Jalam Ford
3/16/22
Dr. Weaver
Hawai’i Pacific College: Research Project
Summary
Hawai’i Pacific University was founded in 1965 by Loo, Eureka Forbes, Elizabeth W. Kellerman, and Reverend Edmond Walker. They wanted to create a private liberal arts college in Honolulu, Hawaii. The professors At Hawai’i Pacific University that a student would learn from are at the top of their field but also industry knowledge to receive the best education possible. The professors are also well equipped to teach online and in face-to-face environments. HPU is a private University where you won’t receive the same education experience anywhere else with hands-on learning. The education is affordable for all Hawaii students and HPU has a diverse, committed faculty meaning the students will be learning with top priority and learning from the very best. This website uses the APATSARC strategy purpose in the attempt to inform students what all they will be experiencing if they choose to attend HPU. Lastly, Hawai’i Pacific University works to improve its education strategies to best fit its students’ needs.
Analysis
Hawai’i Pacific University’s website expresses their confidence in how well any attendees will fit in and the learning opportunities that their students will be exposed to. The website has a large range of different fields of study with four tabs regarding the undergraduate, graduate, military, and online-only routes of study.
HPU receives 7 million dollars in grants for STEM education, student aid, and campus upgrades. Hawai’i prides itself in providing only the best for its faculty and students. “Receiving these grants will provide significant support for our students, staff, and faculty at HPU,” said HPU Senior Vice President Jennifer Walsh, Ph.D. “Nearly every facet of our university will receive an upgrade or enhancement. From our Makapuʻu campus to Waterfront Plaza, to the anchor of our campus at Aloha Tower Marketplace. It is a wonderful time to be at HPU.”
HPU is ranked the most diverse university in the United States. This section of the website uses the rhetorical style logos stating that “The university reached the top spot out of 100 ranked schools, making HPU “the most evenly divided demographic composition of an accredited school with over 1000 students”. HPU is home to over 4,500 students from all 50 United States, U.S. territories, and nearly 65 countries.
Hawai’i Pacific University hopes to launch a global tech program so that its’ students will have the opportunity to work with peers from around the world and learn employer-demanded skills to help improve their career outcomes through applied case studies and projects from companies. This is HPU’s way of assisting their students to have the best chance of getting a better, higher-paying job. The Podium Education currently works with 40 universities across the US bringing a new perspective of learning for all participants.
Next, the university understands that moving far away from home to attend a university that for most students is not at all close, they encourage the transition because there will be many activities and events when you arrive on campus. There are many first-year programs for the students who are trying to find where they fit in. The first years are assigned a Peer Mentor and what the university calls a Hanai volunteer, which is “staff and faculty volunteers who serve as an “auntie or uncle” and support a group of new students. The Hānai volunteers help bridge the divide students often feel when engaging with professionals by making faculty and staff more accessible in a casual setting. Like the PMs, the Hānai volunteer can also help new students navigate the university.” So, first-years are very cared for and engaged with so no new students feel left out. The campus encourages students to get involved right from the start and continuing to seek out opportunities to learn and engage will help make lasting friendships, perform well in their classes, and develop skill sets that will help them succeed in the further years to come.
Hawai’i Pacific University’s Career Development Center provides the necessary resources to be highly competitive in the transition from college to career. The university also offers a student-to-professional pathway. The HPU recognizes that the workplace is forever changing, and they want their students to be prepared for anything that they may experience after leaving the university.
Response
During this research project, I realized that Hawai’i Pacific is a good option to consider after graduation from Georgia State University Perimeter College. HPU cares a lot about its students and faculty as they’re constantly upgrading their campus and giving them opportunities to come into college well equipped to be successful throughout their time on campus. There are many opportunities for the students to have extra help. Nowadays the world makes it seem that college is mandatory to succeed in the world but doesn’t give too much help to assist in a good job afterward. HPU helps with every student’s financial situation making it more affordable.
There are many opportunities for the first years to get better acquainted with their new space and find new friends to maximize the best college experience. I personally don’t know if I would fully commit to a school so far from home, but it most definitely sounds like a safe option with thoroughly reading the website. Out-of-state colleges are already harder to pay for and since the funds are still paid for by my parents, I’m not entirely sure if she’d be comfortable paying for a college out of state. From the knowledge, I have now I’d recommend this college to a high schooler looking for college options.