University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa graduate candidate Ernest Bethe IV has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship for the 2026–27 academic year. After completing his master of degree from the this August, Bethe will embark on a 10-month research initiative in Ecuador. Based in Puerto Ayora—the fastest-growing town in the Galápagos Islands—he will investigate how overlooked urban spaces can be leveraged for ecological resilience (ability of ecosystems to adapt to environmental change).

Rethinking ‘informal’ green spaces

As tourism and development exert heavy pressure on the limited land resources of island ecosystems, Bethe鈥檚 research will look at cost-effective frameworks for sustainable growth. His project will focus on “informal green spaces”—such as vacant lots, roadside vegetation and unmanaged patches of land—and will examine their potential to:

• Support vital habitats for native bird species.
• Reduce localized flooding and mitigate the urban heat island effect (where built-up areas trap more heat than natural surroundings).
• Develop sustainable growth that balances tourism and development needs with limited land resources.

In Ecuador, Bethe will be hosted by the Charles Darwin Foundation, with a secondary academic affiliation at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.

A model for island cities

The upcoming fieldwork builds directly on Bethe鈥檚 capstone project at 糖心视频 Mānoa, which focused on ecological urban design. A core outcome of his Fulbright project will be a bilingual planning toolkit designed for local officials and community stakeholders in Ecuador. However, the implications of his work extend far beyond the Galápagos.

“Islands everywhere are dealing with the same issue: how do you grow without paving over the very thing that makes the place worth living in?” said Bethe. “If we can highlight how the green spaces we usually overlook are actually cooling our streets, soaking up stormwater, and giving our native birds somewhere to land, that鈥檚 a low-cost tool that any island city—including Honolulu—can put to work.”

Ashok Das, urban and regional planning professor and department chair, said, “Ernest鈥檚 winning the Fulbright award is a matter of great pride for our department, college and university. It is a testimony to his ability to apply multiple concepts in creative ways to advance a core mission of urban planning鈥攕ustainable development.”

“It also underscores his commitment to making vulnerable island communities more resilient. Having grown up in Indonesia and studied in Hawaiʻi have definitely shaped his worldview. He is multilingual, loves experiencing new cultures and thrives in multicultural settings. He will be a wonderful ambassador of the Fulbright program and 糖心视频 Mānoa.”

The is administered by the U.S. Department of State and is one of the nation鈥檚 most prestigious international exchange initiatives. It aims to expand perspectives through academic and cultural exchange in partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa graduate students across a wide range of disciplines took their research beyond the classroom this spring, translating complex ideas into hands-on experiences for Oʻahu middle school students through the inaugural Graduate Research Outreach Workshop (GROW).

The three-week program in April brought together a cohort of 10 students to strengthen their ability to communicate research in clear, engaging ways for non-specialist audiences. Participants learned to summarize their work in jargon-free language, discuss its real-world importance and create interactive exhibits that make research accessible to the public.

The workshop culminated in a research outreach fair at Waipahu Intermediate School, where approximately 60 students in career and technical student organization programs explored exhibits led by the graduate students. Waipahu Intermediate faculty advisers and school administrators also attended the event, which highlighted higher education opportunities and showcased the diverse research taking place at 糖心视频.

“Research has the greatest impact when people can understand it and connect it to their own lives,” 糖心视频 Mānoa Fellowships, Scholarships, and Professional Development Coordinator Kristen Connors said. “GROW gave our graduate students the opportunity to practice an essential professional skill while also building meaningful relationships with young learners who may one day pursue their own paths in higher education and research.”

The program was organized by the , and Interim Assistant Vice Provost for Student Academic Success Amy Hubbard, Hamilton Library and the .

Beyond developing communication skills, the program aimed to build stronger connections between the university and the community while encouraging younger students to see themselves as future researchers, innovators and problem-solvers.

A post-program evaluation found participants responded positively to the experience. All respondents said the workshop met their expectations and that they would recommend it to others. Most also reported feeling more prepared and confident explaining their research through writing, visuals and conversations with public audiences.

Growing up on Rapa Nui, Noah Paoa spent his summers camping by the shore, bodyboarding, and exploring the island鈥檚 landscape with his family. A pivotal moment occurred in 2010 when, at 15 years old, a massive earthquake in Chile triggered a tsunami warning for the island. Paoa watched the shoreline recede so far it seemed as if the ocean had never been there. This experience highlighted how closely life on an island is tied to the forces of the sea, eventually guiding him toward a historic academic milestone.

Graduating with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in May, Paoa earned a landmark achievement as the first Rapa Nui person to go through the Rapa Nui school system and earn a doctoral degree. While he is careful to honor those who paved the way, Paoa鈥檚 degree in from the 糖心视频 Mānoa (SOEST) is significant personally and for his community.

“Earning this degree is an honor for me, but it is also the reflection of all the work that Rapa Nui people have done so that Rapa Nui students would have the tools to pursue advanced studies,” Paoa said. “I see myself as a testament and example for future Rapa Nui students and perhaps for students of other small island communities.”

Assessing sea level rise threats

Chip Fletcher, professor and dean of SOEST, served as Paoa鈥檚 advisor for both his master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees. Fletcher said Paoa brought an extraordinary combination of determination, discipline and insight to his graduate work.

“Noah has an incredible work ethic and a rare intuition for coastal science,” Fletcher said. “He has the ability to see both the physical processes shaping island shorelines and the deeper cultural meaning of what is at stake. His research reflects years of hard work, careful thinking, and a deep commitment to serving Rapa Nui and other island communities.”

His doctoral research addresses the , such as ceremonial sites, ancestral landscapes and sacred places.

“Most climate research focuses on impacts to infrastructure and ecosystems, but I wanted to show that coastal cultural heritage is just as vulnerable, and that losing these sites would be more than an archaeological loss, it could result in disruption to cultural identity and continuity,” Paoa said.

Cultural pride and responsibility

Growing up with a Rapa Nui father and a German mother who dedicated part of her life to preserving the Rapa Nui language, Paoa grew up surrounded by both cultural pride and a recognition of the responsibility that comes with preserving language, knowledge and identity. He felt a frustration with the island’s extractive academic past, where outside researchers often benefited their own careers without providing tangible benefits to the local people.

“My research provides new modeling tools and regional datasets to support heritage preservation and climate adaptation planning, but I’ve tried to be clear that what I have produced is to inform management and planning, and that decisions must ultimately be guided by descendant communities and grounded in their own cultural protocols,” Paoa shared.

By pursuing earth sciences, beginning as an undergraduate student at the University of Oregon, Paoa found a way to link geological processes to issues that affect his home island.

“I hope this work inspires future generations of Rapa Nui to pursue scientific paths of their own, helping ensure that research on our island increasingly reflects our own voices, perspectives, and priorities,” said Paoa. “This degree isn’t only mine, it belongs to everyone who made the path possible, and my responsibility now is to carry what I’ve learned back home and put it to use for Rapa Nui.”

–By Marcie Grabowski

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

Graduate and advanced undergraduate students from across the University of Hawaiʻi System and around the world gathered February 12–15, for the (IGSC) at the East-West Center, marking a milestone year for the long-running, student-led event.

Organized entirely by a graduate student team and supported by the , the 2026 conference centered on the theme, “Legacies Through Time: Rethinking the Past, Confronting the Present, Shaping the Future.” Over three days, approximately 140 participants representing more than 25 countries and regions across North America, the Asia-Pacific and Europe, representing more than 65 institutions, transformed the Hawaiʻi Imin International Conference Center into a hub of interdisciplinary exchange.

“Planning this conference reminded us that scholarship is not just about individual achievement—it鈥檚 about building relationships and creating spaces where emerging scholars feel seen, challenged and supported,” said Xiaoyun Neo, a master鈥檚 student in at 糖心视频 Mānoa and one of the conference鈥檚 organizers. “Watching students step into that space with confidence and generosity was the most rewarding part of this milestone year.”

Neo added, “I also echo the sentiment expressed by IGSC co-chairs Tiến Nguyễn Minh (MA, ) and Oliver Lilford (MA, ) that as scholars, artists and practitioners, we do not simply inherit legacies—we negotiate, challenge and reshape them in the present, using them to reinterpret the past or set the course for different, more hopeful futures.”

Nearly 30 themed panels—including paper presentations, poster sessions, a roundtable discussion and an evening session featuring creative projects and films—highlighted the depth and diversity of student scholarship. Topics ranged from intergenerational memory and language preservation to environmental change and artistic expression, reflecting how legacies shape identities, institutions and futures.

For many presenters, the conference offered a first opportunity to share research in a supportive, peer-centered environment. Graduate student moderators guided discussions, facilitated questions and fostered dialogue across disciplines, creating space for feedback and collaborations.

“Besides the intensive three-day conference, this year鈥檚 IGSC also curated pre- and post-conference activities supported by our incredible partners and sponsors,” said Minh. “Our participants enjoyed a field trip to the Mānoa Heritage Center; a tour at the East-West Center Art Gallery; a keynote address in honor of the 25th IGSC by renowned scholar, also an alumna of 糖心视频 Mānoa, Dr. Katerina Teaiwa, sponsored by the Asian American-Pacific Islander, Environmental Humanities and Environmental Justice Initiative; and a play about Joseph Kekuku and his steel guitar invention at the Honolulu Theatre for Youth. These activities not only fostered connections between our participants with local institutions, they also provided opportunities for us to introduce Hawaiʻi鈥檚 own legacies through diverse and interactive approaches.”

Launched in 2002, the International Graduate Student Conference continues to serve as a meeting place for emerging scholars to test ideas, build networks and experience academic exchange beyond the classroom.

Professor Emeritus Jim Roumasset dreamed that he gave a substantial gift to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the . On awakening, he realized what a good idea it was. In discussions with Chair Nori Tarui and (糖心视频ERO) specialist Kimberly Burnett, he decided that the gift should be in the form of a research assistantship in ecological resource economics.

The Ecological Resource Economics Research Assistantship Fund will support graduate students at 糖心视频 Mānoa who show aptitude in resource economics and a strong interest in the natural environment. Roumasset has pledged support for four years, with renewal eligibility for recipients.

A career rooted in Hawaiʻi

Roumasset first came to 糖心视频 Mānoa as a graduate student, earning an MA in economics in 1969. He was drawn by an affinity for Asia and a strong, personal letter from the department chair. He had just completed his Peace Corps service in the Philippines, and Hawaiʻi felt like a natural fit.

He spent his career at 糖心视频 Mānoa, teaching and researching economics, and mentoring students from the Philippines and around the world. Along with former students, his work helped shape policy discussions surrounding agricultural risk, sustainable development, institutional change, competition policy, and resource economics, especially concerning water and energy.

Economies are embedded in nature

Ecological resource economics is distinct from traditional environmental economics. While the latter often centers on pollution and climate change, ecological resource economics examines how multiple natural resources interact, such as groundwater, the watershed, coastal marine resources, invasive species and protective infrastructure.

“Resource economics focuses on managing a single resource,” he said. “Ecological resource economics allows for the interaction of these resources, and how one affects the other.”

A fellowship with real-world impact

Burnett, one of Roumasset鈥檚 former graduate students, said the new assistantship will open doors for students in a rigorous, deeply relevant field.

“Every new problem I approach I see through an ecological resource economics lens,” she said. “Ecology and the economy are part of the same system, and decisions made within either will affect both.”

.

Groundbreaking research uncovering life in one of Earth鈥檚 most mysterious environments—the deep sea—has earned Gabrielle Ellis, a University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 graduate, the 2024–25 Dr. Clifford K. Mirikitani, MD, JD & John M. Mirikitani, JD, PhD Outstanding Dissertation Award from the .

Ellis, who earned her PhD from the , focused her research on tiny deep-sea animals living more than two miles below the ocean surface in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a vast area between Hawaiʻi and Mexico. The region holds valuable mineral deposits important for renewable energy, but is also home to fragile and little-known marine life.

Her dissertation looked at how deep-sea communities change over time and across different habitats, from the smallest larvae to adult animals. By studying thousands of samples, Ellis created one of the most complete pictures so far of deep-sea biodiversity in an untouched environment.

“The award of the Mirikitani Outstanding Dissertation Award is an absolute honor both for me as an emerging scientist, as well as for the recognition of deep-sea ecology as a field,” Ellis said. “Despite increased attention to the deep sea emerging with discussions around deep-sea mining, more than 99.9% of the deep-sea is unexplored, and so many foundational questions are unaddressed. Working in the deep sea is inherently collaborative; we work on ships in the middle of the ocean for long periods of time and often rely on each other for ideas, data and support. As such, credit is also due to my collaborators, including my labmates and advisors, who have really inspired me throughout the years and are absolutely instrumental in the success of my research.”

Her findings include one of the largest collections of deep-sea larvae ever gathered and some of the first detailed information about how these species grow and survive. The work helps scientists and policymakers better understand how deep-sea mining and climate change could affect ocean ecosystems and what steps can be taken to protect them.

• Related 糖心视频 News story: Rare glimpse at understudied ecosystem prompts caution on deep-sea mining, October 1, 2025

Ellis is now teaching environmental science at Georgetown University, continuing her mission to share the importance of ocean research and inspire the next generation of scientists.

The Mirikitani Outstanding Dissertation Award is given each year to one 糖心视频 Mānoa PhD student whose dissertation demonstrates exceptional originality, significance and scholarly achievement.

The Department of Oceanography is housed in 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 .

As the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 celebrates International Education Week from November 17 to 21, a current 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 student and alumna are reflecting on how their have expanded their academic and cultural horizons across the globe.

Exploring Taiwan鈥檚 archives, culture

For PhD candidate Nakota DiFonzo, the Fulbright experience has taken him to Taiwan, where he鈥檚 conducting archival research for his dissertation on the history of American education in late Qing and Republican-era China. Based at Academia Sinica in Taipei, one of East Asia鈥檚 leading research centers, DiFonzo said the experience has been both academically productive and personally enriching.

“My experience in Taiwan has been great so far,” DiFonzo said. “I am in the company of a great cohort whose research ranges from history to furniture design to medicine. Everyone is supportive of one another, and I have made valuable connections with leaders and rising stars in various fields.”

Beyond research, DiFonzo has embraced local culture by joining a language exchange club in Taipei. Weekend potlucks and casual gatherings, he said, have helped him improve his Chinese language skills and better understand Taiwanese perspectives. He鈥檚 also started producing street interview videos to further engage with the community and refine his speaking skills.

Empowering Colombian students through English teaching

Recent 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 history graduate Kaia Colborne spent the past year in Bogot谩, Colombia, as a Fulbright English teaching assistant (ETA). Her work focused on teaching English to university students and leading conversation clubs to build confidence and fluency.

“Living in Bogot谩 has been a huge highlight,” Colborne said. “It鈥檚 a wonderful city with so much to explore, and having other ETAs here has created a great support network. I found meaning and growth in my time in Colombia.”

Colborne said her time in Colombia deepened her appreciation for international education and reaffirmed her desire to help students experience transformative learning abroad.

“The experience has strengthened my commitment to working in the international sphere (ideally in international higher ed) and helped me have a better insight into cross-cultural exchange,” she added.

Both scholars credit 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Fulbright Program Adviser Kristen Connors for her guidance during the application process—a common thread in their journeys toward global engagement.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program will host an information session for students interested in the program on November 17 at 11 a.m. HST. . The webinar will be followed by a brief breakout session by campus where Connors will review steps for applying through 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 and how to start planning.

This week鈥檚 糖心视频 News Image of the Week is from 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补’蝉 Ivy Yeung, operations director for in the College of Education.

Yeung shared: “PACMED candidates from 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Master of Education program gather in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia, during Summer 2025 to begin their graduate studies. This photo marks the start of their journey as they engage in culturally sustaining education across the Pacific region.”

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A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the 糖心视频 ʻohana!

Want to get in on the action? The next 糖心视频 News Image of the Week could be yours! Submit a photo, drawing, painting, digital illustration of a project you are working on, a moment from a field research outing or a beautiful and/or interesting shot of a scene on your campus. It could be a class visit during which you see an eye-catching object or scene.

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Please include a brief description of the image and its connection to your campus, class assignment or other 糖心视频 connection. By submitting your image, you are giving 糖心视频 News permission to publish your photo on the 糖心视频 News website and 糖心视频 social media accounts. The image must be your original work, and anyone featured in your image needs to give consent to its publication.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is celebrating a record milestone with 43 active recipients of the —the most in the institution鈥檚 history. Since 1996, 糖心视频 Mānoa has produced 135 fellows, with this year鈥檚 record group representing nearly one-third of all recipients over the past 29 years.

NSF GRFP is one of the nation鈥檚 oldest and most competitive graduate fellowships, supporting outstanding students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics who are pursuing research-based master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees. Recipients receive a three-year annual stipend of $37,000 and a $16,000 cost-of-education allowance that covers tuition and fees, giving students the flexibility to focus on innovative research that advances science and benefits society.

for the next cycle of NSF GRFP, with deadlines in November for the 2026–27 academic year. Students interested in applying are encouraged to start early and take advantage of resources available through .

From exploding stars to native bees

Among the current fellows is Willem Hoogendam, a PhD candidate in who studies how stars end their lives in explosive supernovae. His research helps explain how essential elements such as iron and calcium are formed and dispersed across the universe, while also exploring rare interstellar comets discovered by Hawaiʻi-led sky surveys. Through the fellowship, Hoogendam also spent time at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and collaborated with leading astronomers in Australia and Hawaiʻi, experiences that broadened his research and professional network.

“It鈥檚 given me academic freedom at an early career stage,” Hoogendam said. “I鈥檝e been able to work with whom I want on what I want to explore. Without this fellowship, I would not have had the freedom to learn about and write papers on interstellar objects.”

The program鈥檚 flexibility has also benefited students such as Sami Akiba, a master鈥檚 student in who studies Hawaiian yellow-faced bees (Hylaeus spp.), the only bees that are native to the state. Her work focuses on understanding the habitat factors that support healthy native bee populations and the threats they face from invasive species. Akiba conducts her fieldwork in Haleakalā National Park on Maui, and has used the fellowship鈥檚 resources to expand her research and training opportunities across the country.

“I am grateful for the flexibility of the NSF GRFP,” Akiba said. “I get to design my own project, make shifts as needed and put effort into aspects of my research I think are particularly important or exciting, even if the ideas are a little unconventional.”

Since its creation in 1952, NSF GRFP has recognized more than 60,000 fellows, including Nobel Prize winners and members of the National Academy of Sciences. At 糖心视频 Mānoa, the growing number of fellows highlights the university鈥檚 strong research culture and commitment to developing talent across scientific disciplines.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (SONDH) is relaunching its program. Set to welcome its first new cohort in fall 2026, the PhD program aims to prepare nurses to become researchers, educators and leaders capable of generating knowledge that improves health outcomes and strengthens the profession.

“This program is designed to grow the number of nurse scientists equipped to tackle the complex health challenges that exist in Hawaiʻi and beyond” said Clementina Ceria-Ulep, dean of SONDH.

PhD-prepared nurses conduct research that leads to real-world solutions—from improving patient care to shaping health policy. With the global nurse shortage, they are needed now more than ever to help educate the next generation and expand the evidence base that supports effective and equitable care.

“When people hear the word ‘nurse,’ most picture someone in scrubs, offering hands-on care at the bedside. While that image is accurate, it鈥檚 only one role in a much larger profession,” said Lorrie Wong, associate dean for academic affairs. “Nurses are also clinicians (nurse practitioners), educators, researchers and leaders. PhD-prepared nurse scientists are actively shaping health care delivery.”

“There鈥檚 a critical need for more nurse scientists, especially in Hawaiʻi and across the Pacific,” said Holly Fontenot, associate dean for research. “This program is designed to build that workforce; plus, support the development of knowledge needed to advance health promotion, shape nursing practice, and improve health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. We hope to foster innovative research that is reflective of our local needs and strengths.”

Rooted in Hawaiʻi, aimed at global change

The relaunched program is grounded in place. Students will be encouraged to pursue research questions that are important to the communities they serve, whether improving access to care in rural areas, addressing health disparities, or developing culturally responsive care models. Students will learn how to conduct culturally relevant, community-based research, ensuring that findings are meaningful and will have a positive impact within their communities.

They’ll learn how to be a leader in ways that are rooted in aloha and responsive to the people they serve.
—Molly Altman

“Students won鈥檛 just be learning how to do research,” said Molly Altman, associate professor and PhD program director. “They鈥檒l be learning how to be a leader, in ways that are rooted in aloha and responsive to the people they serve.”

Using the unique nursing perspective, faculty mentors will guide students in the development of innovative research and foster the growth of leadership skills so that graduates are able to become agents of change in academic, clinical and policy settings.

By relaunching its PhD in Nursing program, SONDH is committed to investing in the future of nursing and in the health of our islands.

Apply now for fall 2026

SONDH is currently accepting applications for its fall 2026 PhD cohort. Applications will become available on September 1, 2025. To attend informational sessions, visit the for upcoming dates. For more details or to apply, visit the or email phdnurs@hawaii.edu.

Hailey Hesseltine鈥檚 passion for international education has taken her from being a master鈥檚 student in the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 to teaching English more than 8,000 miles away in Ordu, Türkiye.

As Hesseltine was nearing the end of her educational administration degree, she was looking for the perfect opportunity that would allow her to become involved in international education. Reading about the and knowing former Fulbright grantees, Hesseltine began forming an idea of living abroad while participating in a cultural exchange.

Now residing in a small coastal town in the Black Sea region of Türkiye, Hesseltine teaches English at various levels to around 120 students at a local university. Her work also includes co-leading an English speaking club for all students at the university. While in Ordu, Hesseltine is taking free Turkish language courses through the university. She enjoys engaging with the local community through dance courses and local festivals, and has explored many different parts of Türkiye and neighboring countries.

“Overall, it has been a rewarding experience for me both professionally and personally, and my Fulbright experience has enhanced my knowledge as a global citizen,” Hesseltine said.

Once she completes her Fulbright grant, she hopes to apply her experience to future work with international students globally.

“Whether through advising, program development or research—my goal is to leverage my firsthand experience working with international students to create more inclusive and impactful educational opportunities that empower students to thrive in global learning environments,” Hesseltine said.

糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 students, alums around the world

糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 has a long list of nearly 100 students and alumni who have received Fulbright grants to study, teach or conduct research abroad. Since 1959, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 finalists have traveled across East Asia and the Pacific, South and Central Asia, Europe and Eurasia, Sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Canada. Hesseltine recommends applicants start early.

“Crafting an application takes time and research. It鈥檚 important to properly develop your ideas for each question,” Hesseltine said. “Learn about your country of application and provide a convincing argument as to why that particular country would be a good match. Fulbright promotes global exchange and understanding so it鈥檚 equally important to show how the community abroad can benefit from you as well as how you will benefit from them.”

2026–27 applications open this spring

For those interested in applying for the 2026–27 Fulbright U.S. Student Program, the competition is anticipated to open near the end of March 2025. 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Fulbright Program advisers will host information sessions for prospective applicants to learn more. Keep an eye out for announcements in the What鈥檚 up this week @惭腻苍辞补 emails in April. Applicants will be expected to submit all materials to the campus in September 2025 before the national deadline.

Graduate students at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 are tackling innovative projects, such as renewable energy modeling and pediatric heart diagnostics powered by artificial intelligence (AI), through a groundbreaking interdisciplinary program. Open to master鈥檚 and PhD students across diverse fields such as engineering, social sciences, natural sciences, business and medicine, the program offers funding for both research and tuition, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge discoveries.

The at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 provides a transformative approach to AI and data science education and research. It empowers students with the tools to address issues, such as decarbonization, healthcare and communication networks, while emphasizing equity and inclusion.

“We鈥檙e not just training the next generation of AI researchers—we鈥檙e empowering them to create meaningful change right here in the state.” — London Thompson

“The DESCARTES program represents a unique convergence of cutting-edge AI education and Hawaiʻi鈥檚 most pressing challenges, where our graduate students are developing solutions that directly benefit our island communities while gaining invaluable skills in emerging technologies,” said London Thompson, program coordinator. “By focusing on culturally relevant projects like renewable energy and healthcare improvements, we鈥檙e not just training the next generation of AI researchers—we鈥檙e empowering them to create meaningful change right here in the state.”

The program鈥檚 first cohort, consisting of 12 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 graduate students, kicked off in fall 2024. Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis with cohort 2 starting in summer 2025.

Participants in the program receive a fellowship of up to $34,000 annually, along with full coverage of their graduate tuition. Master鈥檚 students are funded for one year, while PhD students receive funding for two years. Additional opportunities, such as graduate assistantships and teaching assistantships, are also available. The curriculum combines modular, self-paced learning with core courses and practical, real-world projects guided by faculty mentors and external advisors. Trainees engage in bi-monthly seminars, workshops and community-driven research collaborations, fostering both academic and professional growth.

Students gain real-world skills with hands-on work

Through a unique blend of interdisciplinary coursework, mentorship and hands-on research, students gain expertise in data science, machine learning and their applications across fields such as engineering, computer science, economics, urban and regional planning and business. Trainees develop critical competencies in teamwork, project management, leadership and effective communication, all essential for success in academia, industry and government labs.

Key goals of the program include increasing the representation of women, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in STEM, developing culturally relevant curricula and fostering collaborations with Indigenous and local organizations.

The program is funded by a five-year, $3 million award from NSF. It is housed in the .

For more information and to apply, .

The DESCARTES program exemplifies 糖心视频鈥檚 strategic imperative to prepare students for the jobs of today and tomorrow, part of the 糖心视频 System鈥檚 strategic plan鈥檚 focus on workforce development.

Improving mental health support for individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds is the focus of an award-winning dissertation research project.

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 PhD candidate in , Duckhyun Jo鈥檚 doctoral research, has earned recognition as the 2023鈥�24 Dr. Clifford K. Mirikitani, MD, JD & John M. Mirikitani, JD, PhD Outstanding Dissertation Award from the .

Jo investigated a recently developed self-assessment tool for measuring psychological flexibility/inflexibility called the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI). Psychological flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing situations, handle stress, and stay true to your values, while psychological inflexibility is the difficulty in adapting, getting stuck in negative thoughts, and struggling to cope with challenges.

Acknowledged for its strong psychometric (science of measuring people’s thoughts, feelings, and abilities) support, MPFI distinguishes itself from other measures. However, there is limited research on its psychometric properties among underrepresented groups.

“Using psychometrically sound measures in mental health assessments ensures that the unique characteristics of Hawaiʻi‘s racially diverse population are considered,” Jo said. “This fosters more effective, culturally sensitive, and equitable mental health practices and policies.”

Professor Akihiko Masuda, Jo鈥檚 supervisor, shared how meaningful and ambitious Jo鈥檚 dissertation is.

“The results of the first phase of research are very promising,” Masuda said. “It will promote evidence-based assessment for underrepresented populations in psychotherapy and behavioral health research and practice, including racially and ethnically diverse populations (e.g., Asian American and multiracial populations).”

Masuda added that Jo鈥檚 impressive academic achievements during graduate school include publishing 12 peer-reviewed papers and one book chapter. Among these, Jo is the first author of eight peer-reviewed papers.

Jo entered the doctoral program in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but with the guidance of his mentor, he navigated the challenges of the time.

“Dr. Masuda nurtured resilience within me,” Jo said. “This award is deeply meaningful as it recognizes my journey toward becoming a scholar, which I see as a continuous and ever-changing process, without a clear end point. I will cherish the lessons gained during my time spent in Hawaiʻi.”

The Department of Psychology is housed in 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 .

Two graduate programs at the are in the nation鈥檚 top 25 and an additional 11 programs are in the top 100, according to the 2024 , released on April 9.

The highest ranked programs are in the ranking No. 23 for both best part-time law programs and best environmental law programs.

Rankings were based on different criteria, including research activity (publications and citations), placement success (employment and earnings), quality assessment (peer and recruiter assessments), student selectivity (GPA and test scores) and faculty resources (doctoral degrees awarded and student to faculty ratio).

“In light of our recognition in the U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, we affirm that 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 commitment to academic and research excellence remains unwavering,” said 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Provost Michael Bruno. “These rankings underscore the caliber of our academic programs and the dedication of our community to scholarly pursuits. Hawaiʻi residents can take pride that your university stands as a beacon of excellence, nurturing our state鈥檚 next generation of innovators, educators and leaders.”

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

Jump to program rankings:
William S. Richardson School of Law  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing  |  College of Education  |  College of Social Sciences  |  Shidler College of Business  |  College of Natural Sciences

William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law was ranked in 15 categories by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its ranking of No. 23 for best part-time law programs and best environmental law programs, the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 law school placed No. 127 out of nearly 200 of the best law schools in the nation.

Other law school rankings include:

• International law: No. 66
• Legal writing: No. 71
• Dispute resolution: No. 74
• Constitutional law: No. 78
• Contracts/commercial law: No. 91
• Criminal law: No. 104
• Clinical training: No. 108
• Tax law: No. 113
• Business/corporate law: No. 115
• Intellectual property law: No. 128
• Health care law: No. 132
• Trial advocacy: No. 182

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The 鈥檚 Department of Social Work ranked No. 51 out of 319 social work programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, and the Office of Public Health Studies ranked No. 103 out of the top 213 public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing

The 鈥檚 doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program was ranked No. 59 among 156 of the top schools in U.S. News and World Report鈥檚 best nursing schools ranking. 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 nursing school is the only Hawaiʻi DNP program ranked by U.S. News and World Report since 2018. The Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing also placed No. 69 out of the 169 schools for best master鈥檚 nursing programs.

College of Education

The (COE) ranked No. 67 of 255 schools ranked, the 19th straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation鈥檚 top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, COE continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

College of Social Sciences

The Public Administration Program in the placed No. 89 out of the top 271 graduate programs considered. The master鈥檚 of public administration (MPA) program is the only one accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration in the state, and offers an 18-month accelerated, two-year full-time and three-year part-time plan.

Shidler College of Business

The ranked No. 92 out of 506 institutions with master鈥檚 level business programs in the U.S. accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. In addition, Shidler placed No. 166 for best part-time master of business administration programs. Shidler鈥檚 MBA programs are the only AACSB International accredited MBA programs in Hawaiʻi and among the few MBA programs in the U.S. with a true Asia-Pacific focus.

College of Natural Sciences

Computer science in the ranked No. 120.

U.S. News and World Report announced that the best medical schools, best engineering schools and best clinical psychology program rankings will be delayed until further notice.

For a full list of rankings, .

—By Marc Arakaki

More than 10,000 images of humpback whale tail flukes collected by University of Hawaiʻi researchers have played a pivotal role in revealing both positive and negative impacts on North Pacific humpback whales, positive trends in the historical annual abundance of North Pacific humpback whales, and how a major climate event negatively impacted the population. Adam Pack, who heads the 糖心视频 Hilo Laboratory, Lars Bejder, director of the 糖心视频 Mānoa (MMRP) and graduate students Martin van Aswegen and Jens Currie, co-authored a study on humpback whales in the North Pacific Ocean, and the images鈥攁long with artificial intelligence (AI)-driven image recognition鈥攚ere instrumental in tracking individuals and offering insights into their 20% population decline observed in 2012–21.

“The underside of a humpback whale鈥檚 tail fluke has a unique pigmentation pattern and trailing edge that can serve as the ‘finger-print’ for identifying individuals,” said Pack.

Starting in 1976, Pack鈥檚 mentor the late Louis M. Herman, founder and director of the 糖心视频 Mānoa (KBMML), initiated collecting tail fluke images of humpback whales in Hawaiian waters alongside his students. The effort expanded to humpback whales in Alaska in 1980 and has continued every year since through the KBMML, the non-profit organization The Dolphin Institute which Herman and Pack founded in 1993, and in 2008 and beyond through Pack鈥檚 糖心视频 Hilo Marine Mammal Lab. In total, more than 30,000 whale tail images have been accumulated in waters off Hawaiʻi and Alaska resulting in one of the largest archival catalogs of humpback whales in the world. 糖心视频 Hilo students are tasked with cataloging those images.

“Until recently, comparing photographs of humpback whales to each other to discover resightings of the same individual and develop individual histories over decades was done by eye, a slow and labor intensive effort,” Pack said.

The recent advent of AI image-recognition tools has revolutionized the process facilitating large-scale collaborations involving decades of data.

AI and humpback whale science

The 糖心视频 team of researchers are part of the 76 co-authors who contributed to the findings recently published in which showcases the impact of artificial intelligence in the groundbreaking study. AI-driven image recognition was used to organize the tail fluke images of both the 糖心视频 Hilo Marine Mammal Laboratory and the 糖心视频 Mānoa Marine Mammal Research Program, along with thousands of other submissions from across the North Pacific, into an online humpback whale fluke matching program and database. The cutting-edge approach was led by Ted Cheeseman, the study鈥檚 lead author and the developer of research website .

“It shows how when we all pool our resources and talent together, we can learn remarkable things about humpback whales and their marine environment,” said Pack, who holds a joint appointment in the departments of and at 糖心视频 Hilo.

A closer look at population increase and decline

The study showed a strong continuing recovery of North Pacific humpback whales from 20th century commercial whaling which ended in 1976 decimating the population to an estimated 1500–2000 whales. The study estimated 16,875 whales in 2002 growing to a peak of 33,488 in 2012. However, researchers also uncovered a critical period from 2014 to 2016 when an unprecedented marine heatwave adversely impacted marine resources including those in high latitudes which humpback whales rely on for sustenance. This decline in resources resulted in several years of poor reproductive and physical health for many humpbacks wintering in Hawaiʻi and summering in Alaska.

The population decline was especially noticeable in Hawaiʻi, a vital destination for thousands of humpback whales seeking warmer waters to mate, give birth, and raise their young. By 2021, the study found a staggering 34% decrease in the humpback whale population in these waters. It indicates that continued monitoring of North Pacific humpback whales and care for their marine habitats is essential.

For more go to .

A champion of Native Hawaiian students at the has received a national award. Jennifer Māhealani Ah Sing Quirk was awarded the (NASPA) Region VI Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional Award in November.

NASPA is a 13,000 member organization that focuses on professionals working within the field of student affairs in higher education. Quirk previously served as a staff and faculty member at (NHSS) and now serves as director of (GPA) program of the (SEED).

“I am humbled by the support and recognition of my work by my students, peers and mentors in the field,” said Quirk. “This award is a collective win that has been made possible by amazing and generous kumu, family and friends who’ve mentored me, cared for my children while I hosted weekend/evening events, and provided me with invaluable advice/encouragement and professional/academic opportunities to grow and develop as an Indigenous, Kanaka ʻ艑颈飞颈 student affairs professional and Educational Administration doctoral student. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my people.”

At NHSS, Quirk designed, coordinated and implemented a diverse array of student success programs, including an intensive summer bridge program for Native Hawaiian community college students transitioning from the 糖心视频 community colleges to 糖心视频 Mānoa. Through her efforts and those of collaborators across campus, the acceptance and retention rates of Native Hawaiian students increased dramatically.

In Quirk鈥檚 role as a co- curricular support specialist, she partnered with other student service units to incorporate Hawaiian ways of knowing into their student learning outcomes, develop culturally appropriate assessments, and provided professional development programs for co-curricular units. In doing so, she offered her students authentic place-based experiences grounded in the unique culture and traditions of Hawaiʻi.

Further, as a junior specialist in NHSS, she provided individualized advising and counseling support to students in the Makalapua Naʻauao program to ensure the academic success of this highly underrepresented population, which included her supervision of three professional staff at 糖心视频 Hilo, 糖心视频 Maui and 糖心视频 West Oʻahu.

Currently, Quirk is tasked with guiding and supervising the Graduate Professional Access program (GPA) within SEED. Quirk assists students from various underrepresented backgrounds to pursue and complete graduate degrees through wraparound, co-curricular support integrating place-based and student-centered approaches.

“The biggest highlight for me thus far in my role as the director of GPA, has been the excited email, phone call or text I receive when students reach out to let me know they’ve been accepted into graduate programs,” Quirk said. “I absolutely love the excitement and joy they have when they tell me about it! I’m so happy and thrilled for them!”

Quirk designs and facilitates a graduate school exploration and preparation workshop series for undergraduate students and higher education professionals. In addition to ensuring student success in graduate school, she mentors students seeking to present their research at academic conferences.

To extend her reach and increase her impact on students, Quirk co-authored a federally funded Native Hawaiian Education Program grant totaling $2,017,746. She is the co-principal investigator and a program mentor for this Hilinehu Educational Leadership Advancement initiative, a partnership between the GPA program and the College of Education.

Within the past five years, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) has grown exponentially. Currently composed of 36 masters and PhD students, a range of disciplines are represented such as astronomy, botany, computer science, Earth and planetary sciences, entomology, geography, linguistics, marine biology, oceanography, tropical plant and soil sciences and zoology.

annually funds a diverse group of outstanding graduate students with more than $110,000 for three years to become future scientists, engineers, researchers and STEM educators. GRFP graduates go on to pursue careers in federal agencies, national labs, academia, policy work and conservation management. Notably, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 GRFPs have consistently been selected for other distinguished fellowships such as the and , both coordinated through the 糖心视频 Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant).

• Martha Newell, Knauss Fellow 2017
• Beth Lenz, Knauss Fellow 2020
• Sean Mahaffey, Knauss Fellow 2022
• Cuong Tran, Grau Fellow 2022
• Gina Selig, Knauss Fellow 2023
• Sarah Tucker, Margaret Davidson Fellow 2020 and Knauss Fellow 2023
• Erik Brush, Knauss Fellow 2024
• Ryan Jones, Knauss Fellow 2024

Cuong Tran: disaster preparedness

Former fellow and master of urban and regional planning graduate, Cuong Tran, applied his 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 experience into his post-graduate work as a Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Gordon E. Grau Fellow with the (NDPTC). Tran collaborates with various partners on several local, national and international disaster-related projects and co-designed the Red Hill Information Hub in collaboration with the 糖心视频 Red Hill Task Force. The Hub provides a one-stop-shop of the latest information, data, and tools the general public can use for education, communication and research. Tran also co-planned this year鈥檚 , a platform for Pacific Island communities to channel joint efforts toward becoming resilient. Upon completion of his Grau fellowship, he plans to step into the role of training technology program coordinator at NDPTC.

Tran鈥檚 number one advice for current students is to “always apply for fellowship and scholarship opportunities, even if you think you won鈥檛 receive them. You鈥檒l miss 100% of the shots you don鈥檛 take.”

Sarah Tucker: monitoring climate change

PhD graduate, Sarah Tucker, went on to fulfill the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration鈥檚 Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship after three years as a NSF GRFP Fellow. Tucker was part of the inaugural cohort of Davidson Fellows and collaborated with the Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve where she worked closely with staff and Paepae o Heʻeia managers producing outreach materials, mentoring an undergraduate student, joining community restoration work days and helping with scientific observations and monitoring within the Heʻeia Reserve.

After graduating, Tucker was selected as a 2023 Knauss Fellow and currently works in NOAA鈥檚 Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing (GOMO) Program. The GOMO Program supports half of the world’s ocean observations, which are used in climate and weather prediction models and help us understand our changing ocean. Tucker鈥檚 two main projects involve serving as the coordinating editor of the and a secretariat member and field operations team lead of the . Following Knauss, she will start as a Simons postdoctoral fellow in marine microbial ecology at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

Tucker recommended, “talking to as many folks as you can about what the fellowship experience entails, review application materials from past candidates, and be clear about what you want out of it. Also, stay open to trying new things and follow your gut. I never thought I would work on Arctic Research and Policy, but it has been incredibly fulfilling and more connected to my previous work than I could have imagined.”

2025 Knauss applications now open

For those interested in applying for the 2025 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, visit the or contact Hawaiʻi Sea Grant assistant director for research and fellowships, Maya Walton, waltonm@hawaii.edu, to learn more. Application deadline is February 15, 2024, 5 p.m. HST through Hawaiʻi Sea Grant via .

Sixteen graduate programs at the have been nationally recognized for academic and research excellence, according to the , released on April 25.

Seven programs were ranked in the nation鈥檚 top 100, and five placed in the top 75. The (SOEST) ranked No. 42 for its earth sciences doctoral programs, the placed No. 49 for its doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program and No. 60 for best master鈥檚 nursing programs, the ranked No. 64 and the placed No. 72 in public affairs for its .

“At a time when many prospective graduate students are deciding which institution they will attend in the fall, these rankings demonstrate that 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 is home to world-class academic programs across a vast range of disciplines,” 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Provost Michael Bruno said. “The consistent national recognition of 惭腻苍辞补’蝉 excellence over the years is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, faculty and staff.”

The rankings are based on two types of data: expert opinion about program excellence, and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students.

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

Jump to program rankings:
School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology  |  Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing  |  College of Education  |  College of Social Sciences  |  Shidler College of Business  |  College of Engineering  |  Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health  |  College of Natural Sciences

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

The in SOEST placed No. 42 out of 166 earth sciences doctoral programs considered. Students in the PhD program gain advanced knowledge, develop professional skills and learn cutting-edge methodologies through specialized coursework and by conducting research.

Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing

糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing鈥檚 DNP program placed No. 49 among 169 schools considered in the newest U.S. News ranking. 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 nursing is the only Hawaiʻi DNP program ranked by U.S. News since 2018. 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 nursing also placed No. 60 out of 184 schools for best master鈥檚 nursing programs.

College of Education

The College of Education (COE) ranked No. 64 of 272 schools considered, the 18th straight year the college has been listed as one of the nation鈥檚 top 100 education programs. Nationally accredited since 2000, COE continues to be recognized for its award-winning programs and people.

College of Social Sciences

The Public Administration Program in the College of Social Sciences ranked No. 72, up 16 spots from the previous year, out of 269 graduate programs considered. The ranking puts the program in the top third of all master鈥檚 of public administration programs in the country. The master鈥檚 of public administration program is the only one accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration in the state, and offers an 18-month accelerated, two-year full-time and three-year part-time plan.

Shidler College of Business

The rose 12 spots from last year to No. 77 out of 149 schools considered in the full-time master of business administration (MBA) category. Shidler鈥檚 MBA programs are the only Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International accredited MBA programs in Hawaiʻi and among the few MBA programs in the U.S. with a true Asia-Pacific focus.

College of Engineering

Four graduate programs were ranked among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News. ranked No. 90; placed No. 112; and ranked No. 124. The College of Engineering ranked in No. 168 among the top engineering schools in the U.S. that grant doctoral degrees.

Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health

The (OPHS) ranked No. 105 out of 206 public health schools and programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. OPHS 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 . OPHS is also home to a recently launched online master of public health program to meet workforce demands.

College of Natural Sciences

Graduate programs in the were ranked by U.S. News, including at No. 105, at No. 125, at No. 139 and at No. 161.

Law and medical school rankings were expected to be released, however, according to U.S. News and World Report, due to an unprecedented number of inquiries from schools during the initial embargo period and verification of publicly available data, the updated 2023–24 Best Medical Schools and 2023–24 Best Law Schools rankings embargo and publication will be released at a later date.

For a full list of rankings, visit the .

—By Marc Arakaki