A Partnership to Support U.S. Military Veterans on Kaua`i

Teresa Makinney, Kaua`i Veterans Employment Counselor with
Workwise Kaua`i; KCC's Mahealani Yamashita and Chancellor Helen Cox,
with Miliatary Affairs Liaison Nathan Miyake and Constituent Services Rep.
Kaulana Finn from U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard's office.

U.S. Military Veterans assembled Thursday, July 11 with Nathan Miyake, Military Affairs Liaison and Kaulana Finn, Constituent Services Representative for U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to hear concerns and answer questions from local veterans and military personnel. Kaua`i CC was poised to present information on how the College supports members of the military and local veterans who want to earn a college degree.

Kaua`i CC served as the site for this open session where Liaison Miyake was able to provide one-one consultation with veterans. “We are delighted to host this meeting, said Helen A. Cox, Chancellor for the College. “One of our college initiatives is to reach out to veterans and assist them in whatever way we can and particularly in negotiating higher education. Having this meeting here was a great start to what we hope will be a richer and fuller relationship with the veterans in our community,” said Cox.

Mahealani Yamashita, recently hired by Kaua`i CC as its Career and Transfer Specialist, organized the session. “I want to initiate an island partnership and to do this, make a formal welcome to vets and community partners to Maka hou, see with eyes that are new,” she said as the session opened. A veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves, Yamashita served as a Marine Operator with the Detachment Logistics Transportation Unit on Oahu. She was one of three females assigned to serve on the LSV-7 SSGT Robert T. Kuroda ship. At Kaua`i CC, Yamashita serves as a resource point to help students and faculty in developing career pathways and finding programs of study.

Kailana Soto, Kaua`i CC’s Assistant Registrar, serves as the VA School Certifying Official. She reported an enrollment of 41 veterans as students at Kaua`i CC in Spring 2013. Soto provides reports to the VA on students enrolled in colleges and the number of credits they are taking. She also translates military training experience into credits towards earning a college degree. “The Vets are highly motivated and enter college with goals to earn an undergraduate degree and move on to receive a Masters degree,” she said.

Earl Nishiguchi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs clarified the role the college serves for veterans; “Kaua`i Community College is committed to serving the Veterans by assisting them in enrolling in higher education, career counseling, succeeding in college, and finding a job.”

Teresa Makinney, Veterans Employment & Training Counselor with WorkWise Kaua’i was also at the session to report on job searching and recruiting efforts for veterans on Kaua`i and across the nation via Job Corps Centers. Makinney is a U.S. Navy Veteran.

Stephanie Whiting, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, was also present to encourage veterans, military personnel and their families to take advantage of free counseling services through Give an Hour, a non-profit national network of volunteer mental health professionals.

Important Contact information for Veterans
VA Educational Call Center – 1 (888) 442-4551 (toll free)
Monthly Verification of Enrollment - 1 (877) 823-2378
Direct Deposit enrollment changes – 1 (877) 838-2778
Workwise Kaua`i Veterans Employment Counselor, Teresa Makinney – (808) 274-3056
Give an Hour counselor, Stephanie Whiting – (808) 639-5626
For more information and available resources, please go to: www.gibill.va.gov

Kaua`i CC provides assistance to eligible student Veterans, Active Servicepersons, Dependents, Reservists, and National Guard Members with state and federal educational benefit programs. The VA staff is committed to serving all qualified and disabled veterans and their dependants in their educational pursuits. Kaua`i CC is an approved institution for education and training under the Veteran’s Education Assistance Act (GI Bill) and the Dependent’s Act. Information regarding eligibility, entitlement and types of training authorized may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website at www.gibill.va.gov or contacting the VA.

Kaua`i Community College Contact Information
Kailana Soto – Kaua`i CC VA School Certifying Official and Assistant Registrar - (808) 245-8224
Mahealani Yamashita, Kaua`i CC Career & Transfer Specialist – (808)245-8394

Types of VA Education Benefits
Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty (MGIB-AD) Program
Training and Rehabilitation for Veterans with Service-connected Disabilities Program
The Post 9/11 GI Bill Program
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Assistance (DEA) Program
Montgomery Bill – Selected Reserve (MBIB-SR) Program
Reserve Educational Assistant Program (REAP)
Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

Now Hiring - Part-time STEM embedded tutors and peer-mentor "scholars" for fall 2013

Embedded Tutors for Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM) 
Embedded Tutors are KCC students who have excelled in STEM courses and who wish to facilitate positive and productive learning sessions that support the academic success of fellow KCC students who are interested in STEM fields.

What does an embedded STEM tutor do?

• Embedded tutors must attend at least one class session for the class to which they are assigned. In addition, they must provided at least two hours of tutoring outside class, be available by appointment for tutoring/sessions, and attend meetings and training sessions;
• Communicates courteously, professionally and responsively; 
• Organizes and/or leads tutoring sessions for review/test taking purposes;
• Commits to a team approach and works with instructors and supervisory staff; and
• Maintains confidentiality, collects data, and keeps necessary records.

Peer Scholar (Mentor) for Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM)
STEM Peer Mentors are KCC students interested in STEM fields who want to share their knowledge of STEM and the KCC Campus with their peers to form a sense of community.

What does a STEM peer mentor do?

• Assists STEM or potential STEM students in understanding and adapting to STEM course requirements;
• Offers insights on college success based on experience and knowledge of KCC;
• Shares information about resources and events at KCC;
• Attends training, as required;
• Participates as a member of the KCC mentoring “team”; and
• Communicates with supervisor regarding the status of mentored students.

For complete information on eligibility, pay rate, hours, and how to apply, please see the flyers.

• Embedded Tutor flyer (pdf)
• Peer Scholar flyer (pdf)

Posted by:

Andrea Erichsen
STEM/Grant Coordinator
808-245-8378

KCC Launches New Student Success Program

The Kipaipai Program at Kauai CC is a first year experience program that seeks to help students succeed both academically and personally during their first year of college.

Students can receive a $300 scholarship for each semester that they participate!

Studies show that students who participate in a first year experience program are more likely to:

• Stay in college
• Earn a higher grade point average
• Complete a degree program
• Transfer to a 4-year institution

To see if you are eligible and to sign up, visit the Kipaipai Program website at:

https://sites.google.com/a/hawaii.edu/fye

Posted by:

Rebecca Thompson

Transitions Coordinator

Campus Shut Down on Friday June 28th

Aloha Everyone,

Due to unforeseen events, Kauai Community College will close at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28th. Services will be limited from 2:30 p.m.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Thanks for your patience.
Helen

--
Helen A. Cox, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Kaua'i Community College
3-1901 Kaumuali'i Hwy
Lihue, HI 96766
Phone: 808 245-8210 Fax: 808 245-0101
email: helencox@hawaii.edu
http://kauai.hawaii.edu

2013 KCC Summer Art Exhibition (Jun 3-8)

Kaua`i Community College students from Painting, Drawing, Graphic Design, Photography, and Video Production classes held a soft opening of their exhibition of works at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center in Lihue, June 3rd. They invite the public to visit the exhibit.

Kaua`i CC Art student, Angel Camarillo gives a tour 
of works on display at the 2013 kcc summer art show.

The show is being held June 3 - 8, 2013, in the Kaua`i Society of Artists Gallery at Kukui Grove Shopping Center. The public is also invited to the Artist Reception on Friday, June 7, at 6:00 pm.

“This is the first time holding an exhibition outside of the Kaua`i CC campus. Students are able to not only exhibit, but also sell their artwork. The goals of Kaua`i CC’s art programs are to give those students hoping to move to a four-year education a great start, or to give those who are looking to expand their skill set the skills they need,” explained Mathew Fulmer, Art instructor at Kaua`i CC.

Matthew Fulmer, Art Instructor at Kaua`i CC, prepares
for day two of the 2013 kcc summer art show.

The Kaua`i Society of Artists generously donated the gallery space and waived commission fees to support Kaua`i CC students’ endeavors. The exhibition exposes the College’s art programs to those who may not be aware of the diversity of courses available at KCC. 

Photographs by Kaua`i CC students

“This exhibition is a great opportunity for both the students and the Kaua`i community to view a wide range of finished works. The students have the opportunity to see their work on the walls of a gallery, or on a big screen, and feel the pride of accomplishment that goes with a public display. Holding the exhibition at Kukui Grove Shopping Center opens the display to the whole island, including visitors. In addition, the community gets a window into the creativity being nurtured at the College, witnessing the new, home grown talent that is blossoming there. It encourages potential Kaua`i CC students to develop a vision of what they could be learning at Kaua`i CC. Truly a WIN-WIN event for everyone,” commented Gary Ellwood, Digital Video lecturer.

Angel Camarillo, Kauai` CC Art student gives Garden
Island Newspaper photographer Dennis Fujimoto a
tour of the 2013 kcc summer art show.

Angel Camarillo, a Kaua`i CC student who is pursuing a degree in Graphic Design, has some of her works on display and is has volunteered to be one of the exhibit sitters. “I want to get a feel for what I want to make sure of what I will pursue in life," said Camarillo about the choice she made to study at Kaua`i CC. Studying at Kaua`i CC also works for her because she wants to “be closer to home and see my sister and brother grow up,” she said.


Posted by:
Cammie Matsumoto

Summer COMPASS Prep Class

Update (6/04/2013) - If you've taken the COMPASS and tested below college level math and English, we have a great opportunity for you to BRUSH UP and try again this summer. It's only $25 which will go toward your COMPASS re-take. Now's the time to move ahead and save some tuition money. Contact Mary or Peggy in KCC-OCET at 245-8318.kauai.hawaii.edu/training

6/4/13 - Updated printable flyer (pdf)

Registration form (MS-Word, pdf)

KCC Students Attend Pamantasan Conference

Students from Kauai Community College's Pamantasan Club attended the annual Pamantasan Conference at the University of Hawaii-Hilo Campus on April 12th, 2013. The theme this year was "Back to the Farm! Our roots in sustainable practice." 

Students attended various workshops on the impacts of climate change and invasive species, food relationships, shifting to a sustainability consciousness, vermicomposting, permaculture/edible landscaping, and more.

During lunch, students were treated to a "Glimpse into Filipino Culture through Fashion." The trip to the Big Island was a first for the majority of the club's members so after the conference, the students went on a tour of the island that included a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a night in Kailua-Kona, and many stops along the way.

Posted by:

Ramona Kincaid