“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. So, don’t wish for it, work for it,” said Pimpimon Kaewmanee, a distinguished lecturer and head of the economics department at Maejo University in Chiang Mai, Thailand, who will be in residency at Kapiʻolani Community College during spring 2024.
Kapiʻolani CC is among the first community colleges to serve as a host institution for the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Community College Residency Program (CCRP), which pairs fellows with two-year colleges to share best practices and build expertise in important fields. Through CCRP, Kapiʻolani CC students and employees will interact with the world-renowned scholar in environmental sustainability and advance their capacity to contribute and lead cross-border strategies to boost climate resiliency.
Kaewmanee coordinates projects focusing on community development and agricultural reform, including transforming Thailand’s agricultural system and moving toward more sustainable agroforestry. Kaewmanee aims to contribute toward sustainable agriculture through reforestation and quality of life improvement in Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand.
The week-long exchange will immerse Kaewmanee in climate resilience-focused learning experiences that include attending Oʻahu Neighborhood Board meetings, service learning and research that focuses on building resilience in Oʻahu neighborhoods and communities through Kapiʻolani CC’s partnership with the City and County of Honolulu called CERENE, which stands for Center for Resilient Neighborhoods. CERENE has four resilience research and community projects focused on food security, micro-grid energy storage, community resilience hubs and community perceptions of resilience.
“Kapiʻolani Community College’s commitment to preparing its graduates as global leaders ready to succeed in an increasingly globalized workforce aligns perfectly with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education’s call for higher education institutions to invest in international opportunities,” said Brandon Marc Higa, the principal investigator for CCRP and director of resource development. “Kaewmanee’s expertise in economics synergizes with our newly established economics pathway as part of the Transcending Barriers to Success in Economics activities funded by the National Science Foundation.”
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program enhances leadership among international professionals who collaborate to address local and global challenges. Approximately 150 fellows pursue professional enrichment each year through graduate-level non-degree study and related professional experiences at selected American universities.
The CCRP program aims to advance societal and institutional capacity, promote human rights and freedoms, ensure sustainable environments and develop thriving communities.
