Terence “Terry” Chan is in his final semester of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, while his daughter, Cynthia Chan, has just started the same degree.

“As a parent, it’s great and you can be supportive. Having gone through the classes prior, you can put things into perspective,” said Terry. “For example, biostatistics was tough so mentally I want to prepare her for that.”

Both are enrolled in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the , but from different places: Terry is earning his degree 5,000 miles away in Michigan through the Distance Education (DE) program, and Cynthia attends classes on the 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa campus.

Family commitment to keep community health

Terry, a pediatric dentist of 25 years, joined the inaugural DE cohort in 2022 to expand his understanding of health beyond clinical practice. Cynthia, who earned her BS in psychology at 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa in 2024, pursued the MPH to pair clinical knowledge with a population–level perspective.

He originally hoped to graduate alongside Cynthia, but the pandemic, his dental practice and securing a practicum site extended his timeline. He ultimately completed his practicum with the Pacific Institute of Hawaiʻi on the Big Island, examining oral health outcomes and the dental workforce.

Cynthia, still completing coursework, plans to focus her career on the intersections of clinical care and public health. Her year at the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health helped shape that interest, but watching her father advance through the program also strengthened her decision.

“It was motivating to see him do that and that I could do that too,” said Cynthia.

Despite holding multiple advanced degrees, Terry says the MPH broadened his understanding of the systems that keep communities healthy.

“The public health program has been eye opening,” he said. “A big takeaway is the need to work with legislators and being a voice in the community and a champion for causes… It’s pretty intense.”

Having attended three other higher education institutions, Terry also credits 糖心Vlog官方 for providing his most meaningful academic experience. “People can say Hawaiʻi has the ʻohana spirit, but here at M膩noa you can really feel it,” he said.

The University of Hawaiʻi System is working to expand its online program offerings following the findings by two major strategic reviews: a comprehensive study by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems and program portfolio and opportunity mapping analyses by UPCEA. A phased expansion is intended to add to, not replace, existing in-person instruction as needed.

The urgency of this transition is underscored by declining numbers of high school graduates and online student out-migration. Approximately 11,000 Hawaiʻi residents enroll in online programs offered by out-of-state providers every year, a number equivalent to a midsize university. The goal is to retain these students, grow enrollment across 糖心Vlog官方 campuses, and increase access for adult and part-time learners for whom traditional in-person degrees are not possible or desirable for a variety of reasons.

糖心Vlog官方 President Wendy Hensel said, “We are dedicated to making our programs relevant and accessible to every student in Hawaiʻi. These comprehensive analyses provide a data-driven strategy to align the University of Hawaiʻi System with the state’s critical workforce needs, offering flexible formats that work for everyone and speeding up the launch time for new offerings.”

Building pathways, stackable credentials

Kim Siegenthaler, senior advisor to Hensel, presented the findings to about 50 members of the Workforce Learning Community on November 21. High-demand fields include business/management, healthcare, education, STEM and social work/public sector.

糖心Vlog官方 is working to build strong online pathways and design stackable credentials that enable students to progress from credential to credential within major. UPCEA recommendations included adding online options to more than 100 existing in-person programs and introducing more than 30 new non-credit and for-credit offerings.

Conversations across the 10 糖心Vlog官方 campuses are being held to determine which of the recommended programs will be developed. The first wave of high-priority online programs is expected to launch in fall 2026 and spring 2027.

Measuring velocity and building electric circuits might sound like lessons best taught in person, but Kauaʻi Community College Physics Instructor Brad Dempsie has developed a fully remote, yet still hands-on approach to physics that鈥檚 making science education more accessible than ever.

Dempsie鈥檚 lab courses come to students through the mail—literally. He assembles and ships customized lab kits containing equipment for about 12 experiments, all packaged and checked out as library items.

“We should really call it ‘remote’ learning, as opposed to online learning, because the students are actually doing the labs, using equipment to take measurements,” Dempsie said.

Serving students across the state

Since 2020, Dempsie has served hundreds of students across the islands, with both calculus- and algebra-based physics sequences filling quickly. For fall 2025, he鈥檚 mailing out almost 50 lab kits, with about two-thirds headed to neighbor islands and beyond.

“The simpler the equipment is, the easier the students can grasp the concept,” he said, as he demonstrated how the ultrasonic velocity measuring device included in the kit works. A line appeared on Dempsie鈥檚 laptop screen as he drove a remote-controlled car further away from the device, while an arc appeared as a ball rolled down a slanted table.

Although remote labs may lack the camaraderie of in-person labs, Dempsie said, “Everyone has to pull their weight and can鈥檛 rely on their lab partner to help them pass the class.”

Redesigned during COVID-19

The innovative format began in fall 2020, when Dempsie foresaw the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and redesigned both his lecture and lab classes. That first semester, even students stranded in other countries completed their courses online, labs and all.
Now, he said, remote physics labs help science students better manage packed academic schedules.

“There are a lot of requirements on our science students, and it can be difficult for them to fit all the required classes, especially with the labs, into their schedule,” Dempsie said.

A major benefit is flexibility, compared to having to do the work within a set three-hour timeslot.

“Now students can try the lab, and if they do something wrong or have a question, they can come back to it tomorrow and try again,” he said. “They can do the work at their own pace instead of being rushed.”

—By Catilin Fowlkes

The had 29 graduates based on Kauaʻi this academic year—the most in at least five years.

Among those graduates was Athena Manipon-Hamada, 26, of Līhuʻe. Manipon-Hamada, who works as an office assistant for 鈥檚 Department of Operations and Maintenance, earned a bachelor of arts in social sciences with a concentration in psychology.

“Through my degree, I have learned to deal with people and understand people better, not just on the analysis level, but on personal levels and cognitive levels,” Manipon-Hamada said. “糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu has also given me all the tools I need in order (to pursue) my next degree, whatever that may be, because they have set me on a path to success.”

Federal grant helps bridge islands

糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu and Kauaʻi CC are part of a grant from the U.S. Department of Education called /Education Delivered Through Distance Education. As part of that grant, 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu distance education academic support specialist Anuhea Piliere is based on Kauaʻi to help 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu students in a role that aims to bolster transfer and retention, and offer holistic cultural support.

Piliere said the grant has evolved through COVID-19 times, starting with offering group Zoom sessions and creating cultural videos, to flying students to visit campus for a day and providing graduates with travel cash awards. Seven students received awards to attend the 2024 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu Annual Commencement on May 4, at the SimpliFi Arena in the Stan Sheriff Center at 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa.

“Most of all, this opportunity has allowed me to build relationships with Kauaʻi CC鈥檚 programs, counselors, staff and students,” she said. “But I think the biggest impact on the (high graduate) numbers is the community knows an actual person is on island who knows their actual needs and can respond quickly.”

Piliere said she is grateful to be part of two amazing communities at both Kauaʻi CC and 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu.

“I am just happy that Kauaʻi residents are taking advantage of the opportunity to earn a higher degree,” Piliere said. “Their higher educational attainment will positively impact our workforce and communities.”

Read more at .

—by Zenaida Serrano Arvman

For the first time since 2016, the University of Hawaiʻi hosted a graduation ceremony to honor the graduates from the Friendly Isle.

This cherished tradition, usually observed every four years, had been delayed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The graduates are 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College students who attend classes at the 糖心Vlog官方 Molokaʻi Education Center and/or online.

Between 2021 and 2024, the center awarded 47 associate degrees and 52 certificates. Forty-two of the graduates participated in the 2024 commencement ceremony on May 10, which honors Molokaʻi residents who earned degrees at the Center or online at a 糖心Vlog官方 campus.

Check out more stories of our 糖心Vlog官方 spring graduates

Never stop learning

After a 23-year journey, 41-year-old Harriet Uʻilani Mokiao proudly earned her associate degree in liberal arts. Cheers and applause roared for Mokiao as she delivered one of the student addresses, emphasizing the significance of her path to achievement.

“We really need to live in the present having learned from the past. There鈥檚 an ʻōlelo noʻeau that reads ma ka hana ka ʻike, ma ka ʻike ka mana. Through work, through doing, comes knowledge and through knowledge comes power,” Mokiao said.

More than 50% of the graduates are Native Hawaiian and received degrees and certificates ranging from associate degrees in dental hygiene and early education to certificates in Hawaiian studies and construction technology.

The number of nurse aide graduates nearly doubled since the island鈥檚 last commencement with 23 students earning their certification, which will help to address a critical need on Molokaʻi.

Sonni Han, 17, is one of the graduates who earned nurse aide certification while attending Molokaʻi High School.

“A lot of kids think that they can鈥檛 do it because they come from Molokaʻi and they don鈥檛 have a lot of opportunities but this year I found that a lot of people want to help you, especially here at the college,” Han said. “If you just reach out to them they驶ll get you places where you didn鈥檛 think you could go.”

Historic milestone on Molokaʻi

P奴lama Lima is the first ever doctoral graduate on Molokaʻi to be hooded at the ceremony. Lima earned a PhD in anthropology from 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

“Molokaʻi is our biggest teacher and the best way to show appreciation for that is to come home and devote yourself to community work,” Lima said.

As part of 糖心Vlog官方 Maui College, the center offers a wide range of credit and non-credit courses and certificate and associate degree programs. Like other 糖心Vlog官方 outreach sites, it provides selected courses from other 糖心Vlog官方 community colleges and receives selected bachelors and masters degree programs from 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补, 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo and 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu via 鲍贬鈥揑罢痴.

Twenty-four students from the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) earned their master鈥檚 in education this summer through the in the at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补. The new graduates are the third cohort from the RMI since 2017. PACMED supports Pacific Island educators in solving problems by providing a place-based, culturally responsive curriculum in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).

PACMED Director Deborah Zuercher, PACMED Operations Director Ivy Yeung, instructors and 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa Vice Provost for Academic Excellence Laura Lyons attended the graduation ceremony on July 29 at the University of South Pacific.

“Like the coconut tree, this third PACMED RMI cohort swayed in strong winds but was not broken,” said Zuercher. “They endured the strong winds of Covid, online teaching and learning, medical emergencies, health challenges and the loss of beloved family members.”

Bridging traditional wisdom with 21st century tools

The PACMED master鈥檚 degree in the Department of Curriculum Studies is a five-semester, 30-credit leadership program designed for Pacific Island educators and community leaders. Courses are delivered in a live online classroom using Zoom and Google Classroom Suite so participants are equipped to share these distance learning technologies in their Pacific regions.

Place-based Indigenous scholars partner with online instructors to ensure that the curriculum is relevant, engaging and culturally sustaining. PACMED strives to bridge precious traditional Pasifika wisdom with 21st century technology, knowledge and skills.

Topics have included marine science, food security, organic gardening, climate change, computer applications, robotics, design engineering, ethnomathematics and traditional cultural practices, such as weaving, fishing, canoe building and navigation.

Expanded access of digital courses

Since 2017, PACMED鈥檚 digital delivery of courses has expanded access to include more than 250 graduate students from across the Hawaiian Islands, American S膩moa, RMI, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau.

Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: First Marshall Island education cohort graduates

In 2019, the program graduated its first cohort of 17 Marshallese students. In 2022, there were 23 master鈥檚 degree graduates from RMI in PACMED鈥檚 second cohort.

Zuercher said, “There are now a total of 64 PACMED Marshallese master鈥檚 degree recipients to serve as beacons of light and hope in the Republic of Marshall Islands. We call them, ‘Agents of Change’ and are excited to see the positive difference they will make in their families, communities and nation.”

Over half of those who earned their PACMED degrees were either promoted or changed positions as a result of their new educational qualifications.

“PACMED is an outstanding model of how we can work together to meet educational needs in the Pacific,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner, who visited the Republic of Marshall Islands this past spring to meet with PACMED candidates and its public school system leadership.

A new cohort of 18 educators from RMI is currently enrolled to begin the program this fall. At the July 2023 graduation ceremony, leaders in RMI requested access to a 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa doctoral degree program and noted their desire to hire more place-based Marshallese instructors/consultants.

For more information about PACMED, go to the .

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Janice Yonamine, like many, was working from home and found her 15-year career as a state auditor was no longer fulfilling鈥攕he needed to make a change.

Through her job search, she discovered a position for a clinical trials support specialist at the . Although she did not have clinical research or medical experience, Yonamine decided to take a chance鈥攕he applied and got the job.

To train and supplement her transition into the position, her hiring manager recommended she register for the inaugural , which provides foundational clinical trial knowledge, including oncology clinical trial coordination, basic statistical and epidemiologic methods, ethical and regulatory aspects of human subjects research and protocol development. Yonamine was part of the first cohort of this program in 2020.

The field of clinical research is thriving in Hawaiʻi. In fact, upon the successful completion of the three-month certificate program, students enter one of the fastest growing fields in the U.S. (currently 14% annually).

“The certificate program is the perfect starting point for anyone, whether you already have some background or experience, or if you’re brand new to the field,” said Yonamine. “Clinical research is so dynamic and you will never go stagnant. There’s always something new to learn and the science and research is always evolving and advancing. It is an exciting and meaningful career and you will never stop learning.”

Yonamine was promoted to a clinical research associate (CRA) in 2022 and served as a course instructor for the program last fall, teaching data management and cooperative group registration. She now sees patients at The Queen鈥檚 Medical Center, the Cancer Center of Hawaii and Hawaiʻi Cancer Care.

The certificate program is designed to train those interested in becoming a CRA at the 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center, its affiliated hospitals or at other academic centers in support of clinical trials.

Enroll in the program

The program is offered online by the 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa Outreach College. The accelerated three-month program runs from August 23 to November 15, 2023. The deadline to apply is August 21, 2023.

Learn more and register for the Clinical Research Professional Certificate Program on the .

The first cohort of students in the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa (MPH) program praise its flexibility and the opportunity to be able to work remotely while earning their degrees. The program was launched this fall by the .

Related: Online master鈥檚 degree in public health caters to ‘growing’ pandemic demands

The program was created for people who are working full time but want to expand their career options, as well for those living and working on the neighbor islands, the continental U.S. or in the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Jurisdictions. The 15 students currently enrolled come from Hawaiʻi, Michigan, Georgia, Maryland, Saipan, Guam and American Samoa.

“There’s great need in Hawaiʻi to support the health workforce with public health training and to offer advanced degrees that don鈥檛 require workers to leave their jobs and relocate to Oʻahu,” said Elizabeth McFarlane, director of the online MPH program.

All courses are asynchronous, so students can complete their coursework as their schedules allow. They can take the full-time course load and complete the program in two years, or have the option to attend part-time and can earn their degree in three years or longer. Students also complete a practicum requirement, which can be completed where they live or through telework arrangements.

Students from near and far

For Justin Mortensen, who earned his bachelor’s degree in at 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa and then began working as a health educator with the Georgia Department of Public Health, the best part of the program is the interaction with faculty and classmates.

“We don’t meet in person, but we still interact and learn from each other,” Mortenson said. “The way the courses are designed really fosters communication. The group projects have become my favorite aspect of the program.”

Mercedes Bazzone, who lives on Oʻahu and works full time for a medical device company, appreciates the program鈥檚 flexibility and access to 糖心Vlog官方 campus resources.

“With all my commitments, it鈥檚 nice to be able to complete my coursework as my schedule allows. I can use the library, and my son goes to the preschool on campus. It’s the best of both worlds,” Bazzone said.

Lesley Abonales has lived on Guam her whole life, and the online MPH program offers an opportunity she would not otherwise have. She earned her bachelor’s in public health from the University of Guam, but the school does not offer graduate programs in public health. Abonales likes the emphasis that the 糖心Vlog官方 program places on the health of Asians, Indigenous people including Native Hawaiians, and other under-researched minorities.

“My goal is to work in health policy or social services on Guam, and understanding the needs of these groups will be key to my work,” she said.

The program includes two in-person events. There is an orientation at the start of the semester and a research showcase where students present their projects mid-way through the semester.

“We want the students to develop a sense of connection to faculty members and other students,” McFarlane said.

For more information, call (808) 958-0919 or email phonline@hawaii.edu, or .

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa announced the launch of a new part-time, online JD (juris doctor) program for students seeking a legal education. The Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex program perpetuates 糖心Vlog官方 law school鈥檚 dedication to diversity by providing access to a top-tier law school for students from different locations and backgrounds through an innovative 100% online format. The program begins fall 2023, and applications are being accepted until June 1.

Ideal for working professionals unable to relocate or leave their current jobs, the Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex program鈥檚 part-time, online format allows students to earn their degrees in as few as four years by following a synchronous and asynchronous educational environment. Students in this online JD program will earn the same law degree as traditional students, and they will be qualified to take the bar exam in every state except New York, which has yet to adopt ABA standards for distance education.

“The Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex Program is the evolution of our Evening Part-Time Program,” said Camille Nelson, dean of the 糖心Vlog官方 law school. “This ABA-accredited program recognizes our global connectedness and more flexibly supports prospective law students in obtaining a Richardson law degree without having to relocate, leave their families or cease their employment elsewhere. This next-generation part-time program broadens access to legal education, promotes greater diversity in the bar and bench, and expands educational opportunities in the state and region while remaining committed to the culture and community that make the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law a special place unlike any other. In this way, the Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex Program will ‘meet our students where they are.’ We also expect that the Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex Program will enhance the provision of legal services in many communities outside of Oʻahu, including rural and remote locations in Hawaiʻi, the Pacific Islands and beyond.”

Learn more about the 糖心Vlog官方 law school

The Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex is one of the few ABA-accredited, part-time, 100% online JD programs at a nationally ranked law school in the United States. In this flexible learning format, students will attend virtual classes via live and pre-recorded video lectures, participate in vigorous discussion in traditional Socratic classroom settings, as well as attend seminars and informal small group discussions, complete reading and writing assignments and have access to 24-7 technical support.

Graduates of the Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex program will become Richardson lawyers鈥攄riven legal professionals, who operate with dignity, respect and gracious civility. They will obtain the tools to evaluate legal issues through a social justice lens and the skills for effective, ethical and responsible participation as members of the legal profession. Students will graduate prepared to become leaders in business, government and the community, committed to making a better society for Hawaiʻi and beyond.

Content for the Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex program is delivered by Richardson’s law school faculty through a technology learning platform provided in partnership by .

Applications for the Hawaiʻi Online JD Flex program are now being accepted through the June 1, 2023 final application deadline. Prospective students may visit or email onlinejd@hawaii.edu for more information.

In December 2021, the first cohort of 鈥檚 Online AA Program鈥�19 students, from in-state and as far away as California, North Carolina and Virginia鈥攅arned their associate鈥檚 in liberal arts degrees. Their success inspired the to sponsor 10 full-tuition scholarships (up to $10,000 per recipient) for fall 2022 and 10 for spring 2023.

The program has helped many working adults, with an opportunity to earn their degrees without neglecting their personal responsibilities. Fall 2022 scholarship recipients Sarah Moore and Angessa Newman said getting their associate鈥檚 degree is the first step on a path toward a meaningful career and helping others who have had similar struggles.

Single mom

Moore was raised by a hard-working single parent and is now experiencing the challenges of raising a daughter of her own.

鈥淭he barriers can be daunting at times. It is difficult to work full-time, be a present parent, a student, and take care of myself physically and mentally. But I know that education is a privilege, and I will not waste the opportunity,鈥� Moore said.

Completing her coursework online allows her to maintain her work schedule, while the scholarship makes it affordable.

鈥淭he funding pays for tuition, which is a huge weight lifted. It removes the financial burden and encourages me to keep going,鈥� Moore said.

She is determined to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree and work in environmental conservation鈥攖o join the movement of those dedicated to protecting the natural world.

Caring for siblings

Newman had to overcome tragedy in her family鈥攈er mother passing away when she was only 20 years old, leaving her with the responsibility of guardianship of her younger siblings.

鈥淚 knew that everything that I had planned for in life needed to be put on hold for a while because I needed to step up and be the person who would care for them,鈥� she said.

After seeing her siblings through high school, Newman has a child of her own and she wants to be an example to her family and to others who face similar struggles.

鈥淭his (scholarship) will open up more opportunities and get me started on my journey to become a social worker,鈥� Newman said. 鈥淏eing a social worker means helping families that are torn apart, and children who deserve a family who loves and cares for them like their own.鈥�

The Leeward CC Liberal Arts Online AA Program consists of 60 credits and approximately 20 courses. The two fully online degree tracks are Cohort Year-Round and Flex Track. Leeward CC鈥檚 础濒补办补驶颈苍补 Scholarship is available to eligible students who are part of the year-round cohort.

Learn more about the program at: . For more information on the 础濒补办补驶颈苍补 scholarship and to apply, email alakaina@hawaii.edu.

The University of Hawaiʻi System is exploring new learning management systems (LMS) to potentially replace .

Laulima is 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 official online collaboration and learning environment—supporting course materials, testing and communications among other services. All 糖心Vlog官方 students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in reviewing the three platforms being considered.

A has been formed, and will be facilitated by Gloria Niles, director of online learning for the 糖心Vlog官方 System.

Three LMS platforms have been selected for review including:

• Blackboard Learn Ultra by Anthology
• Brightspace by D2L
• Canvas by Instructure

All members of the 糖心Vlog官方 community can participate in the review process in multiple ways by:

• Attending synchronously via Zoom, or recorded for asynchronous viewing.
• Attending LMS review offered throughout the month of February.
• Providing feedback through the LMS Consider.it forum, which will open in February.

糖心Vlog官方 the to learn more about the LMS Review process, including , and specific dates, times and Zoom information for the vendor demonstrations and the town hall sessions.

Since 2007, a version of Sakai, referred to by 糖心Vlog官方 as Laulima, has been the official LMS supported by 糖心Vlog官方 Information Technology Services and used across all 10 campuses of the 糖心Vlog官方 System. Although it has served 糖心Vlog官方 well, use of Sakai has diminished significantly throughout the last five years. Consequently, fewer developers, publishers and third-party tool vendors are working with that LMS.

There are many advantages for a single LMS platform being used systemwide. Most importantly, students have a familiar experience in the LMS when taking courses on different 糖心Vlog官方 campuses. Additionally, administration of the LMS and professional development support for faculty, staff and students can be centralized across the 糖心Vlog官方 System.

A new three-month virtual certificate program will prepare participants for a thriving career in clinical research to better serve cancer patients. The (CRPCP), offered by University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa鈥檚 , is designed to train clinical research associates to support clinical trials efforts at the , affiliated hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry.

Students who complete the certificate program will have the credentials to enter one of the fastest growing fields in the U.S. The field of clinical research is thriving in Hawaiʻi. Jobs in clinical research are expected to grow by 13% by 2026. The average salary range for a clinical research associate is $85,999 and can go as high as $136,000 depending on experience.

The Clinical Research Professional Certificate Program runs from August 24 to November 16. Space is limited. To register, . For more information, contact Lance Haga at hagal@hawaii.edu or call (808) 956-7221.

Current or future biomedical and research scientists, public health professionals, nurses and allied health professionals, and professionals with a natural science background considering a career change should consider applying. The program will equip participants with skills to coordinate cancer clinical trials, manage clinical trials data and to understand research ethics. Courses within the program include an introduction to cancer, clinical research and human subjects protection.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: Better cancer care experiences with clinical research professionals, May 6, 2022

Kristl Nakamura, a graduate of the certificate program, was immediately hired by the 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center to serve as a clinical research associate. Nakamura highly recommends registering for CRPCP if individuals wish to pursue a career in clinical research.

“I enrolled in the CRPCP not knowing much about the clinical research field and wanted to learn more about it,” Nakamura said. “Taking the course gave me insight into what it would be like working in the industry and that furthered my interest to pursue clinical research as a career.”

Jonathan Cho, medical director of the 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center鈥檚 Clinical Trials Office, said, “The Clinical Research Professional Program will be entering its third year, and the 糖心Vlog官方 Cancer Center is already reaping the fruits of its success. It has been a boon to our Clinical Trials Program. Clinical trials and clinical research are an integral part of the cancer center鈥檚 mission to reduce the burden of cancer and to improve the lives of cancer patients and their caregivers.”

students can get the feel of a study-abroad experience through collaborative online international learning, or COIL, which brings together international classes via online technology to allow students to learn and work with one another.

Professor of Business Management Keith Sakuda has been teaching COIL courses for 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu students through a partnership with Kansai Gaidai University (KGU) in Japan. In collaboration with Stephen Zurcher, KGU professor of management and dean of the Asian studies program, the COIL project has been exploring new models of international education since spring 2020.

“COIL at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu is about accessibility,” Sakuda said. “For students who are unable to leave Hawaiʻi, it is the only option to experience some of the academic and personal benefits of study abroad.”

Andrew Morrison took Sakuda鈥檚 MGT 341: Behavior in Organizations COIL class in fall 2021.

“I was not sure what to expect when I initially started the class, but it ended up being one of my favorite classes that I have taken at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu,” Morrison said. “Working with Japanese students, specifically having the chance to read their papers, was one of the most interesting parts because you see how another culture writes and tackles different issues in business.”

Another student, Jamie White, said she liked being able to study with students from Japan.

“It was refreshing to learn about their culture first hand along with their professor (Zurcher), who gave great insights,” White said. “鈥� I personally would like to see this class in every college major for better relationships with Japanese students, culture and future business relations.”

According to the American Council on Education, COIL is a research-based method of virtual exchange involving faculty in two or more countries collaborating to develop a joint syllabus for students to then work together online to complete assignments that meet shared learning objectives.

Sakuda said, “Traditional barriers to study abroad—such as location (neighbor islands), attendance status (part-time), employment status (working professional), first generation college student status, limited financial resources, and family obligations (single parent or family caretaker)—can be overcome using flexible, cost-effective and scalable solutions offered by COIL.”

He said a recent MGT 370: Global External Environment COIL course, in which he merged his class with KGU鈥檚 class for the entire semester, is believed to have been the only fully-integrated COIL this past spring in the 糖心Vlog官方 system, and possibly the only U.S.-Japan fully-integrated COIL in the country.

In MGT 370, 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu and KGU students met once a week via Zoom, and had video presentations, assignments and several group projects. In April, the class also featured guest speaker Robert Noddin, recently retired president and CEO of AIG Japan Holdings, who talked about understanding political risk management and developing an international career in business鈥攁 learning opportunity for both Hawaiʻi- and Japan-based students.

糖心Vlog官方 West 翱ʻ补丑耻鈥檚 partnership with KGU will continue into fall 2022, when Sakuda will again teach MGT 341: Behavior in Organizations, a fully-integrated COIL course.

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

has won another national award for online education. The (UPCEA) Strategic Innovation in Online Education Award often celebrates one specific innovative program at a higher education institution, but Kapiʻolani CC鈥檚 online education programs and classes are now supported by a complex network of interconnected initiatives and projects. The recognizes and celebrates that these interwoven initiatives are responsible for the high quality of the online education provided by the college.

Professional development

A focus on professional development has served as a cornerstone for the campus鈥� network of innovations. These include Kapiʻolani CC鈥檚 nationally recognized (Teaching Online Prep Program), , , the training and SPOTLIGHT. The programs have provided professional development for online teachers at Kapiʻolani CC and across the University of HawaiʻiSystem.

Professional development has been flourishing with 184 faculty from seven campuses trained by TOPP, for which Kapiʻolani CC received the UPCEA award in 2020, and 517 employees from all 10 糖心Vlog官方 campuses who participated in TOPP To Go!

Supporting students

Kapiʻolani CC is also among the first of the 糖心Vlog官方 campuses to join the , allowing students from other states and U.S. territories to take online classes at the college. To support online students, , an online readiness module, can be embedded into online classes. A new orientation for fully online learners also helps to ensure that students will get the most out of their online learning experiences.

“I applaud the faculty and staff of the Distance Education Team for their hard work,” said Chancellor Louise Pagotto. “Since 2017, their collective efforts to advance distance education at Kapiʻolani through multifaceted professional development opportunities and infrastructure initiatives have resulted in a high quality, rigorous and engaging online learning environment for our students.”

Looking forward

Anticipating changes to the accreditor鈥檚 requirements for distance education (DE) that will be implemented in July 2022, the campus developed and instituted a . With the committed efforts of more than 25 faculty members, the campus also initiated a DE Class Coaching Program that both ensures that all its online classes comply with federal and Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges standards and provides an opportunity for online teachers to engage in meaningful pedagogical discussions with their peers.

Due to the efforts of committed staff, faculty and administrators, 19 complete online degree and certificate pathways have been opened and are in the process of being incorporated into campus structures. And the monthly , with an email distribution of more than 850, seeks to keep all online educators, at the campus and beyond connected with relevant DE information and updates.

Most importantly, the campus uses all these initiatives as opportunities to build, strengthen and nurture a mutually supportive community of online educators and learners, recognizing that all of its online educators and students are motivated, innovative and committed.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News stories:
  • Instructional designer Torigoe again on TOPP, September 22, 2021
  • Kapiʻolani CC online teaching program earns TOPP honor, January 31, 2020

—By Leigh Dooley, professor and distance education coordinator

The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the importance of public health in Hawaiʻi, creating an uptick in demand from professionals of diverse backgrounds to change or upgrade their careers, and community leaders looking to fill critical positions. The University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa has responded to that need with its new .

The application deadline has been extended with a priority deadline of March 1, for candidates interested in enrolling in the program鈥檚 inaugural fall 2022 semester. (PDF).

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News story: New online master鈥檚 degree in public health for busy professionals, November 15, 2021

“There has been a growing demand in the community for public health jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tetine Sentell, interim dean of the . “From professionals already in the health sector looking to improve their skills and credentials, to those wanting to pivot to a new job and serve their communities, to those who have always wanted to attain a master鈥檚 degree but had no time due to other priorities, this degree was created for you.”

Online degree provides option for busy professionals

Geared for busy professionals, the degree offered through the and is a new pathway to an MPH, and can be completed in as early as 21 months. Asynchronous classes offered online allow for flexible, year-round learning, and enables students to pursue a master鈥檚 degree at their own pace. Breaks are also built into the program calendar so students can take time needed away from coursework.

“Twenty years ago, I was both a full-time student in public health at 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa and a physician in Kalihi. The mixture of work and study was so rewarding, and I would highly recommend it!” said MPH alumnus David Derauf, who serves as executive director of K艒kua Kalihi Valley and is a member of the Thompson School dean’s advisory council. “The option to attend online with asynchronous classes makes doing so much more in reach of those who already have a career.”

Flexibility for students near and far

Associate Professor Elizabeth McFarlane, online MPH program director, said the new degree also benefits many prospective students to be able to attend classes at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

“Because it鈥檚 also offered online, those on the neighbor islands, the U.S. mainland, and Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands can earn their degree, in most part, from the comfort of their own homes.”

Health policy and management is a diverse specialization that will prepare graduates for careers across the health services continuum—from policy development, program planning, implementation and management, program and policy evaluation, and health systems leadership to achieve intended health outcomes and address health challenges in the state of Hawaiʻi, the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.

(PDF).

This is an example of 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa鈥檚 goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

Members of the first cohort of the Accelerated AA Online Degree Program have graduated. Nineteen students, from in-state and as far away as California, North Carolina and Virginia, received their associate鈥檚 in liberal arts degrees from in December.

The launched the program in fall 2019 with 54 students. The program was designed to provide students the option to complete an AA in liberal arts degree by taking one five-week, online course at a time for two and a half years. Most students are working and/or managing family responsibilities.

“If I can balance family, work and school, you can do it, too,” said graduate Jennifer Kaaihue from Hawaiʻi Island.

In fall 2021, there were 82 students pursuing this accelerated online degree.

Leeward CC Chancellor Carlos Pe帽aloza said, “Many of our students are sharing their amazing experience and as a result of it, we want to see more students take advantage of this.”

糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner told the Board of Regents that the was impressed that almost half of the students enrolled in the program are Native Hawaiian, and will sponsor 20 full-tuition scholarships鈥�10 in fall 2022 and 10 in fall 2023.

Prospective students may apply to now to begin classes in summer 2022 or fall 2022. Additional details about the program . Space is limited. Questions may be emailed to the Leeward CC Online Counselor Jordan Lewton at jlewton@hawaii.edu.

“We have also used this new model for some of our new baccalaureate programs as we鈥檙e testing it out, but obviously these students have shown that they can succeed at an online program—again, they鈥檙e mostly mature adults,” Lassner said. “They now have finished one online degree program and they鈥檙e eligible for any of the 25 or so 糖心Vlog官方 online baccalaureate programs offered by our three universities.”

Many of the new graduates say they intend to do just that.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News stories;
  • Flexible accelerated online AA degree helps workers with families, June 7, 2020
  • Opportunity to learn about accelerated online AA degree, May 29, 2020
  • Limited space available for 糖心Vlog官方 Community College accelerated online degree, October 27, 2019
  • 糖心Vlog官方 to launch completely online AA degree program, January 13, 2019

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in public health is expected to grow faster than other occupations—health services management positions are expected to grow by 32%. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health underscored the importance of improving the development and delivery of health programs and support services for the well-being of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 diverse communities.

To address these challenges, the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa has launched an online Master of Public Health (MPH) with a specialization in health policy and management. The (OPHS) program, offered through 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa鈥檚 Outreach College, can be completed in 21 months and provides asynchronous classes which allow for flexible, year-round learning. Interested students can .

“The pandemic has fueled a desire for some to upgrade their career skills or to pivot towards professions that offer growth as well as purpose and community engagement,” said Tetine Sentell, interim dean of the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health. “Individuals from diverse professions and backgrounds will benefit from the online MPH program, and the asynchronous schedule allows for already busy personal and professional lives.”

Pathway to exciting health careers

The new program will prepare graduates for careers across the health services continuum鈥攆rom policy development, program planning, implementation and management, and evaluation, as well as to conduct research and disseminate knowledge that will address health challenges in the state of Hawaiʻi, the Asia-Pacific region, and around the world.

The interdisciplinary courses leading to the MPH address health from a population perspective: instructors are experts in the fields of health disparities and applied health services research. All courses have a foundation in issues that impact population health and healthcare systems, including environmental health, disease prevention, health informatics, Indigenous health, ethics and behavioral and cultural issues.

Career outcomes afforded by the MPH include: emergency management directors, epidemiologists, public health educators, public health and medical services managers, environmental health specialists and public health program coordinators.

The online degree program specializing in health policy and management is a new pathway to an MPH at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补. OPHS currently offers the MPH degree specializing in epidemiology, health policy and management, Native Hawaiian and Indigenous health, and social and behavioral health sciences.

The application deadline for the fall 2022 semester is February 1, 2022. For details and to apply, go to the .

This is an example of 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa鈥檚 goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

A University of Hawaiʻi pioneer in online instructional design has received recognition from a national university organization. Helen Torigoe is an instructional designer at . In 2016, she created the Teaching Online Prep Program (TOPP) to promote instructor preparation and online community building through a collaboration between teaching faculty and instructional designers. She and her TOPP team have given teaching new meaning in their support of distance education (DE), bringing student learning and achievement to a creative and dynamic forefront using online tools.

Her vision for building a collaborative online community between teaching faculty and instructional designers, has extended beyond the campus. This year, Torigoe was awarded the 2021 Western Regional Outstanding Service Award from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) in Washington, D.C. The TOPP team also won a national award from the UPCEA last year.

Torigoe said, “The success of distance education at Kapiʻolani CC is due to the collaborative efforts of many: our amazing faculty and staff, supportive administration, talented DE team and, most of all, our resilient students. I am honored to be a part of the team and I鈥檓 grateful that I can serve Kapiʻolani ʻohana.”

To convey her appreciation, she created a mahalo video and .

More on TOPP

The TOPP program just graduated its 15th cohort and welcomes anyone preparing to teach online or hybrid for a 糖心Vlog官方 campus.

Since 2016, TOPP has trained 182 faculty members from eight 糖心Vlog官方 campuses, bringing together seasoned tenured faculty, new tenure-track faculty and lecturers from many backgrounds and disciplines. TOPP has been instrumental in the pre-COVID growth of online learning and meeting the high demand during COVID and has allowed the college to address the needs of full-time, part-time and non-traditional students.

Torigoe was also awarded the 2019 Wo Change Agent Award for promoting diversity, access and inclusion in the online environment for both students and faculty members who have transitioned to online learning. She is also part of the DE Implementation Team at Kapiʻolani CC that was named the 2020 糖心Vlog官方 Team of the Year and was the university鈥檚 nominee for the Governor鈥檚 Award.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects throughout the world, resilience and innovation has created new opportunities for some people.

Kauaʻi resident Kalei Carvalho earned a master鈥檚 degree in education in learning and design and technology from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 in spring 2021, without having to leave her island. She was selected to represent the as its student speaker at commencement ceremonies in May.

“I realized that I didn鈥檛 have to leave Kauaʻi to pursue my bachelor鈥檚 degree or my master鈥檚 degree,” . “I know many of you have taken your first online course within the last year. Like you, my journey exposed me to new and different skill sets throughout all my distance learning that helped tremendously for my master鈥檚 project.”

In 2021, 44 degrees across 23 distance education programs were awarded to Kauaʻi students. Students receive degrees or certificates awarded by the 糖心Vlog官方 campus offering the program of study. These distance education programs allow students to “learn at home” as many students are not able to relocate to a neighbor island to pursue an education because of obligations including work, children and eldercare. Graduates often continue to reside and work on Kauaʻi upon graduation.

An increasing number of students on Kauaʻi have pursued 糖心Vlog官方 distance learning degrees, from 147 in 2019 to 185 in 2021. The majority of students are enrolled at 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu (48%), followed by 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa (46%) and 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo (6%).

“The University Center Kauaʻi is such a valuable resource to Kauaʻi residents because we provide students with comprehensive individualized local support to help them navigate their distance education journey,” said Rhonda Liu, an educational specialist with the University Center Kauaʻi. “I think it is important for people to know they don鈥檛 have to relocate to pursue a certificate, bachelor鈥檚 degree or higher as there are opportunities to earn their degrees online and hybrid through the University of Hawaiʻi campuses.”

糖心Vlog官方 distance learning opportunities

gives students access to education through audio, video and computer technologies without having to be physically present in the same location as an instructor. Students can earn a four-year or master鈥檚 degree from campuses system-wide with support from these University Centers.

• in Kona
• in Kahului
• in Līhuʻe

In addition, students may also receive support for a degree or certificate through campus-sponsored 糖心Vlog官方 Education Centers.

Gov. David Ige on May 12, announced a program for Hawaiʻi educational instructors and institutions to apply for $4 million in innovation grants.

The funds are part of federal funds provided to the Governor鈥檚 Emergency Education Relief (GEER) to assist education programs during the pandemic.

The University of Hawaiʻi previously received $5 million in GEER funds to create the Distance Learning Teacher Academy (Hawaiʻi Online Portal for Education). 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 was also awarded $600,000 to develop the Next Steps to Your Future initiative for public high school seniors whose college career plans were impacted by the pandemic in 2020–21.

“We鈥檙e really leveraging the GEER funding that鈥檚 been made available by Gov. Ige with private funds from multiple sources,” 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner said. “ is a great program, especially for the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2020.”

The newly announced grants aim to fund initiatives that address the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on students, families and educators across the state.

Educators and institutions can apply online for the $4 million in innovation at the governor鈥檚 website and click on Education. The deadline to apply is June 4, 2021, at 5 p.m.