Ingelia P. White is an instructor of botany and microbiology at Windward Community College. She is recognized for her role as a mentor, her endeavors in biotechnology and her contributions to improving and enhancing science education in Hawai‘i. White involves her students in her research projects, giving them the unique opportunity to experience research first-hand. They like the fact that White is patient, kind, enthusiastic, always available and willing to help.

As director of the college’s Kuhi La‘au Plant Identification Center, White provides the community with free plant identification service, focusing on the plants of Hawai‘i, the Pacific and Asia. She is a member of many Hawai‘i orchid societies, involved with the Hawaiian Botanical Society and generous wherever her expertise and assistance are needed.

Thanks to White’s efforts, Windward CC students have a new outdoor learning environment—a glasshouse used to support Windward’s plant biotechnology program and plant identification facility. Used for tissue culture explants and orchid species identification, it is a visual reminder of White’s vision and role as outstanding teacher, mentor and community leader.

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