I. History and Description of the College
Windward Community College (WCC) is the youngest of the seven community colleges in Hawai‘i. It is located in Kane‘ohe on the island of O‘ahu at the base of the Ko‘olau mountains and primarily serves residents from Waimanalo to Waimea on the North Shore. Established in 1972, the College operates out of renovated former Hawai‘i State Hospital buildings and some newly constructed buildings on approximately 64 acres of land just below the State Hospital facilities. A Master Plan for the College has been developed and is now under revision by the Space and Master Planning Committee. The Master Plan and Space Utilization Committee is responsible to make recommendations to the Chancellor on short, mid, and long term facilities use, and plan for renovation of existing facilities and construction of new facilities. Recommendations will be made within the framework of linking the institutional mission, strategic plan, long range development plan (LRDP or Master Plan) available funding, and programmatic priorities to the physical development, renovation, and space assignment of the campus.
The College is governed by the Board of Regents of the University of Hawai‘i. The daily operations of the College are directed by the WCC Chancellor who is directly responsible to the UH System President. By State law the College has an open door policy that includes, but is not limited to, residents who have completed high school, or who are 18 years of age or older. Credit enrollment for Fall 2007 was 1824 students.
The College credit program has a global approach to learning with a particular sensitivity to Hawaiian values that connects liberal arts with career exploration, technological skills and literacy, and community involvement. WCC is best known for its offerings in creative writing, journalism, Hawaiian studies, the fine arts, and the marine, earth, and planetary sciences. Students can attain an Associate in Arts degree. In addition to the Associate in Arts degree, the College also offers Academic Subject Certificates in Business, Art, Bio-Resource Development and Management, Hawaiian Studies, Plant Biotechnology, and Psycho-Social Developmental Studies; Certificates of Completion in Plant Landscaping, Subtropical Urban Tree Care, and Agricultural Technology; and Certificates of Competence in Applied Business and Information Technology and Information Computer Science in Web Support. The College plans to expand its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) program offerings in the next 7-Year period (2008-2015).
The College is in the process of developing learning communities and enhancing its tutoring, counseling and student support areas in order to increase student persistence and retention. It is also creating articulated relationships with other colleges through the University Partners Program that will increase baccalaureate program options for WCC students as well as the community. Moreover, to help students in career exploration, the College is evaluating whether to reinstate the Women in Transition Program or to create a new career exploration program.
A variety of short-term, non-credit vocational courses are also offered at Windward through the Employment Training Center (ETC). The instructional programs offered at ETC are designed to address appropriate pacing, educational material, and pedagogy for its at-risk student population. Students who complete the structured approved curriculum in Auto Body Repair and Finishing, Introduction to Culinary Arts, Facilities Maintenance and Construction, Office Administration and Technology, Office Skills, Health Career Options, Essential Skills – Math and Communication, and Workforce Development receive a Certificate of Professional Development, Certificate of Preparation, or Certificate of Competence. ETC enrollment is approximately 2000 students per year.
The Office of Community Education also offers a wide selection of non-credit courses and cultural programs and oversees the Fujio Matsuda Technology Training and Education Center, which was established in 1985 to serve as a technological education center for the Windward O‘ahu community. Additionally, the College offers many enrichment activities, including theatrical performances, the STAR Poets series, art displays, and the Hawaiian Music Institute. The College also hosts the annual Ho`olaulea for the Windward community.
Comments So Far
Comment 1. Check on whether or not there is a new Master Plan. Should we use Fall 2007 data for enrollment even though it technically is considered "unofficial". Is the sentence about expanding STEM offerings too weak? Are there 2000 students per year enrolled in ETC Programs?
Comment 2. Great overview! Not sure what "career exploration skills" means -- skills to explore
careers? Would "career skills" be more descriptive? Or is it just "career exploration"?
Comment 3. "Students at Windward attain an Associate of Arts degree" is not entirely true. They CAN do this, but in fact many don't and never intend to. The next sentence seems to cover everything.
Comment 4. Delete "In addition to these academic programs," -- it's not necessary and does not add to clarity.
Comment 5. ETC seems kind of shorted here. Aren't some of their programs worth mentioning? They are directly tied to "career skills" development.
Comment 6. Paragraph 1: add year of master plan approval, projected completion date.
Comment 7. Paragraph 4: clarify that Univ Partners agreements are with baccalaureate institutions.
Comment 8. Is it the "Space and Master Planning Committee" or the "Master Plan and Space Utilization Committee"? Can you find a way to name it just once, here?
Comment 9. Discuss the items the college has done or is doing first and then at the end put in the paragraph about the programs that are being considered; learning communities, university partners, etc.
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