The Maida Kamber Center, located in Ilima Building 104, houses academic counselors to help students explore their interests and facilitate their transfer to the next stage of their education. (Photo by Juri Dagio)
By Juri Dagio | Staff Writer
“My Success Plan” provides easy access to reliable resources to help student parents achieve their career, family, and personal goals. (Courtesy of Cathy Wehrman)
According to the National Institutes of Health, 90% of students in higher education experience academic stress. Comparatively, only 15% of students reported seeking assistance from different sources.
College counselors help students prepare academically, explore majors and careers, and “thrive” after they graduate, said Stephen Harris, a 51-year-old counselor who has worked at KCC for 18 years, as he scanned through “Student Success Plan” on his office computer. Many KCC counselors have their success plan templates depending on a student’s major, interest, and lifestyle.
“We make sure that we connect them to the right person who can guide them in the right way,” said Cathy Wehrman, a KCC Student Parent program counselor since 1997.
Furthermore, counselors like Harris can also be a support to students who may be battling with personal difficulties.
“I want students to feel completely safe, to talk with me about anything that is affecting their ability to do well,” Harris said. “That could be something completely personal, that has nothing to do with school directly.”
Kapi’olani Community College is committed to assisting its students in overcoming any challenges they may encounter on their educational journey. In order to ensure their success, students are encouraged to seek academic and support counseling. After counseling, students will gain information about various college programs and resources, according to Lori Maehara, a Culinary Arts counselor. She recommends that students inquire about counseling regardless of whether or not they require it.
Throughout the semester, all KCC students have access to a wide range of academic and support counseling programs that can help them plan, visualize their dream careers, and ultimately, achieve them.
Counseling in Academic Programs
Liberal Arts, Hawaiian Studies, STEM, and New Media Arts (NMA)
There are a team of counselors available at the Maida Kamber Center to provide academic support for students; they specialize in career exploration and transfer services. Transfer services include transfer to UH Hilo, UH Mānoa, UH West Oʻahu, UH Maui College, and other institutions located throughout Hawai’i, and the mainland U.S.
Counselors at MKC:
Stephen Harris snharris@hawaii.edu
Amy Cook amycook@hawaii.edu
Sharon Fowler fowlers@hawaii.edu
Lisa Yrizarry wongla@hawaii.edu
Joseph Yoshida josephdy@hawaii.edu
Dawn Michelle Chandler dawnmc@hawaii.edu
Lauren Prepose-Forsen lprepose@hawaii.edu
Health Sciences, EMS, and Nursing
Health Sciences, EMS & Nursing counseling covers admission and graduation requirements, curriculum, program costs, financial aid, licensure and certification, and transfer to baccalaureate programs.
Counselors in Health Sciences, EMS, and Nursing:
Russell Kinningham, Lani Suzuki-Severa hlthsci@hawaii.edu
Crystalyn Hottenstein, Kristy Yoshikawa kapnurs@hawaii.edu
The Culinary Arts counseling office support students with career advising, scholarships, and provides information about culinary events and opportunities. According to Lori Maehara, Culinary events include networking opportunities with chefs at local events, scholarship recipe competitions, study abroad travel, guest chef demonstrations, and others.
Contact Lori Maehara at lmaehara@hawaii.edu.
Business, Legal, and Technology
KCC’s business, legal, and technology program offers 2-year degrees in Accounting, Information Technology, Marketing, and Paralegal. Counselors help students transfer and apply to related 4-year degrees at UH West O’ahu.
Contact Florentino Abara, Jr. at abara@hawaii.edu.
Contact Sheryl Fuchino-Nishida at fuchino@hawaii.edu.
The counselors in support programs assist students with their starting goals. These support programs include disability support, student parents support, and veterans and active-duty military support programs, First-Year Experience (FYE), the Kuilei Outreach Program (for high school students), the International Student Program, TRIO Student Support Services, the Ka’au Program (mental health and wellness), the Kapo’oloku Program for Native Hawaiian Student Success, the Online Learner Success program, and the Pahihi Program (for returning adults).
Counseling in Support Programs
Disability Support
By ensuring equal access to classes, programs, and the physical environment, the Disability Support Services Office (DSSO) provides support services to students with disabilities.
For disability support, contact kapdss@hawaii.edu.
First-Time College Students
For students attending Kapi’olani Community College for the first time, the First-Year Experience (FYE) provides a student’s first step into the college environment.
Counselors in FYE:
Logan Halley halleyl@hawaii.edu
LaVache Scanlan lavache@hawaii.edu
Miki Crutchfield mikiac@hawaii.edu
High School Students
The Kuilei Outreach Program is a college transition pathway program for high school students who choose to continue their education at KCC. According to Sheldon Tawata, a counselor who has worked at KCC for 22 years, they assist high school students to make the smart decision to transition from high school to college.
Counselors in Kuilei Outreach Program:
Sheldon Tawata sheldont@hawaii.edu
Alfred Gonzales alfredg@hawaii.edu
International Students
The International Student Program aim to assist international students with their adjustment and success by providing them with cultural transition support and college skills training.
International students should contact Mimi Yen at liangmei@hawaii.edu or the Honda International Center at hic@hawaii.edu.
Native Hawaiians
The Kapoʻoloku Program for Native Hawaiian Student Success reinforces the importance of education while focusing on the growth and development of individuals in accordance with Hawaiian history.
Contact kapnhss@hawaii.edu.
Online Learners
The Online Learners Success Program focuses on helping students prepare to learn in the online world. According to Kristie Souza Malterre, who has worked at KCC for 26 years, the program provides modules for students to learn self-management, time management, academic and tech support, and how to effectively interact and communicate in the online environment.
For online learners, contact Kristie Souza Malterre at kristies@hawaii.edu.
Returning Adults
The Pahihi Program for returning adults supports and assists students who is looking to return to college by assisting in transferring credits to KCC, identifying interests to properly pick a major, and in helping students understand general information that will be helpful in their academic journey at KCC.
For returning adults, contact Shannon Sakaue at pahihi@hawaii.edu.
Student Parents
Counselors in Student Parents Programs provide referrals for childcare, legal services (custody battles, domestic violence, and others), community and online resources for parents, and provide scholarship search assistance.
For student parents, contact sppkcc@hawaii.edu or Cathy Wehrman at cwehrman@hawaii.edu.
Veterans and Active-Duty Military
The Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC) assists students who are using military services connected benefits for their education. According to Teri Mitchell, a counselor at VMRC, these military services and benefits includes student veterans who have earned their education benefits, spouses and children who veterans have transfer their benefits to, active-duty service members who are using tuition assistance, and spouses of active-duty members who have spouse scholarships.
Contact Teri Mitchell at teri.mitchell@hawaii.edu.
Low-income, First-Generation College Students and Students with a Documented Disability
TRIO Student Support Services assists struggling students in their academic journey at KCC. The TRIO program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and supports low-income, first-generation college students, and students with documented disabilities.
Counselors in TRIO Student Support Services:
Brandon Chun, Dyan Kaneshiro triosss@hawaii.edu.
Mental Health and Wellness
The Ka’au Program for Student Mental Health and Wellness provides students and campus community with free, confidential mental health and wellness services supporting well-being, academic success, and personal development.
Contact Brooke Conway at kapkaau@hawaii.edu.
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