Chancellor’s Newsletter Issue 2, November 13, 2013

KCC, Kuilei & Kaimuki HS

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While 90 percent of Hawai‘i private high school graduates go on to a four-year college, only 32 percent of public school graduates do. Sheldon Tawata, Kuilei Outreach Program (Kuilei) Coordinator and High School (HS) Outreach Counselor, explained that in 2007 KCC Chancellor Leon Richards asked him to create an outreach program between KCC and the feeder high schools in the geographic area. “Leon wanted to provide whatever services the College could in order to help the high school students attend college, ideally KCC. The idea is to provide whatever the students need at the high school to create a bridge to KCC, e.g., admissions, counseling, financial aid, etc. To these services, we added

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dual enrollment” (i.e., earn both high school and college credit for completed college courses). Consequently, Kuilei at Kaimuki provides students college courses on their campus, as well as the information and services they need to successfully transition from high school to college and complete their

academic goals.

Two other programs at KCC that assist high school students in getting to college are Running Start and Jump Start. A DOE-UHCC initiative, Running Start, also provides college-level courses to high school students, however, in the community college setting. Students take one or two classes, which they pay for themselves. According to Tawata, Running Start enrolls on average 60-65 HS students per semester in KCC. Running Start courses are also dual enrollment. Jump Start allows public high school seniors to enroll full-time in career and technical education programs at Kapi‘olani, Honolulu, Leeward, or Kaua‘i CCs.

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Lester and Marian Kaneta, through the Kaneta Foundation, are the benefactors of Kapiʻolani CC’s King William Charles Lunalilo Scholars Project. William Charles Lunalilo (1/31/1835 – 2/3/1874)

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promoted a more democratic government and valued the “voice of the people.” He was the most liberal king in Hawaiian history and became known as the “People’s King.” What better way to continue his legacy of democracy than to promote the institution most responsible for promoting equality and democracy in our country, Education?

Lunalilo Scholarship Program

Issue 2, November 13, 2013

CONTENTS

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Student Success Center

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KCC, Kuilei & Kaimuki HS

John Berestecky in Liberia (Part I)

Lunalilo Scholarship Program at KCC

Kūlia i ka nu'u

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(Continued on page 3)

Kaimukī HS student taking notes

Marian and Lester Kaneta (Continued on page 2)

Aloha: I am proud of and inspired by the stories in this issue. Although varied in subject, they all have a common element, a commitment to improve life as it is to what it can be. The catalyst for change in each instance is a personal investment of time and energy. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Leon Richards, Chancellor

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Chancellor’s Newsletter

Issue 2, November 13, 2013

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John Berestecky, Professor in KCC’s Math and Science department, has been working with faculty at the University of Liberia during spring and fall semesters, 2013, helping to develop a new BSc curriculum for both Biology and Chemistry. He is also the point person for the establishment of new laboratory facilities and a new laboratory curriculum for first and second year biology. The work is being done under the mandate of a joint Indiana U./U. of Massachusetts/U. of Liberia (UL) project funded by USAID to establish a Center for Excellence in the Health and Life Sciences. He stated, “ I entice them, and encourage them to revise and update to current standards. Their

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present curriculum is 30 years old. It is classical and memorization based, with no molecular biology, no genomics, and no bioinformatics. Today, evolutionary theory is central to the field of biology and there is great emphasis on trying to understand the molecular nature of life and its molecular genetics. No one spends a great deal of time memorizing phyla and orders anymore. You have to also keep in mind that our faculty at the University of Liberia have had very little or no course work in these new areas of biology. Our faculty are bright and energetic and really motivated to change things against great odds, but most only have bachelor degrees from the University of Liberia; thus there is some inbreeding. Even so there is potential here.” Berestecky reports that the basic and pervasive problem in Liberia is its lack of infrastructure: no electrical grid, no water or sewage system, abysmal roads, very rudimentary health care and of

John Berestecky in Liberia (Part I)

John Berestecky has returned to Liberia to assist the University of Liberia with Biology and Chemistry education. Included here is Part I of an interview John gave in October 2013. Part II will be published in the next edition of KCC Advantage and will continue the discussion on the condition of education in Liberia.

The Lunalilo Scholars Project was established for students who had not previously considered attending college due to financial or other barriers. The program includes student participation in a summer bridge program and then a first year experience program at KCC. The Lunalilo Scholars Project gives preference to students of Hawaiian ethnicity and first-time college students.

This year KCC has 32 Lunalilo scholars: 21 females and 11 males; they range

from ages 17 to 50 years; 18 (56%) of the scholars are Part-Hawaiian or Hawaiian; 7 (22%) are Other Pacific Islanders (Samoan, Tongan, Micronesian); 4 (13%)

Lunalilo Scholarship Program (Continued from page 1)

(Continued on page 4)

are of mixed ethnicity; 2 (6%) are Filipino; and 1 (3%) is Caucasian. The scholars come from as far as Waimānalo and Wai‘anae. Their majors include Culinary Arts, New Media Arts, Pre-Nursing, Social Work, Hawaiian Studies, etc.

LaVache Scanlan is the Coordinator of the Project, but that does not nearly tell the story of what she does to help the students succeed. She builds trust with the students, beginning in the Summer Bridge component of the Program, and it is apparent when in a room with her and the students that they have developed a mutual respect and caring. With trust, change can occur. The scholars agree. In a video interview (http://www.uhfoundation.org/gift-impact/videos/kapiolani-community-college-scholarship-mahalo) Druella shared, “I’m living my dream… I’m really grateful and thankful. Jennifer

U. of Liberia’s new freshman laboratory

LaVache Scanlan –left with hat and green blouse – with Lunalio scholars 2013-2014

expressed, “I can do anything because I finally got something that got me started.” Shyanne shared, “I was given hope that there were people out there that care and are generous…” LaVache has partnered with Mary Hattori of CELTT to provide instruction in the use of technology, e.g., iPads, working online, etc. Through LaVache’s leadership, the support of KCC’s faculty and staff, and the Kanetas’ generosity the spirit of the “People’s King” is alive and well at Kapi‘olani CC. ✪

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Tawata stated that Chancellor Richards asked him to research the Middle College concept where college classes are offered in high schools. Sheldon explained that KCC adapted the overall theory, concepts, and structures being used elsewhere so that they would work with the Honolulu schools that need it.

Kaimuki is a WASC-accredited and a Title I designated High School. Student enrollment is about 800 with approximately 60% of the students in 2013-14 qualified to receive free or reduced-cost lunch (i.e., most students are categorized as low income). The data show students graduating from high schools in low-income neighborhoods are going to college at lower rates than students from high schools located in wealthier neighborhoods; and these rates are affected additionally by gender and ethnicity.

When Kaimuki students in KCC’s Pacific Island Studies class at Kaimuki HS were asked, “Do students have a hard time going to college from Kaimuki and, if so, why?” One student replied, “There are not enough opportunities to go to college. Teachers say, ‘As long as you pass my class, I don’t care.’ No one is being pushy to say you must go to college.” Research shows that teachers' expectations have the most effect on traditionally low-achieving students, suggesting that by changing expectations for and behavior toward those students, teachers can influence academic achievement. To do this, research suggests such teacher behaviors as: working to view the learner as a person capable of achievement and creating a learning context where all students know the teacher expects them to succeed. Also, to create high expectations, assessments should allow for students to demonstrate understanding rather than simply regurgitate facts. Although improving achievement and changing attitudes are challenging goals, according to one student in the Pacific Island Studies class at Kaimuki, Keala Losch seems to be on the right track: “The KCC classes are different. Kumu involves us in conversation and wants to know what we think; we talk story unlike what happens in our HS classes where they hand out a worksheet, show a powerpoint, and tell you to figure it out.”

Keala Losch at Kaimukī HS

KCC, Kuilei & Kaimuki HS (Continued from page 1)

Student Success Center

Students who finish college-level Math and English during their first academic year at

college graduate or transfer earlier and more frequently. How do we support this behavior so as to increase student success at KCC? A faculty-driven response has a Faculty Senate committee and the Administration working together to implement the concept of a Student Success Center.

The Faculty Senate AdHoc Student Success Center Committee (SSCC) is being created on campus to help all KCC students with writing, math, general tutoring and study skills based on the Faculty Senate AdHoc Math/Eng Foundations Task Force Report and Recommendations, which were approved by the Faculty Senate on May 6, 2013, and subsequently adopted by the Chancellor. Moreover, the Administration has committed to locating the Center on the second floor of ‘Iliahi in addition to providing two full-time positions to manage it.

In September and October of 2013, Faculty Senators sent the word out to their departments or units that a new Faculty Senate AdHoc Committee was being formed to recommend to the Faculty Senate their vision of the new Student Success Center on campus. Twenty-seven faculty replied.

The SSC Executive Committee (pictured above), led by Veronica Ogata, met for the first time on 11/6/13. The Executive Committee includes a leader and co-leader for each of the five teams. SSC Leader: Veronica Ogata; Tutoring/ Mentoring: Co-Leaders Krista Hiser and Naresh Pandya; Learning Environment/Student Engagement: Co-Leaders Dawn Zoni and Grant Itomitsu; Satellite Center: Co-Leaders Sunny Pai and Shannon Sakamoto; Staffing: Co-Leaders Harry Davis and Robin Fujikawa; Training/ Certification: Co-Leaders Susan Murata and Teri Mitchell.

An all-committee SSCC meeting - including all 27 volunteers who will be serving either as co-leaders or as committee members on the five various committees – met on Wednesday, 11/13/2013 from 3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. in Olona 201, at which time the committees began their work. The SSCC is expecting to complete its work during the Spring 2014 semester. ✪

L- R: V. Ogata, D. Zoni, S., Dik, N. Pandya, T. Mitchell, S. Murata, R. Fujikawa, S. Pai, H. Davis, G. Itomitsu, & K. Hiser

Sheldon Tawata

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Tawata declared that the College could not have made a better choice than Keala Losch (shown above posing a question to a Kaimuki student) to teach the Pacific Island Studies class. Tawata explained, “What made me realize we made a good choice was that the kids came back to class. They showed up! The students’ HS classes are over at 1:40 p.m. and the KCC classes start at 2:30 p.m. If this is not a college-going culture – that was my fear – what would you do – go home! But these kids wait almost an hour around the school; they come back with questions, assignments done.”

Keala Losch spoke of a different teaching and learning environment at Kaimuki HS. He said, “When I first went to Kaimuki HS, there was the shock of being in a public high school”… compared to “being at KCC for 12 years.” He explained, “It was a reality check - Kaimuki HS – 2:30 in the afternoon – no air conditioning – one fan! At least we are on the second floor with a nice cross-breeze.” Keala said, “At KCC I have a desktop computer, LCD projector, document camera, etc.…. I have all the technology I want – speakers in the ceiling. But when you go into an environment where there is one white board and not even a screen for projection, it is like going back to when I started 12 years ago at KCC.” Keala continued, “Even though KCC is a public community college and may not have the niceties of some brand new four-year college like West O‘ahu or some of the private schools, we are a decade ahead of the public schools in

particular importance in an educational setting: “there is no real internet to speak of in the country. What we have is expensive and [of] poor quality.” He pays $80.00 per month for internet, using a USB stick to connect while struggling to keep his laptop charged because of sporadic electricity availability. “Laptops are becoming more

common but because internet is so expensive those who could use it aren’t able to spend much time online. The University’s downtown campus has weak internet in one classroom; while on the Fendall Campus where I work there is only one building with connectivity.” In addition, Berestecky explained, “even if you have internet access, obviously, you need computers.” Berestecky recounted that he has carried 8 to 10 computers to Liberia that were running Windows XP. Though grateful for these machines donated by many friends, he observed, “They were old machines, too slow for the internet if you need wide band access for viewing video and downloading large documents, but still useful for email and word processing and spreadsheet applications.”

Berestecky believes that online teacher/faculty training is out of the question for now, as the infrastructure is too basic and the students and faculty are not ready to learn through the internet. He explained, “Faculty need to go outside Liberia to develop training”, and suggested, “… perhaps a two month program working at KCC in which UL faculty were introduced to current education in their field and exposed to activities that would pique their imagination.” He elucidated, “Theirs is such a difficult place to live - just getting to work - and they have to deal with family members being sick, maybe dying due to malaria.

KCC, Kuilei & Kaimuki HS (Continued from page 3)

John Berestecky in Liberia (Part I) (Continued from page 2) Scenes from Liberia

Pellentesque:

Above (top and middle) – Berestecky’s pictures of daily life around Fendall Campus, University of Liberia (UL); (bottom) The UL Information and Communication Technology Center, dedicated in April, 2007 - funded by a $2.5 million award from the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. US equipment supplier Cisco provided the new hardware for the center and has also promised to install a national network at the national incumbent, the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LTC), open an ICT training academy, and provide humanitarian support to the needy and promote sustainable development.

(Continued on page 5) (Continued on page 6)

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students’ learning. In my classroom at KCC, I use an iPad and can access the web, with immediate access to over 100 apps, [I can] project on a screen; but at Kaimuki I walk into the room and have to make sure there is a LCD projector and there is no screen. This is a reality check – we are privileged to teach at the college level. We may not always think that way, e.g., when it is hard to park; but once you find a parking space, life is great.” Losch recounted, “Last week we had the Kaimuki students in Manele – with all the technology; but they commented on how nice it was to have air conditioning.”

Losch described the Kaimuki students as “more consistent turning in assignments than my KCC students.” He said they “perform within 10% of the KCC-based students – they can do all the work; and the 10% is probably within a margin of error due to the differences in technology and physical facilities of the two schools. Also, they are all day in high school and then they come to the KCC class. These students are attentive, respond to questioning; some take notes.” Losch commented, “The best papers out of Kaimuki class are as good as, and sometimes better than, the KCC-based students. The Kaimuki students are more diverse due to the make-up of the class.” He said that in spring semester 2014 Eric Denton would be teaching Religion 150, a course on the study of World Religions.

As for the students, it would seem that they are getting more than they expected and making the best of it. For example, when asked, “What was your initial reaction to the program?” One student said, “ At first I was out of my comfort zone.” Another stated, “It is a faster pace but now it’s comfortable.” And a third, “It’s different but I wanted college credit so I tried it.” Additionally, a student explained, “I didn’t think we would be considered KCC students but we are being treated as KCC students and we have the same access as all the others. It feels great.” When asked about the challenges this Kuilei program presents, many of the students mentioned the issue of time management, e.g.: “… I have jobs and now more school work so I have to work harder;” and “ It is hard to balance high school work, sports, and college work.” As for the benefits of the program, student responses related both internal and external factors, e.g., one student said, “My parents are happy I’m pushing myself. They see this class

KCC, Kuilei & Kaimuki HS (Continued from page 4)

as an opportunity for my future;” while another explained, “We get college credit, and we work with college professors. It is more fun this class.” When asked, “Are you ready to take on college?” one student replied, “I may not be ready – sometimes I realize how tired I am with all the activities. I would not be ready tomorrow if I had to go full time to college but if I graduated high school tomorrow I would be more ready for college due to this class.”

Finally, when asked, “What is driving you?” the Kaimuki students’ responses were quite revealing and inspiring, as they included:

“I want to be the first in my family to graduate from college.”

“I want to get a good job.”

“I see the way my parents work. I want to push myself, get a good job, get an education and make good money. … I want to pay them back when I get older.”

“I want to take every opportunity and go to college. I am the only one in my family who can make it. I have to take care of my family. I have a sense of obligation to my family and make a good living. My mother works … but she cannot go further because she does not have a college degree. My dad is a laborer…”

“I want to get experience in a college to see if I can manage the work.”

What is also innovative concerning Kuilei at Kaimuki HS is that the High School is paying for its students’ tuition and that Hawaii P20 is paying for their textbooks. KCC provides high-touch service for the students, such as, assistance to apply for financial aid and to pick classes, etc. Tawata explains, “They have our phone numbers - mine and Drake Zintgraff, the KCC outreach specialist; we are on site weekly to assist transition from high school to college. Whatever issues come up, the students can ask. Whatever they need – we will try our best to provide. We will help.” ✪

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They need to see the way things work in other places; they need to be exposed to better teaching processes; they need to be taught how to learn in new ways.”

When we hear “difficult to get to work,” we may think of our early morning wake-up alarm, our stop and go traffic on H-1 until an accident is cleared. But Berestecky is referring to something else - basic infrastructure deficiencies in Liberia. For example, public passenger transport in Liberia is restricted to the greater Monrovia area, with its 1.2 million inhabitants, and mostly consists of taxis and a few buses. In addition, with Liberia’s total road network of around 10,000 kilometers, only one third of the 1,800 kilometers of main roads connecting towns and cities are asphalted. According to akzente Magazine, (02/2011), “Roads for Liberia,” in the rainy season, it may be difficult even for four-wheel drive vehicles to avoid slipping off very cambered roads into the drainage ditches

at the side of the road” … “while in dry weather, truck drivers have to expect the worst…. as vehicles regularly get stranded along the ‘highway’ pitted with potholes and perilously deep ruts.”

Berestecky mentioned that Liberia was still recovering from its civil wars - between 1990 and 2003. Approximately 250,000 people (10% of the population) were killed and many thousands more fled the fighting. In “Consequences of Liberian Civil War,” Heritage Newspaper Liberia reported a “brain drain,” as many Liberians, including professionals, fled the country and sought refuge due to the widespread destruction during the war. For example, while there were an estimated 2,000 medical practitioners

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before the conflict, Liberia was left with less than 100 doctors at the end of the conflict. In addition, at the end

of the war, the government had the task of finding and hiring trained teachers for schools across the country and solving the deficit of trained personnel in mining, civil and electrical engineering, as well as other critical areas. Such reports substantiate Berestecky’s references to nationwide problems in transportation, medical care, and education.

Infrastructure restrictions are one reason Berestecky states that it is “difficult for laboratory development” even though he receives textbooks, microscopes, lab manuals, etc. from Indiana University. He explains, “There is the basic problem of getting electricity and water into a classroom; the fundamentals needed for setting up this lab are missing…In Liberia electricity is an option; in America it is a necessity – Americans would not think of not having electricity.” In Liberia, a country of 4.1 million, only about 1% of urban residents -- and almost no rural residents -- have access to electricity. Everyone else depends on unreliable and inefficient sources of energy such as firewood,

charcoal, candles, kerosene, battery-powered flashlights, palm oil, and small gasoline and diesel generators. Berestecky told of living in faculty

John Berestecky in Liberia (Part I) (Continued from page 4)

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housing where electricity is available by diesel-powered generator between 8:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., and running water between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 pm. He said, “I cook dinner with a head lamp on my head. I take one shower at night and in the morning I use a bucket to get cleaned-up and flush the toilet; and this is considered a luxury.” BBC News: Africa (10/11/13) reported of the civil war affects, “The capital remains without means of electricity and running water, unemployment and illiteracy are endemic.”

Berestecky said, “it is hard to believe that life and death issues are prevalent in the lives of my colleagues on a daily basis; this is common – where to get water or food today – these are common obstacles.” In Monrovia many families choose to buy bottled water (as pictured above) each day so as not to face the risks that come with

drinking unclean well water. In 2012, the life expectancy in Liberia was estimated to be 57.4 years, or 194th of 222 countries; whereas the US ranked 51st, with American men and women expected to live 76.05 and 81.05 years on average respectively. In Liberia a number of highly communicable diseases are widespread - tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases and malaria. In 2007, 20.4% of children under the age of 5 were malnourished. Civil war strife ended in 2003 after destroying approximately 95% of the country's healthcare facilities. In 2008, Liberia had only 1 doctor and 27 nurses per 100,000 people. John Berestecky does not speak of these things in relation to personal dangers but in terms of how they affect his efforts to assist in the re-generation of educated professionals who could change these conditions. (See Part II in the next issue.) ✪

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