A Leeward Community College faculty member and student took home national awards from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) annual conference held in Kentucky in April. The AACC represents more than 1,000 two-year associate degree granting institutions in the U.S.
Christina Keaulana
Assistant Professor Christina Keaulana received the 2024 Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Award, which recognizes faculty who demonstrate passion for their students by supporting them in and out of the classroom, participating in college committees, and going above and beyond to ensure student success.
Playing an integral role in designing innovative solutions to long-standing accessibility barriers to higher education, including those facing the state’s Native Hawaiian population, Keaulana created two pathways to teacher licensure for candidates with a bachelor’s degree as well as those without any higher education background. Utilizing a community strengths-based approach, her pathways target local candidates, creating a home-grown, sustainable workforce to serve our unique public school population.
“I am deeply proud of the program I designed to cater to the needs of students who are working full-time, caring for children or kupuna (elders), or who simply need an affordable and flexible pathway to become a teacher in their home community. Receiving this award is a testament to the hard work of a committed team of professionals at Leeward. We have built a reputation as a welcoming, supportive college community that provides each student with the individualized care and consideration they deserve to receive,” said Keaulana.
Megan Riddle
Student Megan Riddle, will be graduating in May with an associate degree in applied science in health information technology. She was named as a 2024 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar for which more than 2,200 applications were received. Riddle was the top scoring student from Hawaiʻi. She was also selected as a 2024 Pacific Region Transfer Scholar, as one of two top-scorers in the Pacific Region for the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship competition. Riddle will receive scholarships of $2,500 and $1,000, respectively, for these awards.
Riddle was once homeless and struggles with working as a low-income, single parent. She enrolled in college out of desperation and now excels academically and contributes to her community, through her work with Mālama Puʻuloa (a nonprofit restoring Pearl Harbor).
“Winning these awards helps me realize that others can see that same potential I always knew I had deep down,” said Riddle.
“I am so proud of Christina and Megan,” said Leeward CC Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza. “They are shining examples of how resilient our students are, and how committed our faculty are to their success at Leeward and beyond.”
