As Hawai‘i, the nation, and the world roil in the tumult of the present economic crisis, people are beset by anxiety, uncertainty, and a loss of power over their lives.  The antidote to these crippling emotions is hope and for some that hope is found in bettering their lives through more education.  These individuals have accepted the message we have advocated - that better jobs, better security, and better lives comes with a better education.  We have seen that our low cost, our easy access, and the opportunity we represent are a powerful attractant.  Even before the economic crisis, with the assistance of the enrollment growth funding, we saw a 9% increase in enrollment after more than a decade of no growth.  Now that enrollment has jumped by nearly 19% in the last two years and all campuses are at record levels, I suspect there are more to come.

Community colleges are also important to businesses in these difficult times.  Business is not “business as usual” and companies are looking to find ways to become more efficient, to adapt to the new economy, or in some instances to create new products and services.  There is a need to create change within a company, to provide workers with new and different skills, and to create a workforce that can implement the vision of the entrepreneurs and job developers while meeting the needs of our community.  Community colleges can be the supporting partner for these economic development activities through not just our degree programs but through our continuing education and training arm as well.

In addition, we can expect new opportunities to assist Hawai‘i in its economic recovery. The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, based on proposals made by President Barack Obama, is a nationwide effort that will help create jobs, jumpstart growth and transform our economy.  While we await the details of the Plan, I understand that it includes provisions for investments in education, health care, energy, and a 21st century infrastructure.  More specifically, the direct impact to the community colleges will be training for new jobs created, new American Opportunity Tax Credit to make college affordable, modernizing schools, and increasing the maximum Pell Grant.  We must be poised to act swiftly to leverage this national effort to better our community and the state of Hawai‘i through quality education and training.

We, in the community colleges, have pride in our role in creating opportunities for individuals through education.  We have pride in our role in workforce development.  Through hard work, we have earned that pride; but, to play these roles well in these times we must do more than just continue what we have been doing.  Just as businesses are being forced to change, adapt, and create, so too must we be willing to change, adapt, and create.  Like businesses, we are likely to have fewer resources.  We will have to be more focused and more aware of new resources and new opportunities.  On the mainland we have seen some colleges respond to these pressures by saying “no more students.”  I do not believe that should be our response.  People come to us in these difficult times out of hope.  Let’s find ways to keep those hopes alive and those dreams realized.

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Don’t let the downturn get you down

I am happy to inform you that last Thursday the Board of Regents appointed Manny Cabral as Interim Chancellor for Leeward Community College. I am delighted to have Manny assume this role and thank him for his willingness to do so.

In considering my recommendation to the Board of Regents I was looking for an individual who could continue the good work that Peter Quigley began and maintain the momentum the Leeward has achieved, as evidenced by the very positive accreditation results. I felt that it was important to have the candidate be someone from within the College who understood the dynamics of the campus and who has been a part of these planning and decision-making processes. I also felt it was important to allow the search and selection for the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs to move forward without delay or complication.

Manny Cabral with his years of experience in faculty leadership, his experience as department head, and his experience as head of the Campus Council will provide the stability and leadership we are seeking. Manny will be an excellent communicator of what Leeward is and what Leeward wishes to be in his interactions with the Legislature, with the University system, with potential donors, and with the larger community.

Leeward is poised to take advantage of some significant opportunities and face some important challenges in the years ahead. The continued growth in the Leeward/Central Oahu area, the clear data that the region, particularly the Waianae Coast, is not well served by the University, the relationship with the newly developing UH-West Oahu, and the looming retirement of significant numbers of faculty all are issues that are of immediate concern. I am looking forward to working with Manny and all of you in addressing these issues.

We will begin the search for the permanent Chancellor in the early Fall with the goal of having someone selected and on board by July 2008. In closing, I wish to thank Peter Quigley for his service to the College and wish him well in his new position. I also wish to thank all of you who offered advice and suggestions during this transition.

It begins…

The legislative season has begun.  This is an important session in that the Fiscal Biennium 2007-2009 budget will be determined by this legislature.  The month opened with hearings on that budget and the legislators seemed very interested in the University and our potential for contributing to addressing State needs and solving State problems.

UH Day at the State Capitol was a blast!  Community colleges clearly showed the diversity of our programs and the breadth of our impact on students and our local communities.  I also learned a lot about other UH colleges and programs.  I kept finding myself saying, "I didn’t know UH did that!"  

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