{"id":134523,"date":"2021-01-26T15:48:23","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T01:48:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=134523"},"modified":"2021-01-26T17:17:31","modified_gmt":"2021-01-27T03:17:31","slug":"virtual-manoa-experience-breaks-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2021\/01\/26\/virtual-manoa-experience-breaks-records\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual M\u0101noa Experience breaks records"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"Manoa<\/p>\n

The University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at M\u0101noa saw a record crowd at its annual open house event on January 23, which attracted more than 2,400 attendees from around the state and the world.<\/p>\n

The M\u0101noa Experience<\/a> normally brings hundreds of prospective students and their families to the campus each year. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held virtually and completely online. That enabled more participants from outside the islands to join the event. Attendees came from all over the world—including Hawaiʻi<\/span>, continental U.S. and countries such as Canada, Australia, Japan and Korea.<\/p>\n

“The virtual M\u0101noa Experience allowed students and families the chance to enjoy ‘visiting’ the campus through the safety and comfort of their own home. Participants were able to see everything right on their screen,” 糖心视频<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Associate Director of Admissions Abigail Huliganga Hurgo<\/strong> said. “We didn’t know what to expect or have anything to compare it to. Although the modality of the event changed, the heart and who we are as a campus did not.”<\/p>\n

A total of 52 booths were online representing 18 colleges and 29 departments and support services. Groups ranging from the colleges and schools to ROTC and student groups manned virtual booths to provide answers to questions and give more insight to life on campus. The live campus tours were the most popular attraction with more than 1,400 attendees. Tours were given in and around campus, including residence halls.<\/p>\n

“During a time of distancing, the M\u0101noa Experience—our signature open house event—was reimagined,” said Ryan Yamaguchi<\/strong>, interim assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management and director of admissions. “It has been great to see the evolution of this event over the years. We went from a 300 person event held at our Campus Center to now a 2,400 attendee virtual event. This goes to show the efforts that we all are making to traverse this new landscape to reach our community.”<\/p>\n

Many who attended were impressed by the university\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n

“I think that this virtual open house also showed how we’ve adjusted to the changes to fit the needs of what is happening in the world right now. The pandemic has not stopped us from continuing to provide services and, sharing the story of who we are as a campus and why students should choose to come to M\u0101noa,” Huliganga Hurgo said.<\/p>\n

Attendees provide positive feedback<\/h2>\n

In response to the M\u0101noa Experience, many provided positive comments to their time attending the event.<\/p>\n