{"id":103820,"date":"2019-09-24T15:15:37","date_gmt":"2019-09-25T01:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=103820"},"modified":"2019-09-24T15:15:37","modified_gmt":"2019-09-25T01:15:37","slug":"hawaii-cc-uh-hilo-walaau","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2019\/09\/24\/hawaii-cc-uh-hilo-walaau\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawai\u02bbi CC<\/abbr> and UH<\/abbr> Hilo work to strengthen success of Hawai\u02bbi Island\u2019s students"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Chancellor
From left, Hawaiʻi<\/span> CC<\/abbr> Chancellor Rachel Solemsaas and UH<\/abbr> Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin, share a microphone at the first joint walaʻau<\/span>. (Photo credit: Raiatea Arcuri)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hawaiʻi<\/span> Community College<\/a> and the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at Hilo<\/a> faculty, staff and administrators were invited to share their insights, concerns and vision of the future for Hawaiʻi<\/span> Island\u2019s students, particularly transfer students, and how to build strong pathways for student success between both campuses.<\/p>\n

The first-ever walaʻau<\/span> (conversation) was hosted by Hawaiʻi<\/span> CC<\/abbr> Chancellor Rachel Solemsaas<\/strong> and UH<\/abbr> Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin<\/strong> on September 20.<\/p>\n

Both chancellors share a passion for community engagement and understand the need for a strong partnership between the two institutions. “We are here to learn how our two institutions can lead the way together to improve life on the island for communities across the state of Hawaiʻi<\/span>,” said Chancellor Solemsaas. “As the two public institutions of higher education on the island of Hawaiʻi<\/span> we have a shared kuleana when it comes to our beautiful island.”<\/p>\n

\"Farrah-Marie
UH<\/abbr> Hilo Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Farrah-Marie Gomes shares her manaʻo<\/span> with the group. (Photo credit: Raiatea Arcuri)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During an interactive “word map” poll, the attendees were asked to share their thoughts about the current state of student success of Hawaiʻi<\/span> transfer students. Words such as seamless, challenging, connection, enthusiastic, friendly, unfriendly, overlap and depends were offered.<\/p>\n

During the question and answer period, the chancellors took comments and answered questions on a range of topics. The audience asked about preparation, support and resources for students transferring from Hawaiʻi<\/span> CC<\/abbr> to UH<\/abbr> Hilo, and how to keep students on track to graduate and increase their academic success.<\/p>\n

“We need to be open minded about how we deliver education,” said Chancellor Irwin in response to a question. “There are different models of education, whether that is a hybrid course, or a full day of instruction with the rest of the curriculum online.”<\/p>\n

Strengthening collaboration<\/h2>\n

Topics that both campuses could further explore and\/or strengthen:<\/p>\n