Len Woods receives Steve Holman Award for his work in student success at UH Hilo
The award honors Len Woods for his long-standing and unwavering commitment to low-income and first generation students.
By Susan Enright/UH Hilo Stories.
Leonard “Len” Woods, director of TRiO Student Success Programs at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo — which includes the UH Hilo Upward Bound program — was awarded the Steve Holman Award at the 37th annual Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel (WESTOP) Conference held this spring in Santa Clara, California.
WESTOP, one of 10 regional educational opportunity associations, is dedicated to increasing educational opportunities for low-income and first generation college and pre-college students, as well as, students with disabilities. WESTOP membership is comprised of representatives from Nevada, Arizona, California, Hawaiʻi, Guam, the Republic of Palau, the Common Wealth of the Northern Marianas, the Republic of the Marshal Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and American Samoa.
“As a dedicated leader of TRiO Programs, Len has helped to inspire and shape the lives of hundreds of students, their families and their communities,” says Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, interim vice chancellor for student affairs. “He is well deserving of this prestigious award and recognition we are proud of his accomplishments “.
The Steve Holman Award is presented annually to one outstanding member of the WESTOP community in recognition of continued dedication to the cause of educational excellence and equity, a deep concern for the development of student potential, and a high degree of professionalism in the development of his/her programs.
Woods was honored for his long-standing and unwavering commitment to low-income and first generation students.
“Len is one of the most humble people I know,” says Yoichi Rengiil, who nominated Woods for the award. “He has devoted his life to serving some of the most economically disadvantaged students and ensuring these students receive undergraduate degrees. I can think of no one who is more deserving of this award than Len.”
Students who submitted letters in support of Woods’s nomination directly credited his influence, support, and dedication as the reason they received undergraduate, as well as, graduate degrees.
In addition to his 26 years’ experience leading the UH Hilo TRiO programs, Len has served as a financial aid officer, directed tutoring and advising programs, and served as a director of multicultural student services. He has served as a member of WESTOP Board of Directors, National Council for Education Board of Directors, and the National TRiO Financial Aid committee. His commitment to the profession is evident through his past leadership roles as president of WESTOP, president of the Pacific Island Chapter of WESTOP, and chair of the National TRiO Alumni Committee.
Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
