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Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) - University of Phoenix
Masters of Public Health, Health Education (MPH) - UH Manoa
Bachelors of Arts, Sociology (BAS) - UH Manoa
14 years - Long-Term Care (Education and Training, Quality Assurance, Corporate Compliance)
13 years - Acute Care (Education and Training)
PUBA 101, 301, 302, 303, 308, 318, 319, 338, 345, 346, 446, 476, 477, 478, 479, 486L, 490L.
APSC 486H
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Joseph, M., Spencer, L., & Miranda, J. (2024). Collaborative Rubric Development: A Cross-Divisional Approach to Evaluating Critical Thinking. AALHE Emerging Dialogues. https://www.aalhe.org/emerging-dialogues---collaborative-rubric-development
Spencer, L., Tanner, A., & Lu, K. (2023). Using diffusion of innovation theory to address health of the homeless in Hawaiʻi. Healthcare, 11(21), 2828. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11212828
Spencer, L., & Lu, K. (2021). The iron triangle of health care: Implications for the long-term care environment. International Journal of Excellence in Healthcare Management, 6(1), [page numbers if available].
Spencer, L., & Lu, K. (2021). Infusing culture into the long-term care environment to improve public health and quality-of-life experience. European Journal of Environment and Public Health, 5(1), Article 11336. https://doi.org/10.21601/ejeph/11336
Book Chapters
Graham-Tutt, C., & Spencer, L. (2019). The physical plant. In C. McConnell (Ed.), Hospitals and health systems: What they are and how they work (1st ed., pp. 193–202). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Opinion Pieces/Other Publications
Spencer, L. (2025). Addressing ageism in long-term care: Strategies to promote resident-centered care. Gerontology & Geriatric Studies, 9(5), Article GGS.000724. https://doi.org/10.31031/GGS.2025.09.000724
Conference Presentations & Posters
Joseph, M., & Spencer, L. (2025, May 13). Institutional learning outcome #3 – critical thinking: A new rubric. In Professional Development Week, University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, Kapolei, HI, United States.
Spencer, L. (2025, April 2). Social determinants of health, community health equity, and kupuna in Hawaiʻi: A phenomenological approach. In 3rd Annual Research & Engaged Scholarship Symposia, University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, Kapolei, HI, United States.
Spencer, L. (2025, March 24–28). Student success through assessment [Poster presentation]. In Assessment for Curricular Improvement Poster Exhibit, Assessment and Curriculum Support Center, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States. Awarded: Best Use of Assessment for Improvement.
Spencer, L. (2024, May 17). Caring for our kupuna: A commitment to our ‘ohana. In Professional Development Week, University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, Kapolei, HI, United States.
Joseph, M., & Spencer, L. (2024, April 1–5). Are we, at UH West Oʻahu, meeting our critical thinking benchmark? [Poster presentation]. In Assessment for Curricular Improvement Poster Exhibit, Assessment and Curriculum Support Center, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States.
Spencer, L. (2021). Caring for our kupuna: A career in long-term care. In Hi-HOSA Conference 2021, Hawaiʻi.
Publications Pending
Spencer, L, Tanner, A., & Lu, K. (2025). Effective Communication for Behavior Change: Lessons from multicultural Hawai’i. Journal of Contemporary Studies in Epidemiology and Public Health.
Spencer, L. (2011). A phenomenological study of nursing home leaders’ experience with obese elderly patients. (Doctoral dissertation). University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ.
Governor's Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs (PABEA), Committee Member (2022-2026).
University Service – University of Hawai’i – West O’ahu (UHWO)
- DPC member (Fall 2025)
- FPC member (Fall 2025)
- Faculty Advisor to Students, Public Administration Division (2017-Present)
- Vice Chair, Assessment Committee (2024-Present)
- Assessment Coordinator, Public Administration (2017–Present)
- Division Liaison, Curriculum Committee, Public Administration (2018–Present)
- Member, Open Educational Resources (OER) Committee (2021-Present)
- Member, Program Review Committee (2021-Present)
- Member, Public Administration Division (2017-Present)
- Member, Student Affairs Committee (2024-Present)
- Chair, SAC Student Course Modality Focus Group Subcommittee (2024-2025)
- Vice Chair, Student Affairs Committee (2024 – present)
- Chair, Curriculum Committee (2023–2025)
- Vice Chair, Faculty Senate (2020–2023)
Professional & Community Service
- Member, Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs (PABEA) (2022–2026)
- Chair, Program Planning and Review Committee, PABEA (2022–Present)
- Member, Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE) (2025–Present)
- Member, Dementia Action Team, Hawaiʻi (2023–Present)
- Member, Kūpuna Collective, Hawaiʻi (2023–Present)