Minority Access and Achievement Program

Home > About UH Hilo > Student Affairs > Minority Access and Achievement Program

Ginger Hamilton, Director
Student Services Building, Room 202
(808) 974-7451
www.uhh.hawaii.edu/studentaffairs/maap/

The Minority Access and Achievement Program (MAAP) Office was established as the result of an initiative by the state legislature to “improve access and success of students from underrepresented ethnic groups at the University and in the professions in Hawaiʻi.”

The focus of this office is to reach out to the target population and empower them to achieve their goals by providing a variety of support services to meet the students’ needs. Services are free to participants and include the following: personal counseling, academic planning, career exploration, and assistance with applying for financial aid and scholarships.

The Peer Assistant Linkages and Support (PALS) is a mentoring program which links freshmen and transfer students with UH Hilo students who serve as peer assistants. PALS provides a place where participants can meet and are encouraged to seek assistance with making a smooth transition to the institution through group rap sessions, academic and personal development workshops, cultural enrichment activities, study groups, and more.

MAAP is also committed to addressing issues of access for underrepresented populations by partnering with other campus and community agencies on recruitment n and cultural activities. These events include Filipino American Heritage Month in October, Black History Month in February, and The Taste of College which brings 8th graders on campus to experience a day at UHH.

The MAAP office also works collaboratively with the Career Center to offer the Bridge to Hope (BTH) Program at UH Hilo. This program is an employment support program for TANF (welfare) recipients who are participating in the First to Work program. BTH helps to place students in jobs on campus and provides support to assist them in meeting their educational and personal goals.