Chancellor Rose Tseng

Chamber Connection

December 2007

Increasing access to higher education for Native Hawaiians

Since I arrived at UH Hilo in 1998, one of my highest priorities has been to increase access to higher education for all our state’s people. Our excellent faculty and staff have done a great job at the task, reflected in our student enrollment increases every year.

A high priority is to improve access for Native Hawaiians, who make up 20 percent of our student population. UH Hilo has more Native Hawaiian students than any other of the 10 UH campuses throughout the state.

One of our most successful programs is called Kipuka, which in Hawaiian means “an oasis within a lava bed where there may be vegetation.” The program provides our Native Hawaiian students a safe haven in a Hawaiian setting to ensure their academic success.

Kipuka has a professional staff that provides counseling, tutoring, computer training, mentoring and assistance with financial aid. Peer mentors tutor students in English, math, sciences and Hawaiian language.

Kipuka is funded and sustained through much collaboration. There was an arduous qualification process with the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) that resulted in a grant from 2000-2005 of about $2 million. The focus of that grant was Native Hawaiian student retention, and through a collaboration with our College of Hawaiian Language, to develop distance learning Hawaiian language courses and a Hawaiian Studies BA to Maui and Kaua‘i. The grant also renovated some offices and computer labs.

Kipuka’s current USDOE grant, covering 2005-2010, is about $2.5 million. The focus is to strengthen curriculum, develop faculty, and increase web access to Hawaiian language resources-another collaboration with the College of Hawaiian Language. We also further renovated Kipuka offices, classrooms, computer labs, and built a beautiful halau structure for Hawaiian cultural and protocol practices.

A requirement of the grant is to make Kipuka sustainable by the end of the funding period. To this end, I am very pleased that Kipuka has received seven new positions from the State Legislature.

But there is more work to be done to achieve lasting sustainability. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of everyone at Kipuka, and the collaborative efforts of faculty and staff at our College of Hawaiian Language, I know this program will continue to grow and flourish.

Another program supporting Native Hawaiians is our Keaholoa program that focuses on inspiring and supporting students in science, technology, engineering and math, the so-called STEM programs. Keaholoa is a $2.5 million federal program focusing on a rigorous curriculum as well as faculty development so that students and teachers are interacting in a culturally sensitive way. The program is creating a cadre of Native Hawaiian students versed in STEM fields, many of whom are continuing on to graduate school.

A statewide program based at UH Hilo is the Na Pua No‘eau Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children. Na Pua No‘eau serves K-12 students of Hawaiian ancestry with activities that embrace Native Hawaiian history, culture, values and language. For example, combining ancestral wisdom with contemporary STEM technology to nurture Native Hawaiian children and bring out their full potential. The goal is to increase numbers of Native Hawaiians who participate in the growth and development of local communities, the state and the nation.

UH Hilo’s Native Hawaiian programs and K-12 outreach enrich both our university community and our island communities. When we create threads of knowledge and support for our Native Hawaiian students that seamlessly extend from the university to our island communities, we strengthen and improve the lives of all our citizens, enriching public and private sectors.

Our Native Hawaiian students are a precious resource and I hope Chamber members will do all they can to extend a helping hand to these future leaders of island business, our communities and our state. When we all work together, great things can happen!

Aloha,

Rose Tseng

Chancellor Rose Tseng

Chamber Connection

November 2007

Island to host prestigious science conferences

During the month of November, hundreds of scientists, researchers and administrators are coming to our island to attend two impressive conferences.

The 20th annual Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) conference will be held in Waikoloa Nov. 6-9. EPSCoR is a National Science Foundation (NSF) program to develop a state’s academic science and technology resources in a way that supports the creation of wealth and enhances the life of the state’s citizens.

I’m proud that UH Hilo took the lead in 2001 and headed the drive to have Hawai‘i declared an EPSCoR state. I served first as chair and now as co-chair of the Hawai‘i EPSCoR State Committee that oversees and provides direction for the statewide program.

The program has brought over $40 million to the state for research in evolutionary genetics, ecosystem studies and cyber infrastructure. EPSCoR has greatly enhanced the research programs at UH Hilo, notably our graduate program in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Sciences. Other University of Hawai‘i academic and research programs throughout our state are also benefiting. The program also funds K-12 outreach programs to increase underrepresented populations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.

Many states competed to hold the national conference in their respective states but Hawai‘i won this year with the success of our program. As the principal investigator for the grant, I felt it very important to hold the annual conference here on our island so that its resources as a natural living laboratory and potential partnerships with community stakeholders could be highlighted.

The conference is a great opportunity for members of the Chamber to come and talk to top people about grant funding and policy making. Keynote speakers and panels include science policy and funding experts from the NSF, National Academy of the Sciences, Smithsonian, and others. One of the panels made up of philanthropists and venture capitalists will discuss venture philanthropy and private sector partnerships for science education and research.

UH President David McClain will be joining us and the opening keynote speaker is Edgy Lee, CEO and founder of FilmWorks Pacific. Maurice Kaya, chief technical officer at the Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will be on a panel discussing science policy at the state level.

Don’t miss this opportunity! For more information about EPSCoR, please call Terri Chong at 933-3325 or email admepscr@hawaii.edu. For conference details on the web, go to www.epscor07.com.

Another prestigious gathering on our island this month is the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems’ first annual conference Nov. 7-10 in Hilo. PISCES, with base offices at UH Hilo, is an education and research center developing technology for humans to inhabit the Moon and beyond!

PISCES is a partnership between UH Hilo, the State of Hawai‘i, industry, academia and the governments of space-faring nations, and will use our island’s remarkable volcanic setting for research, testing and astronaut training. The PISCES conference will be an excellent opportunity for space exploration researchers, educators and others to learn about the center, take part in the discussions and help steer its development.

For information about registration for EPSCoR and PISCES conferences, please call UH Hilo Conference Center at 974-7555.

These conferences will add much prestige to Hawai‘i’s scientific profile and enhance our efforts to develop a strong, viable research infrastructure in the state. When we all work together, great things can happen!

Aloha,

Rose Tseng

Chancellor Rose Tseng

Chamber Connection

October 2007

We held a STEM Mini Summit at UH Hilo in September and I’d like to share with you some of things that we talked about.

STEM is the commonly used acronym for the crucial disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. I say crucial because there is a great need for more professionals in these fields, and our state and nation will fall behind in the global economy if we don’t find a fix.

Finding solutions to the shortage of STEM professionals means that universities need to reinvent undergraduate education. At UH Hilo, we are doing our part with pioneering programs specially designed to inspire and support students who show promise in STEM fields but who might otherwise “fall through the cracks.”

At our summit, we discussed ways that our state’s deficiencies in STEM professionals carries with it a cultural imperative. For instance, our Keaholoa program inspires STEM interest in local students through creating a culturally sensitive learning environment, often grounded in Native Hawaiian practices and protocol.

Keaholoa is a $2.5 million federal program to increase our number of STEM graduates. It not only focuses on giving undergraduates a rigorous curriculum, but also on faculty development so that teachers are teaching in a culturally sensitive way that inspires and supports students. The enhanced curriculum is creating a cadre of Native Hawaiian students versed in STEM fields.

People often think that the push for STEM education is at the expense of culture and the arts, but this simply is not so. Above all else, the most important component to UH Hilo STEM programs is “Quality Learning with Aloha.” The curriculum is rigorous and demanding, but the delivery is culturally sensitive, culturally based, with caring teachers and professors. Small class sizes and low faculty-student ratio create an enlightened learning environment, preparing Hawai‘i’s students for the 21^st century.

Chamber members may be asking, what does all this science and culture education have to do with us in the business sector? Well, you can help. Studies show that internships are one of the very best ways to inspire and engage students. You have the power to help shape Hawai‘i’s future by mentoring a student, sharing your wisdom, nurturing a young mind to value the rigorous pursuit of STEM disciplines.

The chair of the National Science Board says that UH Hilo integrates science and culture like no other institution in the country. We are the model for 21^st century STEM education, and I hope you feel inspired to participate in our exciting educational opportunities.

Chancellor Rose Tseng

Chamber Column

September 2007

UH Hilo celebrates new people

The start of a new academic year is always exciting as we welcome newcomers and reunite with our university ‘ohana.

During orientation week, we welcomed hundreds of parents, students and new faculty and staff. Our university community did a marvelous job of looking after everyone and making last minute arrangements during the two days campus was closed due to the hurricane watch.

About 180 new faculty and staff have joined us. This influx of people enriches our campus and island community. They bring new energy and give a big boost to the island economy.

At our College of Pharmacy, the inaugural class of 90 students arrived along with over a dozen new faculty. Along with Hawai‘i residents, they herald from the continental U.S., the Pacific region, Asia and elsewhere and enhance our university’s diverse population.

The Education, Nursing and Business programs also welcome new faculty. In addition, new research positions have been filled.

We say aloha to former vice chancellors Steve Hora and Bill Chen and give our thanks for their exemplary service. With their departure, we welcome our new Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Phil Castille and Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs Debra Fitzsimons.

Dr. Castille was founding dean at the College of Arts & Letters at Eastern Washington University. Previously, he served at Louisiana Tech University, and before that at the University of Houston Downtown as assistant chair of the Division of Arts & Humanities.

Dr. Fitzsimons joins us from Southwestern Community College District near San Diego, where she served as vice president of administrative affairs and chief business officer. Previously, she was CBO and administration dean at Grossmont College, California. Before that, she was executive director of financial affairs at Youngston State University, Ohio.

All search committees are to be commended for finding people of such high quality for UH Hilo as we transition into a truly comprehensive university. A special thank you to Chamber members who came to our open forums for candidates, and also to those who helped during the interviews and then assisted our newcomers with relocating. You are all the Aloha Spirit at work.

We’re off to a good start for 2007-2008! Thank you for all your support. When we work together, great things can happen!

Aloha,

Rose Tseng

Chancellor’s Message

Chamber Connection

August 2007

As promised in a previous column, I’d like to give you an update on this year’s legislative season. Many of you in the Chamber played a big role in generating momentum for UH Hilo at the Legislature this year by writing letters of support, participating in capitol walk arounds and other activities. There are many challenging issues faced by the business sector, and I am grateful for the way everyone rallied around UH Hilo. Thank you for your hard work done on the university’s behalf.

I am pleased to report that the State released $6 million to provide modular buildings for years two through five of our new Pharmacy program. We’re excited to welcome the inaugural class of 90 students this fall with 45 students from Hawai‘i and 45 students from the mainland and elsewhere in the world.

We just received news that our College of Pharmacy has achieved the first step in its accreditation process. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education has granted the college Pre-Candidate Status. Ours is the first college recognized by the ACPE to offer the Doctor of Pharmacy degree in the state of Hawai‘i. UH Hilo’s Pharmacy program is a good example of the ways in which UH Hilo is answering state and national needs for health care professionals.

The State also appropriated $26 million for renovations and additions to our outdated Student Services Building. With our growing enrollment, which has increased some 33 percent since 1997 to 3,517 students in Fall 2006, the building was in great need of some “catch up.” The improvements will allow for consolidation of services, giving students a one-stop location for all their needs including confidential counseling, academic advising, financial aid, admissions, tutoring, career services, disabled student programs, women’s programs, registrar, and business office. In addition, administration offices that have been housed at the old university clinic for over a decade will also be moved to the expanded building.

The North Hawai‘i Education and Research Center, a community outreach project located in the rural town of Honoka‘a about 40 miles north of the main campus, got a boost with a $2.9 million appropriation for the second phase of its construction. This will provide for a two-story building for classrooms and offices, equipment for computer rooms and parking. An additional $234,000 in the state budget will provide for four additional positions at the center.

Community outreach projects such as the center in Honoka‘a are an essential component of UH Hilo’s commitment to be the “engine” for our island’s socio-economic advancement. The North Hawai‘i Education and Research Center provides distance learning for UH Hilo programs, higher education outreach, lifelong learning classes, a field research base, and serves as a community center. Further, this type of facility fosters a sense of place, identity and community pride for rural residents.

For more information about these and other UH Hilo projects, please visit my website at www.uhh.hawaii.edu/news/latc.

Thank you again for your dedication to the advancement of higher education on our island. Great things happen when everyone works together to move UH Hilo forward.

Mahalo and Aloha.

Chancellor’s Message

Chamber Connection

July 2007

The National Science Board recently visited UH Hilo to hear about the exciting research and science education happening at our university. The NSB advises the President and Congress on policy related to scientific research and education. I’d like to share some highlights of the meeting with yo

We talked about the national shortage of scientists and engineers and the ways that our university is answering this need. The board praised us for our great success in creating an atmosphere where students and faculty thrive on teaching, learning and research. They commended us on our outreach to underrepresented student populations, and were very interested in our innovative programs that integrate culture, science and technology.

What really sparked their interest was learning about our island “living laboratory” and how it gives our students extraordinary opportunities to collaborate with faculty on scientific research. Many of our students have gone on to graduate school and research careers because of their hands-on research experience at UH Hilo.

The board thought that our great success with research and teaching grants in astronomy, biology, biomedical sciences, geology and geography, marine science, aquaculture, social sciences and pharmacy could serve as model programs to other universities throughout the country.

You might be asking yourself, why should scientific research activity be of interest to the business sector of our island?

Scientific exploration is a vital ingredient to the quality of life of Hawai‘i’s citizens. The NSB mission is in part “to promote the progress of science; to advance national health, prosperity, and welfare.”

The board’s vision includes “knowledge of the trajectory of global science and engineering research, and our confidence in a promising future. History suggests that a nation that relinquishes the torch of science puts its future prosperity at risk… The board believes that we must not let this fate befall our country.”

We at UH Hilo share in this vision. As the NSB noted, we are a nationally-recognized leader in innovative programs that inspire students to explore and excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, commonly called STEM fields. We are growing our research enterprise through securing grants from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and other agencies. Currently, there is about $20 million in research activity at the university. To learn more about these initiatives, I invite you to visit my website at www.uhh.hawaii.edu/news/latc/.

UH Hilo’s scientific education and research is paying off for our island, state and Pacific region. The university is producing teachers, health care workers, engineers, scientists, high technology professionals and more. In short, UH Hilo is churning out professionals who can compete and flourish in their local communities or in the global society.

Before I close, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing President David De Luz for his commitment to UH Hilo. He’s a great champion of our university and we appreciate the strong leadership he provided, especially during the legislative session.

I extend a warm welcome to President-elect Bob Williams. I look forward to working with Bob; when we work together, great things happen!

Mahalo and Aloha.

Chancellor’s Message

Chamber Connection

June 2007

UH Hilo celebrated Spring Commencement on May 12. It was a joy to see the support of friends, families and the community for our graduates. Many state and county elected officials also attended to honor our graduates. Keynote speaker was Jack Gifford, a pioneer in the analog microchip industry and founder of Maxim Integrated Products.

Each commencement is more exciting than the last with our growth of enrollment and degree programs. When I was appointed chancellor in 1998, there were no advanced degree programs and now UH Hilo offers six.

Three of our master’s programs answer community and global needs: Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science, China-U.S. Relations, and Counseling Psychology.

The biology graduate program is a perfect fit for our island because our location is one of the best places in the world to study conservation.

Did you know that of the United States total of 1,310 endangered plants and animals, 329 are native Hawaiian species? That’s 25% of all endangered species in the country! In addition, Hawai‘i’s endangered plants are 37% of U.S. total endangered plant species—273 of 744 species.

Our conservation biology master’s program uses this extraordinary ecosystem as a “living laboratory.” Graduate students study natural resource issues found in our own backyard.

The multidisciplinary program has 30 faculty participating from the fields of anthropology, biology, chemistry, geography, geology and marine science. Students conduct applied research alongside their professors in ecology, genetics and environmental monitoring.

Thesis topics include research on the endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper, DNA fingerprinting of Nene, arsenic in Wailoa River sediment, and control of coqui. Graduate students and their faculty advisors also routinely include UH Hilo undergraduates in research projects.

A core component of the program involves collaborations with government agencies. Partnerships with the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, U. S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration strengthen the university and our island community by stimulating important research.

Our graduate students also serve as teaching fellows with K-12 teachers and students to strengthen primary and secondary education science courses and inspire youngsters to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science graduate program helps develop a thriving professional workforce in response to state and national needs. The multidiscipline program gives our graduates a boost in science careers or pursuit of a doctoral degree.

Mahalo for all your support. When we all work together, great things happen!

Chancellor’s Message

Chamber Connection

May 2007

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo is growing quickly. Not long ago, UH Hilo was a small liberal arts campus on a few acres. Now, we are a comprehensive university excelling in liberal arts, professional degrees and applied research with room to grow to 700 acres.

We are transforming and expanding our campus to provide the best possible learning environment for our students. We’ve built the first laboratory and classroom buildings in 20 years, upgraded campus-wide communication and Internet systems, constructed sheltered walkways throughout campus, and created an open-air plaza for public and university events.

Capital improvement projects in planning and development stages are the Science and Technology Building, Student Life and Events Center, College of Pharmacy, and College of Hawaiian Language. The Mookini Library, which serves UH Hilo, Hawai‘i Community College and the general public, is undergoing extensive renovations.

UH Hilo’s University Park of Science and Technology, located adjacent to our main campus, houses multinational astronomy facilities, USDA research centers serving the entire Pacific region, and UH Hilo’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i. The total investment of tenants is $800 million with creation of over 400 jobs.

UH Hilo outreach includes the Hawai‘i Innovation Center in downtown Hilo, the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center at Hilo Bay, and the North Hawai‘i Education and Research Center in Honoka‘a—all centers of inspiration, innovation and socio-economic advancement.

UH Hilo gives students access to the best possible resources to prepare for professional careers or further education. Graduates are ready to contribute to their communities, compete in the global marketplace, or continue on to advanced degrees.

Many of you in the Chamber support our efforts during the Legislative Session by giving testimony and meeting with legislators to talk story about ways to strengthen UH Hilo. Thank you for your hard work. When we all work together, great things can happen!

Mahalo and Aloha.

Chancellor’s Message

Chamber Connection

April 2007

The Hawai‘i Science and Technology Council invited me to speak last month in Honolulu on UH Hilo’s science and technology programs. The group was very interested in what’s happening at UH Hilo and the Big Island in the areas of science and technology. I’d like to share some highlights of my presentation with you.

UH Hilo has five academic colleges and offers 35 baccalaureate degrees, six master degrees and two doctorates. This includes degrees in all basic sciences, along with business, computer science, agriculture, forestry, education, nursing and other professional programs.

We have applied for and received grants from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, NASA, USDA and other federal agencies. Grants increase annually and currently top $20 million. This money enables us to inspire and increase more local students to be scientists and attend graduate school. This is important because other countries are graduating more students skilled in science and technology than the United States. This is a gathering storm for our nation and we must answer this urgent need.

Nowhere on Earth is there a more inspirational place for science and technology education than the island of Hawai‘i. Our biological and geographical diversity makes our “living laboratory” the perfect training environment for scientists. Our students conduct research alongside their professors in astronomy, marine science, aquaculture, geology, conservation biology and other natural sciences, giving them hands-on experience before they enter the workforce.

UH Hilo is taking the lead in advancing science and technology education to develop a thriving professional workforce in response to state and national needs. Our graduates are poised to contribute to their communities, continue their education or compete in the global marketplace.

Thanks to many of you in the Chamber, UH Hilo students participate in internships, receive career counseling and scholarships. Thank you for your hard work and strong support. When we all work together, great things can happen!

Mahalo and aloha,

Rose Tseng

Chancellor’s Message

Chamber Connection Newsletter

Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce

March 2007

Thank you members of the Chamber and business community for your steadfast support of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. This affirmation of community support galvanizes our Big Island delegation in their efforts to champion UH Hilo as a comprehensive university. We are very fortunate of the community’s support and its passion for UH Hilo. There are many challenging issues, but I am pleased how everyone rallies around UH Hilo.

Higher Education Committee Chair, Representative Jerry Chang, has a long history with the university, and he, along with other members of our delegation, are always strong advocates on our behalf. This kind of focus means there is momentum for UH Hilo.

I believe your commitment and strong advocacy of UH Hilo fuels this positive momentum. Your presence, requests for appointments with the legislators and capitol walk arounds are invaluable. Thank you for your work on behalf of the university.

University Relations Director Gerald DeMello spoke about UH Hilo to the combined Chamber’s government affairs committees at the Hilo Yacht Club. I want to thank the attendees for their keen attention and interest in understanding the important issues facing the university. Informed business leaders make powerful advocates!

I will keep you posted of our progress at the capitol . Mahalo again for your support. Great things happen when everyone works together to move UH Hilo forward.

Aloha.