Our Mission
The Wo Learning Champions initiative focuses on professional development for faculty and staff in Hawai‘i’s two-year institutions. With a focus on learning and an eye on leadership development, the Wo Learning Champions program invests in junior members of the academic community, renews its senior faculty, and promotes the enrichment of all at the State’s community colleges.
Our History
On December 6, 2000, Dr. Joyce Tsunoda, Senior Vice President of the University of Hawai‘i and Chancellor for the Community Colleges, launched the Wo Learning Champions initiative. The Wo Learning Champions are representatives from all seven of Hawai‘i’s community colleges and the Employment Training Center. The Champions have as their overall goal to design a program of professional enrichment for UHCC faculty and staff; to implement the program; and to oversee the plan for its continued growth. Specifically, their responsibilities are to design a program of professional development for faculty/staff renewal and enrichment that will:
In the first two years, the enrichment program was by an additional $25,000 in support from the Wo Family Foundations. The principal and interest of the first two years of the endowment was reinvested. In subsequent years, the activities are funded by interest on the endowment.
- Keep learning at the center of its focus
- Have system-wide impact
- Allow for expansion and enrichment of activities as new resources become available
In the first two years, the enrichment program was by an additional $25,000 in support from the Wo Family Foundations. The principal and interest of the first two years of the endowment was reinvested. In subsequent years, the activities are funded by interest on the endowment.
Responsibilities of Wo Learning Champions
- Attend regular meetings
- Serve as models of professional enrichment
- Inspire members of our campus communities to pursue their own professional enrichment
- Nurture a focus on learning excellence through sponsorship of professional development activities on our campuses
- Share enrichment projects with colleagues, thereby enriching others and widening the circle of impact
Benefits
- Recognition as campus leaders
- Opportunity to contribute to systemwide professional development
- Support for own professional enrichment in the form of a mini-grant for travel to conferences or visits to exemplary institutions
Our Campuses
The Wo Learning Champions represent seven community college campuses across the University of Hawai'i system.
HAWAI‘I – Located in Hilo and administering Kona’s UH Center at West Hawai‘i, this Big Island community college offers more than 30 associate degree, certificate and non-credit programs ranging from health services and hotel operations to business and trades. Campus profile | Homepage |
HONOLULU – Located near downtown Honolulu with additional facilities for aeronautic, marine, automotive and heavy equipment programs, this innovative community college offers a strong liberal arts curriculum in addition to a wide range of vocational and technological programs. Campus profile | Homepage |
KAPI‘OLANI – On the slopes of Diamond Head, just minutes from Waikiki, UH's largest community college started the Culinary Institute of the Pacific, promotes an international focus and provides programs in business, hospitality, health, legal education and arts and sciences. Campus profile | Homepage |
KAUA‘I – A primary resource center and gathering place for residents and visitors, this community college in Lihu‘e offers business, technology, hospitality, health, early childhood education and liberal arts courses and administers the UH Center on Kaua‘i. Campus profile | Homepage |
LEEWARD – This community college overlooking Pearl Harbor provides comprehensive opportunities from professional studies to liberal arts. Community outreach includes cultural activities on the main campus and an education center serving Wai‘anae. Campus profile | Homepage |
MAUI – A tri-island college, Maui provides comprehensive opportunities, special programs and two bachelor’s degrees on Maui. It operates the UH Center on Maui, education centers in Hana and on Lana‘i and Moloka‘i and a pioneering television network that reaches rural areas. Campus profile | Homepage |
WINDWARD – At the base of O‘ahu’s Ko‘olau mountains in Kane‘ohe, this supportive community college specializes in creative arts, environmental sciences and Hawaiian studies. It is home to the Hawai‘i Music Institute and administers the Employment Training Center. Campus profile | Homepage |