Donna Haytko-Paoa selected for 2008 Willard Wilson Award

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Mia Noguchi, (808) 956-9095
External Affairs & University Relations
Posted: Aug 14, 2008


HONOLULU — Donna Haytko-Paoa, professor/coordinator of the Molokaʻi Education Center, has been selected as recipient of the 2008 Willard Wilson Award for Distinguished Service to the University. The award is named for the long-time UH administrator and secretary to the Board of Regents who, in his 40 year career, set a standard for exemplary service to the university.

Thanks to Haytko-Paoa‘s tireless efforts, University of Hawaiʻi services, resources and programs are more accessible to the too often underserved citizens of Molokaʻi. According to a colleague, "she has served our residents relentlessly as she transformed the face of the community college on the island, managing the Center with incredible energy, enthusiasm, motivation and determination."

A dedicated employee of Maui Community College for 24 years, Haytko-Paoa was instrumental in acquiring a permanent site for the Center. After many hundreds of hours working with the community and overcoming many obstacles, her vision finally came to fruition in 1999. It is now used for myriad educational based activities for professional development, state and county training sessions, health care evaluations, testing, summer workshops, and other educational efforts.

In the words of one colleague, "Donna‘s leadership serves as a model for education centers that follow. She will forever be held in high regard for her accomplishments and ceaseless endeavors towards higher education."

Professor Haytko-Paoa will be recognized for her achievements, along with other UH award recipients, at the annual convocation ceremony to be held September 9, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Kennedy Theatre on the UH Mānoa campus. The ceremony is open to the public at no charge and no reservations are needed.