Hawaii Community College Joins in National Celebration of Community College Month

In celebration of April as Community College Month, Hawaiʻi CC has planned a series of events aimed at raising public awareness of the important role the community college plays in the local economy and community. Similar activities are being held around the country, including in California, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Maine.

In addition to the activities planned by Hawaiʻi CC, Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim declared April as "Community College Month in the County of Hawaiʻi," with a formal proclamation presented to Hawaiʻi CC Interim Chancellor Shirley Daniel.

Still remaining to take place this month is a reception hosted by Daniel on Tuesday, April 27, to recognize over 100 community leaders who serve on college advisory councils. The advisory council members serve a vital role by working with college administrators and faculty to insure the college‘s vocational and technical programs provide relevant workforce training. The reception, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Manono campus cafeteria, will feature the culinary talents of the college‘s food service students.

The series of April activities culminates in May with the Hawaiʻi CC Student Awards Ceremony scheduled for Thursday, May 6, and commencement ceremonies in Hilo on Friday, May 14, and in Kona on Saturday, May 15.

The kick-off event for Hawaiʻi CC‘s celebration of National Community College Month was the Annual Chancellor‘s Golf Tournament held on April 3 at the Naniloa Country Club. Sixty-four golfers mingled with faculty and staff to raise funds for achievement awards. This year‘s award winners include a total of nine college and high school students who will receive over $2,700 in financial assistance.

College faculty, staff, and students were at Prince Kuhio Plaza on April 10 with a series of informational booths featuring on-site blood pressure screening, free calculator and typing certifications, vegetable and fruit carving demonstrations, and testimonials by past and present Hawaiʻi CC students. The event gave mall shoppers an opportunity to learn more about college programs and services, and talk informally with faculty and administrators.

Celebratory activities continued on April 22 as the college held its 16th Annual Earth Day Fair. The free event, held on the upper campus of Hawaiʻi CC at the UH Hilo Library Lanai, hosted public school children and the general public throughout the day. Featuring comedian Frank De Lima and a series of continuous performances by local dance troupes, participants had an opportunity to view displays by over 55 exhibitors.

Community colleges are two-year colleges whose mission is to provide broad access to higher education and a skilled workforce for employers. As the workhorse of the higher education system, they share a philosophy and commitment to serving all segments of society by offering lower tuition than four-year colleges, open admission policies, extra academic support for under-prepared students, flexible schedules convenient for adults, and a range of personal support services. Hawaiʻi Community College, one of seven community colleges within the University of Hawaiʻi system, has been providing affordable, open access to higher education and delivering workforce training to the County of Hawaiʻi for over 60 years.

Additional information about college events and programs is available by calling the Hawaiʻi CC Information Hotline at 974-7611.