The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu accounting program received from the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Hawaiʻi a $25,000 endowment — the second gift from the association, for a total endowment of $50,000.
The first $25,000 endowment from AGA Hawaiʻi was gifted in 2017.
The purpose of the AGA Hawaiʻi Endowed Scholarship Fund is to provide scholarship support to students pursuing a degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting at UH West O’ahu. Funds will be used for costs associated with attendance (e.g. tuition, books, fees, etc.). The scholarship will be awarded to two students in an academic year.
UH West Oʻahu’s accounting concentration is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of accounting and the skills necessary to analyze, evaluate, and report financial information as well as identify local and international issues that affect the business environment.
“As a proud UH West Oʻahu accounting graduate, I and AGA Hawaiʻi, are honored to help be that supporter and make a life-changing impact on a student,” said AGA Hawaiʻi President Shena Bocalbos, who recently visited the campus for a special check presentation to UH West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham.
Bocalbos continued, “I believe in the next generation and helping to invest in the community that will create the pathway to student achievement.”
At the presentation, Bocalbos also praised her former accounting professors — including Drs. Katie Landgraf, Franklin Kudo, and Derrek Choy — for being influential to her and for their commitment to their students’ success. Today Bocalbos is a senior auditor with the City and County of Honolulu Office of the City Auditor.
“A successful program is one that gives back to its surrounding community,” said Landgraf, Assistant Professsor in Accounting at UH West Oʻahu. “The UH West Oʻahu accounting program has done just that! We supply the community with high-quality education, we ensure our students are experiencing support (academically, financially, and networking opportunities) while they are with us, and we directly connect them with fulfilling jobs.”
Landgraf added, “Students like Shena make us proud UH West Oʻahu educators! She is our product, our result of hard work and commitment not only from her, but from UH West Oʻahu as well.”
The following are the criteria and eligibility requirements for the AGA Hawaiʻi Endowed Scholarship:
- UH West Oʻau student
- Full-time or part-time, undergraduate
- Financial need not determined by federal guidelines
- GPA of 2.8 or above
- Business administration with a concentration in accounting
- Preferences in no particular order:
- Students who have worked or are committed to work for a federal, state, or local government agency as an accounting or auditing intern, or are interested in pursuing a career in government accounting
- Past or present active members of an accounting club at UH West Oʻahu
- Current members of the AGA Hawaiʻi Chapter
AGA Hawaiʻi membership includes about 160 professionals from Federal and State of Hawaiʻi agencies, City and County of Honolulu, international and local CPA firms, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. The chapter includes working professionals and student members.
Aileen Tolentino, a recent recipient of the scholarship, said in a statement through the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation that she was grateful to AGA Hawaiʻi for the award and the opportunity given to her.
“This gift is tremendously important and helpful to me because with this, I am able to continue and pursue my goal to earn my degree and share my knowledge to the community,” Tolentino said. “Also, I can improve my networking skills and will be able to show my personal development regarding teamwork and leadership.”
Visit the UH Foundation website to learn more about the AGA Hawaiʻi Endowed Scholarship Fund at UH West Oʻahu. Students may apply for the scholarship here.