The University Center at Kauai Community College provides access to distance learning degree and certificate programs for people living on Kauai. Beginning in fall of 2018, the Department of Psychology of the University of Hawaii at Hilo will be offering their MA program in Counseling Psychology through the use of distance education technology (video-conferencing).
This program, which is nationally accredited by the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council, trains clinical mental health counselors who are eligible for licensing in the state of Hawaii and elsewhere.
Students who are enrolled through the distance education modality will be required to be in Hilo for seven days during the two years in the program. All student are responsible for covering their travel cost to Hilo. Contact: Dr. Bryan Kim at 932-7090 or email: bryankim@hawaii.edu.
Kapiolani Community College has also recently added a new distance education component, this one to its Associate in Science Respiratory Care program. Neighbor island students can complete the program by taking most of their courses online, and doing their clinical practice on their island in local hospitals and health care organizations. Contact Dr. Bob Vega at 734-9679 or email: robertlv@hawaii.edu.
For those with questions about identifying and meeting distance education and other academic goals, the University Center on the KCC campus has an educational specialist who can help. To schedule an appointment, call the Center at 245-8330 or email uckauai.hawaii.edu.
Kauai Community College and the National Tropical Botanical Garden will continue their joint “Seeds of Thought” public lecture series on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 5:30 p.m. at the KCC Campus Center Cafeteria. Sheri S. Mann, Kauai Island District Manager for the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, will lecture on environmental issues common to U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands. In addition to examining topics ranging from sea-level rise, deforestation, and invasive species, Ms. Mann will offer ideas on how to protect nature and create a balance between people and Pacific islands. Contact: 245-8280.
Academic journals are notoriously selective, with most articles being written by established professionals in the academic world. Kauai Community College’s own Valerie Henmi, who only just recently completed her AS degree in plant biology and tropical agriculture, has had no fewer than two such articles published recently, her latest for the journal Nematropica.
Downplaying her significant achievement, Ms. Henmi modestly gives most of the credit to Dr. Sharadchandra Marahatta, KCC’s coordinator for plant biology and tropical agriculture and assistant professor in integrated farming systems. She describes Marahatta as “… dedicated to his students, guiding them with knowledge and patience.” Congratulations to Valerie Henmi and Dr. Sharadchandra Marahatta!
After 47 years and one month, Ms. Annie Rellin, secretary to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, will be retiring from Kauai Community College on Nov. 30. Annie was instrumental in establishing the Student Services office at the college. Aloha e, Annie, you will be missed!
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Greg Shepherd is a professor at Kauai Community College. He can be reached at shep@hawaii.edu or 245-8269.
