STAR GPS, an application developed in Hawaiʻi by the University of Hawaiʻi, was recently recognized with an inaugural Education Experience (EdX) Award from the Center for Digital Education (CDE). The awards honor innovative projects that enhance the educational experience, improve student learning, and expand access to educational services across K–12 and higher education.

STAR GPS is like the Google Maps for a student’s guided pathway to graduation, creating a personalized, semester-by-semester pathway that guides 糖心视频 students toward graduation. Just as Google Maps recalculates when a driver takes a different turn, STAR GPS automatically recalculates a student’s academic pathway when plans change, showing them the new pathway to graduation, giving students the flexibility to choose their own path while keeping on track to graduation.

“We want the student to be able to take the music class if they want to enhance their personal life,” Sarah Akina, a Windward Community College counselor, said in the award announcement. “But on the flip side, we don’t want the student taking the music class because they think it counts for a degree requirement, and it doesn’t.”

“One of STAR‘s greatest strengths is its ability to balance campus individuality with systemwide oneness,” said 糖心视频 Information Technology Manager Gary Rodwell who led the development of STAR GPS. “糖心视频‘s ten campuses serve diverse communities, each with distinct academic missions, student populations, and operational needs. The 糖心视频 leadership has always recognized that these differences are not obstacles to overcome, but strengths to embrace.”

The approach is simple: human collaboration, bringing together the knowledge, experience, and perspectives of students, staff, faculty and administration across campuses to develop shared solutions that benefit everyone. By combining this collaborative approach with emerging technologies such as AI, development can be significantly accelerated, allowing for quicker responses to changing needs and turning innovative ideas into practical solutions.

More on the Center for Digital Education (CDE) awards

CDE is a national research and advisory institute specializing in K–12 and higher education technology trends, policy and funding. Their awards recognize schools and community colleges that are making exceptional gains in transforming education and improving learning with effective technology use.

糖心视频 was one of six universities whose initiatives were recognized for simplifying how students navigate degree requirements, adopting emerging technologies like AI and expanding access to campus services.

“These projects show what is possible when technology decisions start with the needs of students, educators and families,” CDE Vice President Brian Cohen said in the awards announcement “At a time when schools and colleges face growing demands, limited resources and increasing expectations, these winners are finding practical ways to make education work better for the people they serve.”

In 1985, University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) emeritus professor of psychiatry William “Bill” Haning remembers a stark reality for physicians struggling with substance use disorders.

“They were fired,” Haning said. “That was the standard of care.”

Haning, who also served on the 糖心视频 Board of Regents from 2021 to 2026, helped establish what became Puʻulu Lapaʻau, Hawaiʻi鈥檚 physician health program. He was among a small group of physicians seeking a different approach—one that treated addiction as an illness and gave physicians a path to recovery.

“If this illness of addiction can affect everybody then it certainly is going to include doctors,” Haning reflected.

The physicians began meeting weekly in Haning鈥檚 home, using principles of Alcoholics Anonymous to openly discuss addiction, recovery and challenges unique to their profession. Those kitchen-table conversations eventually helped give rise to Puʻulu Lapaʻau, which supports healthcare professionals while promoting patient safety.

Bringing change into medical education

Haning also brought that evolving understanding of substance use disorders into medical education at JABSOM, teaching future physicians to view addiction as a medical illness rather than a personal failing.

If this illness of addiction can affect everybody then it certainly is going to include doctors
—William Haning

“The students are hungry to learn,” Haning said. “They want to recognize these illnesses and know what they can do to help.”

Over the decades, Puʻulu Lapaʻau expanded beyond substance use disorders to assist healthcare professionals experiencing mental illness, burnout, work-life imbalance and other behavioral health concerns.

The organization recently earned national recognition through the Federation of State Physician Health Programs鈥� PEER review, a milestone Haning sees as affirmation of decades of changing attitudes toward physician health.

For Haning, the larger accomplishment is the cultural shift since those first meetings.

“When the program began, physicians often feared asking for help,” he said. “Today, we鈥檙e being recognized nationally as a model for how healthcare professionals can be supported with compassion, accountability and hope and that transformation has been the greatest reward of all for me.”

The ranked in nearly 20 academic subjects in the released in September 2026, including four subjects that placed among the top 16 in the country and another six placed in the nation鈥檚 top 27.

Oceanography ranked No. 4 in the U.S. and No. 6 globally, while atmospheric science ranked No. 9 in the U.S. and No. 15 worldwide. Geography tied for No. 14 in the U.S. and No. 51–75 tier in the world, and hospitality and tourism management ranked No. 16 in the U.S. and No. 43 globally.

糖心视频 Mānoa also ranked across a broad range of science, engineering, social science and other academic and research fields. In the U.S., public administration tied for No. 21, civil engineering tied for No. 23, Earth sciences tied for No. 24, agricultural sciences tied for No. 26 and ecology and food science and technology tied for No. 27. Public administration, Earth sciences and ecology placed in the No. 76–100 tier globally, civil engineering and agricultural sciences ranked in the No. 151–200 tier worldwide, and food science and technology placed in the No. 301–400 tier globally.

The rankings were released by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy and are considered one of the most comprehensive and objective assessments of university performance by discipline.

“Rankings like these reflect the breadth and quality of the work being done by our faculty and students at 糖心视频 Mānoa,” Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “Their important contributions through research, teaching and innovation across a wide range of disciplines, further strengthens our place as Hawaiʻi鈥檚 flagship campus—where access meets excellence.”

Additional 糖心视频 Mānoa subjects recognized in the 2026 rankings include:

• Water resources: Tied No. 44 U.S., No. 201–300 world
• Environmental science and engineering: Tied No. 56 U.S., No. 301–400 world
• Political science: Tied No. 69 U.S., No. 201–300 world
• Sociology: Tied No. 69 U.S., No. 201–300 world
• Biological sciences: Tied No. 75 U.S., No. 301–400 world
• Education: Tied No. 79 U.S., No. 201–300 world
• Management: Tied No. 110 U.S., No. 401–500 world

糖心视频 Mānoa was evaluated alongside approximately 2,000 universities from nearly 100 countries and regions, selected from a global pool of more than 25,000 institutions. The rankings are based on measures such as world-class faculty, world-class research output, high-quality research, research impact and international collaboration.

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Announced on August 15, ShanghaiRanking Consultancy ranked 糖心视频 Mānoa in the No. 95—111 tier in the U.S. and No. 401—500 tier worldwide in the 2026 Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Recent rankings

糖心视频 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2027 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges ranking, September 22, 2026
• 2027 The Princeton Review “The Best 392 Colleges” guide, August 19, 2026
• 2026–27 Global University Visibility Rankings, July 23, 2026
• 2027 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings, June 17, 2026
• 2026–27 U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities rankings, June 16, 2026

For more information, visit the .

achieved their highest cumulative grade point average on record during the 2025–26 academic year, according to a report presented October 1 to the 糖心视频 Board of Regents (BOR) Academic and Student Success Committee.

糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 student-athletes finished the spring 2026 semester with a 3.33 cumulative GPA, the highest in the program鈥檚 recorded history.

“We want to make sure that we are focused on their academic performance, their health and safety, they have the right nutrition, they’re able to travel and get the resources they need to be successful,” 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Athletics Director Matt Elliott told the BOR.

The student-athletes also posted a 3.31 semester GPA in spring 2026 and a 3.32 semester GPA (highest semester GPA) in fall 2025.

Record-breaking GPAs, degrees

During the 2025–26 academic year, 174 student-athletes earned degrees, including 29 in fall, 121 in spring and 24 during the summer. A total of 132 student-athletes recorded a perfect 4.0 semester GPA, while 25 finished spring with a 4.0 cumulative GPA.

All 21 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 teams posted GPAs above 2.99 in spring 2026. Eighteen teams had GPAs above 3.20, and 11 posted GPAs above 3.50.

Student-athletes also earned 57 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors and 172 Academic All-Conference Team and Commissioner鈥檚 Honor Roll selections. Football placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa was named a CSC Academic All-American after posting a 3.68 GPA.

糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 also reported an NCAA Student-Athlete Graduation Success Rate of 87% for the latest four-class average, representing an increase for the third consecutive year. The federal graduation rate was 61% for the latest four-class average.

The 2024–25 single-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) was 963, with five teams earning perfect scores of 1,000: men鈥檚 basketball, softball, men鈥檚 tennis, women鈥檚 tennis and women鈥檚 volleyball. The four-year APR was 977, with men鈥檚 tennis and women鈥檚 volleyball earning perfect multi-year scores.

糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 also provided Alston Academic Awards to 87 student-athletes during 2025–26, including 63 in fall and 24 in spring. The athletics department hosted academic recognition events and commencement celebrations throughout the year to recognize student-athletes for academic achievement, leadership and community service. Elliott commends Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services Garrett Clanin and his team for supporting the student-athletes and helping them achieve academic success.

“Our goal is to not just bring a student in to play here for one game or one season, but to make sure that they stay, and that we give them every possibility to earn a degree from this place, this wonderful institution, and to be alumni for the long term,” Elliott said.

As a testament to its deep roots across the islands, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) has been honored with the Spencer Foreman Award for Outstanding Community Engagement from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). This national recognition spotlights JABSOM鈥檚 dedication to Hawaiʻi—from rapid disaster response and compassionate care for individuals experiencing homelessness to vital neighbor island outreach and empowering local student programs.

“We are so connected to this community,” said JABSOM Dean Sam Shomaker. “It starts with our medical students, 90% of whom come from this state, and they have a sense of service to this place that raised them and that flows through everything we do at JABSOM.”

JABSOM continues to actively recruit more students from public high schools and neighbor islands to build a diverse physician workforce capable of serving the entire state’s population.

Small school, national recognition

JABSOM Office of Medical Education Director Jill Omori noted the award recognizes the collective work across the medical school.

Since 1965, JABSOM has trained more than 3,000 physicians

“We鈥檙e all the way out here, we鈥檙e a very small school and sometimes it鈥檚 hard to compete with the big fish in the ocean,” she said. It鈥檚 nice to know that [we] can be recognized for something like this–it really does show our commitment to the community, and hopefully future students or even future faculty will want that kind of environment for themselves and think about coming to JABSOM,” she said.

Since 1965, JABSOM has trained more than 3,000 physicians, with about half of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 practicing physicians having graduated from JABSOM or serving on its faculty.

“We do important work at JABSOM,” said Shomaker. “Not only training the next generation of physicians, but the research, the community outreach that we do, we are woven into the fabric of this community that no other medical school that I鈥檓 aware of, is woven into the community it serves.”

The University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges鈥� campaign “Start Here, Go Beyond,” highlighting authentic student transfer journeys across the 10-campus 糖心视频 System, has been selected as a finalist in two categories for the Medallion Awards, presented by District 6 of the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR):

• Television/Video Paid Advertisement (series): “Start Here, Go Beyond”
• Video Shorts (series): “Start Here, Go Beyond”

The video series highlights how starting at a community college provides an affordable, flexible pathway toward earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree, advancing careers and serving local communities. The students鈥� stories showcase diverse fields—from engineering and law to teaching—demonstrating the ability to achieve career goals while staying rooted in Hawaiʻi.

Watch the videos

The is available on 糖心视频 Community Colleges鈥� website.

‘Vital gateway’

“Our community colleges serve as a vital gateway to higher education, and these videos showcase the true power of that journey through the voices of our students,” said Lui Hokoana, interim vice president for community colleges and 糖心视频 Maui College chancellor. “Being recognized nationally by NCMPR is a testament to the hard work of our team and the incredible achievements of our alumni who inspire the next generation to start here and go beyond.”

The NCMPR Medallion Awards recognize outstanding achievement in design and communication among two-year community and technical colleges. Final placement levels—gold, silver and bronze—will be announced during the District 6 conference in October in Scottsdale, Arizona.

• Related 糖心视频 News: New video series highlights 糖心视频 transfer success, April 20, 2026

The Family Medicine Interest Group at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM) has earned a national award recognizing the group’s efforts to inspire future family physicians through community service, clinical exposure, education and leadership.

JABSOM was one of 21 groups nationwide selected for the honor of a 2026 Program of Excellence by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Cultivating community engagement

Through JABSOM‘s H.O.M.E. (Homeless Outreach and Medical Education) Clinic, students participate in community service projects throughout the year. The group also organizes educational opportunities, including an event featuring a physician subspecialty panel to introduce students to the range of careers within family medicine.

Second-year medical student Kyle Tsujimoto helps lead the group, noting that its activities reflect a larger culture of community engagement he discovered after coming to JABSOM from California.

“JABSOM as a whole does a really great job of fostering students to actually really care about being involved in the community,” Tsujimoto said. “The faculty and the culture that they’ve developed, we come in and it’s just something really amazing that we gravitate towards.”

He added that the experience has helped him better understand the people and communities he hopes to serve: “It’s been a really great way for me to do what I can to get involved and to really learn as much as I can about the populations and the people and the communities that we really aim to serve.”

Tsujimoto credits previous student leaders and faculty, including H.O.M.E. Clinic Director and Associate Professor Jill Omori, with building the foundation that led to this year’s recognition.

“I feel like this is really a reflection of that culture that’s been developed and the hard work that my upperclassmen, my predecessors, have put into building this organization into what it is,” he said. “It’s really inspiring to see how special the opportunities that we have here are. I really just hope to be a part of spreading that and continuing that for future classes at JABSOM.”

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In a major boost for global health, the ‘s Body Composition Laboratory has earned an international designation from the (IAEA).

As one of only eight Collaborating Centres worldwide—and the only one dedicated to nutrition—the lab is set to pioneer cutting-edge research and training in body composition assessment, addressing critical factors like obesity in the global fight against cancer.

Led by laboratory Director and 糖心视频 Cancer Center Chief Scientific Officer John Shepherd, the laboratory will work with the IAEA through 2030 to standardize body composition assessment techniques, including methods to measure body fat, lean mass and total body water; host technical workshops; conduct collaborative research; and provide specialized clinical and technical training and resources to IAEA member countries. The need for such training is urgent because obesity is associated with approximately 20% of all cancers.

“The designation of Dr. Shepherd’s lab as an IAEA Collaborating Centre places it within a small but elite international network and reaffirms the quality of research conducted at the 糖心视频 Cancer Center,” said Chad B. Walton, 糖心视频 interim vice president for research and innovation. “It also helps to strengthen the distinct advantages that 糖心视频 has in serving the needs of the Pacific region while expanding opportunities to contribute to—and benefit from—global collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advances in cancer research through the IAEA network.”

International partnership expands Pacific reach

The IAEA is the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field. It designates Collaborating Centres to conduct research, development and training.

The IAEA presented the laboratory’s official plaque during an August 26 ceremony at the 糖心视频 Cancer Center.

“This designation represents a partnership, recognizing expertise that already exists here, while reflecting a shared commitment to extending this expertise to not only the Pacific but the wider global community,” Alford said.

The designation aligns with the 糖心视频 Cancer Center’s responsibility for its catchment area, which includes Hawaiʻi and the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands. As one of only 74 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers, the 糖心视频 Cancer Center’s catchment area spans approximately 7 million square miles and includes more than 2 million people.

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The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its (VEMBA), marking a quarter century of preparing business leaders and strengthening economic and educational ties between Hawaiʻi and Vietnam.

To mark the milestone, hundreds of alumni representing all 33 VEMBA cohorts joined faculty, university leaders and distinguished guests at anniversary celebrations in Vietnam. Held in both Hanoi, where the program welcomed its first cohort, and Ho Chi Minh City, where it later expanded to meet growing demand, the events honored a quarter century of academic excellence, international partnership and leadership development.

Since its founding in 2001, VEMBA has graduated more than 1,000 business leaders who now serve in executive roles across Vietnam and beyond.

“The VEMBA program is the only program of its kind and has established itself as a leader in executive education in Vietnam,” said Shidler College of Business Dean Vance Roley. “As we celebrate this milestone, we also look toward the future by expanding our impact throughout Southeast Asia while continuing to strengthen the global network that has become one of VEMBA‘s greatest strengths.”

Bold vision to a nationwide network

VEMBA traces its roots to a 1997 United States Agency for International Development-funded initiative that brought Shidler faculty to Vietnam to help train business educators as the country transitioned to a market economy. That effort inspired the creation of Vietnam鈥檚 first Executive MBA program offered by an American university. The inaugural cohort welcomed 29 executives in Hanoi in 2001, followed by the program鈥檚 expansion to Ho Chi Minh City in 2007. In 2024, VEMBA evolved into one nationwide cohort, further strengthening connections among executives across the country.

Today, more than 1,000 graduates from 33 cohorts representing 21 countries comprise one of Vietnam鈥檚 most influential executive leadership networks. Alumni serve as CEOs, founders and senior executives across major industries.

Tung Bui, professor of information technology management, Matson Navigation Company Chair of Global Business and longtime faculty director of VEMBA, noted that the program has grown alongside Vietnam鈥檚 own economic transformation.

“Twenty-five years ago, the primary concern of VEMBA students was how to optimize operations, improve accounting systems and refine internal human resource management,” Bui said. “Today, our executives are thinking much bigger and looking outward. The most vibrant classroom discussions now revolve around artificial intelligence, global branding, exports and navigating international supply chains.”

For the entire story and information on how to support the Shidler College of Business, .

Recap video of the event in Ho Chi Minh City

Darsh Davé, Darren Lerner and the Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office have been selected as the University of Hawaiʻi‘s nominees for the Governor’s Awards for Distinguished State Service. The award honors the state’s executive branch employees and managers who exemplify the highest caliber of public service and dedication to serving the people of Hawaiʻi. 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel made the announcement during the (BOR) meeting on July 16 at 糖心视频 Mānoa.

“We never give enough appreciation for the hardworking faculty and staff around the university, and so it really is a pleasure for me to identify a few employees and a few groups whose dedication and achievements have earned well deserved recognition,” Hensel said at the BOR meeting.

Employee of the Year: Darsh Davé

Darsh Davé, human resources manager at , was named 糖心视频‘s 2026 Employee of the Year. He was recognized as a trusted resource who helps the campus navigate complex personnel matters while supporting effective operations. Davé has improved service delivery by addressing long-standing process challenges, streamlining faculty payment workflows and strengthening coordination across departments.

He was also recognized for his leadership during a high-risk campus incident, helping de-escalate the situation so a major campus event could continue safely. Through mentoring colleagues, supporting workforce initiatives and promoting professional development, Davé has made lasting contributions to the college community.

Manager of the Year: Darren Lerner

Darren Lerner, director of , consortium director of the and interim associate dean for research in 糖心视频 Mānoa‘s , was named the university’s 2026 Manager of the Year. He was recognized for transformational leadership that has strengthened Hawaiʻi Sea Grant and expanded its impact across the university and the state.

Lerner has overseen more than $100 million in extramurally funded projects focused on improving the resilience of Hawaiʻi‘s and the Pacific’s coastal ecosystems and communities. His leadership through periods of uncertainty has allowed the program to continue growing while supporting research, education and community partnerships that address critical environmental challenges.

Team of the Year: Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office

The Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office Team was recognized as 糖心视频‘s 2026 Team of the Year. The team was honored for advancing the university’s goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning through strategic planning and the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation framework. By building strong relationships across campuses and breaking down institutional silos, the team has helped strengthen Indigenous-centered practices throughout the university.

Its efforts have contributed to major accomplishments, including securing a $68.5-million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration award and advancing the “Aloha Begins with Us” movement, helping foster a more connected, resilient and culturally grounded university community.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Esports Director Nyle Sky Kauweloa delivered a keynote address at the 2026 Academic Esports Seminar (AES), one of the largest gatherings of esports researchers in the world, bringing international attention to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 expanding role in esports education, research and industry development.

Held over three days in May 2026 at the University of Agder in Grimstad, Norway, the conference brought together approximately 50 researchers, educators, industry leaders and practitioners from around the globe to explore esports鈥� connections to education, health, policy, innovation and digital society.

Hawaiʻi鈥檚 unique position in global esports collaboration

Kauweloa, who also participated in a panel on esports, multiculturalism and diplomacy, delivered a keynote presentation focused on how island communities such as Hawaiʻi can play a unique role in shaping the future of global esports by fostering collaboration, cultural exchange and innovation across international networks.

“Hawaiʻi and the University of Hawaiʻi are helping shape the future of esports on a global scale,” Kauweloa said. “The conversations taking place at AES show that esports is no longer viewed as a niche activity, but as an emerging industry and research field. 糖心视频 is building partnerships, creating opportunities for students and contributing knowledge that is helping position Hawaiʻi as a leader in this space.”

The three-day seminar featured scholars and practitioners from countries across Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with research sessions examining topics ranging from grassroots esports development and student learning to health, inclusion and international collaboration.

Organized by the Future Lab for Research in Academic Esports, AES 2026 included seven research sessions, three keynote presentations and three international panels focused on the future of esports and its impact on digitally connected communities.

糖心视频 Esports is one of the nation鈥檚 leading collegiate esports programs, with more than 100 student-athletes competing nationally and internationally. This academic year, 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 Rocket League team captured a national championship in its first season of competition.

糖心视频 the 糖心视频 esports team鈥檚 and pages. More stories on 糖心视频鈥檚 esports program.

(Clarification: The 糖心视频-HATS team was composed of students who originated at Honolulu Community College, where they formed the Honolulu CC HATS student club. The HATS student club represented the 糖心视频 System well by competing under the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, where the majority of the HATS students are currently completing their bachelorʻs degrees.)

The Honolulu Community College student club, Hawaii Advanced Technology Society (HATS), placed fourth nationally in the 2026 National Cyber League Competition (NCL). They vied against more than 3,700 university teams from two-year and four-year institutions across the country.

“Working through real-world challenges alongside teammates teaches you things you can鈥檛 fully get from a classroom alone, how to trust each other, think under pressure, and grow as a team,” HATS President Nicholas Anich said. “I鈥檓 proud of how we performed, and even prouder of the community HATS has built: a group of students who genuinely show up for one another.”

The NCL Competition held in April challenged participants with cybersecurity scenarios, testing essential skills for the IT and cybersecurity workforce. The HATS team was composed of students from Honolulu CC鈥檚 Computing, Security & Networking Technologies (CSNT) program, along with CSNT alumni now attending the University of Hawai驶i鈥揥est Oahu.

“NCL was a great competition to hone and apply the skills I鈥檝e picked up both inside and outside of the classroom,” Anich said. “HATS, the club that competes in events like this, has truly been one of the most rewarding parts of my time at Honolulu CC.”

Years of work

He credited mentors Gerome Catbagan, Jayson Hayworth and Bradley Ramos for their support. Former HATS president Jordan Yamaguchi said the placement was a result of years of effort.

“As the former HATS president, participating in this NCL competition felt like the culmination of all of our current and former HATS members’ hard work,” Yamaguchi said. “We spent several semesters together learning about the different categories in the competition and working out different techniques we could use to help us score higher, so placing fourth in the nation feels incredibly rewarding.”

In 2025, the team earned second place in the At-Large Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, part of the national Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) program. Through competitions such as NCL and CCDC, Honolulu CC students continue to gain hands-on experience while bringing recognition to the college on a national stage.

—By Amelia Oldham

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 Rocket League team captured a national championship in its first year of competition, completing an undefeated 10-0 spring 2026 season and sweeping the grand finals 4-0.

Rocket League is a competitive game that combines soccer and driving, with players controlling rocket-powered cars to score goals in fast-paced team matches. At the collegiate level, the game requires strategy, communication, teamwork and quick decision-making under pressure.

This win is the latest milestone for 糖心视频 Esports, one of the country鈥檚 premier collegiate esports programs and widely recognized as one of the best collegiate esports programs in the nation. Formally launched in 2018–19, the program earned national acclaim in 2022 when it was named the best collegiate esports program in the U.S. It now includes more than 100 student-athletes competing year-round in the Mountain West Conference and in national tournaments across multiple games, including Rocket League, League of Legends, Overwatch and Valorant.

“This isn鈥檛 just students playing video games,” said Sky Kauweloa, 糖心视频 Esports director. “Esports at 糖心视频 Mānoa is about leadership, teamwork and creating opportunities for students to represent their university at the highest level. What this team accomplished in its very first season shows the talent we have here in Hawaiʻi and the kind of community we鈥檙e building through this program.”

Freshman Logan Gregory, a Mililani High School graduate known in-game as “Sly,” helped lead the program as team captain. Gregory was already one of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 top high school Rocket League players and a state champion before coming to 糖心视频 Mānoa. He played a key role in building the team from the ground up and shaping its competitive culture.

“Building the program for Rocket League in Hawaiʻi was an amazing opportunity to prove that Hawaiʻi can compete on a national level when leadership, teamwork and dedication are put together into one team,” Gregory said. “Coming in as my first year, I wanted to help create something special here at 糖心视频 Mānoa; a foundation for Rocket League that shows Hawaiʻi players belong in the national esports scene. In such a short amount of time, I am proud that we have accomplished something so great through the hours of the team鈥檚 commitment, trust, bonding and love for the game for the chance to prove ourselves that we are a championship level team.”

The team also added a major transfer in junior Jesse Hushower, known in competition as “Hoosh,” who came to 糖心视频 Mānoa from Boise State University, one of the nation鈥檚 top collegiate Rocket League programs. His experience competing at a high level helped strengthen the roster during its championship run.

“Before transferring from Boise State University, I had the opportunity to tour 糖心视频 Mānoa‘s campus and meet with the esports team,” Hushower said. “After I talked with several members in the esports program I realized how connected the people here seemed which was a large influence on why I chose to come to 糖心视频 Mānoa. Coming from a school with a well established esports program, Rocket League in particular, I believe I was able to bring some of that experience with me and enhance the quickly growing 糖心视频 Mānoa esports program. It has been an overall amazing experience.”

Junior Ahled Dame Domingo (“ad2littt”) and freshman Noah Vila (“nowuz”) rounded out the championship roster, contributing to the team鈥檚 depth and consistency throughout the season. The operator of the Rocket League tournament was PlayVs.

糖心视频 the 糖心视频 esports team鈥檚 and pages. More stories on 糖心视频鈥檚 esports program.

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

The University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges have earned a gold 2025 NCMPR Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR)—underscoring the quality and impact of the marketing work being done across the seven community colleges currently serving almost 24,000 students.

The award, in the Video Shorts Series category, recognizes the 糖心视频 Community Colleges’ marketing team for showcasing the transformational journeys of Native Hawaiian students across the state. Centered on themes of resilience, identity, and opportunity, the E ʻauamo i kou: Fulfill Your Kuleana series features seven compelling student narratives—three of which were submitted for award consideration:

• —bridging traditional knowledge and modern science through sustainable practices rooted in caring for the land
• —overcoming doubt to pursue culinary arts while discovering confidence, cultural connection, and community
• —channeling her passion into respiratory therapy to address healthcare disparities and give back to Hawaiʻi

“These student stories reflect the transformative power of an Indigenous-serving education,” said Lui Hokoana, interim vice president for the 糖心视频 Community Colleges. “We are deeply honored to receive this national recognition, as it speaks to the deep connections between education, culture and community that truly define our colleges.”

Transforming lives

The award-winning videos were produced in partnership with the Honolulu-based marketing agency Hyperspective Studios and are part of a broader institutional effort to highlight and share the compelling stories of 糖心视频 Community College students.

The Paragon Awards are recognized as the only national competition of its kind, honoring excellence exclusively among marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges throughout the U.S. The 2025 competition drew 1,585 entries from 216 colleges across the country and was judged by 67 industry professionals.

NCMPR President Patrick Stone said, “This year’s winners stood out in an extraordinary field of entries, demonstrating that when community colleges invest in creativity and innovation, they amplify their mission and transform lives.”

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.

The 16th Annual Aʻo a Koa University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 Rainbow Warriors Volleyball Fundraiser at the Stan Sheriff Center was a sell out in January with nearly 500 attendees. The event celebrated the 2026 Men鈥檚 Volleyball team as they embarked on the early part of their season.

Guests experienced both a silent and a live auction and bites from top local chefs and restaurants. Attendees also had the opportunity to interact with players and coaches. In addition to the massive turnout, the event also generated a record-breaking amount of funding for the program.

“The support from our community gives our team the foundation to compete at the highest level. Being able to share this evening with our fans, alumni and supporters means a great deal to our players and staff,” said Head Coach Charlie Wade.

This year, the event sold 49 tables, surpassing last year鈥檚 total of 44. According to ʻAhahui Koa 膧nuenue (AKA), the fundraising arm of University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 athletics, it was an impressive showing of community support.

Outstanding alumnus

Former 糖心视频 setter Victor Talamoa was honored as the recipient of the 2026 Pae M膩kaukau Alumni Recognition Award. The award recognizes a former player for their contributions to the community, including leadership and service. Talamoa lettered twice 1992 and 1993 before graduating with a master of arts degree in 1996.

Currently, Talamoa is a colonel in the National Guard Bureau with nearly 40 years of military service. He was also active in the growth of boys volleyball in the National Capital Region (Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C.) over the past 15 years. His efforts resulted in fully funded and sanctioned boys high school volleyball programs in 48 schools in the area.

For more, go to .

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 was recognized in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings of the nation鈥檚 best online programs, released on January 27. 糖心视频 Mānoa placed No. 62 out of the top 209 . 糖心视频 Mānoa was the only nursing school in Hawaiʻi to be ranked for online education.

U.S. News and World Report assessed programs in student engagement (30%), faculty credentials and training (20%), peer assessment (20%), student services and technologies (20%) and student excellence (10%).

“This ranking underscores the strength of our online nursing program,” said Clementina D. Ceria-Ulep, dean of the 糖心视频 Mānoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene. “It speaks to our focus on delivering rigorous, accessible education that equips nurses to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. It also reflects the dedication of our faculty and students to meeting the evolving needs of health care and higher education.”

More about the online program

The online is a distance-based online master鈥檚 degree for registered nurses who wish to practice in Hawaiʻi, in the continental U.S. or international setting.

The program focuses on population-level health, wellness, social determinants of health, health promotion and disease prevention. Coursework is completed online, and fieldwork is conducted in the student鈥檚 own local community.

The 30-credit program is designed to be completed in one year as a full-time student or in two years as a part-time student. Students complete a six-credit capstone project that includes 270 hours of fieldwork experience. The capstone project is designed to provide students with experience in the indirect care level of service at the aggregate population, organizational or systems level. There is an additional nine-credit thesis option.

The deadline to apply to the online APHN program is May 1. . There is a on February 18.

For information about graduate programs, visit the .