University of Hawaii--West Oahu

University of Hawaii West Oahu Summary
Since 1976, the University of Hawaii West Oahu (UHWO) has served the people of Hawaii and beyond, and remains a dynamic and diverse place of learning and cultural enrichment. Formerly West Oahu College, the university has evolved from a two-year baccalaureate institution to a four-year comprehensive University with academic programs that emphasize the exploration of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural studies. Founded in the liberal arts, UH West Oahu is committed to quality teaching and an environment that fosters life-long learning.
The strength of the university comes from its dedicated faculty, staff and administration, working together to offer an intellectually challenging higher education experience in a supportive setting. The university features small class sizes, a low faculty-to-student ratio and the lowest bachelor's degree tuition in Hawaii.
With a population of incoming traditional freshmen, non-traditional and international students, UH West Oahu's student body is a diverse group that reflects a cultural heritage unique to the islands. Boasting the highest percentage of Hawaiian/Part-Hawaiian students within the University of Hawaii's three baccalaureate campuses, the university is dedicated to providing higher education access to underserved communities across the state.
UHWO student satisfaction is reflected in the university's high retention rate and consistently high marks on the overall quality of the student's total academic experience.
UH West Oahu's curriculum is founded on the principle that career training, the humanities and social sciences are interdependent and complementary. Baccalaureate and certificate programs encourage interdisciplinary exploration, international, and cross-cultural awareness. While attending the university, students are encouraged to seek both breadth and depth in their educational experiences and explore relationships between various disciplines. Through Service-Learning projects that combine academic study and community involvement, the university emphasizes an understanding of subjects through real-world application.
UH West Oahu is committed to addressing workforce needs and offering degrees that matter in todays marketplace. The University constantly strives to offer new programs through flexible class schedules and quality teaching so students may pursue an accessible, career-focused education. In partnership with the University of Hawaii Community Colleges and University and Education Centers, UH West Oahu offers bachelor degrees and certificate programs to residents of the neighboring Hawaiian islands via distance-delivered classes. UH West Oahu is at the forefront of distance learning programs with 20 percent of the student body taking courses entirely online.
The growth and development of UHWO represents an exciting opportunity and a bright path for the future of West Oahu and the entire state of Hawaii. For more than 30 years, UH West Oahu has been located in portable buildings adjacent to Leeward Community College in Pearl City on the island of Oahu. The University marked a major milestone when it began construction of a state-of-the-art, permanent baccalaureate campus in the City of Kapolei in 2010. It is expected to open its doors to more than 2,000 students for classes in 2012. Incorporating the latest trends in environmental sustainability, the construction of the entire campus and adjacent business and retail community will span several years. When completed, UH West Oahu will accommodate 7,600 students and 1,000 faculty and staff.