KCC Ranked Nationally in Campus Diversity

By Jayme Malo, Kapi‘o Staff Writer

Kapi‘olani Community College ranked No.7 in The Chronicle of Higher Education‘s annual list of the nation’s most diverse campuses.

“The first time I went on a roller coaster.” Jazmine Young, 22, deaf education

Jazmine Young, 22, Deaf Education

Overall, the University of Hawai‘i system’s 10 campuses ranked at the top of both the two- and four-year institution lists.

UH-Hilo was the No. 1 most diverse four-year public institution, followed by UH-Maui College, UH West O‘ahu, UH Manoa,

Windward Community College topped the list of most diverse two-year public institutions, followed by Hawai‘i Community College, Kaua‘i Community College, and Leeward Community College. Berkeley City College in California ranked No. 5, followed by Honolulu Community College and KCC.

“It allows us to look at some of the commonalities among our diverse groups but also some of the differences and to celebrate those, and I think this is why diversity and being cited in The Chronicle of Higher Education is so important,” said KCC Chancellor Dr. Leon Richards.

The Chronicle of Higher Education is a top source for news and information relating to colleges and universities and has more than 315,000 subscribers.

In Fall 2013, KCC had an undergraduate enrollment of 8,376 students according to the UH Institutional Research & Analysis Office. By ethnicity, 35 percent of all KCC students were Asian, 10 percent Caucasian, 19 percent Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and the rest mixed or other. Although 12.1 percent of KCC students are from outside of the state,  87.9 percent reside here in the islands, which shows that majority of what makes KCC diverse comes from within the state.

“On campus there’s a little bit of each culture, so as we learn from the professors we learn from each other as well,” says Macie Manuwa-Kupihea, a student at KCC.

Richards pointed out that our local language, pidgin, has words from several different languages such as Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, and Hawaiian but people are still able to understand it. It is a representation of how the Hawaiian Islands have been a melting pot for a very long time, and continues to be so in it’s higher education system.

“Of course we have the beautiful weather, the mountains, and the beaches,” Richards said. “But what is that special element that sort of attracts people? I would like to say it’s the Aloha Spirit. So that’s why Hawai‘i has become a gathering place, and we want the same for this campus. Regardless of which island, nation, or part of the world you’re from, you can always find a home in Hawai‘i or KCC.”

Young Chun

Young Chun

Stephen Ansley

Stephen Ansley

Ritma Joseph

Ritma Joseph

Kylee Church

Kylee Church

Kai Bashir

Kai Bashir

Cody Jeyejo

Cody Jeyejo

Brennen Cunningham

Brennen Cunningham

Ashley Murayama

Ashley Murayama

Vincent Eiserlog, 22, liberal arts

Vincent Eiserlog, 22, Liberal Arts

Constance Barton

Constance Barton, 45, Liberal Arts

Renee Katayama, 18, liberal arts

Renee Katayama, 18, Liberal Arts

Kelly Hammock, 21, nursing

Kelly Hammock, 21, Nursing

Jake Atterson, 21, PTA

Jake Atterson, 21, Physical Therapy Assistant

Chaney Lightfoot

Chayne Lightfoot, 24, Nutrition

“When I was at the Stadium carnival on the Fireball and my seat didn’t click.” Ryan Balisacan, 18, nursing

Ryan Balisacan, 18, Nursing

“When I jumped off Waimea rock.” Juliano Devita, 17, culinary arts

Juliano Devita, 17, Culinary Arts

“When I was watching ‘The Conjuring’.” Joseph Paaluhi, 17, culinary arts

Joseph Paaluhi, 17, Culinary Arts

“I fell asleep while I was driving on the highway.” William Fang, 22, liberal arts

William Fang, 22, Liberal Arts

“When I realized that condoms have an expiration date.” Sam Lee, 25, liberal arts

Sam Lee, 25, Liberal Arts

“Walking on the reef on the North Shore and not knowing there is a 30ft ledge at the end.” Anthony Shimaura, 18, culinary arts

Anthony Shimaura, 18, Culinary Arts

Photo by Minori Inoue

Photo by Minori Inoue

Photo by Minori Inoue

Photo by Minori Inoue

Photo by Minori Inoue

Photo by Minori Inoue

Photo by Minori Inoue

Photo by Minori Inoue