Enrollment at the University of Hawaiʻi’s 10 campuses dropped slightly in fall 2017 to 51,674 total students, a decrease of 1,744 students, or 3.3 percent compared to fall 2016.

UH West Oʻahu is up 4.9 percent to 3,082 students, continuing the trend that began in 2012 when the school moved to its Kapolei campus. UH West Oʻahu was recently recognized as the fastest growing public baccalaureate campus in the nation. Windward Community College enrollment remained unchanged, while the other eight campuses experienced varying declines.

The overall decline was no surprise, as UH continues to graduate more students on time while competing for students with a tight local labor market experiencing extraordinarily low unemployment. University leadership remains committed to reversing the enrollment declines through a proactive enrollment management program informed by statewide data and analysis.

“We need to continue our great work increasing timely graduation of students while building greater successes in our recruitment, retention and transfer programs,” said UH President David Lassner. “There are a number of positives in this fall’s data, but it is just a start.”

Fall 2017 enrollment

• UH System—51,674 students (-3.3 percent)
• UH Mānoa—17,612 students(-2.5 percent)
• UH Hilo—3,539 students (-3.5 percent)
• UH West Oʻahu—3,082 students (+4.9 percent)

• UH Community Colleges—27,441 students (-4.6 percent)
• Hawaiʻi CC—2,819 students (-4.6 percent)
• Honolulu CC—3,563 students (-8.7 percent)
• Kapiʻolani CC—7,095 students (-3.9 percent)
• Kauaʻi CC—1,346 students (-3.9 percent)
• Leeward CC—6,805 students (-6.3 percent)
• Maui College—3,302 students (-1.2 percent)
• Windward CC—2,511 students (no change)

Enrollment successes

The fall 2017 numbers demonstrate a number of successes in enrollment. Along with UH West Oʻahu’s overall enrollment increase, UH Hilo recruited 415 first-time freshmen in fall 2017, up 12.5 percent from last fall.

There are 1,959 first year freshman enrolled at UH Mānoa in fall 2017, just 13 students off last year’s record. UH Mānoa received a record 13,196 applications during the past recruitment year, and its first-year retention rate is up two percent to 78 percent, reversing two years of declines.

The university has also achieved its overall goal of increasing the enrollment of traditionally underrepresented ethnic groups to the proportions of their populations in the state.

• Native Hawaiian or part Hawaiian—12,036 students (23.3 percent of student body, 21.3 percent of state population)
• Filipino—7,454 students (14.4 percent of the UH student and state populations)
• Pacific Islanders—1,245 students (2.4 percent of the student population, 2.1 percent of the state population)

And in focusing on its mission as a public system to provide access to those with the least capability to afford higher education, the UH System and all major units increased the number of first-time freshmen receiving Pell Grants from the federal government.

Graduating more students on time

UH campuses have made great strides over the last decade to improve graduation rates. UH Mānoa improved its four-year graduation rate from 17.5 percent in 2010 to an all-time high of 34 percent in 2017, and awarded 3,347 undergraduate degrees and certificates in spring 2017, just 302 shy of the record 3,649 degrees in spring 2016.

UH Hilo set a record in 2017 with 798 undergraduate degrees awarded, a 37.3 percent increase from 2011. UH West Oʻahu awarded 623 degrees, a 144 percent increase from six years ago, and the seven UH Community Colleges awarded 5,118 degrees and certificates, the third highest ever and a 53.8 percent increase from 2011. Enrollment and degrees awarded in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs is substantially up from five years ago across the UH Community Colleges.

Economy’s impact on the CCs

Hawaiʻi’s strong labor market and low unemployment is one factor that affected enrollment at community colleges.

“The strong economy has certainly pulled students out of the community colleges,” said Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges John Morton. “We are working to be sure we provide a way for those students to complete their college degrees while working, as well as the many other students who have left college credits but no degree.”

Community college students with financial need are encouraged to contact their campus financial aid offices about the Hawaiʻi Promise Scholarship program that covers the unmet costs of tuition, fees, books and supplies for students with need.

Kauaʻi Community College culinary team from left, Karen Morita-Lee, Martina Hilldorfer, Duane Miyasato, Mark Oyama, Steven Nakata, Melanie Bacio

The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission has approved accreditation for Kauaʻi Community College’s culinary arts program to June 2022, the maximum accreditation period allowed. The award declares that the college’s culinary arts program has established standards, accountability and credibility, a high level of professionalism and up-to-date practices.

Annually, 17 to 22 students are accepted into the program, which enables them to earn an associates of arts degree. The accreditation status also allows currently enrolled students to be eligible to attain recognition as a certified culinarian or a certified pastry culinarian—a highly valued certification in the foodservice industry. “This certification means that the student has the skills and knowledge needed to begin a career without additional testing,” said Martina Hilldorfer, culinary arts program co-coordinator and chair of the accreditation process.

“Our faculty and staff are directly responsible for this award and have created a signature well-founded, well-rounded and impressive culinary arts program,” said Helen Cox, chancellor for Kauaʻi CC. “They assure that our students have the foundation to succeed in their field upon graduating and are much appreciated by our community.”

During the accreditation visit, the culinary arts program was commended for its “top quality” meals served as the “best luncheon ever experience at a site visit.”

During the accreditation visit, the culinary arts program was commended for its “top quality” meals served as the “best luncheon ever experience at a site visit.” Kauaʻi CC was also showcased by the accreditation commission at a July 2017 American Culinary Federation Education Foundation convention in Orlando, as an example for culinary schools in the nation to follow their work room of documents, supplementary documents and equipment created for the accreditation visit. The site visit team also noted that Kauaʻi CC culinary students were actively engaged in both lectures and labs.

The Kauaʻi CC team includes faculty Martina Hilldorfer, Steven Nakata, Mark Oyama, Duane Miyasato and staff members Melanie Bacio and Karen Morita-Lee. As a unified team, they worked closely over 18 months to prepare the submission of the March 2017 self study. Each faculty member took the lead on addressing two standard sections such as program eligibility, program mission and goals, organization and administration, faculty and staff, curriculum, facilities, student services, and program assessment.

Advisory Board members were also consulted. The members included Alex Amorin, lecturer; Debbie Akana, HFM Foods; Natural-Lee Garcia, general manager at Roy Yamaguchi’s Eating House 1849; Guy Higa, executive chef at the Kauaʻi Marriott Hotel and Resort; Adrian Marcelo, executive sous chef at the Westin Princeville Ocean Villas; Ron Miller, executive chef at the Hukilau Lānai; Krissi Miller, general manager at the Hukilau Lānai; Danny Morioka, executive chef at Dani’s Restaurant; Matt Smith, executive chef at the Grand Hyatt; Jacob Vogelsegang, food and beverage director for Sheraton Kauaʻi.

Michael McEvoy

“The business education division congratulates our culinary arts program on their successful re-accreditation award,” said Candace Tabuchi, division chair. “Our faculty’s dedication to their students, enthusiasm for their profession and service to our campus is inspiring.”

Second-year Kauaʻi CC culinary student Michael McEvoy wants to further his education at the Culinary Institute of America. He wants to travel to Italy and Japan to explore his cultural roots and learn more about how food is prepared. His expertise is in baking. A graduate of Island School, a private institution on the island, McEvoy heard from friends that “there’s always something valuable to learn at Kauaʻi CC.” He currently serves as president of the College Culinary Club.

For Dennis Chun, getting into the University of Hawaiʻi was not a smooth course. After being rejected from UH Mānoa right out of high school, he began on a journey that has no doubt played an important role in the person he is today. Hear more about what inspired him to get into Hawaiian studies, going from Kapiʻolani Community College to UH Mānoa and the story behind Nāmāhoe, Kauaʻi’s own twin-hulled voyaging canoe.

Chun received his bachelor of arts and master of education degrees from UH Mānoa. Currently an assistant professor in Hawaiian studies at Kauaʻi Community College, his is a long-standing member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and one of the three founding members of Nāmāhoe.

Dennis Chun and Nāmāhoe.

Brittney Barreira, Kauaʻi CC nursing student.

Kauaʻi Community College’s nursing program has been awarded accreditation for eight years, the longest period possible, by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

“To receive reaffirmation of ACEN accreditation for the next eight years is a testament to the nursing faculty who are dedicated to their pursuit of providing a quality nursing program for our Kauaʻi community,” said Tammie Napoleon, health education chair and nursing faculty.

“Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!” said Marsal Stoll, chief executive officer of ACEN. The ACEN Board of Commissioners also commended Kauaʻi CC nursing faculty for their “commitment to quality nursing education.”

Nursing faculty Sharon Ehlers, Maria Fabro, Sandra Knighton, Tammie Napoleon, Charlene Ono, Kurt Rutter and Maureen Tabura feel a sense of tremendous accomplishment and validation that the program is doing a good job. Other programs at the University of Hawaiʻi are looking to Kauaʻi CC as a model of excellence as they prepare for their accreditation visits.

The Kauaʻi CC nursing program accepts 24 students annually. Although the majority of the students in the program are from Kauaʻi, students from other islands also enroll, according to Tabura, lead coordinator for the accreditation self-study.

Kauaʻi CC nursing faculty, front row, Tammie Napoleon, Maureen Tabura, second row, Maria Fabro, Charlene Ono, and third row, Kurt Rutter, Sandra Knighton, Sharon Ehlers

Second year student and nursing club president Brittney Barreira was interviewed by ACEN as part of the accreditation process. Her passion for nursing started with a rewarding job experience at Hale Kupuna Heritage Home, a skilled nursing and intermediate long term care facility, in ʻŌmaʻo, Kauaʻi. She will earn her associate of science degree in nursing in May 2018 and plans to to earn her bachelor of science degree in nursing while working on Oʻahu. She is currently exploring pediatrics as a focus of her profession, with plans to return to work on Kauaʻi.

“You can go anywhere and work in a hospital, in clinics, in pediatrics and even in informatics,” Barreira said.

“Our nursing program produces professionals who transition quickly to the professional world once they get their degree,” said Helen Cox, chancellor for Kauaʻi CC, “Our students continue to four-year degrees. Some even earn PhDs.”

Accreditation reviewers commended faculty and staff for their depth of quality and expertise.

Nursing faculty and staff chose the legendary Hōkūleʻa as the accreditation theme, noting the canoe made many trips across the globe facing challenges and coming up with solutions. “Hoʻokahi ka ʻilau like ana,” which means, “Wield the paddles together. Work together.” became the team’s guide throughout the preparation and production of the accreditation self-study.

Accreditation reviewers commended faculty and staff for their depth of quality and expertise. Assistant professor for natural sciences Terrence Bruns, who teaches general education courses that align with the nursing program, was among those recognized.

“Our faculty members bring a unique and talented set of skills to their classroom teaching, and they are totally committed to our students. They are responsible for the distinction of this accreditation. I am grateful and honored to support them. They are outstanding educators,” said Cox.

David Lassner

University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner made his report to the Board of Regents at their meeting on October 19, 2017.

Highlights include:

• First high school student set to earn associate degree (video)
• UH plays role in national STEM initiative (video)
• Building STEM pathways (video)
• STEM enrollment steady at community colleges (video)
• UH Cancer Center submits proposal to renew designation (video)
• XLR8UH team accepted to premier international program (video)
• Dunkin’ Donuts opens (video)

View previous reports to the board.

Hoku Award winners Keauhou and other young artists who are revitalizing Hawaiian music are highlighted in the fall 2017 issue of the University of Hawaiʻi Magazine for alumni and friends.

This issue also offers insight into building college sports by Athletic Directors Marilyn Moniz-Kaoʻohanohano and Ramon Goya and more on UH’s latest achievements in ground-breaking diabetes research and high-tech tools to combat rapid ʻōhiʻa death. Read the Nature Conservancy’s Jonathan “Koa” Kukea-Shultz’s thoughts on science and tradition, and enjoy news about other successful UH alumni.

• View the University of Hawaiʻi Magazine online or download the issue (PDF).

The bi-annual UH Magazine is published by Pacific Basin Communication in partnership with UH Foundation and highlights alumni accomplishments and exciting news from UH’s 10 campuses.

Up to $10,000 in prize money is up for grabs through the 2018 University of Hawaiʻi President’s Green Initiative Awards. The prize will go to the top student-driven sustainability project to be implemented at UH campuses or in the community. Multiple $1,000 Green Student Leader Awards are also available to recognize and support students who take on leadership roles in sustainability related activities.

UH graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to apply, and partnerships with staff and faculty members are encouraged. Projects that align with the Many Minds, One University systemwide focused inquiry project exploring the grand challenges of water will receive priority consideration.

Any project proposals impacting campus operations must be approved by campus administrators and/or facilities and operations staff.

• Submit Project proposals
• Nominate a student green leader
• Nominate green faculty/staff awards

“This awards program showcases the creative and innovative ideas to advance sustainability that our students are developing in the course of their UH education” said UH President David Lassner. “It is important to recognize and celebrate good ideas, and I hope these awards can take us even further into implementation projects on our campuses.”

Winning projects from 2017 include a campus composting project at the Student Organic Farm Training program at UH Mānoa and a student-led food waste reduction project at UH Hilo.

• Related UH News story: UH systemwide sustainability efforts recognized, March 22, 2017

“Sustainability is about applying systems-thinking, creativity and innovation to solve the complex and interconnected challenges of our times,” said Matthew Kamakani Lynch, UH System sustainability coordinator. “This year we invite faculty to consider submitting proposals for projects that integrate hands-on learning and student-driven projects into course curriculum.”

The 2018 awards are presented with funding support from Johnson Controls, Inc. and the Castiglione A. Casauria Foundation. Applications close on December 30, 2017, and awards will be presented on February 8, 2018 at the 6th Annual Hawaiʻi Sustainability in Higher Education Summit on Hawaiʻi Island.

For more information, contact the Office of Sustainability at (808) 956-9452 or visit the UH President’s Green Initiative Awards website.

The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates November 2017 faculty and staff anniversaries.

40 Years

Tamiya, Earl T
Men’s Golf Head Coach, Athletics, UH Hilo

30 Years

Blakeley, Karen K
Instructor and Student Support, Student Housing Services, UH Mānoa

Ensing, Judy L
Junior Specialist, Outreach College, UH Mānoa

Lee, Chin N
Specialist, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, UH Mānoa

Moon, Byron G
Academic Support, College of Arts and Humanities, UH Mānoa

Ogasawara, Miki
Instructor, College of Languages, Linguistics and Literature, UH Mānoa

Okada, Sueann Y
Media Design and Production, Dean’s Office, Kauaʻi CC

Shannon, Myra K
Institutional Support, College of Education, UH Mānoa

Young, Maynard G
Facilities Planning and Design, Facility Planning and Management Office, UH Mānoa

20 Years

Elmore, Michele
Institutional Support, Procurement and Real Property Management, UH System

Jones, Amy
Instructor and Student Support, Admissions and Records, UH Mānoa

Kinningham, Russell D
Assistant Professor, Allied Health, Kapiʻolani CC

Oka, Travis T
Information Technology, Dean’s Office, Honolulu CC

Ozaki, Shelby
Institutional Support, Treasury Office, UH System

Yap, Allison K
Assistant Specialist, International Education, UH Mānoa

Yuen, Sooah
Associate Professor, Language Arts, Kapiʻolani CC

10 Years

Awana, Chantelle M
Instructor, College of Education, UH Mānoa

Booth, Merlene J
Instructor, College of Arts and Humanities, UH Mānoa

Carney, Michael E
Professor, School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

Domingo, Valerie R
Secretary, Dean’s Office, Honolulu CC

Egloria, Tammie
Instructor and Student Support, Graduate Division, UH Mānoa

Kim, Rae M
Institutional Support, Auxiliary Enterprise, UH Mānoa

Len, Kyra A
Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

Lu, Brett Y
Associate Professor, School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

Maetani, Lisa N
Junior Specialist, College of Education, UH Mānoa

Matteson, Carol K
Associate Professor, College of Arts and Humanities, UH Mānoa

Neely, David K
Information Technology, Student Affairs, UH System

Prochnow, Kimberly
Academic Support, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, UH Mānoa

Richardson, Renee M
Media Design and Production, Information Technology Services, UH System

Rosehill, Ordean S
Information Technology, Dean’s Office, Hawaiʻi CC

Strattford, Loraine T
Secretary, Cancer Center Hawaiʻi, UH Mānoa

Wang, Hansong
Associate Specialist, Canter Center Hawaiʻi, UH Mānoa

Westfall-Senda, Mandy
Assistant Specialist, Student Affairs, UH Mānoa

From left, Reverend Wayne Vidinha, Sr., Helen Cox, Gregory Shepherd and Brandon Shimokawa bless the new facility.

Kauaʻi Community College unveiled its new language arts and humanities multi-purpose room which will be used for musical theatre, acting, band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, creative media and dance.

“I would like to have this facility be a vehicle for taking music, drama, theatre and dance to the next level at Kauaʻi CC,” said Music Professor Gregory Shepherd, who serves as the room’s coordinator and was instrumental in designing the versatile arts venue.

In addition to the multi-purpose room, three offices and a new security office were renovated through the $2.9 million project.

“This project will definitely serve to support our students,” said Helen Cox, chancellor for Kauaʻi CC. “Our security office will now be centrally located, and our arts and music courses will enjoy the space for decades to come. In addition, the space is large and flexible enough to meet the needs of many campus functions.”

New facility blessed

Tosha Burke, Kauaʻi CC intermediate voice student and Gregory Shepherd perform for guests.

Students, faculty, staff and guests gathered at the blessing of the new multi-purpose room in late October.

Hawaiian Studies Instructor Pua Rossi’s hula and chant performance students opened the occasion with ʻoli and hula. Maile lei draped the entrance as Rev. Wayne Vidinha Sr. of Ke Akua Mana Church conducted the blessing, and students from Shepherd’s beginning and intermediate voice classes filled the air with song.

Brandon Shimokawa, Kauaʻi CC vice chancellor for administrative services, credited the UH Community Colleges system office with immense support. He said Michael Unebasami and Denise Yoshimori-Yamamoto were instrumental in securing the funding; Cara Kimura served as project manager and Patrick Watase was the onsite coordinator and provided construction management for the project.

Lloyd Higa, of YFH Architects Inc. on Oʻahu was the architect of the project, and Nathan Konishi of Pacific Blue Construction LLC on Kauaʻi served as general contractor.

“This is a project that has been in the works for a long time,” said Shimokawa. “I am very grateful to everyone who made this a reality for the college.”

Students from Kauaʻi CC’s hula and chant performance class open the blessing

David Lassner

University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner made his report to the Board of Regents at their meeting on November 16, 2017.

Highlights include:

• UH Mānoa 4-year grad rate increase APLU award (video)
• Congressional visits (video)
• Tax reform and higher education (video)
• Programs serving Native Hawaiian and underrepresented students (video)
• Defense-related programs (video)
• Veterans recognized in UH Mānoa ceremony (video)
• Go for Broke movie (video)
• Green-tariff initiative with HECO (video)
• UH places third in cybersecurity competition (video)
• Leeward CC‘s Waiʻanae Moku (video)
• UH West Oʻahu gets $2.7 million GEAR UP grant (video)
• Agriculture grants (video)
• UH cacao beans win international praise (video)
• UH Strategic Directions (video)
• Hawaiʻi Graduation Initiative (video)
• Hawaiʻi Innovation Initiative (video)
• 21st Century Facilities (video)
• High Performance Mission-Driven System (video)
• Strengthen relationship with UH Foundation (video)
• Indigenous-serving institution (video)
• Sustainability initiatives (video)
• UH Strategic Directions (video)
• William “Billy” Richardson (video)

View previous reports to the board.

Seated, Becky Fries, front row, Cara Kruse, Cynthia Perez, Darlene Jarquio, Jea Kyla Sheyne Laganina, Devan Ueno and back row, Kaanoipua Roback, Amy Hicks, Brittney Barriera, Kaz Tasic, Jolene Lima, Hector Perez

Eleven first and second year students in Kauaʻi Community College’s nursing program received a scholarship from the Mokihana Club of Kauaʻi.

“It is with pride that Mokihana honors our hard-working nursing students,” said Becky Fries, who chairs the club’s scholarship committee and presented the scholarships on November 20. “We have a lot of respect for the students.”

The students who received the awards are Brittney Barriera, Amy “Shale” Hicks, Darlene Jarquio, Cara Kruse, Jea Kyla Sheyne Laganina, Jolene Lima, Cynthia Perez, Hector Perez, Kaanoipua Roback, Kaz Tasic and Devan Ueno.

“The nursing program is so appreciative of the financial support for our students,” said Maureen Tabura, nursing program coordinator. ”It lessens the burden of financial worry.”

Nursing program counselor Shelley Sutter works closely with students supporting them each step of the way to earn their degree. “I am so grateful for the significant financial support Mokihana provides our hard-working nursing students,” said Sutter.

More about the Mokihana Club

The mission of the Mokihana Club is to “be a force of social and cultural stimulation and to undertake civil development and improvement.”

The club was established in 1905, under the leadership of Dora Isenberg. Elsie Wilcox was its first president.

In 1916, to address the pressing need for health services, Mabel Wilcox was selected as chair of the health committee. Wilcox promoted healthcare for pregnant women.

In 2003, recognizing the shortage of nurses, the Mokihana Club established a scholarship partnership with Kauaʻi CC’s nursing program. Over the years, more than $100,000 in nursing scholarships have been awarded.

The Mokihana Club awards scholarships annually with all proceeds raised at its Mokihana Golf game.

The next event, open to the public, will be the club’s 16th annual game, to be held February 10, 2018 at the Po‘ipū Bay Golf Course. To register, visit the Mokihana Club website or call (808) 332-0282. Registration is 6:30 a.m.

The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates December 2017 faculty and staff anniversaries.

40 Years

Ikoma, Karen N
Private Secretary, Chancellor’s Office, UH Mānoa

30 Years

Aspili, Bienvenido
Janitor, Buildings and Grounds Management,UH Mānoa

Buskirk, Patricia A
Assistant Professor, College of Social Sciences, UH Mānoa

Horimoto, Susan M
Institutional Support, Administrative Director’s Office, Hawaiʻi CC

Kawamoto, Wayne T
Academic Support, College of Arts and Humanities, UH Mānoa

Matsui, Bruce Y
University Associate General Counsel, Legal Affairs and University General Counsel, UH System

Sakamoto, David R
Institutional Support, Board of Regents, UH System

20 Years

Franco-Eharis, Lucille
Office Assistant, Continuing Education and Training, Maui College

Kali, Clarice K
Office Assistant, Dean’s Office, Kauaʻi CC

Kodani, Shawn T
Facilities Planning and Design, Community Colleges, UH System

Lee, Helen Y
Secretary, School of Pacific and Asian Studies, UH Mānoa

Medeiros, Desiree
Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

Penner, Reinhold
Researcher, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, UH Mānoa

Shiramizu, Bruce T
Professor, School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

Tom, Maxwell K
Janitor, Administrative Director’s Office, Hawaiʻi CC

Watanabe, Walter T
Athletics, Intercollegiate Athletics, UH Mānoa

10 Years

Alves, Johnnuel
University Security Officer, Administrative Director’s Office, Leeward CC

Asato, Lenora L
Institutional Support, Research Services, UH System

Caceres, Scott J
Research Support, Institute for Astronomy, UH Mānoa

Crowell, Karen J
Instructor, Counseling and Guidance, Hawaiʻi CC

Donoho, Arthur W
Information Technology, Information Technology Services, UH System

Fujinaka, Brent Y
Junior Specialist, Student Affairs, UH Mānoa

Hackler, Yukie
Lecturer, Language Arts, Kapiʻolani CC

Hunt, Kyle A
Information Technology, Information Technology Services,UH System

Kim, Wesley J
Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

Losh, Ivy M
Office Assistant, Student Affairs, UH Hilo

Nakasone, Jacob K
Instructor and Student Support, Student Affairs, UH Mānoa

Neves, Abbie J
Instructor, School of Nursing, UH Mānoa

Ng, Larson S
Academic Support, College of Education, UH Mānoa

Nishita, Christy-Ann M
Associate Specialist, College of Education, UH Mānoa

Sueyoshi, Gordon
Research Support, Center for Instructional Support, UH Mānoa

Tomosada, Ada E
Lecturer, Natural Science, Kapiʻolani CC

Alumni and friends from across the University of Hawaiʻi System are invited to a special evening of gourmet delight and holiday shopping at the UH Alumni Holiday Mingle and Jingle on Thursday, December 14, 5:30–8:30 p.m. at Lēʻahi Concept Kitchen.

Enjoy a gourmet concept experience by Kapiʻolani Community College’s nationally recognized culinary arts program and meet the culinary master and Kapiʻolani CC alumnus that leads Lēʻahi, Executive Chef Eddie Mafnas. Highlights of Chef Mafna’s concept menu for the evening include:

• Black pepper Kauaʻi shrimp with Big Island honey, plantains, tropical fruit salsa, Chamorro red rice and black pepper molasses
• Fresh island catch with ginger scallion crust, sweet corn succotash, Okinawan mash, sesame miso vinaigrette
• Ewa farms sweet corn cake with tomato salsa and tomatillo cream

A culinary delight from Lēʻahi Concept Kitchen.

Alumni-Made Pop-Up Boutique

In addition to the culinary delights, attendees can shop for holiday gifts at the Alumni-Made Pop-Up Boutique featuring the latest products made by local UH alumni artisans. Some of the vendors include:

• Kapiʻolani CC Culinary Arts Program—packaged delights created by future alumni of the program
• Kumumea (UH Hilo)
• Makalani Creations (Honolulu CC and Leeward CC)
• Malia Nakai Designs (UH Mānoa)
• Malorie Arisumi (UH Maui College)
• Sticks and Pōhaku (UH Mānoa)
• UH Mānoa Glass and Plants—creative collaboration from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and the art department
• Windward CC visual arts program—art pieces created by alumni and friends

More information

Pianist Keith Montross will perform timeless and heart-warming Christmas classics and other familiar tunes.

Admissions is $55 per person and includes heavy pūpū, tea/coffee and two alcoholic beverages as well as complimentary valet parking for up to four hours at Waikīkī Parc Hotel or Halekulani Hotel. Aloha/holiday attire requested.

To RSVP, please visit Eventbrite.

Kalbert Young

Kalbert Young, UH vice president for budget and finance and chief financial officer, shares his analysis of the UH budget request to the legislature.

In mid-November 2017, the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) approved a supplemental budget request that was submitted to the governor and the legislature. The governor has considered the university’s request and has included portions as part of the executive branch’s budget proposal to the legislature. The executive budget proposal was transmitted to the legislature on December 18.

The UH BOR budget request seeks $16,821,507 in additional general funds for FY2019 for various programs. The governor’s executive branch proposal included $6.7 million of UH’s original request. For reference, UH currently receives about $475.7 million in state general funds as part of its over $1.2 billion operating budget.

The following table shows the operating budget request approved by the BOR and the amounts included in the governor’s budget:

The UH capital budget request was for $269.7 million for FY2019 to address capital renewal, progress on deferred maintenance and funding for projects to modernize each of the campuses within the UH System. The governor included $120 million of this amount in his budget request. The following table lists the projects from the Board-approved budget and the amounts that were included in the governor’s request:

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight two items from the operating budget: $700,000 for the Hawaiʻi Promise Program and $500,000 for the Office of Strategic Planning and Development.

Last year, the legislature appropriated $1,829,000 to the community colleges to create a new scholarship program for students with financial need called Hawaiʻi Promise. The scholarship helps students cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies and transportation, and is a “last dollar” scholarship, which means that other sources of financial aid such as Pell grants and other scholarships are applied before Hawaiʻi Promise funds are committed.

The original amount requested last year was $2,500,000. However, only $1,829,000 was provided. The $700,000 requested this year would bring the total up to the original amount. For the fall 2017 semester, about 1,000 students from all seven community college campuses were awarded scholarships averaging $1,146 per student.

The request for $500,000 would establish an Office of Strategic Planning and Development which would provide the university with a dedicated office to evaluate, oversee and manage public-private partnership opportunities. Public-private partnerships (P3s) could capitalize on the strengths and assets within both the public and private sectors to help deliver projects or services more efficiently and effectively for our university community. Examples of projects that have been successfully done as P3s at other universities include facilities redevelopment and campus expansions, student housing developments, physical plant infrastructure and facility maintenance.

The legislature convenes on January 17, 2018. There will be a number of committee briefings for UH before then. As of today, UH will be presenting before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and Committee on Higher Education on December 27 and 29. The university will also be participating in a pair of “budget briefings” for the fiscal committees. UH is currently scheduled to present its budget request to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means in the afternoon of January 9, 2018 and tentatively scheduled to the House Committee on Finance in the morning of January 16, 2018

The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates January 2018 faculty and staff anniversaries.

30 Years

Arakaki, Daniel K
Physical Plant Management, Intercollegiate Athletics, UH Mānoa

Chin, David N
Professor, College of Natural Science, UH Mānoa

Chong, Patricia A
Professor, Counseling and Guidance, Windward CC

Glenn, Craig R
Professor, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, UH Mānoa

Hodapp, Klaus W
Astronomer, Institute for Astronomy, UH Mānoa

Ikehara, Jean H
Secretary, Outreach College, UH Mānoa

Kadooka, Chris Y
Research Support, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, UH Mānoa

Kazama, Susan S
Interim Vice Chancellor, Dean’s Office, Kapiʻolani CC

Matsuzaki, Carrie L
Assistant Specialist, College of Engineering, UH Mānoa

Onishi, Joni Y
Vice Chancellor, Dean’s Office, Hawaiʻi CC

Smith, Celia M
Professor, College of Natural Science, UH Mānoa

Tanaka, Tammy M
Secretary, College of Pharmacy, UH Hilo

Yamamoto, Loren G
Professor, School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

20 Years

Daniel, Marcus L
Associate Professor, College of Arts and Humanities, UH Mānoa

Lebbin, Vickery K
Librarian, Library Services, UH Mānoa

Matsumoto, Sherry A
Janitor, Administration, UH System

Meagher, Michael J
Professor, School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

Nerurkar, Pratibha V
Associate Professor, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, UH Mānoa

Reinke, Stefan M
Lecturer, School of Law, UH Mānoa

Segawa, Chris K
University Security Officer, Administrative Director’s Office, Leeward CC

Slattery, Michael P
Research Support, Dean’s Support, Maui College

Wilkens, Lynne R
Specialist, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, UH Mānoa

Yamada, Hubert T
Facilities, Planning and Design, Institute for Astronomy, UH Mānoa

Yamashiro-Somera, N
Office Assistant, Enrollment Services, Kapiʻolani CC

10 Years

Baldwin, Celeste M
Instructor, Nursing, Maui College

Bedoya, Patty S
Secretary, College of Natural Sciences, Nursing, UH Mānoa

Boyes, Alan D
Assistant Professor, Humanities, Kauaʻi CC

Cantor, Stanley W
Instructor, Vocational Technology, Hawaiʻi CC

Costales, Allan
Janitor, Administrative Director’s Office, Honolulu CC

Dorado, Mae F
Assistant Professor, Allied Health, Kapiʻolani CC

Farmer, Steven T
Lecturer, Nursing, Maui College

Fisher, Peter V
Lecturer, Natural Sciences, Maui College

Furutomo, Faye S
Information Technology, College of Education, UH Mānoa

Garmire, David G
Associate Professor, College of Engineering, UH Mānoa

Grzebik, Jayme T
Associate Extension Agent, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, UH Mānoa

Hashimoto, Whitney
Instructor, Language Arts, Maui College

Kae, Helmut
Associate Professor, Natural Science, Leeward CC

Kawaauhau, Donala
Associate Professor, Business Education, Hawaiʻi CC

Khanal, Samir K
Associate Professor, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, UH Mānoa

Kihara, Russell K
Janitor, Administration, UH System

Kim, Gregory R
Lecturer in Law, School of Law, UH Mānoa

Kimura, Bert Y
Lecturer, Outreach College, UH Mānoa

Kimura, Laurie A
Office Assistant, Business Education, Maui College

Kumar, Mukesh
Associate Professor, School of Medicine, UH Mānoa

Lau, Justine G
Instructor and Student Support, Student Affairs, UH Mānoa

Lee, Melinda J
Office Assistant, Counsel and Guidance, Leeward CC

Maeda, Julie T
Institutional Support, Facility Planning and Management Office, UH Mānoa

Miyashiro, Darrell S
Assistant Professor, Vocational Technology, Hawaiʻi CC

Moriyama, Sandra
Information Technology Specialist, Information Technology Services, UH System

Napihaa, Michelle S
Instructor, School of Nursing, Information Technology Services, UH Mānoa

Nelson, Karen M
Lecturer, Natural Sciences, Maui College

Nosal, Eva-Marie
Associate Professor, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, UH Mānoa

Paglinawan, Lynette K
Assistant Specialist, Student Services, UH West Oʻahu

Quintana, Christine K
Associate Professor, Continuing Education and Training, Hawaiʻi CC

Ranchez, Kimberly
Institutional Support, College of Education, UH Mānoa

Ranker, Thomas A
Professor, College of Natural Science, UH Mānoa

Rhode, Richard S
Associate Professor, Service Technology, Honolulu CC

Rolovich, Nicholas R
Head Football Coach, Intercollegiate Athletics, UH Mānoa

Sasaki, Stacey M
Institutional Support, School of Nursing, UH Mānoa

Schulte, Daniel M
Lecturer, Business Education, Maui College

Shibuya, Chad K
Institutional Support, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, UH Mānoa

Shum, Arthur T
Librarian, Library Services, UH Mānoa

Sim, Babylyn C
Janitor, Administrative Director’s Office, Maui College

Simpson, Kekoa J
Instructor and Student Support, Student Services, UH West Oʻahu

Suenaga, Julie N
Institutional Support, School of Law, UH Mānoa

Tauasosi, Tina
Instructor and Student Support, Student Affairs, UH Mānoa

Tsukano, Shirley R
Assistant Professor, Community and Continuing Education, Kapiʻolani CC

Uehara, Dean S
Facilities, Planning and Design, Administration, UH Mānoa

Wilson, Karen L
Assistant Specialist, College of Education, UH Mānoa

The University of Hawaiʻi released the results of a groundbreaking climate survey of students on sexual harassment and gender-based violence. Nationally it is one of the first known surveys of college students to explore intimate partner violence and is the first known survey of students in a university system that includes both four- and two-year degree campuses. Another important element that makes the survey unique and comprehensive is that it asked students about their experiences both on and off campus.

• Read the survey results
• Download the highlights from the 2017 survey (PDF)

More than 6,300 students, or 14.1 percent of UH’s approximately 44,000 adult students participated. The 261-page survey report provides data on each of the 10 UH campuses. The survey consisted of 125 questions that covered four areas: prevalence of sexual harassment and gender-based violence, student assessment of the university’s response, student perceptions of campus safety and student awareness of policies, processes and programs.

“This survey is the latest step we have taken to further our commitment to ensure safe and respectful campus environments,” said UH President David Lassner. “The majority of students who participated said they felt the survey was valuable for developing campus policies, which is helpful because students’ continued engagement is critical. Together with the findings, student feedback will help UH determine where to dedicate our resources and efforts moving forward.”

• UH and community resources

Students feel safe

The survey showed that a vast majority of students generally felt safe and did not see themselves as being at personal risk either on campus or at off-campus UH sponsored events. When asked about the likelihood of experiencing sexual harassment or assault in those environments, 85.3 percent said they felt the likelihood was “little” or “not at all.”

Large majorities of survey participants who contacted UH resources after experiencing sexual harassment or gender-based violence saw their interaction as “very” and “extremely” useful. For instance, when participants were asked about the most-recent interactions with campus resources after they had experienced sexual harassment, 95.8 percent of those interactions were rated as either very or extremely useful in helping the participant deal with the experience. Among all participants, there was a confidence that if they needed to contact campus officials, they would be treated with respect and their privacy and safety would be protected.

Intimate partner violence among key findings

One of the key findings is the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV), also known as dating or domestic violence, with 19.1 percent of the participants who were in a partnered relationship at anytime while enrolled at UH reported experiencing IPV. Additionally, 10 percent say they experienced stalking or sexual harassment and 6.3 percent reported nonconsensual sexual contact. Thirty one percent of those who responded report having experienced at least one incident of IPV, stalking, sexual harassment and/or nonconsensual sexual contact, on and off campus, while enrolled as a UH student.

“We aren’t surprised by prevalence and incidence rate of domestic violence in the UH survey,” said Nanci Kreidman, Domestic Violence Action Center CEO. “They reflect a larger societal problem. These numbers track the community and global statistics and UH doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The incidence rates also track what we know for women aged 18–24.”

Lassner sent a message to students announcing the survey results and encouraged all victims to seek help and to utilize services available.

• Read the letter

“The message that we will continue to repeat to our students is that help is available,” said Jennifer Rose, director of the UH Office of Institutional Equity, which is responsible for the survey. “If you are a victim of sexual harassment or gender violence, campus services are here for you and community resources are readily available.”

Rose also stressed that someone who witnesses or knows someone experiencing harassment or violence, can also access the available services.

“Ultimately, we want students to feel safe in coming forward—whether to utilize confidential resources or to make a report,” said Rose. “Everyone has a part to play in making our campuses free from sex discrimination—that includes trained campus staff and relevant community partners.”

Next steps

Each campus and the UH System are now reviewing the results and will develop action plans that will be implemented in 2018. The results will also be used to establish a baseline with the next survey scheduled in 2019.

The data will be used to assess the university’s progress and to guide policy, training and initiatives to meet the university’s obligations under the Violence Against Women Act and Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sexual discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal funding.

Survey information

The survey was conducted by OmniTrak Group Inc. from January 20 to February 20, 2017, with consultation from nationally-renowned subject matter experts Professor Sandra L. Martin and Professor Bonnie S. Fisher who consulted on the Association of American Universities 2015 Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct. Considered a national best practice, the climate survey was one of the many steps identified and pursued by the university to strengthen its Title IX response and support services. It received widespread support from state lawmakers and was mandated by the legislature through Act 208 in 2016.

The survey cost $173,824.00 was paid for with general funds appropriated by the legislature for the UH Office of Institutional Equity.

Letter from President Lassner

Student survey results on sexual harassment and intimate partner violence

Aloha to all our UH students, and welcome (back) to campus!

In spring 2017, more than 6,300 of our 44,000 students from the 10 UH campuses, participated in a survey that asked about experiences with sexual harassment and gender-based violence on and off campus. While this was not connected to the #metoo movement, completion of the analysis is particularly timely now. I encourage everyone to take the time to review the results as they provide insight into issues that may have either impacted you directly, or someone you know.

https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/climate-survey/results/

The survey results will be used by the individual campuses to form action plans that address the identified needs. Importantly, these results will also provide a baseline for assessing the university’s progress with follow-up surveys scheduled every two years.

One thing that stood out in the inaugural survey is the prevalence of intimate partner violence, also known as dating or domestic violence: 19.1 percent of respondents who were in a partnered relationship at anytime while enrolled at UH reported experiencing intimate partner violence.

If you are a victim of intimate partner violence or any other type of sexual harassment or gender-based violence, please know that the following help is available, including on a confidential basis.

Confidential Resources
https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/confidential/

UH System Title IX and Office of Institutional Equity Website
https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/

Campus Title IX Coordinators
http://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/coordinators/

UH is committed to ensuring safe and respectful campus environments. Students as well as our entire community have important roles to play by being aware of the issues, watching out for one another and reporting violations. I encourage everyone, if you have not already, to take the free, online Title IX training for students.
https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/lawroom/students

Training for employees is available at:
https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/lawroom/employees

We have made significant strides in addressing these issues over the past several years, but our goal is campus life free of sexual harassment and gender-based violence and we have even more to do.

Please enjoy a safe and successful academic year!

David Lassner
UH President

The University of Hawaiʻi recently completed a revenue bond transaction that refinanced more than $105 million in previously existing revenue bonds. The transaction will save UH and the State of Hawai‘i more than $17 million over the next 20 years, but required taking quick action to refinance the debt before the end of 2017. The office of the UH Vice President for Budget and Finance accelerated a revenue bond transaction to close before December 31, 2017, before new federal tax regulations passed by congress, went into effect.

The UH Board of Regents had approved the bond transaction in November 2017.

“Vice President Kalbert Young and his team did a remarkable job by responding immediately to some of the challenges to higher education posed by the new federal tax legislation,” said UH President David Lassner. “Not only did they lead a successful review that affirmed the positive rating and outlook for the University of Hawaiʻi, in some ways above that of the national higher education sector, but this refinancing of existing bonds will save the university millions.”

The annual debt service savings is between $689,000 and $1.5 million.

The transaction also helped bolster the university’s positive trend for improving financial conditions. Both Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings, the two credit rating agencies that rate UH bonds, affirmed confident credit rating levels.

On December 7, 2017 Moody’s reaffirmed its Aa2 rating level for the university, the third highest rating available from the agency. It also maintained the university’s outlook at stable. Moody’s raised UH’s outlook to stable from negative last April. Fitch also reaffirmed its AA rating and ‘stable’ outlook for the university.

It should be noted that the outlook for the national higher education sector has dipped. On December 6, 2017 Moody’s downgraded its financial outlook for higher education to negative from stable. The credit rating agency cited multiple factors including the congressional GOP tax bill, cuts to federal financial aid programs and slow revenue growth versus higher expenses.

Members of the West Hawaiʻi community explore an ancient cave along a trail adjacent to the Hawaiʻi Community College–Pālamanui campus that is being restored by UH students.

University of Hawaiʻi students, faculty and staff will gather physically and virtually at the 6th Annual Hawaiʻi Sustainability in Higher Education Summit February 8–10 on Hawaiʻi Island.

This year’s summit will focus on accelerating systemwide sustainability curricular initiatives such as Kapiʻolani Community College’s recently approved sustainability minor-equivalent (academic subject certificate in sustainability) that is also being implemented at several community college campuses.

Hawaiʻi CC Pālamanui campus is the university’s first LEED platinum certified campus, and serves West Hawaiʻi with the latest distance learning technology and 21st century facilities. Photo by Andrew Richard Hara.

The plenary sessions on both days will be livestreamed to the University of Hawaiʻi Office of Sustainability Facebook page to allow anyone interested to participate from any internet-connected device and interact using Meetingsift, a collaboration platform that can trace its origins back to the futures studies program at UH Mānoa.

SENCER Hawaiʻi, the College of Social Sciences ACCESS Engagement and the UH Mānoa Sustainability Council will host a satellite symposium at the ACCESS Lounge (Dean Hall 5–6 on both days). Most UH campuses are hosting satellite symposiums on-site, visit the event website to find out where and register your attendance.

The virtual symposium will reduce the event’s environmental footprint by reducing the need to travel. The event features keynote talks presented remotely by Erik Assadourian from the Worldwatch Institute, and Chip Fletcher from the UH Mānoa School of Ocean Engineering Science and Technology on February 8.

Aunty Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele and family will continue the rich dialogue currently underway across our campuses exploring the meeting of wisdoms between indigenous ancestral knowledge and western empirical sciences on February 9.

Delegations from all 10 UH campuses gather annually to learn together from local practitioners, national subject matter experts and each other. The summit will include peer-to-peer faculty development about teaching climate change and related sustainability and resilience issues across disciplines, as well as sustainability-focused course development working sessions.

Learn more and register to participate in the virtual symposium.

University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner shared a message on January 16 to the UH community.

Aloha UH ʻohana,

This message for the second week of classes began solely as a reminder that January 17 marks the 125th year since the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani and the Hawaiian Kingdom. This is a significant day for all of us who call Hawaiʻi home, whether for a short time or for a lifetime.

But since this message began, we experienced an unprecedented false alarm of a missile attack, a concern that had dissipated for decades since the cold war. And I am writing this on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the 35th year since its establishment as a national holiday under President Reagan. So my apologies for the length of this message, as these events have become interconnected for me.

As you all return to campus, Martin Luther King Jr. Day will have passed, but the challenges to equity and justice he championed remain front and center in the national dialogue. We all have a part to play in ensuring that our campuses, communities and islands are safe, just and welcoming for all.

As our staff returns to campus we will be gathering to debrief on the lessons learned from Saturday and make concrete plans to do better in the event of another missile alert. Improved plans will include providing crystal clear instructions in advance and during an event on where to shelter. Hopefully we will see a peaceful de-escalation of today’s global tensions and these plans will never be needed in reality. But given the seriousness of the potential impacts, we all need to prepare for even remote possibilities. Stay tuned for additional information from your campus in the weeks to come.

The angst many felt remind us how we need to care for one another. Counseling staff across our campuses are available to support and refer members of our UH community who feel threatened or stressed, whether by a potential missile attack or other events and conditions.

The overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani is not an easy event to comprehend nor a comfortable part of our history. Nonetheless, it is important for all of us to strive to understand and reflect upon, particularly in this time of makahiki when we seek peace and renewal for all. And it’s important to understand and appreciate the deep pain felt by many at the reminder of this 125th anniversary.

There is no institution more important to the future of our state than the University of Hawaiʻi. On a daily basis, we educate current and future generations, we address the challenges and opportunities that face Hawaiʻi and the world, we discover and reveal new knowledge in the search for truth and meaning, and we respectfully bring people together from many backgrounds and perspectives who often disagree about almost everything. It is our job to make sense of many truths and to utilize lessons from what we learn to move ourselves, our families and our communities forward to increased well-being for all.

We have all chosen to do this in Hawaiʻi, the most remarkable and, I believe, most respectful place on earth. So as we advance our university’s unique commitment to be a model indigenous-serving institution, I encourage all of you to learn more about Hawaiʻi’s history and undertake peaceful yet critical and brave conversations that engage all of us for whom Hawaiʻi is home.

Here are just a few ways you can learn more about the overthrow:

• The 1993 Joint Resolution by Congress acknowledging the illegality of the overthrow, apologizing to Native Hawaiians, and urging reconciliation (PDF)
• Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaiʻi’s Queen includes Liliʻuokalani’s first-hand account of events. It is available at bookstores, Amazon and online.

And consider attending the community ʻOnipaʻa Kākou events on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. For those at UH Mānoa, the Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Services will be dressed to honor the queen and this day. And special arrangements have been made including:

• 8 a.m.—Free commemorative shirts for the first 200 students
• 8:30 a.m.—Free shuttle service from Varney Circle to downtown events

With aloha,
David Lassner
UH President and Interim Mānoa Chancellor

Leaders representing all 10 campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi kicked off a two-day planning session to craft a strategy to encourage thousands of former UH students to return to school to earn their degree.

According to the 2016 Hawaiʻi State Data Book, about 95,000 25–44 year olds in Hawaiʻi have some college credits but not a degree. UH is planning a statewide campaign to help more of those former students complete their post-secondary degree or certificate.

“From national and Hawaiʻi data, we know that higher education matters in providing choices, more secure employment, higher wages, better health and more civic engagement,” said UH President David Lassner. “We have the responsibility and opportunity to provide higher educational opportunity and develop the workforce and community solutions for Hawaiʻi.”

The Lumina Foundation reported that today’s students are less likely to get a job that pays livable wages or reach their full potential. The report estimated that high school graduates would miss out on $500,000 in earnings by not getting an associate’s degree and $1 million over a lifetime by not earning a bachelor’s degree.

• Learn more about the Lumina Foundation report

Ensuring economic competitiveness

Lassner opened the January 18 session acknowledging existing campus efforts and the workforce needs of the community in the not-so-distant future. He said planning was key to encouraging adults who already have college credits to return to school. First target is students who attended UH for an undergraduate degree within the last five years but left school, or stopped out, without a degree or a certificate. UH is initially targeting 34,031 of these former students, in a multi-year, multifaceted effort to return and complete their degrees.

“So we want to invite these students back to pursue their dreams. Obviously it helps us but more importantly it helps them, it helps their families and it helps their communities,” Lassner said.

Helping working age adults earn degrees will help the state to meet its “55 by ‘25” goal that 55 percent of working-age adults should have a two-or-four-year degree by 2025 to ensure international economic competitiveness. The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce projected that by 2020, 70 percent of the job openings in Hawaiʻi will require a postsecondary credential.

• Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce report (PDF)

Re-engaging returning adults

During the last decade, significant efforts and progress have been made in improving Hawaiʻi’s educational pipeline. UH’s Hawaiʻi Graduation Initiative has increased on-time completion and focused on achieving equitable outcomes for underrepresented students. In 2017, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature funded Hawaiʻi Promise to support college affordability at community colleges, and UH has actively participated in national networks to improve educational outcomes, such as Achieving the Dream and Complete College America.

“Re-engaging “stopped out” students, who previously invested time and resources into earning a degree, is critical to reach the state’s educational goal,” said Tammi Chun, Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges.

The session included a presentation by Sean Tierney, Indiana associate commissioner for higher education, about Indiana’s “You Can. Go Back” campaign, which targeted 750,000 former students who have some college credits but no degree. Indiana’s program reached out directly to prospective returning adults with a variety of programs and incentives including $1,000 state-funded scholarships, flexible class schedules, online courses, debt-forgiveness programs and other support for working adults. Indiana credits its campaign for 9,000 students returning to complete their degrees in the last two years. Similar efforts have been launched by universities and states nationwide.

Another presentation focused on how to improve the college experience for returning adults. A training team from the Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa, where day one of the workshop was held, provided details on the resort’s intentional design and customer service for a world class guest experience.

Lassner said it is important to understand how to reach the former students, their goals and the support they need to finish school. “What mode of classes, what programs will be most effective for them and how do we make the experience inviting.”

UH is using the lessons learned from the workshop as well as the prior campus efforts to develop programs and a statewide campaign to re-engage and support stopped out students.

The session was sponsored by the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Lumina Foundation, Hawaiʻi Business Roundtable, UH Office of the President and the UH Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges.