University Takes Next Step in Partnership With Hawai'i Community Colleges

HONOLULU — Pacific University took the next step in its burgeoning partnership with the University of Hawai'i community college system on Thursday, Jan. 23 at Kapi'olani Community College.  

Pacific president Lesley M. Hallick and KCC chancellor Leon Richards entered their respective institutions into an agreement that will provide international students who graduate from KCC a clear pathway to continue their undergraduate studies at Pacific University.  

"We are delighted to take the next step in our partnership with community colleges in Hawai'i," Hallick said. "International students are a key element of the rich discourse that permeates throughout Pacific University (Ore.). We are very proud to provide the international students at Kapi'olani Community College with a seamless opportunity to complete their undergraduate studies on the mainland."  

All KCC international students admitted to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts and science will receive a letter of conditional offer from Pacific University.  

Students that complete their associates degree program at Kapi‘olani with a minimum grade point average of 2.70 will be eligible to enter Pacific University with standing as juniors. Those with a cumulative GPA of 2.90 or higher will also qualify to receive merit scholarships at Pacific.  

The agreement with Kapi'olani is the second for Pacific University with Hawai'i community colleges. Last year, Hallick and University of Hawai'i vice president for community colleges John Morton embarked on a similar articulation agreement for students at all University of Hawai'i community colleges.  

Pacific University has actively recruited students from Hawai'i for more than 70 years. More than 20 percent of Pacific's 1,783 current undergraduate students hail from Hawai'i, and the Islands are home to more than 1,300 Pacific University alumni.  

In concert with last year's signing agreement, Pacific University opened an administrative office in Honolulu to better serve members of the university ohana, including alumni, current students and their parents, as well as prospective students.