The University of Hawaiʻi has received almost $3 million in federal funding for Native Hawaiian serving institutions from the U.S. Department of Education’s Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions program.
The funding will support several different projects to improve and expand programs for Native Hawaiian students to promote college completion and success at UH Hilo, UH Maui College, Honolulu Community College, Kapiʻolani Community College and Windward Community College.
“At a time when colleges and students are preparing for a new school year during a pandemic, this funding provides schools with resources to support Native Hawaiian students as they pursue their degrees. I will fight for additional robust funding for this program so that Native Hawaiian students are connected and supported throughout their education,” Sen. Mazie Hirono said in a release.
UH campuses receiving funding:
UH Hilo ($447,767): Project activities will support the success of Native Hawaiian students through leadership development, campus and community engagement, and Native Hawaiian language, culture and knowledge learning pathways, while specifically focusing on returning students, transfer students and students enrolled in Hawaiian language and culture courses.
UH Maui College ($500,000): Project activities will promote shifts in institutional infrastructure through extramural projects, research and student-based programs through a cooperative arrangement between UH Maui College and Hawaiʻi CC. Specifically, activities will include solar panel installation and training, support for a Shared Service Center, and financial literacy training and workshops for students.
UH Maui College ($450,000): Project activities will support a new student intake process that includes a needs assessment to address barriers for students, culturally-based training for students on financial literacy, creative course scheduling, financing college and financial aid planning, career preparation activities and work experience opportunities for students.
Honolulu CC ($450,000): Project activities will support coordinated workshops and field trips that connect students to experts in ʻāina (land) and ola pono (personal health and wellbeing), create collaborative learning pathways for new students, provide mentors for student cohorts on campus and promote peer mentorship.
Kapiʻolani CC ($449,963): Project activities will strengthen engagement, reenrollment, academic achievement and student support across multiple pedagogical strategies and increase Native Hawaiian students’ access to financial support.
Windward CC ($449,470): Project activities will create a foundation for students centered on traditional Native Hawaiian career pathways and education, with a focus on work-based learning—including a speaker series, curricular impact and creation of an education pathway. Separately, activities will also develop systematic career education focused on financial literacy training and work-based learning opportunities, including through campus-based positions.
