On May 4, Estanique will walk with other University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu graduates, having earned a bachelor of arts in social sciences with a concentration in psychology.
Ten years after Keren Motonaga started attending UH Hilo, the 28 year old graduated in December 2018 with a bachelor of arts in Japanese studies and a minor in linguistics.
From 2010 to 2018, the four-year graduation rates for first-time freshmen increased from 10.3 percent to 32.3 percent for Native Hawaiian students, and from 13.8 percent to 37.7 percent for Filipino students.
The UH 10-campus system is participating with 130 public universities and systems to increase college access, close the achievement gap and award more degrees by 2025.
National education non-profit Strada Education Network and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation invested in the university to sustain and enhance partnerships and pathways.
Leaders representing all 10 campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi kicked off a two-day planning session to craft a strategy to encourage thousands of former UH students to return to school to earn their degree.