2024 VCs’ Listening and Feedback Tour Themes and Highlights

UH Hilo’s three Vice Chancellors (VCs)—Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Chris Holland; Interim Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, Keiki Kawaiʻaeʻa; and Vice Chancellor of Administration, Kalei Rapoza—conducted an initial Feedback Tour, holding eighteen listening forums across all campus units. The leadership team gathered a wealth of valuable insights, input, and feedback instrumental to shaping an understanding of key challenges and opportunities. The theme and highlights from those sessions are included on this page.

On this page:

Strength-Based Perspective

Create a Shared Vision that celebrates our strengths and fosters ownership among all stakeholders.

• Harmonize strategic plan with renewed vision, mission and campus description.
• Utilize the Kaʻi i ka Wēkiu (kime Vivid Visioning) and VC Listening Tours I and II to implement strategic ideas aligned with our Strategic Planning process.
• Revisit and align college visions and missions with the strategic plan

Identify and Leverage Our Unique Strengths within the campus community.

• Improve campus aesthetics by investing in beautification projects and ongoing maintenance.
• Utilize consultant support (ex: Echo Delta [SEM], AASCU, Good Rebellion [SSEI]) for strategic initiatives.
• Utilize program reviews to help design and implement organizational structure changes, enhance the campus environment, and create student hub centers designed to support student success.
• Assess and improve laboratory space, including those for basic science, environmental and cultural studies (including van support as appropriate)
• Normalize Hawaiian cultural protocols across campus events, activities, and curricula

Celebrate and Share Our Excellence through enhanced communication

• Develop and distribute consistent communication plans that highlight UH Hilo’s unique nature and assets.
• Align stories with the Strategic Plan and broader campus efforts.

Vibrant and Inclusive Campus

Cultivate a Welcoming Campus Culture where every student feels valued and connected.

• Revamp student orientation programs and initiate support mechanism (ex: AI chatbot) for ongoing student support
• Establish “Kuleana and Community” as a requirement for all first-year students (University 101)
• Expand initiatives that foster student engagement and belonging (ex: peer mentoring and support programs, living-learning community, Honors College).

Diversify and Strengthen the Student Body by tailoring programs and services to meet diverse needs.

• Enhance understanding of student needs through partnerships (Echo Delta, SSEI) and initiatives/programs (COIL, LSAMP, CGEE, NSE, Kīpuka)
• Boost International Student Recruitment by strategically utilizing COFA agreements and looking at opportunities with Athletics and staffing (ex: International Admissions Specialist)

Create Vibrant Student Life by promoting belonging to create meaningful engagement opportunities.

• Invest in student-centered spaces, including libraries and campus hubs, and continue RIM projects to create and enhance engagement areas.
• Assess and optimize housing spaces and revamp the assignments process to improve student satisfaction.

Collaboration and Communication

Foster a Culture of Collaboration across all departments to improve overall impact.

• Promote regular interactions between campus units through initiatives like Kaʻi i ka Wēkiu (campus ʻohana), Town Halls, and Campus Cleanup events.
• Initiate cross-divisional collaborations and recognition events, such as Library Lanai events and Vulcan Week (Homecoming type event).

Facilitate Transparent Communication both internally and externally with community partners.

• Implement a transparent budget process and hold campus forums to share out.
• State of the University
• Enhance communication strategies and invest in University Relations staff and online media (notably the website!)
• Regularly update the campus community with revised communication tools and strategies.

Enhance Campus Image and Self-Perception

• Highlight successes and strengths through storytelling and marketing efforts.
• Promote a positive image of the campus to prospective students and the wider community.
• Shift from a deficit mindset to a strength-based perspective, focusing on what the campus can achieve with its existing resources.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

Engage with the Broader Community to support campus initiatives and enhance student experiences.

• Strengthen community relations by involving community members in campus activities and events.
• Leverage community partnerships to create impactful opportunities for students, integrating volunteerism and alumni engagement.

Create Intentional Cohorts and Support Services to build stronger student communities.

• Foster connections between students and the community through engagement initiatives.
• Encourage active participation of faculty and staff in campus life to build a welcoming atmosphere.

Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation

Employ Data-Informed Decision Making to align resources with campus-wide goals and priorities.

• Prioritize investments in areas of strength and optimize processes for maximum impact.
• Ensure transparency in resource allocation and decision-making processes.

Create Programs, Scholarships, and Opportunities for strategic recruitment and engagement.

• Develop scholarships for non-resident students to attract high-achieving candidates.
• Reevaluate tuition exemption policies to better align with recruitment goals.
• Engage faculty and programs in the recruitment process to identify and address gaps.
• Consider initiatives to retain students through targeted academic and social support programs.

Feedback Welcomed

The UH Hilo community is welcomed to provide feedback on the areas of focus outlined above. This is your opportunity to engage in the next phase of campus transformation, as we continue our journey toward elevating student success, community engagement, and a thriving campus culture. Please share your manaʻo using the form linked below: