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Kosasa Foundation Awards Grant for Emerging Scholars Program

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Through the Center for Strategy and Innovation, Chaminade University recently received a $25,000 grant from the Kosasa Foundation to support its Emerging Scholars pilot program aimed at promoting pathways to college for rural high school students on Kauai. The first cohort of students will begin the year-long program in the fall.

Prior to the pandemic, Chaminade offered a number of early college programs as part of the statewide Hawaii P-20 initiative promoting pathways to college. When the University pivoted to online learning, dual-enrollment and pre-college courses were canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Chaminade has revamped and redesigned its college readiness programs to be offered online or through a mixed online/in-person format.

There will be two types of Emerging Scholar programs: 1) a non-credit Summer Institute for high school students, which will mostly be paid for by the federal college-readiness initiative, GEAR UP, and 2) an academic year dual-enrollment program for high school students to take courses and receive both high school and college credits that can be used toward a college degree.

“We are excited to initiate this pilot program for Kauai students this fall,” said Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington. “The pandemic has created significant educational challenges for those residing in rural areas, including the neighbor islands. A lack of technology and broadband access has made online learning difficult for many students. The Emerging Scholars program will ensure students who are disproportionately disadvantaged by distance learning will have everything they need to excel online.”

Program administrators have identified a basic technology package—laptop, headphones, storage and backup—that will be provided on loan to its high-need college students, including those in the Emerging Scholars programs.

During the program, 40 students from Kauai high schools will take four dual-enrollment, introductory courses each semester. The courses will be enhanced with guest speakers who will participate in each course. Faculty will fly to Kauai to physically meet the students prior to each semester start. At the end of the year, Chaminade will fly the participating students to Oahu to stay overnight in the residence hall. During their stay, they will meet with advisors and faculty from each division, and participate in college prep workshops.

Chaminade is reimagining the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to adapt to changing learner needs, and to rethink and transform approaches to higher education. This program seeks to provide students on Kauai with new opportunities and ensure success in pursuit of learning.

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.

DNP Program Receives WSCUC Accreditation

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Following a comprehensive review process, Chaminade University’s new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program has received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The accreditation recognizes that Chaminade University has met high standards of academic quality and effectiveness.

“Receiving this accreditation from WSCUC is a huge step forward as we can begin admitting students to our new DNP program, which will educate family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and nurse leaders,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, Chaminade University president. “Nurses play such a significant role in healthcare delivery, and during times like these, it’s so important to have nurses who are able to innovate and adapt. The DNP program seeks to provide further education for dedicated and passionate nurses to excel as leaders in healthcare.”

Through the Commission’s extensive review, Chaminade University has been shown to have met the four standards of WSCUC accreditation, which include: defining institutional purposes and ensuring educational objectives, achieving educational objectives through core functions, developing and applying resources and organizational structures to ensure quality and sustainability, and creating an organization committed to quality assurance, institutional learning and improvement.

Chaminade University’s DNP program is designed for the registered nurse or advanced practice nurse who aims to provide evidence-based care to culturally diverse populations while also developing a leadership role as an advocate for health and social justice. Through the use of an innovative, technology-enriched, educational approach, the curriculum prepares graduates to address profound healthcare needs of society.

“The DNP program takes a values-based approach to education and patient care, and will incorporate strong community partnerships, individualized mentoring and culturally-informed advanced practice,” said Dr. Rhoberta Haley, Dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions. “We are excited to launch this program, especially during a time when nurse leaders are so urgently needed.”

The WSCUC is an institutional accrediting agency that serves a diverse membership of public and private higher education institutions throughout California, Hawaii and the Pacific, as well as a few institutions outside the U.S. For more information about WSCUC accreditation, visit wscuc.org.

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About Chaminade University Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.

Chaminade University Receives Maximum 10-Year Accreditation from APA for its Doctor of Psychology Program

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Following a rigorous, months-long review, the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology degree program at the Hawaii School of Professional Psychology at Chaminade University of Honolulu has received full accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) for ten years.

APA accreditation signifies Chaminade’s PsyD program meets the highest standards in psychology education, preparing students to successfully and ethically deliver psychological services to the community.

“APA’s 10-year accreditation is an affirmation of the quality, rigor, and academic support that we provide our students through Chaminade’s PsyD program, giving them the tools and resources that they will need to serve the mental and behavioral health needs of our communities,” said Chaminade President Lynn Babington.

“Chaminade University is proud to offer the only APA-accredited PsyD program in the state, and is committed to partnering with our graduates as they expand access to evidence-based, culturally attuned psychological care. Like our community partners, we know that mental health is critical to overall health.”

Babington added that the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical need for quality psychological services in Hawaii, especially in rural and under-resourced populations. “The PsyD program is built on Chaminade’s Marianist tradition of public service, and is part of a suite of academic offerings in mental health at Chaminade geared toward helping communities thrive,” Babington said.

As part of APA accreditation, Chaminade’s PsyD program faculty members and administrators underwent an extensive self-study process, highlighting areas of excellence and opportunities for further growth and innovation. An accreditation team of professionals from across the US also conducted a thorough program review to ensure the University’s PsyD program meets rigorous standards.

There are currently less than 70 PsyD programs in the US with full APA accreditation.

Chaminade’s PsyD stresses experiential learning and cutting-edge, community-focused practical application. Students complete a five-year course of study in preparation for licensed clinical practice, with a curriculum that integrates hands-on application with theory and research. Students are also mentored to serve as practitioner-scholars and leaders who seek to drive positive change.

Before graduation, students also complete at least 1500 hours of clinical practicum and  2,000 hours of  clinical internship held  in a variety of settings, including community mental health centers, nonprofits, hospitals, and psychiatric facilities.

In addition to APA accreditation, the PsyD program is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional information on the program is available at chaminade.edu/psyd.

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.

Chaminade University Launches Economic Education Center

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Chaminade University’s School of Business and Communication, in partnership with the Hawaiian Council for Economic Education (HCEE), has launched the Economic Education Center for Excellence. The Center’s vision is to create a higher quality of life in Hawai‘i through economic and financial education and research and through support of sustainable nonprofit organizations and projects.

“At Chaminade, we understand that in order to continue to offer an excellent and relevant education we must be able to rapidly respond to the needs of learners, the workforce, and statewide and global priorities,” said Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington. “Our new Economic Education Center for Excellence does all of that by supporting local and national financial literacy mandates and the state’s vision for a sustainable Hawai‘i.”

The Center’s mission is to train teachers and students in financial literacy and to provide meaningful research to aid upward social mobility and an economically healthy society. Initial activities are focused on the Spring 2021 Economics Challenge hosted by HCEE for Hawai‘i high school students and teacher training sessions in alignment with Hawai‘i Department of Education standards for K-5 economic education.

“We’re pleased to partner with Chaminade University on the Economic Education Center for Excellence to provide pathways to reach and equip public and private K-12 educators,” said HCEE Chair Jim Dixon. “The Center will foster economic educational leadership and establish measurable learning outcomes for economic and financial literacy education in the state.”

Future Center initiatives will include high school entrepreneurship camps, upward social mobility research and programming, collaborative curricular development with Chaminade’s School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and interdisciplinary research in support of economic education, the economics of climate change and the support of sustainable and effective nonprofit organizations. 

“I applaud Chaminade University for establishing its Economic Education Center for Excellence,” said Rich Wacker, president & CEO of American Savings Bank. “Improving education, and especially financial literacy, is incredibly important for the future of our island community.”

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society. For more information, visit chaminade.edu.

Chaminade University Welcomes Jeff Scofield as Dean of Financial Aid

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Jeff Scofield, Dean of Financial Aid

Chaminade University has named Jeff R. Scofield as Dean of Financial Aid, where he will oversee operations of the financial aid office. He brings more than 30 years of experience to the position.

“We’re excited to welcome Jeff to the Silversword team,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, president of Chaminade University. “His expertise will prove invaluable as he leads our experienced team of financial aid professionals in helping to guide students and their families through our many scholarships and financial aid opportunities available.”

Scofield most recently served as Assistant Vice President, Student Financial Services for Seattle University. Prior to that, he was Director of Financial Aid at University of Hawaii at Hilo. He also held financial aid positions with Longwood University in Virginia, Our Lady of the Lake University in Texas and Schreiner College in Texas.

Active in professional organizations, Scofield is a member off the Pacific Financial Aid Association, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and The College Board. He received his master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Coe College in Iowa.

Chaminade University’s Financial Aid Office offers numerous financial aid opportunities, including merit aid, scholarships, grants, federal loans, alternative loans and federal work study. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 97 percent of undergraduate students received some form of financial aid; more than $15.8 million was awarded in undergraduate aid; and an average of $15,340 in grants and scholarships was awarded to each student.

To learn more about Chaminade’s financial aid program, visit Chaminade.edu/financial-aid.

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.

Chaminade University Names Pamela Smith as Associate Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions

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Dr. Pamela Smith (Associate Dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions)

Chaminade University has named Pamela D. Smith, EdD, APRN-Rx, FNP-BC, as Associate Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions. She will lead Chaminade’s Community and Public Health program and the planned Doctorate of Nursing Practice* (DNP) program. The DNP program was developed in response to student demand for health-related professional degrees and will help nurses advance their careers.

“We are pleased to welcome Pamela to our Silverswords ‘ohana,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, President of Chaminade University. “Her extensive expertise and diverse background will prove invaluable to our students working toward careers in the health care.”

Smith brings more than 20 years of nursing, health sciences, and administrative experience to the position. Most recently, she served as chief nursing administrator, chair of Nursing Department at Hawai‘i Pacific University. She also held a number of other positions within the university, including family nurse practitioner coordinator, director of clinical facilities, faculty, and associate chief nurse administrator. She has worked as a nurse practitioner at various clinics and hospitals on O‘ahu in primary care and surgical practice.

Active in professional and community organizations, Smith serves in the Hawai‘i Medical Reserve Corp to assist with COVID response and vaccine administration. She also serves on state-wide committees and task forces with the Hawai‘i State Center for Nursing.

Smith received her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of New England; Master of Science in Nursing from Hawai‘i Pacific University; Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University; and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University.

Chaminade University’s School of Nursing and Health Professions offers a variety of learning opportunities. The curriculum of both the nursing program as well as the community and public health program prepares students for the unique challenges they’ll face in the healthcare sector, with hands-on preparation, state-of-art tools, and a robust mentorship component. For more information, visit chaminade.edu/nursing-health-professions/.

* Chaminade’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program is pending WSCUC approval

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Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.