Colorful game pieces were strategically removed, and laughter filled the air as Kauaʻi Community College students competed in the “Penny Game” at a Math Boot Camp in August. Newly permanent Chancellor Margaret Sanchez was in her element.
“Math boot camp is one of my favorite things because I used to run math boot camps, and I think they’re super important to give students that time, that space to realize that they can do math,” Sanchez said.
She assumed the permanent chancellor position in July after serving in an interim capacity for 18 months. Prior to that Sanchez served as vice chancellor for student affairs at Kauaʻi CC for five years.
- Related UH News story: New Kauaʻi CC interim chancellor excited to start the year strong, January 20, 2023
“I think we’re in a real pivotal spot right now that requires us to be very intentional about how we support students, so that we keep them here, we nurture them here,” Sanchez said. “My vision for Kauaʻi CC is that the island residents have what they need from our college to thrive and stay on the island.”
Her plans include launching a scholarship program, similar to Windward CC’s Hoʻolei Scholarship, which covers the first year of tuition for public and charter school graduates from that area.
“We are looking at what wraparound scaffolded supports are needed so that students can thrive—can get an education that allows them to earn enough money to have a house and a family on this island,” she said. “That’s really the vision, and I see the college as being the vehicle to move island residents to that goal.”
Four priorities
- To get there means focusing on four priorities:
- securing a path forward for student, faculty and staff housing;
- developing programs for the 150-acre Līhuʻe campus that serve the students and honor the history of Kauaʻi;
- ensuring connection with industry and developing students so that they become part of the solution to the islands’ problems;
- making sure the faculty, students and staff have the supports they need in an expensive county and state.
“I think success would be having the college recognized by our island residents as the place to go for what they need for skill building and for education,” Sanchez said. “Sometimes we call ourselves the best kept secret, and I don’t want it to be a secret anymore.”
