In Minnesota, she worked for an engineering firm while pursuing her graduate studies at the University of Minnesota. Today, building on her educational and professional experience, she offers personalized business consulting services.
 

Public Service    Dr. Mabini Young was a Senator in the 31st Guam Legislature (2010-2012), working diligently on initiatives in education and workforce development to improve and enhance the livelihood of Guam citizens. She authored College and Career Readiness Act (CCaRe Act, PL31-156), retiring old curriculum in Guam DOE to improve student preparation for life beyond high school. Dr. Mabini Young's legislative and public service efforts regarding career and college preparation are making a difference today in Guam schools. In 2016, Dr. Mabini launched the Guam Association of Career and Technical Education (GuACTE), a non-profit professional organization of educators in the western Pacific region.
 

Work Continues   Today, Dr. Mabini Young works as a business consultant, offering training services and career coaching for youth and adults. She is a member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce and the National Association for Women in Construction, and a part time instructor for Guam Trades Academy.  Managing renovation construction projects and DIY furniture rehabilitation are other ways that keep her busy.  She also continues to volunteer in the community:  as Executive Director (former President) of Guam ACTE, Board Director for the Micronesian Conservation Coalition, and co-host for a community-based radio talk show.   
 

At Home   Dr. Mabini Young resides in the village of Maina (originally from Tamuning and Yona), enjoys the outdoors, gardening, scuba diving and travelling with her husband and friends.

My Motto:    Believe in a Better Way

PUBLIC CONCERNS

Preparing Our Workforce

I believe in ways that would make the most impact on student success, specifically for college and career preparation. This can be done by supporting our public education with authentic partnerships that help better connect the classwork to the real world of life and work, for better quality of life opportunities.  Initiatives in the community that I will continue to support:​

  • Helping business improve partnership with schools to prepare young or incoming workers, for current and new industry

  • Supporting teachers and families in preparing students for careers and college

    To support the development of our workforce, I established Guam ACTE (est. 2015), the local state chapter of the national organization: Association for Career and Technical Education.  Guam ACTE aims to be the premier professional organization for educators in Guam and the Western Pacific, focused on student success through effective Career and Technical Education.

    As a Senator in the 31st Guam Legislature, I wrote and garnered support for two notable legislation that was designed to and has improved how teachers and students can work together:

  •  College & Career Readiness (CCaRe) Act, students receive classwork that include learning activities that better prepares them for careers and college, life after high school  (PL31-156)

  •  Career Information Delivery System, students can explore and plan for career opportunities (PL31-80)

Smarter and Smaller Government

I believe in laissez-faire, with government being more innovative and enterprising to improve services to the business community and all constituents.  Together, we should insist on more responsible public spending and accountability of at all levels, as well as the placement of only proven, quality public leaders who have demonstrated their knowledge and practice of business and community success.

   I have been engaged in private business enterprise, more currently in consulting and construction renovation projects. Being a member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce and active in the Guam Contractors Association with the Guam Trades Academy allows networking and staying current with local and regional business issues.

   Here are samples of my legislation while in the 31st Guam Legislature that reflect this:

  • Customs & Quarantine, Village Roadway Improvements and EPA Environmental Cleanup  was supported by safeguarding locally owned heavy equipment businesses. (PL31-77)

  • Mandatory Skills Assessment for GovGuam entry-level employees (PL31-254)

Community Accountability

I believe we should take serious steps toward real access to affordable living, including housing and healthcare.  An aggressive drug enforcement should be a priority, stopping the debilitating impact of drugs in our community -- negatively affecting business operations and ruining individual and family lives.  It is equally important to protect our natural resources, our island and ocean environment.

   Volunteering in local NGO's helps me stay connected in the community, which has included in my participation in organizations such as:  Micronesian Conservation Coalition, National Association of Women in Construction, Guam ACTE, Soroptimist, Guam Symphony Society, Guam Animals in Need, and others.

   Here are samples of my legislation while in the 31st Guam Legislature that reflect this:

  • International Prisoner Transfer Program, allowed Guam to participate in prisoner transfer (PL31-233)

  • Drug Testing Requirement for recipients of public assistance (Bill 317-31)

  • Clearing and Grading Permits processing by Guam Department of Agriculture . (PL31-186)

bottom of page