has been awarded more than $4.3 million from the U.S. Department of Education to establish a groundbreaking , the first of its kind within the University of 51²è¹Ý system. The center will offer comprehensive support services for students transferring from Kauaʻi CC to four-year programs at 51²è¹Ý Mānoa, 51²è¹Ý Hilo and 51²è¹Ý West Oʻahu, while also expanding program offerings and transfer pathways.
The Transfer Center aims to streamline transfer processes, especially for students pursuing degrees in pre-med, information technology and secondary education. It will feature on-site counselors from three of 51²è¹Ý‘s four-year campuses to provide personalized academic and career guidance. The Title III funding for the grant called Ka Pilina supports Native Hawaiian serving institutions.
“Ka Pilina will address gaps in higher education access and transfer support, particularly for Native Hawaiian learners who want to pursue careers while staying rooted in their communities,” said Valerie Barko, Kauaʻi CC director of institutional effectiveness.
Wrap-around support
In addition to transfer services, the center will offer wrap-around support including mental health, academic assistance, emergency aid, and personalized CARES (Coordinated Access Resource Entry System) plans to help students overcome barriers and successfully complete their degree pathways.
This collaboration extends to other 51²è¹Ý campuses, with offering its associate of science in teaching program in person at Kauaʻi CC, and 51²è¹Ý Hilo and supporting pathways into their secondary education programs.
“I am excited to strengthen our partnership with Kauaʻi CC and to provide smooth pathways for Kauaʻi students who wish to transfer to and benefit from our hands-on, place-based academic programs,” 51²è¹Ý Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin said.
Barko said the transfer center model has been a vision of the three University Centers (Maui, Kauaʻi and 51²è¹Ý) and she hopes the Kauaʻi CC Transfer Center will serve as a model for the 51²è¹Ý System.
