New research sheds light on the chronic underfunding of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 public schools according to a brief by the . The report aims to counter widespread misconceptions about the state鈥檚 educational challenges, and argues that increased funding is essential to improving student outcomes and addressing systemic inequities.

“Chronic underfunding of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 public schools is a systemic issue that limits opportunities for students and perpetuates inequities. Investing in quality public education is our collective kuleana; it鈥檚 about supporting students and teachers, strengthening Hawaiʻi鈥檚 economy, and building a more equitable future for all,” said Colleen Rost-Banik, instructor in the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 and co-author of the research brief.

The report also advises that investing in quality public education is an investment in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 economy. Not only do quality public schools save families money, they also increase high school graduation rates, which, in turn, generates more economic opportunities for the state.

“We aim policy recommendations toward the State Legislature because they have been responsible for underfunding public schools for years. If we are concerned about young people and their families not being priced out of Hawaiʻi, we need to ensure that public schools are well-equipped to recruit and retain licensed teachers and offer holistic education for all students,” Rost-Banik added.

Authored by 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 faculty members, and endorsed by 117 Hawaiʻi-based scholars, the brief acknowledges four misconceptions and provides facts disputing them.

Misconception #1: Hawaiʻi鈥檚 public schools are adequately funded.
Facts:

• Hawaiʻi ranks among the lowest of states in percentage of state and local expenditures supporting K–12 education—15.1% compared to U.S. average 21.5%.
• Despite the increased cost of living in Hawaiʻi, the percentage of expenditures for public education has decreased. In FY 2024, public funding for education was 7% less than 2023, even when the state had a budget surplus.
• The public schools experienced a dramatic decrease in funding when $640 million of temporary federal pandemic funding ended on September 30, 2024.
• Lack of funding leads to a lack of programs that nurture “the whole child,” for example, the arts, PE, bilingual aides and afterschool enrichment.

Misconception #2: The teacher shortage no longer exists.
Facts:

• Salary differentials, which are not permanent, redistributed the educator workforce and addressed some needs, but did not solve the teacher shortage.
• The public schools are forced to hire individuals without teaching credentials to fill teacher vacancies. As of January 2024, there were 738 “emergency hires” employed in public schools across the state.
• High attrition rates account for about 89% of new teachers needed each year. The public schools annually replace about 1,200 teachers, with 43% of them coming from out-of-state.

Misconception #3: More funding will not improve public education.
Facts:

• Increased funding for public education raises student achievement and performance, influencing high school graduation rates and college enrollment, and leading to higher incomes in adulthood.
• Increased funding in Hawaiʻi could promote greater access to Pre–K programs.
• Increased funding of Hawaiʻi public schools could raise the enrollment of local high school graduates at community colleges and universities, increasing lifetime earnings.

Misconception #4: Public school funding only affects parents with children in public schools.
Facts:

• Investing in quality public education is an investment in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 economy. Increasing high school graduation rates leads to additional tax revenue. Technological changes continue to shift the economy toward skilled labor.
• Public schools are places where students from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds can interact with and learn from each other, increasing understanding and harmony across such groups.
• Better-funded public education is related to lower poverty.
• Public schools save families money.

Policy recommendations

The authors of the report offer the following policy recommendations:

• The state Legislature should prioritize increased and permanent funding for adequate public education.
• The state Legislature should prioritize funding for teacher recruitment and retention, with particular focus on increasing salaries and improving workplace conditions.
• The state Legislature should appropriate funds for an analysis of the public school budget to determine the extent to which public schools are adequately funded.
• The state Legislature should provide resources to support universal public preschool.
• State policy makers should support teacher education for students from underrepresented backgrounds and increase compensation for quality mentor teachers.
• The state Legislature should provide housing benefits for teachers to alleviate the cost of living.

The authors of the report are: E. Brook Chapman de Sousa (associate professor, , ), Kay Fukuda (associate specialist and program director, ), Janet Kim (recruitment specialist, College of Education), Jonathan Okamura (emeritus professor, , ), Colleen Rost-Banik (instructor, Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences), Lois Yamauchi (professor, , College of Education) and Waynele Yu (instructor, , College of Education).

A team from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 is tackling an important cause of human-made climate change—common refrigerants used for everything from cooling homes and businesses to freezing and preserving food and medicine. The (NSF) (ERC) to create sustainable refrigerant technology.

The majority of refrigerants, called hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are used in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) systems. HVACR systems account for almost 10% of global greenhouse-gas emissions because of leaks that release HFCs into the atmosphere and the significant amount of energy it takes to operate them.

The new (EARTH) aims to create a transformative “sustainable refrigerant lifecycle” by lowering HFC emissions; creating safe, property-balanced replacement refrigerants; and increasing the energy efficiency of HVACR systems.

“Understanding the underlying chemistry of new refrigerants in the atmosphere is central to defining the impact onto our climate and ultimately the rise of sea levels,” said 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Professor Ralf I. Kaiser (, ), the 东精影业 project lead. “We will be developing a tightly integrated collaborative network to predict for the first time the atmospheric impact of potential new refrigerants before they are incorporated into HVACR systems. This is just one aspect of 东精影业驶s role in this important project.”

Gen-4 NSF Engineering Research Center

Along with 东精影业, ERC EARTH includes teams from University of Notre Dame, Lehigh University, University of South Dakota, University of Maryland and project lead University of Kansas. The group was selected from among hundreds of other proposed centers following a highly competitive two-year review process. NSF currently supports just 15 ERCs in advanced manufacturing, energy and environment, health and infrastructure.

“For 东精影业 to be part of a team selected for a NSF Engineering Research Center just speaks volumes to the quality of our researchers and personnel,” said 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Provost Michael Bruno. “I cannot overstate its significance, and this groundbreaking project positions 东精影业 at the forefront of climate change mitigation while addressing a critical challenge to Hawaiʻi and the world.”

NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan said ERCs ask big questions in order to catalyze solutions with far reaching impacts.

“NSF Engineering Research Centers are powerhouses of discovery and innovation, bringing America鈥檚 great engineering minds to bear on our toughest challenges,” said Panchanathan. “By collaborating with industry and training the workforce of the future, ERCs create an innovation ecosystem that can accelerate engineering innovations, producing tremendous economic and societal benefits for the nation.”

东精影业驶s many project responsibilities

The 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 team includes Professors Kaiser, Rui Sun (, ), Christina Karamperidou (, ), Kieko Matteson (, ) and Jennifer Pagala Barnett (). Kaiser says it is fitting that 东精影业 is playing such an important role in the project.

“Hawaiʻi is increasingly vulnerable to global warming and its impacts, including more frequent and severe weather extremes and sea level rise,” Kaiser said. “Sea level rise, which exacerbates flooding, coastal inundation and erosion, poses a serious threat not only to Hawaiʻi, but also to major population centers along the Pacific Rim, such as Japan and Australia.”

Kaiser and Sun鈥檚 groups will study the atmospheric chemistry of gas phase refrigerants and their interaction with atmospheric ice particles. Kaiser鈥檚 group will employ crossed molecular beams and acoustic levitators to study the fate of refrigerants in the atmosphere. The efforts are complimented by Sun鈥檚 computer simulations with artificial intelligence to understand the reaction at the atomistic detail.

“By following this approach, we will avoid the mistakes done in the 1970s, when chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), an otherwise excellent refrigerant, resulted in catastrophic ozone depletion,” Sun said.

Karamperidou, a co-leader of the ERC鈥檚 research thrust on novel and safe refrigerants, will integrate the experimental and computational data into climate models to study the impacts of HFCs, their replacement compounds, and novel cooling technologies and practices on climate and atmospheric circulation.

“As temperatures continue to rise and with them the frequency and intensity of heat waves, so does the need for refrigeration and air conditioning,” said Karamperidou. “This leads to increased refrigerant use and related greenhouse gas emissions, and a vicious cycle between HVACR and global warming that needs to be better understood and ultimately broken.”

Matteson will place the modern demand for cooling and its social, environmental, and economic impacts into historical context. She notes that air conditioning technology was first developed in the early twentieth century and didn鈥檛 become widespread in U.S. homes until the 1970s.

“Now, extreme heat is affecting our health, learning and productivity, and exacerbating disparities between the haves and have-nots,” said Matteson. “Mitigating HFCs鈥� harmful effects while ensuring that everyone can function at a livable temperature is a vital social justice issue that needs to be driven by historical understanding as much as science.”

As part of the center, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 will also establish a new interdisciplinary graduate program in atmospheric chemistry (College of Natural Sciences and SOEST) to train future leaders in chemistry, atmospheric science and environmental science.

Diversity and Culture of Inclusion

Barnett will manage the Diversity and Culture of Inclusion (DCI) for the ERC, spearheading initiatives to support and advance EARTH鈥檚 diversity goals for students, faculty and staff. A major focus is to recruit and increase participation of Indigenous and tribal communities.

“I am looking forward to this opportunity to bring our commitment to diversity to our partner universities and to this important effort,” said Barnett. “This is a global issue that we are trying to address and one of the keys to success is to ensure that all voices are being considered and heard and offered an equitable opportunity to affect change.”

“For our team to be leading the DCI initiatives for the entire ERC shows how 东精影业, and Hawaiʻi in general, lead the nation in these types of efforts,” said Bruno. “We are committed to being a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning and fully embracing our multicultural and multi-ethnic communities. This is an opportunity to extend that forward thinking to the continent.”

Allen Vincent, a 4th year Chemistry PhD student in Sun’s lab, is the President of the Student Leadership Council (SLC) for ERC EARTH. He leads an active council of 26 students from the partner institutions who are all involved in research and academic activities for the ERC. The SLC will work closely with DCI efforts to address the ERC culture, diversity and recruitment of students.

Workforce training

ERC EARTH will work with industry to develop workforce goals that will involve community colleges to address workforce gaps. The 东精影业 team will work with the 东精影业 community colleges through coordinated outreach and training to prepare the next generation of HVACR workers.

“This project demonstrates the amazing synergies we can achieve when our campuses work together,” said 东精影业 President David Lassner. “Our world-class researchers will be developing solutions to a major challenge facing the planet with the commitment to train not just the next generation of researchers but also helping our community colleges train local residents for the high-quality jobs that will need to be filled to install and maintain newer systems that are more climate-friendly to our planet.”

More about ERC EARTH

The initial $26-million award is eligible for renewal for five additional years until 2034. NSF鈥檚 ERC program brings technology-based industry and universities together to strengthen the competitive position of American industry in the global marketplace. This ERC has interacting foundational components that go beyond the research project, including engineering workforce development and value creation within an innovation ecosystem that will outlast the lifetime of the ERC.

A new documentary called highlights the life and work of Filipina social justice and civil rights activist Amefil “Amy” Agbayani, emeritus assistant vice chancellor for student diversity at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补. The 15-minute short film, released last year by filmmaker Eleni Avenda帽o, premiered at the Fall 2023 Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF) and will be screened at the upcoming presented by HIFF on July 17.

Retired from 东精影业 in 2016, Agbayani has made significant contributions to immigrants and underserved students throughout her decades-long career from the 1960s.

“She may be well known in political circles, but she often works behind the scenes,” said Avenda帽o, who was intrigued by Agbayani鈥檚 story. “I wasn’t confident Hawaiʻi‘s younger generation had heard of her or ever met her. I was hoping a film project like this could get her impactful life story on record.”

“Although I was not used to the camera following me around, the short film provided a valuable platform to share my journey and amplify the call for greater diversity and equity at the University of Hawaiʻi and across the state,” said Agbayani.

Avenda帽o noted Agbayani鈥檚 captivating personality and her “infectious energy, brilliant wit, and humor puts people at ease.”

“Those who don’t know her could underestimate her, but she has the ability to command a room and capture the attention of lawmakers,” she said. “She’s truly a phenomenon, and when she was willing to let me follow her around and attempt to capture at least part of her story on film, it was a huge honor.”

Documentary highlights

The documentary showcases Agbayani鈥檚 tireless work to promote equal access, diversity and inclusion in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 educational institutions. Avenda帽o explained, “Manang Amy has championed these values in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 classrooms and university lecture halls. She’s served as an administrator at 东精影业 and lobbied at the state Capitol for crucial causes like immigrant justice and educational opportunity.”

She added, “Amy and her colleagues have worked to fight systemic racism and discrimination for immigrants and the underserved for many decades. She inspires people to run for office and make change in their communities. How do you fit that into a 15-minute film? I tried to include as much as possible.”

The film highlighted the establishment of 东精影业鈥檚 (SEED), which evolved from a mentorship program for Filipino youth Agbayani helped create in the 1970s called Operation Manong. SEED now offers programs for Native Hawaiians, women, students with disabilities, LGBT students, and other underserved groups, thanks to Agbayani鈥檚 efforts.

Related: Agbayani earns East-West Center Women of Impact Award

In the film, Agbayani shared the story of Manuel Fragante, a man who sued the City and County of Honolulu for job discrimination relating to his accent.

“His story is interesting because, as Manang Amy tells it, they lost the case in court, but it ultimately helped to push for the creation of the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, of which she was founding chair,” said Avenda帽o.

At 81-years-old, Agbayani remains active. She recently received the East-West Center鈥檚 2023 Women of Impact Award, and was selected by President Biden to serve on the White House Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

“I have always believed in the power of education to transform lives and create opportunities for all,” said Agbayani. “I appreciate 东精影业 colleagues, students and the community for supporting me and programs to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has access to the resources and support they need to succeed.”

Reaching a wider audience

Avenda帽o, also managing editor for HIKI N艑 on PBS Hawaiʻi, credited Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking, Vera Zambonelli and Shirley Thompson, for helping bring the project to fruition through their six-month Wahine Film Lab program.

“The project took me about two-and-a-half years to complete,” said Avenda帽o, who began the lab in summer 2021. “I shot most of the film while I was pregnant with my daughter, so at times it was hard to keep up with Manang Amy!”

Avenda帽o hopes to share Agbayani鈥檚 story with a wider audience and to host more public screenings. .

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo collaborated to illuminate the forgotten history of Koreans on Hawaiʻi Island. Faculty from the , , and departments contributed to the new exhibition, “One Heart: Korean Art and History Across the Pacific,” which brings together art and new historical research at Wailoa Center in Hilo.

At the helm of 东精影业 Hilo鈥檚 partnership is Seri Luangphinith, an English professor who has done extensive research into the history of Korean immigrants to Hawaiʻi Island. Among the displays, visitors will find gravestone rubbings she collected from field work on Hawaiʻi Island. Through Luangphinith鈥檚 exemplary research, Korean families on island have been able to reconnect with long-lost generations of their ancestors.

“We need to better understand and appreciate the Asian presence on this island,” said Luangphinith. “Koreans are a forgotten people here, and that’s unfortunate given their contributions to the local community and to Korea.”

Finding history

Luangphinith鈥檚 research spans from the arrival of the first Koreans to Hawaiʻi Island to the exploration of Korean cemeteries.

• Related 东精影业 News story: 东精影业 Hilo professor publishes book exploring the history of Korean immigrants, May 1, 2018

The first wave of Korean immigrants arrived from 1905 through the 1920s. The second wave came during the Japanese occupation, followed by another arrival during the Korean War.

“On a hunch, I started looking at Korean cemeteries because I knew that Japanese and Chinese immigrants recorded hometowns and families on their graves and sure enough the Koreans also did the same thing,” Luangphinith said.

Creative showcase

Art fills the second floor of the exhibition, which showcases the diverse voices and visions of Korean artists. From paintings and mixed-media artworks to artifacts and ceramics, the gallery show takes the viewer on a creative, emotional and historical journey. Michael Marshal, an art professor at 东精影业 Hilo, curated the exhibit, and artworks were juried or extensively assessed by Mizin Shin, an assistant professor at the University of Rochester. Faculty and students from 东精影业 Hilo鈥檚 art department helped prepare the works for display.

“Collaboration is a journey, within which everyone who is engaged with the process comes away with a broader understanding of the subjects,” said Marshall.

The exhibition opened on May 3 and will run through June 20. It is supported by the 东精影业 Hilo and the 东精影业 Mānoa . Major funding comes from the Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Free online event

Talk Story with digital media artist Gary Chong, June 1, 10:30 a.m. Chong, who is Korean and Native Hawaiian, will share thoughts on how his art captures the dark side of Hawaiʻi plantation life for Koreans that is far from the local glorified “melting pot.”

To register for Zoom, email: seri@hawaii.edu

—By Susan Enright

Many programs and departments at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 organize tours and site visits for elementary and secondary students to welcome and wow them about what their hometown flagship campus has to offer. The (ICS) has increased its efforts to showcase its STEM opportunities to Hawaiʻi keiki, with a particular focus on those who may not otherwise have access to higher education.

In April, ICS students and faculty welcomed haum膩na (students) from Farrington High School鈥檚 computer science club to the 惭腻苍辞补 campus. Farrington is a Title I school meaning that the campus provides additional academic support and learning opportunities for their students due to its high percentage of socioeconomically disadvantaged children. Organizers of the visit said many of the students are first generation, and they wanted to show them that college is an option for everyone.

“At most field trips I have had at 东精影业, I have had students who decide to major in computer science,” said Farrington High School club advisor Joshua Dimaya. “Some students, who had chosen not to go into college education, now are excited and motivated to go to school and start to work with our college counselor to apply for schools. Having presentations on and other support systems at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 also helps our students know that there are places to help them financially and emotionally when going to school, easing their decisions to go to 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补.&谤诲辩耻辞;

More than 1s and 0s

During the visit, the Farrington students met with Game Dev, an ICS student organization for gaming and game development. They also got a chance to visit Campus Center, Warrior Recreation Center, IT Center and the Office of Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity (SEED).

Jaira Pader, a computer science student and Farrington alumna, joined the tour as one of the leaders. Dimaya was Pader鈥檚 computer science teacher during her senior year.

“His class, by far, made a huge impact on my decision to major in computer science after learning about the potential careers I could get into and because of his passionate teaching,” Pader said. “Although I couldn鈥檛 get the same experience because of post-COVID regulations, I’m happy that he shows his students the opportunities they could have at 惭腻苍辞补 as computer scientists. It was great talking to a former teacher of mine and seeing the fascination these high schoolers have on the field.”

Over the past several months, ICS also welcomed Liholiho Elementary, ʻAiea High, Hanalani Schools and Maryknoll School.

The ICS advising team, led by Kenny Kaʻaiakamanu-Quibilan and Marilou Matsuura, welcomes school teachers and staff with an interest in taking their students on a tour of ICS to contact: icsadvis@hawaii.edu.

“On behalf of the ICS advising team, we are excited to have hosted several Hawaiʻi K–12 schools on campus!” Kaʻaiakamanu-Quibilan said. “It is our mission to inspire local talent and recruit underrepresented populations into the ICS field. More importantly, we hope these outreach events show students that college is possible and that there are people here to support them in their educational endeavors. We also want to say a mahalo nui loa to our campus student services like Warrior Recreation Center, SEED, TRIO 惭腻苍辞补, TIDES and iLab for collaborating with us.”

The Department of Information and Computer Sciences is housed in 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 .

The (NASPA), the nation驶s largest student affairs professional in higher education organization awarded the Pillars of the Profession to University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Christine Quemuel, the interim assistant vice provost for student diversity and inclusion.

[This award] represents generations of my family and my community who never even imagined that college was possible.
—Christine Quemuel

“I am overwhelmed by this honor, because the award isn鈥檛 just about me. It represents generations of my family and my community who never even imagined that college was possible,” said Quemuel, a first-generation college student with military connections and both of Yonsei (fourth generation Japanese immigrant) heritage and the daughter of an immigrant parent from the Philippines. “They are always with me in the work I do to provide access, opportunities and support for student success.”

Commitment to enhancing access and success

Quemuel has dedicated 27 years of service at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补. As part of the (SEED), she is committed to enhancing access and success for traditionally excluded student groups. She manages scholarships, facilitates lifelong learning for seniors, and implements policies for campus diversity and inclusion. She oversees various programs promoting educational equity, providing support services for a diverse student body and actively contributes to initiatives like the 惭腻苍辞补 Commission on Inclusion and Diversity, aligning with the university’s equity and diversity goals.

“I am eternally grateful to the entire SEED family, past and present—a truly amazing team of students and professionals who are deeply committed to communities that have been historically excluded and marginalized in education. I am able to do what I do because of their dedication to the success of our students, their families and communities,” she said.

“I can think of no one more deserving to be honored as a NASPA Pillar of the Profession than Christine Quemuel,” said nominator Romando Nash, associate vice president of student life services at the University at Nevada at Reno, who worked closely with Quemuel through their involvement with NASPA. “She is a consummate professional in all that she does and has made a difference in countless students驶 lives. Her congenial presence, keen insights and genuine care for students and the profession is not only impressive but a model for many professionals across the nation. Her being named a Pillar of the Profession is an honor that is long overdue.”

Quemuel is an alumna of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 where she earned her MA in American Studies and her PhD in Educational Administration. She earned her BA from Fairhaven College-Western Washington University.

Quemuel will be officially recognized as a Pillar of the Profession during NASPA Annual Conference in Seattle, WA, on March 12.

In an effort to encourage cross-cultural solidarity and fostering new connections, students from a variety of Filipino and Pacific Islander clubs and organizations at University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 were invited to a special event to ring in the new semester. The 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 , which provides services to students who identify as Filipino or Pacific Islander, hosted Spring Roll Call featuring music, spring rolls and giveaways to help emphasize the significance of creating intentional spaces for students.

“It was great to be in a space that was intentional towards building community and to welcome students to the spring semester,” said Breanna Agas, a program coordinator at TIDES. “I think it’s important for our students, especially those underrepresented [at 东精影业] to be aware of support systems and know who they can ask for help or for any questions they may have.”

Seven Filipino and Pacific Islander groups gathered at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 such as Timpuyog Organization, ʻIlima SACNAS Chapter, Pasifika Allies Association, Pan Pacific Association, Moʻui Maʻa Tonga Club, Fealofani O Samoa, and Katipunan Club.

“As a senior, it was heartwarming to see the Fil-PI (Filipino and Pacific Islander) community come together and just have fun before I graduate,” said Misimatoka Unutoa, a 东精影业 undergraduate who serves as student fellow with TIDES. “Especially as underserved populations here at 东精影业, it is nice to have had a space where we can connect and be together as the semester starts.”

More on TIDES

TIDES, housed under the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 , was established in 2021 through an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) grant. The AANAPISI program, initiated by Congress in 2007, designates 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 as one of eight federally recognized Minority-Serving Institutions.

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iwi 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 东精影业 community colleges to 东精影业 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 东精影业 Hilo, 东精影业 Maui and 东精影业 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.

About 24% of college students nationwide identify as a first-generation student, meaning they are current or aspiring students who are the first in their family to attend a college or university and pursue a four-year degree. At the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, the number of first-generation students is estimated to be higher than the national average. According to a recent survey administered by ‘Bow, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补驶s AI-powered chatbot, 50% of the 1,940 undergraduate students who responded identified as first-generation.

Related 东精影业 News story: 东精影业 Manoa recognized for helping 1st-gen students

Designated as a First-Gen Forward Institution by the in 2020, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 will join other institutions nationwide and hold a on November 8, recognizing the identity, potential and achievements of first-generation students. The event at the Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Services 11 a.m.鈥�2 p.m. aims to empower and connect first-generation students with invaluable resources and a supportive community to help ensure their success in higher education.

“First-generation students are trailblazers, leading the way in unfamiliar territory for their families to be successful in the higher education system, even if it is one that isn鈥檛 built for their success,” said Jennifer Barnett, associate director of the (SEED). “Ensuring that we understand their strengths and challenges helps us to better support our students.”

According to Barnett, first-generation students are known to be determined, motivated and resilient, but need the guidance and support to face unique challenges as the first in their family to go to college. Many of them come from historically underrepresented student populations.

With support from the (OVPSS), 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 applied to become a First-Gen Forward Institution to strengthen and enhance the campus’ efforts to create connections and a welcoming environment for its first-generation students.

“The current designation gives us an opportunity to understand and engage this special population with the added support of the Center for First Generation Student Success and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators,” Barnett said.

More on the event

The First-Generation College Celebration will feature various programs and activities, including:

• Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program: Learn about offered to first-generation students.
• Passport Program—score a free tote bag and boba: A fun and interactive “passport program” will guide students on how to find their academic advisor and what questions to ask them. Complete the passport and earn a free tote bag and enjoy free boba, while supplies last!
• Share your story: Faculty, staff, students and alumni may share their experiences and journey as first-generation students to inspire and uplift the community. To participate, .
• Networking: Connect with faculty, staff and fellow students and create a more inclusive and supportive environment.

In addition to the celebration, there will be a talk story event on November 9 with Hawaiʻi Rep. Amy Perruso. First-generation students are welcome to attend and share their educational experiences.

The First-Gen Forward committee, led by Barnett, includes representatives from throughout campus including Student Housing Services, OVPSS, Office of the Registrar and various SEED programs. For more, find them on Instagram .

Amefil (Amy) Agbayani, emeritus assistant vice chancellor for student diversity, received the 鈥檚 2023 for her lifetime work toward a more equitable and inclusive society. The award was presented to Agbayani at a private event on October 20.

“I am humbled and proud to receive this award,” Agbayani said. “Mahalo plenty to the East-West Center and many other organizations and individuals who continue to address inequities and give voice and visibility to marginalized communities. I am so very grateful to the center for awarding me a scholarship and bringing me to Hawaiʻi nearly 60 years ago, and providing me with lifelong friends from all across our region.”

A history of public service

Agbayani was born in the Philippines and received her education from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, University of the Philippines and East-West Center. At 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, Agbayani advocated, developed and administered student equity and diversity programs for Native Hawaiians, Filipinos, African Americans, Pacific Islanders, students with disabilities, women, LGBTQ+ students, senior citizens, immigrants and other underserved groups. She also conducted research on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in higher education.

Agbayani served as chair of the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, the Judicial Selection Commission and the Filipino Community Center. She is co-chair of Hawaiʻi Friends of Civil Rights, and board member of the Patsy T. Mink PAC and The Legal Clinic, an organization that ensures justice for low-income immigrants and migrants in Hawaiʻi.

Most recently, Agbayani was selected by President Biden to serve on the White House Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. In April 2023, she received the Guardian of Immigrant Justice award from The Legal Clinic for her significant contributions to Hawaiʻi over 60 years.

Inspiring future generations

Each year, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 awards the Dr. Amefil “Amy” Agbayani Faculty Diversity Enhancement Award, which recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to enhancing diversity. The award was established to recognize Agbayani鈥檚 lifetime commitment to diversity and social justice in Hawaiʻi.

“For decades, Amy has given so much to our East-West Center community as an invaluable mentor and alumni leader,” said East-West Center President and 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 alumna Suzanne Vares-Lum. “We are so thrilled to be able to be able to honor her in return for her unwavering commitment not just to the center, but to all of humanity.”