Office of Civic and Community Engagement

Queen Lili‘uokalani Center for Student Services 209
2600 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-4641
Fax: (808) 956-3394
Email: slp@hawaii.edu
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/servicelearn/

Director: A. Pascua

The Office of Civic and Community Engagement offers UH Manoa students and community agencies the opportunity to participate in a partnership of volunteer service.

The Office of Civic and Community Engagement functions as a clearinghouse. It links UH Manoa students interested in donating their valuable time and experience with volunteer agencies within the community.

Students receive information on the volunteer experience, and agencies have access to enthusiastic, energetic, and skilled student volunteers.

The Office of Civic and Community Engagement serves as the headquarters for Hawai’i/Pacific Islands Campus Compact, a membership organization comprised of presidents and chancellors to promote civic engagement in higher education. Hawai’i/Pacific Islands Campus Compact also provides opportunities for students to become members of Americorps, a federal service program.

Financial Literacy Program

Queen Lili‘uokalani Center for Student Services 209
2600 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-6572
Email: finlit@hawaii.edu
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/finlit/

Coordinator: A. Pascual

The Financial Literacy Program (FLP) provides tools and solutions to our UH Manoa students, equipping them to become responsible and financially independent by better managing their personal finances, improving their economic opportunity, and to obtaining a desirable quality of life. FLP offers free workshops, presentations, seminars, resources, and interactive activities on a variety of financial topics, such as goal setting, personal budgeting, savings, obtaining and managing credit, student loans, investing, retirement, insurance, and much more. Our workshops and seminars include practical tips and strategies that students can apply to their personal financial situations. All of our services are available to our UH Manoa community.

First-Year Programs

Student Success Center
Gregg M. Sinclair Library
2425 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8626
Email: freshman@hawaii.edu
Web: www.manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/freshman/

Coordinator: K. Van Duser

First-Year Programs ease the transition of new students into the academic and social communities at UH Manoa. First-Year Programs provide the opportunity to develop personal relationships with faculty and other students, enhance active involvement in the educational process, and build connections to UH Manoa. In addition, First-Year Programs familiarize students with the array of resources and programs available at UH Manoa.

Access to College Excellence (ACE)

Tel: (808) 956-8626
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/freshman/2019-freshman-registration/

Coordinator: K. Van Duser

Access to College Excellence (ACE) learning communities offer a combination of three general education courses and a small group, 1-credit integrating seminar (CAS 110: Integrating Seminar I). Courses are grouped to provide freshmen with an introduction to various academic perspectives while fulfilling graduation requirements. CAS 110 is led by an upperclassman peer mentor who supports freshmen cohorts in their new learning environment. Successful college students themselves, peer mentors assist with the development of successful academic strategies, creation of social and interpersonal networks, and involvement in a variety of campus events. ACE espouses a well-rounded, multifaceted approach to college education. Freshmen who are eager to learn, enthusiastic about making friends while increasing independence, and excited about getting involved will benefit from what ACE has to offer.

Freshman Seminars (FS)

Tel: (808) 956-8626
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/freshman/

Coordinator: K. Van Duser

Freshman Seminars offers freshmen a variety of courses, which enable them to learn in small class environments (classes are limited to 10 students). The purpose of this program is threefold:

  1. To create an intimate learning community for faculty and students who place a high value on the human dimension of education;
  2. To provide students with small classes in which they take an active and responsible part and receive constant peer stimulation, support, and feedback;
  3. To offer advanced students an opportunity to gain experience in leadership and mastery over their major by teaching.

The three credit seminars are mainly, but not limited to, General Education Core classes led by qualified advanced students under the direction of department faculty. These seminars provide valuable learning experiences for both the students taking the class and the students leading the class. Courses vary each semester, but may include: communicology, ethnic studies, library and information systems, political science, religion, and sociology.

General Education Office

Bilger Hall 104
2545 McCarthy Mall
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-6660
Fax: (808) 956-9170
Email: gened@hawaii.edu
Web: www.hawaii.edu/gened

Director: C. Beaule

Working closely with the General Education Committee (GEC) and its subsidiary boards, the General Education Office (GEO) coordinates efforts at the campus and system levels to implement General Education policies. The office organizes, supports, and/or facilitates meetings to ensure the timely review of General Education course proposals. GEO staff members stay abreast of educational issues and trends and lend expertise in areas such as program assessment, curriculum and instructional development, records management, and general administrative work. The office serves as the primary contact regarding General Education issues at UH Manoa.

Honors Program

Gregg M. Sinclair Library 128
2425 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8391
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/honors/

Director: V. Gonzalez

The Honors Program provides opportunities for talented and motivated undergraduates to excel in their academic studies. Students complete a challenging inquiry-based curriculum that encourages learning through independent research and creative expression. They enjoy intimate and personalized educational experiences within the setting of a large research university through small classes, dedicated advising, peer mentorship, and faculty guided projects. The Honors Program encourages critical thinking and excellence in oral and written communication; instills respect for diversity and commitment to social justice; and develops the capacity for civic engagement and leadership. It fosters among its students and faculty a sense of identity and a joy of learning, which it promotes within the university and beyond.

The Honors Program is a four year program, with the first two years dedicated to an Honors curriculum built around inquiry as well as specially designated “A Sections,” which are small, discussion-based versions of regular departmental offerings. These courses are designed to meet General Education and/or distribution requirements for students in the Honors Program. A full list of Honors (HON) and A Section courses is available in the “Courses” section.

In the junior and senior years, Honors students undertake course work and independent work that culminates in an independent research thesis or creative work in their chosen major under the supervision of a faculty mentor. This Senior Honors Project is supported through a curriculum in the Honors Program, but may also be undertaken through the course work offered in the student’s major that fulfill similar milestones (a project proposal, independent work supervised by a mentor). The Senior Honors Project is presented at the spring or fall Undergraduate Showcase, or in other venues, such as a recital or performance.

To graduate with Honors, students must complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree and maintain a minimum cumulative and major GPA of 3.2. Their Senior Honors Project must be positively reviewed and assessed by their committee to receive the “Honors” designation. Students may also be nominated for the Honors Project Prize. Upon graduation, students will receive a diploma, their achievement is acknowledged at Commencement, and a notation is made on their transcript.

Admission to the Honors Program is by invitation to high school students with outstanding academic records and aptitude test scores. Others may be nominated or may apply with the recommendation of a high school teacher or counselor. UH Manoa students may also apply in their first year with the recommendation of a university instructor.

*Students admitted to the Selected Studies program (originally the lower division component of the Honors Program) prior to Fall 2016 are eligible to complete the Sophomore Honors Award once they complete 2 Honors courses and 2 A-Sections courses and maintain a 3.2 GPA in those courses and overall. A special notation is made on the student’s transcript. These students are encouraged to proceed to the Upper Division Program to complete the four year program. New students will no longer be able to participate in the Selected Studies program.

Upper Division Program

The Honors Program allows for the admission of strong transfer students and UH Manoa students at the junior year. Students in Upper Division Honors must complete course work through the Honors Program sequence or through their own majors that result in a Senior Honors Project proposal and thesis or creative work that is supervised by a faculty mentor. The Senior Honors Project is presented at the spring or fall Undergraduate Showcase, or in other venues, such as a recital or performance.

To graduate with Honors, students must complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree and maintain a minimum cumulative, junior/senior and major GPA of 3.2. Their Senior Honors Project must be reviewed and assessed by their committee to receive the “Honors” designation. Students may also be nominated for the Honors Project Prize. Upon graduation, students will receive a diploma, their achievement is acknowledged at Commencement, and a notation is made on their transcript.

Admission to the Upper Division Honors Program is by application. Eligible students should have outstanding academic records and a declared major. Students need at least three full semesters to complete the requirements and should apply by the second semester of their sophomore year or early in the junior year.

Interdisciplinary Studies

Hawai‘i Hall 110
2500 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7296
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/is/

Director: J. Odin

The objective of the Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) Program is to provide students with an opportunity to pursue an integrated course of study that is not restricted to conventional departmental or unit boundaries. A crucial feature is the advising process, which aims to develop the student’s ability to formulate a major equivalent comprised of upper division courses with thematic integrity and continuity. This option ensures flexibility in the curriculum while precluding loss of academic substance and rigor. Thus students create their own degree proposals that must draw upon upper-division courses from no less than three disciplines in the UH Manoa Catalog in the study of a particular problem or theme.

While the IS program encourages creation of individually-conceived curricula, it also serves to accommodate students in a variety of fields that lack an undergraduate major and are interdisciplinary in nature. These include:

  1. Pre-professional majors (e.g., pre-law, pre-med, pre-optometry, pre-physical therapy);
  2. Undergraduate majors that are established at UH Manoa only as graduate programs (e.g., educational psychology, linguistics, urban planning); and
  3. Interdisciplinary majors for which there is no currently existing department or program (e.g., criminology, gerontology, disability studies, health studies, globalization studies, international studies).

Students interested in these programs should first see the program in Interdisciplinary Studies for an orientation at Hawai‘i Hall 110.

Degree proposals must focus upon the identified academic theme, be made in writing, and be accepted by the interdisciplinary studies faculty before the student enrolls for 21 of the 36 credits required in the major equivalent i.e., before beginning the senior year.

In all cases, IS students must satisfy the UH Manoa degree graduation requirements and General Education Core in order to be eligible for a bachelor’s degree. Students must also maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA for the major equivalent courses. These courses may not be taken CR/NC, unless mandatory. Successful candidates earn a bachelor of arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the university.

Details about admission to the IS program and about preparing an individually designed major are available at the program office.

For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to www.manoa.hawaii.edu/ovcaa/programsheets/.

Learning Assistance Center

Student Success Center, Gregg M. Sinclair Library
2425 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-6114
Email: learning@hawaii.edu
Web: www.manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/learning/

Director: R. Woodruff

The Learning Assistance Center (LAC) provides tutoring, workshops, Supplemental Instruction (SI), and one-on-one appointments in which students learn appropriate study strategies and problem solving skills to achieve their academic goals. SI leaders work with faculty to help students learn to solve problems, organize classroom materials, and develop effective study strategies. LAC assists students in becoming autonomous, confident, and effective learners in order to successfully develop academic and affective skills that contribute to their positive adjustment and performance in the learning environment.

In collaboration with Student Housing Services, LAC’s satellite tutoring is located in the residence hall dining area, Hale Aloha Cafeteria. The Housing Success Center (HSC) tutoring is available Sunday-Thursday from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Manoa Advising Center (MAC)

Queen Lili‘uokalani Center for Student Services 101
2600 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Email: macadv@hawaii.edu
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/mac/

Director: M. Makino-Kanehiro

The Manoa Advising Center (MAC) is an advising office for exploratory students who have not yet declared a major. MAC assists exploratory students with their major selection process by presenting options and providing general education advising.

Students with declared majors are referred to appropriate major, school, and college advisors.

MAC is staffed by academic advisors and peer advisors (specially selected and trained undergraduate/graduate students).

MAC Student Learning Outcomes include: (1) students can identify major options; (2) students can learn, identify, and understand general education, graduation, and program requirements using advising combined with supplemental services; and (3) students can identify and use campus resources available to them.

Manoa Transfer Coordination Center

Student Success Center, Gregg M. Sinclair Library
Mezzanine 2, 2425 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Email: jb26@hawaii.edu
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/Transfer/

Coordinator: J. Brown

The Manoa Transfer Coordination Center (MTCC) is to help students transfer smoothly from a UH community college to UH Manoa and provide advising support throughout the transfer process, including the Ka‘ie‘ie Degree Pathway Program.

Transfer advisors can:

  • Explain the various transfer options for UH Manoa
  • Identify and provide contact information of specific college and major advisors at UH Manoa
  • Identify UH Manoa campus resources
  • Address transfer issues
  • Provide guidance to students in the Ka‘ie‘ie Degree Pathway Program.

Manoa Writing Program

Bilger Hall 104
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-6660
Fax: (808) 956-9170
Email: gened@hawaii.edu
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/mwp/

Director: C. Beaule

The Manoa Writing Program was created by the UH Board of Regents in 1987 to administer General Education writing requirements and prepare all UH Manoa students for the different writing tasks that society and their professions will present to them upon graduation. The General Education Office assumed these responsibilities when it was established in 2001. For more information on the General Education writing requirements, please contact the General Education Office (gened@hawaii.edu).

Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center (PAC)

Gregg M. Sinclair Library 108
2425 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8646
Email:uhpac@hawaii.edu
Web: www.manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/PAC/

Coordinator: K. Shiroma

The Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center (PAC) is a walk-in resource for students interested in law, medicine, or any other health field (dentistry, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, etc.). PAC advisors help students explore and clarify their career goals, plan appropriate course work, find opportunities to gain experience, apply to professional programs, review personal statements and résumés, provide mock interviews, and hold workshops throughout the year.

STAR GPS-Registration

Krauss 116
2500 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-4036
Email: starhelp@hawaii.edu
Web: www.star.hawaii.edu/studentinterface/

Director: G. Rodwell

STAR GPS-Registration is a tool used throughout the UH System to help students register for courses and stay on track by directing them down a clear, transparent degree pathway. It allows students to track their progress towards graduation and check their degree requirements. STAR enables students to further explore and make better-informed decisions towards their education.

STAR Technology is a small software development department. In addition to developing the custom registration system for all 10 campuses, STAR continues to develop technology that prioritizes the student. Other STAR software includes:

  • Student Support Hub
  • GPS Dashboard
  • Predictive Course Analytics
  • Hybrid 2 to 4 Pathways
  • Priority Waitlist
  • Automatic Admissions
  • Auto Certificate
  • Reverse Transfer
  • Giving Tree and Student Scholarship Web Application

Student Athlete Academic Services

Nagatani Academic Center
1337 Lower Campus Road, PE/A
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-3388
Fax: (808) 956-5042
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/SAAS/

Chair: C. Tsumoto

Student Athlete Academic Services (SAAS), is the academic support program for student-athletes at UH Manoa. Working closely with instructional faculty, coaches, and campus resources, academic advisors assist students in formulating and meeting their academic goals while participating in intercollegiate athletics. SAAS is conveniently located in the Nagatani Academic Center (NAC), adjacent to the Stan Sheriff Arena in the Athletic Department complex.

SAAS provides orientation programs, academic and athletic advising, and registration assistance. Learning services include peer mentoring, subject tutoring, and small group study sessions.

Student Success Center

Gregg M. Sinclair Library
2425 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-5425
Email:duser@hawaii.edu
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/ssc/

Interim Director: K. Shiroma

The Student Success Center in Sinclair Library offers students a welcoming and convivial place to study and to learn, and provides them the information and skills they need to be successful in their academic career and beyond. The center provides seating that facilitates collaborative learning, is open long hours, and permits students to bring their own snacks, all in a space that has natural light and air.

The Student Success Center provides a place for students to address individual needs with librarians, mentors, tutors, advisors, counselors, and/or teachers. At the entrance to the center, the Information Concierge Desk has staff available to assist students in finding the help they need, including referral to other departments on campus, that supports success in their academic work. In addition, the center hosts a number of partners including the First Year Programs, Honors Program, Learning Assistance Center, Pre-Health, Pre-Law Advising Center, Manoa Transfer Coordination Center, and the Wong Computer Lab and Digital Media Center where students can find equipment for word processing and production of digital media products. Generous study spaces with electrical power for personal devices are spread throughout the first floor. Group study rooms with media equipment are available for student use via online reservation. More details about the center are available at manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/ssc/.

Student Support Services

Krauss 114
2500 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8402
Fax: (808) 956-9763
Email: sss@hawaii.edu
Website: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/sss/

Director: B. Watanabe

Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded TRIO program that provides academic advising and planning, special courses, financial aid advice, graduate and professional school advising, tutoring, mentoring, and academic enrichment activities to program students enrolled at UH Manoa.

Students are selected to participate based on a combination of income and financial aid eligibility, parents’ level of education, and potential to benefit from program services. The goal of SSS is to increase college retention, academic success and graduation rates of program participants. For application and other information, please contact SSS Advisors Gary Tachiyama, Lynn Koyamatsu, and Barbara Watanabe at (808) 956-8402.

Study Abroad Center

Moore 115
1890 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-5143
Fax: (808) 956-9319
Email: uhmsac@hawaii.edu
Web: www.studyabroad.org

Director: S. Rai

The Study Abroad Center (SAC) collaborates with various UH Manoa academic departments to provide opportunities for students to study, and faculty members to teach and conduct research, in another country. SAC develops, implements, and evaluates UH Manoa study abroad programs. The center provides informational, advisory, and support services to students and faculty concerning international educational opportunities.

SAC programs are offered for a summer term, a semester, or an academic year. The essence of SAC programs is to acquire knowledge through academic work and to develop a cross-cultural understanding through cultural immersion. Students earn UH Manoa credits for course work completed abroad. The courses offered in these study abroad programs may be used to fulfill a student’s major, language, general education, graduation, or elective course requirements. Any Study Abroad course may be used as an exemption to fulfill a focus requirement. Students on Study Abroad may use the focus exemption to satisfy an appropriate 3-credit diversification and/or focus requirement. Courses taken overseas will appear on UH Manoa transcripts as UH Manoa courses.

SAC provides faculty members with opportunities to develop courses and publications based upon research and teaching experiences within the global arena. In addition, faculty members who lead study abroad programs have a wide range of responsibilities in their capacity as “in-country” resident directors.

SAC programs and course offerings may vary each academic term.

Semester and Year Programs

SAC offers semester programs in Australia, Denmark, England, France, Italy, Japan, and Spain. The Year-in-Japan program is offered only for a full academic year. Students enrolled in these programs must register for a minimum of 12 credit hours each term. All programs offer several content courses that are taught in English.

Summer Programs

SAC summer programs require enrollment in a minimum of 6 credit hours. Course offerings include, but are not limited to, archaeology field schools (Tuscania and Cyprus), architecture and design, environmental sustainability, social sciences, international business, health policy (Copenhagen), Arabic (Seville), business, humanities/social sciences (Paris), engineering (Lelle), European art and architecture (various locations in Western and Eastern Europe), French (Annecy and Angers), German, business humanities and political science (Berlin), Italian humanities (Florence), Japanese (Kobe), Mandarin (Hainan), Russian (Vladivostok), and Spanish and Latin American film and literature (Mendoza).

Self-Designed Study Abroad Programs

Students can design a study abroad program different from those offered by SAC and receive UH Mânoa credits. Such a program may fall under the category of the Self-Designed Study Abroad Program. A Self-Designed Study Abroad Program can be created for countries and/or cities where UH Mânoa does not have an existing study abroad program. Students have conducted Self-Designed Study Abroad Programs in Austria, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Greece, Ghana, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Vietnam, and United Arab Emirates.

Study Abroad Internships

Study Abroad internships are available in Florence, London, Paris, and Seville. Internships are carefully planned and each student is placed in a working environment that has been requested and carefully selected according to specific criteria. Internships are generally unpaid. Internship credits will be based on the field of the internship. Internship credits range from 2, 3, 4, or 6 credits in the areas of Academy of Creative Media, Apparel and Product Design and Merchandising, Business, Finance, Human Resources, Management and Information Systems, Marketing, Real Estate, Social Work, and Travel Industry Management.

Admission Requirements

SAC programs are designed primarily for undergraduate students who have completed a minimum of 24 credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. UH Manoa Financial Aid is applicable and available to eligible students. Several program specific scholarships are also available. Admission to some intensive language programs require a minimum of one year of language study at the college level. For program brochures, detailed information, and an application, contact SAC or visit the website at www.studyabroad.org.

Initiatives

Exploratory Program

Queen Lili‘uokalani Center for Student Services 101
2600 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822-2217
Email: expl@hawaii.edu
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/exploratory/

Coordinator: M. Eng

The Exploratory Program will require all exploratory students to select one of six broad Exploratory Paths upon entering UH Mânoa. The broad Exploratory Paths are as follows: Arts & Humanities; Business & Industry; Health Sciences; Social Sciences; Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM); and Exploratory. Students will use resources available on the Exploratory Program website as a guide to select an Exploratory Path. The Exploratory Program will provide advising, a series of major/occupational workshops, co-curricular opportunities, and courses designed to support exploratory students in their declaration of a major and encourage active student engagement within the UH Mânoa community.

Manoa Peer Advisor Program

Queen Lili‘uokalani Center for Student Services 101
2600 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822-2217
Email: uhmpa@hawaii.edu 
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/mac/mpa/

Supervisor: E. Millett

The Manoa Peer Advisors (MPA) program provides peer advisors for advising offices throughout campus. The purpose of MPA is to increase students’ access to academic advising, provide role model representatives for UH Mânoa, and develop valuable leadership and advising skills for the MPAs. MPAs are selected each spring in a competitive application process and are trained intensively during Summer Session I on UH Mânoa General Education requirements, advising practices, the philosophy and techniques of advising, and the resources available to students. Upon successful completion of training, MPAs are matched with advising offices, where they provide advising to fellow students during the academic year.

Manoa Sophomore Experience Program (MSE)

Queen Lili‘uokalani Center for Student Services 101
2600 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822-2217
Email: secondyr@hawaii.edu
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/sophomore/

Coordinator: L. Harjati

The Manoa Sophomore Experience (MSE) is a program dedicated to helping freshmen and sophomores navigate academic requirements and campus life so they become engaged with the campus community and invested in their college experience. Programming includes a semesterly panel series, college success/transition seminar, and other resources.