Aloha

I can't believe that this time next year I'll be all done with my masters degree. It'll be a bittersweet moment. I'll be glad that it is done, but at the same time I'll miss being connected with like-minded peers, being intellectually challenged and learning all the latest technology tools. This is one of my final electives before starting the dreaded "project" which will be a year full of exploration, research and application. It will be a true test of everything I learned to date. While the project itself scares me, I am very excited to get it started and actively begin putting all the pieces together.

 I am the lone soldier in this program residing on the rural island of Molokai. I have been working at UH Maui College on Molokai for six years. This is where my passion for education evolved. I had been a consumer of education for a long, long time. At the college I have had the opportunity to produce information and increase access to higher education for a community with all odds against them; lowest per capita income in the state, small rural community, highest dependence on welfare assistance, etc. Despite our challenges, the people of Molokai continually amaze me with their persistence, motivation and passion for "keeping Molokai, Molokai." The community is made up of people who live Hawaiian, embrace ohana and are guided by the aloha spirit. In a community like no other, it prides me to see the power instilled in residents who participate in our higher education programs. Student success is more than just a benchmark to me because I know each student behind the statistics. I know their stories and their struggles and while their journey may not be the same as your average college student, I get my paycheck when I play a role in helping them realize their vision of success.