Thousands of community college students are heading back to the classroom and renewing their commitment to complete their degree or certificate through a pledge drive called Go Forward! Agree to Degree. In an effort to raise the graduation rates, the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges are rolling out a pledge initiative to build awareness and encourage commitment to completion.
By signing the pledge, students affirm that they will attend classes, get good grades, check their UH email at least once a day, talk to instructors when having difficulty in the coursework, learn more about things that can help them be successful, meet with counselors when having academic or personal issues, and make education a priority in their life.
“Having students sign the pledge is only one half of what’s going on at the campuses,” said John Morton, UH vice president for community colleges. “Our goal is to raise awareness of all the student services and resources offered at the colleges to help them be successful in school.”
He added, “We wanted to make it easier for them to find the help they need and to utilize the free tutoring, careering counseling, academic advising, learning centers, computer labs and many other student support services.”
University staff, faculty and administrators are also pledging their commitment to support students by encouraging, guiding and nurturing them toward college completion.
Pledge signing events are being held at various campuses on the following dates:
- Hawaiʻi Community College, Manono campus—August 27–28, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., and August 29, 4–5 p.m.; West Hawaiʻi campus—August 29, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Honolulu Community College—September 4, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (In front of the cafeteria)
- Kapiʻolani Community College—September 5, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (In front of the ʻOhia building)
- Kauaʻi Community College—September 4, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Leeward Community College—August 28, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (Tuthill Courtyard)
- UH Maui College—August 27, 8:30–10:30 a.m. (In front of the bookstore)
- Windward Community College—September 4, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (Library Learning Commons breezeway and Hale Palanakila lobby)
For more about this initiative, visit the UH Community Colleges news release.
