{"id":240412,"date":"2026-09-10T16:55:47","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T02:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=240412"},"modified":"2026-09-10T17:05:28","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T03:05:28","slug":"federal-grant-fuels-workforce-training-tech-upgrades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/09\/10\/federal-grant-fuels-workforce-training-tech-upgrades\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal grant fuels workforce training, tech upgrades at 糖心视频<\/abbr> Maui College"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"nursing<\/p>\n

University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> Maui College secured $178,424 in federal funding for the 2026–27 academic year to modernize classroom technology and expand hands-on training.<\/p>\n

Under the direction of Interim Dean of Career and Technical Education Lorelle Peros, the grant will support six campus initiatives aimed at strengthening high-wage workforce pipelines for local students.<\/p>\n

“This funding allows us to create meaningful opportunities and connections for our students through hands-on training, modern technology and industry-relevant skills that prepare them for success in the workforce,” Peros said.<\/p>\n

High-tech and health upgrades<\/h2>\n

The funding brings artificial intelligence (AI<\/abbr>) into classroom settings and expands equipment across medical programs.<\/p>\n

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  • Generative artificial intelligence (AI<\/abbr>) and high-tech curriculum: Led by Professor Debasis Bhattacharya, the project funds NVIDIA<\/abbr> DGX<\/abbr> Spark equipment (a compact desktop AI<\/abbr> supercomputer designed for developers, researchers and data scientists to build, test and fine-tune large AI<\/abbr> models) and faculty AI<\/abbr> certification, impacting up to 1,250 STEM<\/abbr> and business students.<\/li>\n
  • Dental hygiene training: Led by Dental Program Coordinator Leanne Higa, the initiative supports accreditation by Commission on Dental Accreditation, an autonomous body associated with the American Dental Association, and faculty laser therapy certification.<\/li>\n
  • Nursing lab upgrades: Led by Anne Scharnhorst, funds will purchase multiuse task-trainer manikins for realistic clinical simulations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Skilled trades and career pathways<\/h2>\n

    \"student<\/p>\n

    The remaining projects focus on automotive tech, trade partnerships and broad workforce development.<\/p>\n

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    • Molokaʻi<\/span> Skilled Trades Pathway: Led by the Molokaʻi<\/span> Education Center\u2019s ʻOlelo<\/span> Schonely and Kelley Dudoit, the initiative creates an agricultural construction and carpentry pathway with Molokaʻi<\/span> High School, including Early College courses and internships.<\/li>\n
    • Automotive technology enhancement: Led by Instructor Lawrence Martinson, funds provide modern steering and suspension lab equipment alongside Automotive Service Excellence certification exams for 50 students.<\/li>\n
    • Multi-sector workforce project: Led by Peros, the effort broadens access to industry credentials and professional development across healthcare, technology and trades.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The federal investment through the Perkins V funding (supporting career and technical education) ensures 糖心视频<\/abbr> Maui College students gain industry-validated skills to meet evolving local workforce demands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Innovative projects launch students toward success in evolving industries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[1602,70,763,346,223,165,300,189,71,60,603],"class_list":["post-240412","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-ai","tag-automotive-technology","tag-career-and-technical-education","tag-carpentry","tag-dental-hygiene","tag-health","tag-molokai-education-center","tag-nursing","tag-uh-community-colleges","tag-maui-college","tag-workforce-development","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t