Higher education leaders from the Philippines visited Leeward Community College, Honolulu Community College and Kapiʻolani Community College in August to see how University of Hawaiʻi community colleges connect students to degrees, careers and lifelong learning.

The delegation included Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Michelle Aguilar Ong; Lora L. Yusi, director of CHED鈥檚 Office of Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance; and leaders from four Philippine colleges and universities. Patricia Espiritu Halagao, a professor in 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 College of Education鈥檚 Department of Curriculum Studies and co-director of the , also joined the discussions.

Focus on student success

Across the campuses, conversations centered on common challenges: aligning education with workforce needs, helping students complete or transfer, and creating flexible pathways through continuing education and microcredentials.

“I deeply appreciate the vision and dedication CHED brings to expanding educational access in the Philippines,” Leeward CC Chancellor Carlos Pe帽aloza said. “By sharing our approaches to local workforce development and culturally centered education, we鈥檝e laid the groundwork for strong, ongoing partnerships that will benefit our students, our institutions and our shared communities for years to come.“

Reinald Adrian Pugoy, of the University of the Philippines Open University, added, “I left Leeward with new insights and ideas that I can bring back to the Philippines.”

Cross-Pacific collaboration

Other 糖心视频 campus leaders welcomed the starting point for continued dialogue and partnership.

“Our shared dedication to practical education opens exciting possibilities for cross-cultural collaboration, and we look forward to building connections that expand opportunities for students in both Hawaiʻi and the Philippines,” Honolulu CC Chancellor Karen Lee said.

Kapiʻolani CC Chancellor Misaki Takabayashi added, “The visit highlighted many opportunities for further collaboration, particularly in supporting students with dual citizenship and developing regionally specialized programs that respond to the needs of our communities.”

The dialogue underscored the role community colleges play in serving diverse students and expanding access to higher education.

Halagao said, “The visit also strengthened the connections between Hawaiʻi and the Philippines and provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and explore areas for future collaboration.”

—By Tad Saiki

The University of Hawaiʻi (CDS) in the and 糖心视频 Esports teamed up to host their third annual summer training intensive. Designed for students with and without disabilities to participate together, the Esports camp hosted 11 students and four student mentors from Leeward Community College, 糖心视频 West Oʻahu, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 and Syracuse University. For four days in July, students engaged with competitive gaming, emerging technologies, and developed their self determination and technical skills.

This year鈥檚 sessions centered around using AI in game development. Students brainstormed their own video game ideas using Google Gemini and then brought those ideas to life using a game development platform called Tesana.ai to produce working video games. Tesana sponsored pro accounts for students to use during the camp.

Moshe Karabelnik, the camp鈥檚 co-lead, describes a situation where collaborating students couldn鈥檛 choose between a racing or photography theme. “Their efforts to mold these ideas into a single prompt (for the Gemini AI generator) forced the model to be creative, and the end result was a racing game with an element of taking photos built into it.”

Lasting Impacts

Level Up 惭腻苍辞补! offers a hands-on environment for students to practice self-determination and the everyday skills of adult and college life, as well as socialize and build connections around shared interests. Esports, gaming and emerging technologies provide ways for students to build on their existing interests and passions while developing new technical skills and exploring interests in STEM-related fields.

“We have seen students join on-campus gaming clubs and create connections with the community on their campus,” camp co-lead Albert Yee said. “After Level Up 惭腻苍辞补!, one participant used the game he created during camp to apply for the Good Jobs Hawaiʻi Game Development course. He was accepted and will be working with other indie/student game developers and world-class game artists in the fall.”

“The importance comes from the unique partnership forged on campus,” said Sky Kauweloa, director of 糖心视频 Esports. “CDS and 糖心视频 Esports fulfill a mission of access and engagement through emerging technologies, video games, and creative media for students at 糖心视频.”

Kauweloa looks forward to seeing Level Up 惭腻苍辞补! continue to grow and was excited to see a Level Up 惭腻苍辞补! participant registered for his SOCS 489 Game Development class this fall.

Level Up 惭腻苍辞补! is coordinated by the Postsecondary Support Project and the Pacific Technical Assistance Center on Transition, in partnership with 糖心视频 Esports. The program is supported through the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities, as well as Hawaiʻi‘s Division of Developmental Disabilities and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

This year, students from Syracuse University participated through the Inclusive Postsecondary Education Bridge, a national partnership among 糖心视频, Syracuse University鈥檚 Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, and the University of Missouri鈥揝t. Louis Office of Inclusive Higher Education.

糖心视频 the 糖心视频 Esports team鈥檚 and for more information. More stories on 糖心视频鈥檚 Esports program.

Thirty five participants, consisting of students from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, and public and private school teachers from across Hawaiʻi, completed a 1-month summer study abroad program in Barcelona, Spain.

The program focused on the historical evolution and contemporary challenges facing education related to immigration, socio-economic inequality, gentrification, ethnic and language diversity, religious intolerance, climate change and gender discrimination. Participants earned six credits for the program.

The courses and field experiences established parallels and points of connection between Hawaiʻi and the region where Barcelona is located (Catalonia). Both regions have experienced colonization and are characterized by unique cultural and language traditions.

The program was under the direction of (COE) (EDEF) Professor Donald Brent Edwards Jr. Four EDEF doctoral students also contributed to program leadership: Davide Samulski, Akie Kozuka, Patricia Grillet and James Parker.

Exploration, reflection, conversation

“This program drew on a range of resources and approaches, from guest speakers to documentaries, museum visits, walking tours, group presentations, small group discussion, and full-day excursions within and outside of Barcelona,” said Edwards. “The focus on education was solidified through multiple visits to schools of different types. From museums and historic squares to guided walking tours, every step was meaningful!”

Participants explored approximately 30 historic sites, including Barcelona鈥檚 Gothic Quarter, the Gracia neighborhood, the Catalonia National Art Museum, Montserrat and more. For their assignments, students produced analytic reflections, oral presentations and lesson plans that brought the academic, personal and experiential dimensions of the program into conversation.

“I gained a much deeper understanding of what being a global citizen looks like with community at the heart of it,” said Zoe Zepeda, a 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 undergraduate student majoring in English literature.

Ittai Wong, a Hawaiʻi teacher and EDEF PhD student, added, “As I learned to read Barcelona, I began to reread Hawaiʻi, finding connections across education, language, culture, identity and place. Professionally, I return inspired to interrogate not only what I teach, but how I teach: to center ʻike (knowledge), moʻolelo (stories), pilina (connection), and the whole selves of my students.”

A sensory-friendly initiative that began at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has expanded to all 10 糖心视频 campuses, giving students, faculty and staff across the system access to tools designed to reduce stress, improve focus and support overall well-being.

The effort is led by the 糖心视频 project in partnership with campus offices statewide. Two years ago, CAMP+U collaborated with the to open 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补’s first sensory room, providing a quiet space where members of the campus community can decompress, regulate emotions and recharge from the demands of daily campus life.

Spreading support

Building on that success, CAMP+U has partnered with every 糖心视频 campus to provide a portable sensory kit that can be used to create sensory rooms, integrated sensory spaces or pop-up experiences.

The portable kits contain more than a dozen sensory tools鈥攊ncluding a northern lights and moon projector, sunset and jellyfish lamps, fidget toys, space tent, cosmic cocoon (bean bag chair) and more鈥攖hat can be easily transported and assembled, offering campuses a low-cost, flexible way to create calming environments wherever they are needed. The kits also contain a resource hub with educational materials.

Each campus has adapted the initiative to meet its local needs, with collaborations involving disability services, student basic needs, counseling, libraries and other student support offices. Many campuses introduced the program through sensory pop-up events during high-stress times such as midterms, finals and campus study sessions.

“College can be overwhelming for anyone, and sometimes students simply need a place where they can pause, reset and return to class feeling ready to learn,” said Holly Manaseri, Center on Disability Studies faculty member and project director. “Creating spaces that acknowledge those needs sends a powerful message that every student belongs and deserves the opportunity to succeed.”

The expansion comes as colleges and universities nationwide increasingly adopt sensory-informed learning environments to support academic success and well-being. Among 糖心视频鈥檚 peer institutions, more than half offer sensory-friendly spaces, while nearly one-quarter have dedicated sensory rooms. Sensory spaces were also offered at every 2026 FIFAWorld Cup venue, and similar spaces are now found in airports, public libraries and shopping centers to help people take a break from overwhelming sights and sounds.

Feedback shows positive impact

An ongoing research study is evaluating the impact of the 糖心视频 initiative. According to Manca Sustarsic, the project鈥檚 evaluator, “Feedback from more than 500 visitors across the university system shows visitors reported feeling calmer, more relaxed and happier after using the sensory spaces. Preliminary findings also indicate significant reductions in stress, anxiety, frustration and feeling overwhelmed, while many students reported improved focus, greater motivation and a stronger sense of belonging on campus.”

CAMP+U鈥攕upported by and led by Manaseri, Sustarsic and Renz Louis T. Montano鈥攆ocuses on supporting student success throughout the college experience, with particular attention to students with learning differences and disabilities.

For sensory room contacts at each 糖心视频 campus,

The Center on Disability Studies is housed in 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 .

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This summer, 422 Hawaiʻi keiki learned how STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) connects with Hawaiian culture and place through hands-on activities, including programming robots, investigating local environments and building and engineering challenges.

From June 1 through July 16, (KPNH), a project of the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (CDS), brought its STEM program to 10 sites across Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi.

“Across grade levels, the hands-on curriculum integrates mathematics, science, engineering, computer science, reading and vocabulary while drawing upon Hawaiian and local culture to make student learning more meaningful and connected to place,” said KPNH Principal Investigator Kiriko Takahashi.

STEM learning across 10 sites

KPNH offered its 2026 summer program at ʻEwa Beach, Holualoa, Kaleiʻopuʻu, Kāneʻohe, Linapuni and Liholiho elementary schools, as well as Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi sites in Waiʻanae, N膩n膩kuli, ʻEwa Beach and Līhuʻe.

The program is organized around five grade-level bands, with lessons, materials and activities tailored to students at different developmental levels. Younger students explored STEM concepts through movement, games, plants, shapes, models and introductory robotics. Older students engaged in programming, data analysis, environmental investigations, measurement and engineering-design challenges.

“The materials, resources and lesson plans were well organized and made it easy to facilitate engaging, hands-on learning experiences,” said Kāneʻohe Elementary School teacher Jolyn Kresge.

KPNH staff worked with schools, Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi personnel and other project-site partners to prepare and deliver the program across three islands.

KPNH staff worked with site personnel to register students, train staff, develop lesson guides and student workbooks, prepare instructional kits, administer pre- and post-assessments, conduct observations and facilitate focus groups.

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 faculty and staff worked with students at Enchanted Lake Elementary School to turn a blank wall into a colorful mural that celebrates the natural beauty, history and sense of place of Kailua.

The project was a collaboration among 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 team members: Sheanae Tam and Niki Fisiiahi-Thomayer, students participating in the elementary school鈥檚 2026 Summer Enrichment Program, and Beau Uehara from ALU LIKE

“This was such an awesome experience,” said Enchanted Lake Elementary Principal Noel Richardson. “For a while, it appeared that we would not be able to get the mural started, but the right people have a way of making things happen. We shifted the plan over to our summer enrichment program and it all came together! I truly appreciate the support provided to see this through.”

‘What do you envision?’

The process began with a classroom visit to incoming fifth- and sixth-grade students. Through icebreakers, a guided meditation and 尘辞ʻ艒濒别濒辞 (stories) of Kailua, students reflected on the places and elements that make their community special. They were then asked to sketch their ideas in response to the question: “When you think of Kailua or Enchanted Lake Elementary, what do you envision?”

Students鈥� drawings featured rainbows, native plants, birds, beaches and ocean life. Using these ideas as inspiration, Tam, the lead artist, created a mural design rooted in the natural and cultural features of Kailua.

Over several weeks, students in grades one through six painted the mural in small groups, ensuring every child had the opportunity to contribute.

During 丑艒ʻ颈办别, or celebration of the completed artwork, students shared that participating in the project made them feel proud, happy and connected to their school community.

The 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Ulu Aʻe Transitions team and school opened the final day with a pilina circle, creating a space for connection and reflection before the 丑艒ʻ颈办别 celebration.

While completed over a short summer session, the mural leaves a lasting impact—reflecting the creativity of Enchanted Lake students and their deep connection to the place they call home.

Hawaiʻi faces a severe shortage of mental health specialists qualified to diagnose and support individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, often resulting in long wait times for evaluations and delays in accessing critical services. To help address this growing need, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has appointed internationally recognized clinical psychologist and autism researcher Meghan Miller to lead its (CDS).

A leading expert in the early identification of autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Miller will strengthen the center’s efforts to train more specialists, expand access to services and support, and advance research that improves outcomes for individuals with disabilities and their families.

“Hawaiʻi has incredible strengths in its communities and its commitment to supporting people with disabilities. At the same time, there is also a growing need for more trained professionals and greater access to services,” said Miller, who was appointed this year. “The Center on Disability Studies is uniquely positioned to bring together research, education and community partnerships to help build that workforce and ensure individuals with disabilities and their families have the support they need throughout their lives.”

The need for that work continues to grow. Autism diagnoses have risen dramatically nationwide—. Miller said expanding Hawaiʻi‘s workforce of trained specialists and increasing access to evidence-based services are critical to advancing CDS‘s mission of improving the lives of people with disabilities and their families across the state.

July also marks and is celebrated worldwide to honor the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990.

Research, training and community impact

CDS was established in 1987 as Hawaiʻi‘s federally funded University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. The center is part of a national network that conducts research, provides professional training and partners with communities to improve opportunities for people with disabilities across the lifespan.

Each year, CDS, which is part of the 糖心视频 Mānoa , collaborates with state agencies, schools, health care providers and community organizations to provide technical assistance, workforce training and community-based programs. Its initiatives focus on education, early intervention, and employment and community living, serving thousands of individuals and families throughout Hawaiʻi, including Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and other historically underserved communities.

Expert takes CDS helm

Under Miller’s leadership, the center is working to strengthen interdisciplinary research, expand training opportunities for future educators and service providers, and pursue additional external funding to increase Hawaiʻi‘s capacity to meet the growing demand for disability services.

Miller brings nearly two decades of experience in neurodevelopmental disabilities research and practice. Her work has advanced understanding of the earliest signs of autism, developmental trajectories and early intervention, with findings published in leading scientific journals. She has also received national recognition for her research, including honors from the International Society for Autism Research and the Association for Psychological Science.

“Dr. Miller is an exceptional scholar whose research has helped shape our understanding of autism and early childhood development,” said College of Education Dean Nathan Murata. “Just as important, she shares the College of Education’s commitment to turning research into meaningful outcomes for Hawaiʻi families and communities while strengthening efforts to prepare future educators and service providers.”

糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel, who has spoken about the importance of disability inclusion in higher education, brings a personal perspective shaped in part by her experience as a parent and disability rights attorney.

“I know firsthand how critical early diagnosis and access to services can be for children and their families,” Hensel said. “Too many families in Hawaiʻi face long waits because we simply do not have enough specialists to meet the need. Dr. Miller’s leadership will help 糖心视频 expand that workforce and improve access to life-changing support. This is exactly what a public university should do, apply its expertise to address Hawaiʻi‘s greatest challenges and improve the lives of the people we serve.”

The University of Hawaiʻi and the University Laboratory School (ULS) have finalized a new facilities use and occupancy agreement, cementing their shared commitment to Hawaiʻi students and educators.

The agreement establishes an initial three-year term through June 30, 2029, with a mutual option to extend for an additional five years through June 30, 2034. This arrangement ensures operational stability for the Lab School and aligns with its upcoming charter renewal cycle.

“The University Laboratory School has been an integral part of the University of Hawaiʻi since 1931, serving as both a laboratory for educational innovation and an important member of our university community,” 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel said. “This agreement demonstrates that we can be responsible stewards of university resources while strengthening a partnership that benefits students, educators and our broader community.”

ULS Principal A. Keoni Jeremiah noted that the agreement marks an important milestone for the school.

“We are grateful for the open line of communication and collaborative spirit that made this agreement possible. This agreement strengthens our longstanding partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi and provides a strong foundation for continued collaboration with the College of Education and the broader university community. We look forward to building on this relationship in the years ahead through our shared commitment to our students, our communities, and advancing education and research in service to the people of Hawaiʻi.”

Ensuring a smooth transition

Under the agreement, 糖心视频 will continue providing land and facilities without charging standard rental fees. However, ULS will transition to covering its direct operating expenses, including utilities, internet and custodial services, which the university previously subsidized.

To ensure a smooth transition, these cost-recovery payments will be phased in over three years: 50% in the first year, 75% in the second year and 100% in the third year. The Lab School will also assume responsibility for day-to-day maintenance and capital repairs for its buildings, granting the institution greater operational flexibility while clearly defining institutional responsibilities.

Expanded collaboration

Looking forward, 糖心视频 Mānoa‘s College of Education and the University Laboratory School plan to expand their academic collaboration through a separate agreement.

The agreement followed collaborative discussions involving Jeremiah, his leadership team and the school’s governing board.

“This is exactly the kind of outcome we strive for—one where we work through complex issues together, find common ground and create solutions that position both institutions for long-term success,” Hensel added.

A capacity crowd filled the Architecture Auditorium at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 for a profound exploration of peace and justice. Newly appointed 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Chancellor Vassilis Syrmos hosted a special public lecture by renowned minister, author and civil rights scholar Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., titled “Moral Courage and Nonviolent Transformation,” on Wednesday, July 15.

Carter brought decades of historical perspective and academic expertise to the conversation. He retired on June 30 as the dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel and a professor of religion at Morehouse College. Carter is also the founder of the Gandhi King Ikeda Institute for Ethics and Reconciliation at Morehouse, an initiative dedicated to advancing global harmony and interfaith dialogue.

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green attended the lecture to present a special proclamation to Carter. Honolulu-Hawaiʻi NAACP President Alphonso Braggs also presented an official letter to the keynote speaker on behalf of the national leadership.

“Carter鈥檚 lessons on nonviolence and moral leadership call on us to have courage and look beyond ourselves, especially in challenging times,” Syrmos said. “It is inspiring to hear from someone who has worked and lived toward peaceful ends, crossing religious and cultural lines to bring people together.”

Following the primary presentation, Maya Soetoro served as the moderator on a panel discussion exploring the practical applications of nonviolent transformation in contemporary society. The collaborative dialogue featured a panel that added Brien Hallett from the Matsunaga Institute for Peace, Ann Hartman from the East-West Center, and Adin Strauss representing Soka Gakkai International鈥�USA. The experts provided diverse perspectives on how communities can implement ethical reconciliation and moral courage today.

The lecture was presented by the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Office of the Chancellor in coordination with the Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, with support from the Matsunaga Institute for Peace, East-West Center, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 College of Education, United Nations Association鈥揌onolulu Chapter and Peacebuilding LLC.

Three Hawaiʻi educators, including University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (COE) alumni Kawika Gonzales and Leah Aiwohi, were named finalists in the Presidential AI Challenge for their work advancing responsible artificial intelligence (AI) education. As national finalists and winners of the regional competition, they received a monetary prize and access to web-based resources.

Empowering students through responsible AI

Along with colleague Chloe Sato, the educators were recognized in Washington, D.C., for Global Innovation Race Hawaiʻi, a statewide program that teaches high school students how to use AI responsibly while addressing real-world community challenges.

Gonzales, who earned a master of education in learning design and technology and a certificate in online learning and teaching from 糖心视频 Mānoa, said the program encourages students to think beyond simply using AI tools.

“Teaching our students how to use AI is no longer enough,” Gonzales said. “We also need to teach them when to use it, why to use it, and whether it should be used at all.”

Aiwohi, who earned a bachelor of education and professional diploma in elementary education from the College of Education, said her preparation at 糖心视频 continues to shape her teaching decades later.

“Although I graduated from the College of Education more than 36 years ago, the lessons that have stayed with me are not tied to specific textbooks or technologies; they are the enduring principles of effective teaching,” Aiwohi said.

The program connects students across Hawaiʻi to collaborate on community-based projects using design thinking and responsible AI, helping prepare the next generation of ethical technology leaders.

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For more on how Gonzales is inspiring his haumāna (students) on Molokaʻi, see this 糖心视频 News story.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will host a special public lecture by renowned minister and scholar Lawrence Edward Carter Sr.: “Moral Courage and Nonviolent Transformation.”

, sponsored by Sokka Gakai International–USA and the Tony Group Foundation, is free and open to the community. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, in the Architecture Auditorium on the 糖心视频 Mānoa campus. .

Interfaith dialogue, nonviolent conflict resolution

Carter, who served as the dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel and a professor of religion at Morehouse College, will retire on June 30. His work has spanned decades, focusing on the intersection of religion, ethics and nonviolence.

At Morehouse, Carter founded the Gandhi King Ikeda Institute for Ethics and Reconciliation, which facilitates interfaith dialogue; nonviolent conflict resolution based on the philosophies of Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Buddhist peacebuilder Daisaku Ikeda; and the International Hall of Honor, a gallery featuring more than 300 portraits of global leaders dedicated to civil and human rights. He is also an acclaimed author, with works including A Baptist Preacher鈥檚 Buddhist Teacher and Global Ethical Options: In the Tradition of Gandhi, King, and Ikeda.

“It is an honor for us to welcome Dr. Carter to the 糖心视频 Mānoa campus at the conclusion of his storied 40-plus year career in teaching, mentoring and global engagement,” said incoming 糖心视频 Mānoa Chancellor and interim Provost Vassilis. L. Syrmos. “His lifelong commitment to foster global peace education and human rights is truly remarkable.”

Conversation: nonviolent transformation, moral courage of leadership

Following Carter鈥檚 presentation, the event will transition to a panel discussion moderated by Maya Soetoro of the Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace. The panelists joining them are Brien Hallett of the Matsunaga Institute for Peace, Ann Hartman of East-West Center and Adin Strauss of Soka Gakkai International–USA. The conversation will touch upon the practical applications of nonviolent transformation in contemporary society and the role of moral courage in leadership.

After the discussion, Carter will be able to sign copies of A Baptist Preacher鈥檚 Buddhist Teacher, which will be available for purchase at the event. Furthermore, those in attendance will have the chance to secure one of five complimentary copies through a special drawing provided by the 糖心视频 Bookstore.

The lecture is presented by the 糖心视频 Mānoa Office of the Chancellor in coordination with the Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, with support from the Matsunaga Institute for Peace, East-West Center, 糖心视频 Mānoa College of Education, United Nations Association–Honolulu Chapter and Peacebuilding LLC.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students and faculty traveled to Kohala High School on Hawaiʻi Island, where they learned from and taught one another alongside high school students.

“We often tell our candidates to be teacher leaders, and this collaborative field trip gave them the opportunity to demonstrate their leadership,” said Associate Professor Vail Matsumoto. “They shared their expertise in AI with the Kohala students and faculty and then learned from the school in return. It was a win-win situation, and any time work is fun, it鈥檚 yet another win.”

Kohala students taught the College of Education secondary and elementary teacher candidates in (MEdT) about welding, construction, farming, and a variety of other Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The cohort, as part of the trip in April, worked with the Kohala yearbook class on AI tools and conducted two afterschool professional development sessions for faculty on AI tools.

Future focus

“Hearing student and teacher testimonies help me to picture what I can do in the future to support my students,” said Kaylie Hayashida who is earning her MEdT with a focus on secondary Japanese. “For high school students, I think this field trip gave them the opportunity to not only showcase the work they鈥檙e doing, but practice important life skills such as presentational speaking and interpersonal skills.”

Matsumoto was accompanied by Assistant Professor Stacy George, who helped organize the trip, as well as Assistant Professor Waynele Yu and MEdT Program Chair Stephanie Furuta. Two MEdT graduates, Dean Snelling and Jackie Meggs, partnered with the College of Education to make the joint venture possible. The collaboration was also supported by the 糖心视频 Women鈥檚 Campus Club.

“As a future science teacher, I appreciate how Kohala High School integrates useful life skills with an education that encourages students to thrive in the directions that their choices take them,” said MEdT student Anna Karsin who attended high school on Hawaiʻi Island. “Seeing the place-based learning and practical employment of community resources while hearing from the students as they shared their capstone senior projects was incredible.”

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A new documentary showcasing the impact of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 and its efforts to help students navigate the transition from high school to higher education will premiere statewide on June 7.

Project Hoʻokuʻi: Finding a Path for the Future is a 30-minute sequel to the 2023 documentary The Power of Hoʻokuʻi: Joining Together to Build Our Future. The film follows students, educators and community partners connected to Project Hoʻokuʻi, a 糖心视频 Mānoa initiative, that supports students as they prepare for college, career training and future professions.

Now in its 18th year and sixth iteration, Project Hoʻokuʻi has served more than 2,000 students across Hawaiʻi, primarily in rural communities, near Native Hawaiian homesteads and at schools with high percentages of students receiving free and reduced-price lunch. Approximately 50 participants have earned associate degrees before graduating from high school.

“Our hope is that viewers see what is possible when students are given the support, opportunities and encouragement to pursue their goals,” said Project Hoʻokuʻi Director and Principal Investigator Lisa Uyehara. “Through the stories shared in this documentary, we want students and families across Hawaiʻi to know that higher education and career pathways are within reach, while also showing how culture, community and a strong sense of place can help guide that journey.”

The documentary explores how financial aid, tutoring, mentoring, internships and ʻāina-based learning help students access opportunities through programs such as Running Start, Jump Start, Early Admission and Mānoa Academy. It also highlights the project鈥檚 expanding efforts to address workforce needs by supporting pathways in fields including healthcare, education and the skilled trades.

Project Hoʻokuʻi partners with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education and 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 to help students build academic skills, explore career options and strengthen connections to culture, community and place.

The documentary premieres Sunday, June 7, at 7 p.m. on KHON. Encore broadcasts are scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, at 9:30 p.m. on KHON and Sunday, June 14, at 8 p.m. on KHII.

The recognized students, faculty and program contributors at its annual award ceremony on April 24.

The event honored 30 graduating seniors, along with 38 new learning assistants and three new faculty members joining the program. The ceremony also highlighted four award categories recognizing excellence in teaching innovation, program advocacy, and student support.

The Learning Assistant (LA) Program places undergraduate students in courses across campus to help facilitate active, discussion-based learning. Learning assistants work with faculty to support collaborative instruction in lectures, labs and discussion sections, helping shift traditionally lecture-based courses into active learning environments. The program, which began in STEM fields, has since expanded to include a wide range of disciplines across 糖心视频 Mānoa.

For the first time, graduating seniors in the LA Program were presented with honors cords, recognizing their academic progress, skill development and contributions to student success. The cords were approved following the LA program鈥檚 transition into the , after serving as a successful pilot of the Provost’s office for the past several years.

Program organizers describe the cords as a symbol of dedication, perseverance, and belonging within the LA community. They recognize students who have significantly supported active learning environments while completing their own academic journeys.

“The honor cords recognize meaningful time supporting their peers and partnering with faculty to cultivate active learning communities across disciplines,” said LA Program Director and Professor Tara O’Neill. “This program is about creating meaningful learning experiences on both sides of the classroom—where students and instructors are shaping how knowledge is built and shared at 糖心视频 Mānoa. As LAs, our students are not only strengthening their own content knowledge, they are transforming learning at 糖心视频 Mānoa by creating spaces that encourage engagement, questions and innovation.”

Program awardees

• Outstanding Learning Assistant Award recognizing students for excellence in supporting course instruction and fostering engaging learning environments: Katie Thai, Jack Santos and Kevin Phan
• The Agent of Change Award promoting new approaches to active learning at 糖心视频 Mānoa: Instructor Astrid Delorme
• Curriculum Innovation Award for course design work that integrates LAs to improve student learning experiences: Professor Monique Chyba
• LA Advocacy Award for leadership in advancing the program: Interim Vice Provost of Student Academic Success Amy Ebesu Hubbard

Ten graduate programs at the are in the nation鈥檚 top 50, and an additional 17 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2026 , released on April 7.

糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 (JABSOM) also placed in the nation鈥檚 top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care, and 糖心视频 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 ranked in a in the nation.

The highest ranked 糖心视频 Mānoa programs were in the , ranking No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs.

The ranked No. 22 (tied) for best international programs, and the (SOEST) placed No. 40 (tied) for best Earth sciences programs. JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas and No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care.

“糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 strong showing in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings underscores our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success,” said 糖心视频 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “These results reflect the talent and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, and Hawaiʻi can take pride in knowing their university is preparing the next generation of leaders and changemakers for our community and the world.”

Rankings were based on multiple factors, including research activity (such as publications and citations), student and alumni outcomes (employment and earnings), quality assessments (from peers and recruiters), student selectivity (GPA and test scores), and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student-to-faculty ratios).

Note: not all programs are ranked every year. See these 糖心视频 News stories on previous years鈥� rankings: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  John A. Burns School of Medicine  |  Shidler College of Business  |  School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene  |  College of Education  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Social Sciences  |  College of Engineering  |  College of Natural Sciences  |  College of Arts, Languages & Letters

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 16 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 18 (tied) for best environmental law programs and law schools with most grads in federal clerkships, No. 24 for best part-time law programs, No. 41 (tied) for best international law programs, No. 47 (tied) for best dispute resolution programs and No. 48 (tied) for best legal writing programs, the 糖心视频 law school placed No. 91 (tied) among the top law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• Tax law: No. 80 (tied)
• Criminal law: No. 88 (tied)
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 92 (tied)
• Health care law: No. 92 (tied)
• Constitutional law: No. 95 (tied)
• Business/corporate law: No. 101 (tied)
• Clinical training: No. 102 (tied)
• Intellectual property law: No. 127 (tied)
• Trial advocacy: No. 175 (tied)

John A. Burns School of Medicine

JABSOM was one of 16 schools that placed in the nation鈥檚 top tier (tier 1) for best medical schools for primary care. JABSOM also placed in tier 3 for best medical schools for research.
In addition, JABSOM ranked No. 42 for most graduates practicing in rural areas, No. 45 for most graduates practicing in primary care, No. 139 for speech language pathology and No. 171 for most graduates practicing in medically underserved areas. .

Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business placed in nine subject areas. Leading the way were international programs at No. 22 (tied), accounting programs at No. 68 (tied), information systems programs at No. 72 (tied) and marketing programs at No. 91 (tied). In addition, Shidler ranked at No. 104 (tied) for best management programs, No. 113 (tied) for best executive programs, No. 123 (tied) for best finance programs, No. 125 (tied) for best entrepreneurship programs and No. 142 (tied) for best part-time MBA programs.

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

SOEST placed No. 40 (tied) among the nation鈥檚 best Earth sciences programs.

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene

The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene placed No. 55 (tied) for best nursing school–master鈥檚 and No. 62 (tied) for best nursing school–doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Both were the only programs in Hawaiʻi to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

College of Education

The College of Education ranked No. 57 (tied) in the U.S., the 21st straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation鈥檚 top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, the College of Education continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The ranked No. 89 (tied) among the nation鈥檚 top public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The Department of Public Health Sciences offers a ; a , with specializations in , , and , and a , as well as PhD program in , specializing in community-based and translational research and a PhD in . The Department of Public Health Sciences is also home to an online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences placed among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 90 (tied) and at No. 92 (tied).

College of Engineering

The ranked among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 91 (tied), at No. 92 (tied), and at No. 128 (tied). The College of Engineering overall ranked No. 164 (tied) among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

College of Natural Sciences

The placed among the nation鈥檚 best in at No. 97 (tied), and at No. 115 (tied), and at No. 125 (tied).

College of Arts, Languages & Letters

糖心视频 Mānoa placed No. 106 (tied) among the nation’s best for fine arts programs.

Other rankings

糖心视频 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject, March 25, 2026
• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026

Fourteen University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa academic subjects were ranked among the world鈥檚 best in the 2026 , released on March 25.

Four subjects placed in the top 22 in the nation and top 100 in the world. Leading the way was geology (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), geophysics (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world), Earth and marine sciences (No. 21 in the U.S. and No. 51–100 in the world) and linguistics (No. 22 in the U.S. and No. 61 in the world).

Ten additional subjects placed in the world鈥檚 top 2% (within top 500 in the world out of ):

• English language and literature: No. 28 U.S., No. 101–150 world
• Agriculture and forestry: No. 30 U.S., No. 151–200 world
• Anthropology: No. 31 U.S., No. 101–200 world
• Modern languages: No. 41 U.S., No. 251–300 world
• Environmental sciences: No. 66 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Communication and media studies: No. 68 U.S., No. 251–275 world
• Physics and astronomy: No. 70 U.S., No. 401–450 world
• Education: No. 78 U.S., No. 351–400 world
• Medicine: No. 99 U.S., No. 451–500 world
• Biological sciences: No. 100 U.S., No. 451–500 world

“These rankings highlight the exceptional work and commitment of our faculty, students and staff,” 糖心视频 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “They showcase the university鈥檚 global standing and reinforce that 糖心视频 Mānoa offers outstanding educational opportunities and experiences for both our local community and those joining us from around the world.”

糖心视频 Mānoa was ranked in three broad subject areas and 14 narrow subject areas. The QS World University Rankings by Subject are calculated using five criteria: academic reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs by asking academic experts to nominate universities based on their subject area of expertise), employer reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs among employers), research citations per paper (measures the impact and quality of the scientific work done by institutions, on average per publication), H-index (measures both the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar) and international research network (measure of an institution鈥檚 success in creating and sustaining research partnerships with institutions in other locations).

The 2026 edition of the rankings by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds analyzed the performance of more than 18,300 university programs, taken by students at more than 1,700 universities in 100 locations around the world.

Other rankings

糖心视频 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 U.S. News and World Report best online programs, January 27, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, January 21, 2026
• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has recognized 20 degree programs for exemplary commitment to improving curriculum and student learning through a new faculty-led honor launched this academic year.

The Excellence in Assessment for Improvement: H艒poe Assessment Award celebrates programs that demonstrate outstanding, collaborative assessment practices. “H艒poe” describes the 驶艒hi驶a lehua in its fullest, most vibrant bloom—a symbol of programs that have matured and flourished. The award was established in 2025 by the 惭腻苍辞补 Faculty Senate’s Committee on Educational Effectiveness (CEE).

“This award represents the maturity and beauty of programs that have truly blossomed through meaningful assessment,” said Justin Walguarnery, CEE committee chair. “It is a ‘for faculty, by faculty’ initiative that celebrates the hard work of using assessment to make an appreciable difference in the academic experience.”

The inaugural recipients include programs in:

• Anthropology (MA and PhD)
• Asian International Affairs (MA)
• Cinematic Arts (BA)
• Early Childhood Education (MEd)
• Education (PhD)
• Education: Teaching (MEdT)
• Educational Admin (MEd)
• Educational Psychology (MEd and PhD)
• Elementary Education (BEd)
• Library & Information Sciences (MLISC)
• Professional Educational Practice (EdD)
• Secondary Education (BEd)
• Social Work (BSW)
• Sociology (MA)
• Special Education (BEd and MEd)
• Theatre and Dance (BA and BFA)

Faculty-driven review process

Recipients were selected through a rigorous peer-review process led by the Assessment Report Review Committee (ARRC), a group of about 40 faculty members trained jointly by CEE and the 糖心视频 Assessment and Curriculum Support Center (ACSC). Organizers describe the award as a fully faculty-owned effort that highlights collaboration and shared accountability.

This award represents the maturity and beauty of programs that have truly blossomed through meaningful assessment.
—Justin Walguarney

All 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 degree programs submit biennial assessment reports outlining student learning outcomes, curriculum development and benchmarks for achievement. These reports are required for accreditation and are publicly available on the ACSC website. From more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs, 20 were recognized in the award’s inaugural year.

Beginning in fall 2026, every degree program will have the opportunity to self-evaluate using the award criteria, including student learning outcomes, curriculum mapping, evidence of learning, fair and reliable evaluation, use of results and culturally responsive assessment practices. Programs indicating “full bloom” will be automatically nominated for review.

By expanding both self- and peer-nomination pathways, organizers hope to spotlight the collaborative, reflective work strengthening education across campus.

CEE committee members that developed the award are Justin Walguarnery, Nicole Schlaack, Jamie Simpson Steele, Joseph Foukona, Alice Tse, Joanna Philippoff, Emile Loza de Siles, Dan Port, Maya Saffery, Jessica Gasiorek, Aimee Chung, Arby Barone, Ann Sakaguchi, Alohilani Okamura, Monica Esquivel and Yao Hill.

This week鈥檚 糖心视频 News Image of the Week is from 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补’s Jessica Khin, a PhD student in the College of Education.

Khin shared: “Evening walk on campus. This view shows the rainbow above the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补’s campus center.”

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Two University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 College of Education graduates are making waves in the tech industry with careers shaped by the program鈥檚 Learning Design & Technology (LTEC) programs.

Stephanie Barry, who earned her master鈥檚 in LTEC and a graduate certificate in online learning and teaching, is now an artificial intelligence (AI) learning designer and education program manager at Meta. She previously spent eight years at Google designing learning experiences for teams in AI, research, and privacy education, reaching more than 200,000 employees.

Barry credits the LTEC program for teaching her strategic learning design, real-world problem solving and professional connections.

“Faculty treated students as emerging professionals,” Barry said. “I hope my story shows how a public university can prepare graduates for non-obvious, highly competitive careers, including roles in global technology companies.”

Additionally, Natalie Gauvin, a PhD graduate of LTEC, currently serves as a senior user experience researcher at Google and credits the program for playing a significant role in her current position.

“The Learning Design and Technology PhD program at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 taught me how to frame complex questions, design meaningful research and navigate ambiguity with both curiosity and rigor,” she said in a statement. “That foundation has been essential in my career as a UX Researcher in tech, guiding my work at companies like Google, TikTok, Meta and The Home Depot to create thoughtful, people-centered experiences that truly matter.”

Read more at the .

Five subject areas were placed in the world鈥檚 top 1%, and an additional four earned top 2% honors in the 2026 , released on January 21.

Education led the way, ranked in the No. 101–125 tier, followed by physical sciences at No. 126–150, arts and humanities at No. 151–175, and law and life sciences each at No. 201–250. To qualify in the world鈥檚 top 1%, rankings must be within the top 250 in the world () 糖心视频 Mānoa was ranked in all 11 of the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject lists.

“We are proud that 糖心视频 Mānoa continues to be recognized globally, reflecting our commitment to academic excellence, research and the student experience,” 糖心视频 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “These rankings underscore the hard work and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, who make 糖心视频 Mānoa a truly exceptional place.”

All 糖心视频 Mānoa rankings:

• Education studies: No. 101–125
• Physical sciences: No. 126–150
• Arts and humanities: No. 151–175
• Law: No. 201–250
• Life sciences: No. 201–250
• Social sciences: No. 251–300
• Medical and health: No. 301–400
• Psychology: No. 301–400
• Business and economics: No. 401–500
• Computer science: No. 501–600
• Engineering: No. 501–600

Times Higher Education considers the following factors for its rankings: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry income and international outlook. Regarded as one of the leading national and international university rankings focused on research and academic excellence, Times Higher Education considered between 425–1,555 of the top institutions for each of its subject rankings, out of more than 25,000 institutions worldwide, to be eligible for its World University Rankings by Subject.

Other rankings

糖心视频 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .