The University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu welcomed more than 200 faculty and staff at the Fall 2024 Convocation — on Aug. 22 at the Campus Center multi-purpose room — a semesterly event celebrating achievements over the last year and highlighting goals going into the next academic year and beyond.
Before the program started, attendees had the opportunity to catch up with one another, enjoy morning snacks and refreshments, and visit informational tables to learn more about various campus organizations and resources, such as Student Learning and Success, IT, and ‘Upena Moananuiākea, a Title III program that has been working with faculty and students to introduce approaches to using new digital media to strengthen and build impactful learning.
Convocation began with the singing of “Mele Honouliuli” by attendees and offering of Hō‘oia ‘Āina (Land Acknowledgement) by UH West O‘ahu Director of Student Life Rouel Velasco, who also served as the event’s master of ceremonies. Dr. Manu Aluli Meyer, Kūlana o Kapolei, then shared a message from beloved and retired resident kupuna Aunty Lynette Paglinawan, who emphasized the importance of everyone engaging deeply in pilina, or quality relationships.
The program continued with the recognition of UH West O‘ahu’s new, returning, and transfer employees; 10-year and 20-year service award winners; Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching winner Carina Chernisky; Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching winner Bonnie Bittman; Laulima Teaching Innovation Award winner Joy Mahiko; and Lecturer Excellence in Teaching Award winner Alexander Gorospe. Those who received tenure and promotion, and those who retired were also recognized during the program.
In her opening remarks, Chancellor Maenette Benham extended her appreciation to all faculty and staff for their accomplishments and efforts.
“I just want to take a moment to mahalo deeply every one of you for stepping up, stepping in,” Benham said.
Benham provided information including campus highlights, such as enrollment growth, a high graduation rate, and top rankings; an overview of the campus organization; and campus standing committees. She continued with insights into the UH System Strategic Plan 2023-2029 and its four imperatives, and its alignment with the UH West O‘ahu Strategic Action Plan 2018-2028 and its three impact strategies.
Institutional Research Director John Stanley then presented a look at UH West O‘ahu “By the Numbers.” Among some of the takeaways:
- Enrollment is trending higher this fall (8.7 percent higher than at same time last year) and first-time enrollment is at a five-year high
- Highest percentage of Native Hawaiian students in the UH System (28 percent)
- Retention and graduation rates are at near-all-time highs, including a record high six-year graduation rate (46.8 percent)
- Degree output per capita is exceptionally high (23.9 percent, higher than peer average of 19.2 percent)
- Post-graduate outcomes, including employment and median wages a year after graduation, are the highest in the UH System (79 percent and $38,011, respectively)
Convocation also featured presentations from David McDonald, Vice Chancellor for Administration; Dee Uwono, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs; and Harald Barkhoff, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs — each of whom shared upcoming projects, opportunities, and goals. (For highlights, see Convocation PowerPoint slides 39-51.)
Benham’s closing remarks included noting the importance of looking into monetizing UH West O‘ahu’s land, continuing to grow our global engagement initiatives, and working on setting up an “educational auwai” in the coming year. Benham also reminded everyone of UH West O‘ahu’s core values, our pahuhopu — kaiāulu, hana lawelawe, mālama ‘āina, waiwai, and po‘okela.
“He maka au, he ‘upena kākou,” Benham said. “We’re just the little maka, the little eyes, but together we make a net.”
Following the program, faculty and staff enjoyed bento lunches and time for fellowship at the Nāulu Center and Outdoor Learning Space.
To see more photos from the event, visit the Fall 2024 Convocation album on Flickr.
Click here to see the Convocation PowerPoint presentation.
Click here to watch a recording of the Convocation program.
