On any given day at University of Hawaii Maui College professionals share their passion for learning with the next generation of bright talent. This not only includes 117 full-time faculty members committed to student learning and learners but also 164 instructors engaged by the lecturer pool who teach a total of 337 classes of the 636 offered. The college is currently reviewing experience and credentials of those interested in joining its ranks.
And those ranks grow more impressive each year. Eighteen of the college's full-time faculty have Ph.Ds, and three have juris doctorate degrees. Even more have unique industry experience, degrees from illustrious institutions or expertise in nationally recognized projects.
Take a look at the new department for Sustainable Science Management. Faculty member Joie Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Clark Atlanta University, a master's and Ph.D. in environmental engineering from Cornell University, and is a certified renewable energy professional by the Association of Energy Engineers. Tim Botkin received his degrees from James Madison University and the University of Malta before working as an environmental lawyer and director of a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum designed clean energy technology business park. Kristen Freeman received her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she studied ecology and biogeochemistry, and is currently an adjunct faculty member at both UH-MC and San Diego State University.
That's just one program. Keola Donaghy holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology and is now a faculty member in the college's music department. He was recently recognized for his collaboration with Microsoft, helping to develop the resources needed to support Native Hawaiian language in Windows 8. English instructor Marnie Masuda received her master's from University of California Irvine and in addition to teaching at the college acts as director of the Hawaii Writing Project, Maui, an affiliate of the National Writing Project that helps kindergarten to grade 12 teachers improve their writing curriculum.
In fact, many faculty expand upon their passion to reach out and benefit the community. Sally Irwin, assistant professor of microbiology and genetics, received her Ph.D. from University of California Davis and for the past six years has taught science education workshops for elementary school children. Thanks to the work of Joyce Yamada, instructor for dental assisting with a Master of Science from the University of Bridgeport, the family of every baby born in Maui receives critical dental care information and products.
Emma White recently joined the college as a full-time English faculty member and holds a juris doctorate in law from the University of Florida. She said: "As a lawyer, I discovered a strong connection between writing skills and people's success in the justice system. Quite simply, literacy skills make it possible for people to take part in their democracy. So I decided that instead of using my literacy skills to represent others, I should teach those skills directly. I began by teaching a legal writing class to future paralegals and I became hooked!"
Rhonda Cua Barut, who teaches in the Business & Hospitality program, reflects: "First and foremost, what I enjoy about being a lecturer is the students. Being able to witness the student's transition from the time they first enter UH-MC until they graduate and knowing that I have been part of that growth is very, very rewarding."
For more information or if you'd like to be considered for the lecturer pool, email your curriculum vitae to dianemey@hawaii.edu. Minimum qualifications vary depending upon discipline. Subject fields include communications, history, philosophy, religion, sociology, psychology, economics, mathematics, biology, business technology, general business, building maintenance, information and computer science.
* Clyde Sakamoto is chancellor of the University of Hawaii Maui College. Ka'ana Mana'o, which means "sharing thoughts," is scheduled to appear on the fourth Sunday of each month. It is prepared with assistance from UH-Maui College staff and is intended to provide the community of Maui County information about opportunities available through the college at its Kahului campus and its education centers.
