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Ten graduates (front row in green) of the UH-Manoa Outreach College Interdisciplinary Studies program celebrate their academic achievement at the 2019 commencement ceremony at UH-Maui College’s Kahului campus. By collaborating with UH-Manoa and UH-Maui College faculty, staff and academic units, the UH-Manoa Outreach College on Maui, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, provides a high level of support to Neighbor Island distance education students across diverse populations, including the rural communities of Molokai and Lanai.Photo courtesy UH-Maui College

“Wait, so you’re saying I can earn a bachelor’s degree from UH-Manoa — without leaving Maui?”

It’s a question Kehau Newhouse loves to answer.

And if you’re wondering, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

Newhouse has been the bearer of good news since she stepped into the role of UH-Manoa Outreach College’s Maui program coordinator six years ago.

“Every day I look forward to helping students realize their goals and bring pride to their ohana through a quality college education right here at home,” she said.

The UH-Manoa Outreach College on Maui, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, serves as an extension of the UH-Manoa campus and provides distance education and transfer student services to Maui County residents.

UH-Maui College, formerly Maui Community College, has been bridging the geographical divide since it debuted its first cable television course in 1983, followed by the SkyBridge tri-isle interactive television system in 1988, which enabled students in Hana and on Molokai and Lanai to participate in classes simulcast from a studio on the Kahului campus (the system eventually expanded to serve students in Kihei and Lahaina).

Then, in 1989, the college welcomed the UH-Manoa College of Continuing Education and Community Service (CCECS) to its campus and provided classrooms, office space and additional student support. In 1998, UH-Manoa CCECS merged with the UH-Manoa Summer Sessions program to form UH-Manoa Outreach College and the Maui program was expanded to serve students interested in UH-Manoa distance undergraduate and graduate programs.

Today, UH-Manoa Outreach College on Maui continues to administer programs like the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies-Human Relations in Organization (HUMRO). Under the HUMRO theme, courses run the gamut from conflict resolution to environmental issues to multicultural perspectives.

Once they receive their degrees, graduates of the Interdisciplinary Studies program can further their education by enrolling in the Peace Studies certificate program, which also is administered by UH-Manoa Outreach College on Maui.

Additionally, the outreach college partners with UH-Manoa to offer an online bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work, as well a variety of graduate program degrees in education, nursing and business.

“Neighbor Island students greatly benefit from distance programs like the UH-Manoa Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies by integrating a variety of courses related to their interests,” Newhouse said. “In addition to flexible scheduling, students can complete their degree from their home island while supporting career and family responsibilities.”

Given shifts in the delivery of higher education and the needs of adult students, who may be pursuing or resuming a degree program while maintaining employment and family responsibilities, UH-Manoa Outreach College on Maui’s programs are generally offered online. However, depending on demand, a small number of on-site courses are offered each semester, some via Zoom video conferencing.

And there are some intriguing course offerings. For instance, for the Spring 2020 semester, students can register for “Psychology of Star Trek,” which will be taught by UH-Maui College professor Nani Azman.

There have been plenty of success stories over the past three decades, including Molokai resident Debbie Benjamin, who graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies last summer. She is now using her education to improve the lives of the elderly through Alu Like Inc., a nonprofit organization that, among other things, provides services for Native Hawaiian elders. Benjamin also was selected to serve as the commencement marshal at the UH-Manoa winter graduation ceremony.

Newhouse is another success story. An alumna of the UH-Manoa Outreach College Master of Human Resource Management program, she’s a product of the program and knows firsthand the value of distance education.

“Pursuing my professional degree from Maui was the most efficient and affordable way to create future opportunities for my family,” she said. “This journey has brought me full circle in supporting the Maui Nui community toward a brighter tomorrow through higher education.”

To learn more about the UH-Manoa Outreach College on Maui or the Interdisciplinary Studies or Peace Certificate programs, call 984-3444 or email mauioutr@hawaii.edu.

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