New video series highlights UH transfer success

VIDEO NEWS RELEASE

Jenny Brown builds her future from Kapiʻolani CC to UH

Bruce Torres-Fischer heads from Hawaiʻi CC to UH Hilo

Ciera Adversalo-Clarke finds her purpose from Windward CC to UH West Oʻahu

The University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges has launched a new video series highlighting real student transfer journeys across the UH System—demonstrating how starting at a community college can lead to careers in law, technology, education and beyond.

Featuring alumni from all seven campuses, the series shares stories of students who built their foundation at a UH Community College before transferring to a four-year UH campus. Profiles include:

• a first-generation student who began at Hawai‘i CC and is now pursuing a PhD in ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language) at UH Hilo
• a Honolulu CC student who went on to UH Mānoaʻs Richardson Law School
• a Kapi‘olani CC graduate who transferred to UH Mānoaʻs School of Engineering, carrying over all credits, and graduating with no debt.

Flexible online programs

The series also highlights the convenience of UH System online programs, allowing students to stay connected to their communities, and complete UH West O‘ahu degrees from Maui and Kaua‘i without relocating.

“Our community colleges are where many students begin—offering affordable, flexible access to higher education,” said Lui Hokoana, interim vice president for UH Community Colleges. “With clear transfer pathways to our four-year universities and personalized support, students can move forward with confidence and achieve their goals.”

Whether pursuing ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, education, law or technology, the message across every story is the same: you don’t need to have everything figured out to begin. At the UH Community Colleges, students can start where they are—and go beyond.

 The full video series is available on UH Community Colleges’ website. 

• Bruce Torres-Fischer finds his calling from Hawai‘i CC to UH Hilo
• David Grupen finds his path from Honolulu CC to UH Mānoa
• Mele Rita finds her voice from Kaua‘i CC to UH West O‘ahu
• Jenny Brown builds her future from Kapi‘olani CC to UH Mānoa
• Leilani Wendt finds her path from Leeward CC to UH Mānoa
• Dexter Corpuz finds his purpose from UH Maui College to UH West O‘ahu
• Ciera Adversalo-Clarke finds her purpose from Windward CC to UH West O‘ahu