UH Hilo reorganizes natural and health sciences programs into new college, opens July 1
The College of Natural and Health Sciences will create new educational and research opportunities for students, foster greater interdisciplinary teaching, and lead to new and improved career pathways.
A new college opens at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo on July 1, 2018. The College of Natural and Health Sciences will house the Division of Natural Sciences, School of Nursing, and Department of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, which are moving from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Interim dean is Jim Beets, professor of marine science and chair of the Division of Natural Sciences, who will serve while a search is conducted for a permanent dean.
- More from the interim dean: UH Hilo to launch new College of Natural and Health Sciences (UH Hilo Stories, May 2, 2018).
The reorganization is to improve representation of student, faculty, and budgetary issues.
“With a stronger focus on natural and health sciences, we can better direct our resources to the areas of greatest need and where they will have the biggest impact,” says Ken Hon, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs. “We expect this to create new educational and research opportunities for students, foster greater interdisciplinary teaching, and lead to new and improved career pathways.”
Improvements in classrooms and laboratories for the college have begun with additional enhancements planned for the future. The upgrades, combined with greater access to new instruments in technology, are considered key to providing students with state-of-the-art training.
Fall 2018 marks the first semester of classes at the new college. Plans call for the first year to focus on integrating units, strengthening collaboration among departments, and fine-tuning operations.
