To prepare Native Hawaiian students pursuing degrees in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines, Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH) and Kamehameha Schools (KS) recently formalized their partnership in a signing ceremony at Chaminade University.
“This partnership is critical for us,” said KS CEO Jack Wong. “Our relationship with Chaminade is not new, but formalizing our work together going forward allows us to take our relationship to the next level.”
The agreement between KS and CUH aligns directly with Goal 2 of Kamehameha’s Strategic Plan 2020 (SP2020) – to formalize key statewide partnerships. This educational collaboration creates unprecedented leadership-in-industry opportunities for Native Hawaiian students attending CUH seeking STEM-related degrees.
“This partnership will change the Lāhui,” said RaeDeen Keahiolalo-Karasuda, Ph.D., Chaminade University director for the Office of Native Hawaiian Partnerships. “What we want to see, is a cadre of 100 Native Hawaiian scientists who can essentially take over the landscape, be voices at the table, influence policy and change practices.”
The partnership is rooted in five key areas: scholarship support, curriculum initiatives, research, outreach and wraparound services and support.
KS Vice President of Strategy and Innovation Lauren Nahme sees Chaminade University as a vital post-high incubator toward four-year completion and readiness for career or further studies. “Both academic and non-academic support such as tutoring, mentoring, financial support, internships, and research opportunities will be integral to ensure programmatic strength and student success,” she said.
While the details of the partnership are still in development, Chaminade, a designated Hawaiian-serving institution by the U.S. Department of Education, and Kamehameha look forward to creating a “STEM nation” – a hui of STEM scholars poised to change Hawaiʻi’s STEM landscape in the 21st century.
“This partnership will allow us, with Kamehameha Schools, to further serve our students of Native Hawaiian descent both here in Hawaiʿi and beyond,” said Chaminade University President, Brother Bernard Ploeger, S.M., Ph.D.
The agreement with CUH comes just two weeks after KS and the University of Hawaiʻi System solidified their partnership aimed at boosting post-high educational success for Native Hawaiians.
Chaminade biology major and KS scholarship recipient Hulali Kinilau and classmates (L-R) Victoria Alakaʻi, Sharmayne Kamaka, and Zachary Consillio shared their career goals at the signing event.
The educational partnership is rooted in five key areas: scholarship support, curriculum initiatives, research, outreach and wraparound services and support.
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