@uhhadviseExploratory Students
Aloha and welcome! An "exploratory" student at UH Hilo is coded as "GEN", but simply means that a student has not yet declared a major and is completing general education courses. If you are an exploratory student, you are invited to contact the Advising Center for advising or if you should have any questions.
Announcements!
Fall 2009 Advising Appointments for Continuing Exploratory Students
We invite you to schedule an advising appointment with your advisor between now and November 25.
Although the class availability for Spring 2010 will not be available until November, we can still meet to discuss academic planning, goal-setting, career goals, as well as conduct a check-in to see where you're at this semester. We'd love to hear how you're doing and if necessary, provide you with support so you can be successful this semester.
During the week of early registration, we will not be accepting appointments, but will be helping exploratory students on a drop-in basis, so it is in your best interest to schedule an appointment ahead of time, prior to November 25, so that we can give you the time you would need for advising.
To schedule an appointment, please email, call, or drop by and provide us with your name and some possible days and times you wish to schedule your advising appointment.
Personal Development Workshop Series
New Student Programs is offering a Personal Development Workshop series. Check it out!
Important Information for General Students
- All exploratory students who will have earned 55 semester hours
must declare
a major before registering for your next semester.
- If you already know what you plan to major in, please come in to meet with your advisor and we can help you fill out the form before you submit it to the Office of the Registrar.
- If you don’t yet know what your major will be, you have a number of resources at your disposal: You can make an appointment to meet with your advisor, visit the Career Center for career exploration, or the Counseling Center (808) 974-7399.
General "To-Do List"
Before scheduling an appointment with an advisor to discuss major exploration, we request that you do the following:
- Go through these advising resources for exploratory students.
- Use the General Education area requirements (Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences) to explore the majors. Take exploratory courses in areas you find interesting after reviewing the course descriptions in the undergraduate catalog.
- List courses you've taken at UH Hilo that you've enjoyed. Why did you enjoy these courses?
- Go through the undergraduate catalog and read through the different disciplines and majors. List down the majors you do not want to study and the majors you could select.
- "Talk story" with the professor of a class you find interesting to find out more about the major.
- Attend events around campus. You may find a subject or area you'd like to study after attending one of these events. Most campus happenings can be found on the News and Events website of the UH Hilo and many events are sponsored by academic clubs.
- Visit the Career Center for Career Assessment and Exploration.
Meet your Advisors
(from left to right: Kurt de la Cruz, Jodilyn Kunimoto, and Kainoa Ariola)
In addition to the professional staff, the Advising Center also has 2 peer advisors on staff, Alyssa and Nicole.
Jodilyn Kunimoto, academic advisor
Aloha! What I like most about my job is working and learning from students. Each student brings a diverse set of experiences, values, and issues that need to be resolved, and we’re in a place to help them get on their way. I have discovered that working with students is my work, and with that I give my heart and care to students and my work in the Center.
I have 10+ years of Advising and Counseling experience with both traditional age and non-traditional age students throughout the University of Hawaii System, specifically at Kapi`olani Community College on Oahu, Hawai`i Community College less than a mile from UH-Hilo, and now here at UH-Hilo. I am also alumni of the UH–Manoa, and hold a Bachelor of Arts, in Psychology and a Masters of Education, in Counseling and Guidance.
My passion is assisting students to “find THEIR way”. Your unique and individual way and place at the University and eventually in your career and life. That can be a struggle, but students’ eventually figure it out, sometimes with a little bit of help. The cool thing, is I get paid to do it…so please, “e komo mai”…welcome, and sit, stay…and find your way…
“Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it. “ Buddha
Favorite Ice Shave/Shave Ice Combo: strawberry or orange dream flavor, azuki beans and ice cream inside, condensed cream drizzle on top. If available, steamed manapua and pork has on the side.
Kurt de la Cruz, academic advisor
Kurt de la Cruz is from the great district of Ka’u. He comes with over 18 years of providing services to students. A graduate of the UHH Upward Bound program, Kurt went on to complete degrees in Journalism/Public Relations (BA) at the University of Northern Colorado and a masters (MS) in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University. He, his partner Maire, and their daughter Maika’i live on a farm outside of Hilo where they live on Solar power and grow their own vegetables. Kurt is also a traveled musician who has shared the stage with performers such as Ozomatli, Lucky Dube, and Jack Johnson, amongst others. Most of all, Kurt has great passion in the role of higher education and what it means for Hawaii’s young folks. Throughout his UHH career, he has worked as a Resident Manager for Hale Ikena, the Assistant Director of Upward Bound, and now as an academic adviser in the Advising center.
Favorite Ice Shave/Shave Ice Combo: Red... also known as Strawbarrrrry. With vanilla ice cream. Nuff.
Kainoa Ariola, director/academic advisor
Aloha mai kākou! I’m originally from Kōloa, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi and was the first in my family to go to college. I graduated from UH Hilo with a BA in Hawaiian Studies and an MA in Administration, Curriculum, and Instruction from Gonzaga University. Believe me when I say, I know what you’re going through! College can be exciting/scary/stressful all at the same time. Rest assured, although your success at UH Hilo is within your control, you’re not alone! Get to know your professors. Maintain a support network of friends and family. Go to class. Study. Seek out help when you need it. Have fun. Don’t give up. I issue you a challenge, exploratory student... Take advantage of the resources available to you and visit with us in the Advising Center or email at least once each semester while you’re an exploratory student. Have questions, concerns, great news, bad news, challenges? We’re here to support you on your new adventure at UH Hilo so we’ll be seeing you soon!
Favorite Ice Shave/Shave Ice Combo: it’s gotta be extra fine ice, blue vanilla flavor, and a hearty drizzle of condensed cream on top.