Cellini Higa
Guam

Updated August 16, 2025
"Cellini Jyunko ‘Loy’ Higa is a Program Coordinator IV within the Division of Curriculum & Instruction at the Guam Department of Education (GDOE). In this role, she oversees the planning, development, coordination, compliance, and execution of federally funded initiatives, including the implementation of three major emergency relief funds totaling $438 million. These initiatives addressed the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including reducing virus transmission and mitigating learning loss due to school closures. Cellini leads a dedicated team that has successfully closed all major grants awarded to GDOE, ensuring that students and educators benefit from these resources.
Cellini’s career in program management began in 2011 when she served as a Program Manager at the University of Guam (UOG) during her final semester of graduate studies. In 2014, she joined GDOE as a Program Coordinator III and steadily advanced within the organization. Her dedication to education and public service has been a hallmark of her career.
A proud Palauan, Cellini graduated as valedictorian from Belau Modekngei School in 2004 and went on to earn both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Public Administration from the University of Guam. During her studies, she honed her leadership skills as a Resident Assistant and excelled academically, receiving the Academic Excellence Award from the UOG School of Business and Public Administration.
In addition to her professional role, Cellini engages in freelance work to develop her skills further and is committed to lifelong learning. She has been inspired by numerous recommendations to join the Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) and believes that now is the perfect time to take on this new challenge.
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