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C H A M I N A DE MAGAZI NE
Immersive Experiences T HROUGH SUM M ER INST I T U T ES DOZENS OF HAWAI'I PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CONVERGED ON CHAMINADE’S CAMPUS OVER THE SUMMER FOR A HOST OF IMMERSIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES—TRYING THEIR HAND AT EVERYTHING FROM SPOKEN WORD POETRY TO MARINE CONSERVATION TO DESIGNING A SAFEHOUSE FOR A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE.
Chaminade’s Summer Institutes 2021 offerings, part of the University’s ongoing commitment to pre-college programming, gave rising juniors and seniors at two public high schools the chance to do a deep dive into disciplines of high interest. The intensive 10-day courses were free to McKinley and Kaimukī high school students and also included standalone college preparatory sessions on how to pay for higher education, apply for financial aid, select an academic pathway and build leadership skills. Dr. Janet Davidson, Chaminade vice provost for academic affairs, said 37 students participated across five Summer Institutes courses. The offerings were made possible in part thanks to a US Department of Education GEAR UP grant. Davidson said GEAR UP is focused on boosting college attendance among lowincome students. To promote that goal, she said, the Summer Institutes program at Chaminade offered participants a high-quality, engaging college-level experience. “The students had rewarding experiences on our campus—with each other and with their faculty and peer mentors,” Davidson said, adding that enrollees also benefited from co-curricular sessions with the University’s advising, financial aid and admissions offices. “Through our Summer Institutes, we aimed to support the academic growth of students, but also provide a series of college readiness sessions. We look forward to growing our successes this year and providing even more institutes next summer.”
D O I N G I T YO U R S E L F : A N E W W O R L D
Among the available academic sessions was a course—taught by Accounting Professor Aaron Williamson—on entrepreneurship, business modeling and communication skills. “Doing It Yourself: A New World” also included an emphasis on leadership and team building. Williamson said he wanted the immersion program to give students a “taste of what business really is. At its root, business is the thoughts, dreams and initiatives of a multitude of folks from history to the present who simply had an idea and acted on it.” He added that he was most excited to watch students tap into their passions and personal interests—and then figure out how to direct that energy into a business plan. “I fully expect to be walking into a few of their establishments one day,” he added.
