October 2010
Hawai‘i Graduation Initiative update
Hawai‘i is in the vanguard of states leading with a college completion agenda. We were one of only eight states selected to take part in Complete College America’s “Fall Academy” in October where we shared our plans to increase the numbers of students graduating with two- and four-year degrees and one-year certificates.
The Hawai‘i team drafted a preliminary three-step state completion plan, which includes:
- Fifteen to Finish: Encouraging students to enroll full-time and complete at least 15 credits per semester.
- Accelerate to Finish: Providing options for students to begin earning credits by completing college-level work in high school and through the use of summer school.
- Workforce Responsive Certificates: Establishing new certificates based on communication with employers and the Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council to reinforce the teaching of skills in new or high-demand areas.
Simply put, our citizens must complete to compete in our global economy. We’ll be sharing more about our efforts in these areas as our plans are further developed and implemented.
University and campus news
- C-MORE Hale supports microbe research
- Native Hawaiian serving grants awarded
- West O‘ahu golf tournament scores scholarship
- Hawai‘i CC among America’s best
- PCATT celebrates 10-year anniversary
- Leeward opens new Filipino studies center
- Maui College provides employment for isle youth
- Hokulani Imaginarium unveils new technology
- Manoa receives more than $32 million in grants
Hilo News
Native Hawaiian serving grants awarded
UH Hilo’s Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center has received major grants from the U.S. Department of Education’s Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Program.
Kipuka and University Housing jointly obtained a two-year, $1.9 million grant to establish a Living-Learning Center there, which will be located in a renovated campus dormitory. The center will provide students opportunities to excel in Hawaiian language and culture as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. A five-year, $564,000 grant will support student learning, leadership development, and boost persistence and graduation rates.
In addition, Kipuka will partner with Hawai‘i Community College in implementing a new Title III Cooperative Grant. The $3.1 million, five-year grant will promote the transfer of Native Hawaiian students between Hawai‘i Community College and UH Hilo. Initiatives include bridging the teaching and learning communities at each campus and developing inter-collegial degree pathways.
