Adults 50 or older have access to classes ranging from advanced adventure hiking to beginning ʻukulele to plant-based eating, and much more. The at the (OLLI–UHM) has announced more than 70 non-credit courses this fall with three new locations for in-person classes—, and .

OLLI–UHM offers a program of non-credit, college-level courses, workshops, lectures, events and other lifelong learning activities to keep the mind sharp, enrich lives and support active social engagement.

“Holding OLLI–UHM courses at UH community colleges has long been a goal of our strategic plan,” said OLLI–UHM Director Carole Mandryk. “We have often been asked about bringing classes to the Windward and Leeward sides of Oʻahu. We have added members from all over Oʻahu and the neighbor islands via Zoom over the last three years, but we now want to grow our in-person offerings.”

are of varying durations and start dates from September 18 to November 6. Classes are primarily virtual via Zoom, with about 30% offered in-person at the UH community college campuses, with free parking.

Some of the new in-person offerings include:

• Volcanoes in the Sea: The Geology and Geography of Â鶹´«Ã½ (Leeward CC)
• Henry James’ First Masterpiece: The Portrait of a Lady (Kapiʻolani CC)
• Poetry and the Senses: Read, write and experience the world through poetry (Windward CC)

It costs $50 for new members and allows participants to take up to three classes in the fall. Membership for returning members costs $75 per term. OLLI–UHM requires first to create a profile, before registering for classes.

Deep roots and community elders

OLLI–UHM’s roots go back to 1996, when a group of community elders, retired professors and UH Mānoa administrators established the Academy for Lifelong Learning, with a mission to strengthen connections between the university and the community and promote lifelong learning, leadership and community service for older learners.

The name changed to OLLI–UHM in spring 2003, after receiving the first of several gifts from , and the program became part of a national network of 125 OLLIs spanning 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each institute is unique and operates as an independent initiative of its host institution with offerings tailored to meet its community’s needs and interests, with the common thread that all are educational membership programs providing intellectually stimulating, non-credit learning opportunities designed specifically for adults age “50 and better.”

“You don’t just sign up to take a class, you become a member of a community of intelligent, interested, interesting people, who bring their life experiences to share with one another,” Mandryk said.

Plans are to develop in-person courses on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island, Maui and Kauaʻi.

Sheila Estanique’s path to a college degree wasn’t smooth by any stretch of the imagination. Many experience potholes and bumps along the way, and Estanique’s rough years as a teen and young adult almost shut the door on her journey before it could even start.

She dropped out of high school in what would have been her sophomore year. She battled an affinity for drugs that began at age 15. She had the first of her six children at age 19. She ran away from home. She experienced domestic abuse with past boyfriends. The list goes on.

“It was a very horrifying and dark time for me,” notes Estanique, who is about to celebrate her 44th birthday. She doesn’t sugarcoat her past history, and her agonizing tale doesn’t obscure her story of redemption in the classroom.

On Saturday, May 4, Estanique will walk with other graduates, having earned a bachelor of arts in social sciences with a concentration in psychology. She plans to pursue a master’s degree and sees herself working in an educational setting in the future.

“There were times when I wanted to give up (on pursuing a degree) when life, marriage, parenting and college became overwhelming,” said Estanique, who has children ages 9, 12 and 16 at home. “I would remind myself that my kids are watching me, that I am setting an example of what hard work, determination, and perseverance looks like.”

Getting her start at Windward CC

At age 38, unsure of whether she could do the work, Estanique enrolled in two classes at .

“School is not easy for me,” said Estanique, explaining writing papers might take her a week, where other people might finish in a day. “I struggle to get my work done.”

Even so, it appears Estanique has found her groove in higher education, and there’s little in her demeanor to suggest her past. Despite self-doubts about her ability as a scholar, Estanique graduated magna cum laude from Windward CC as a member of , the largest and most prestigious honor society for two-year college students. “I really, really progressed there,” said Estanique, who also is the recipient of numerous scholarships.

Continuing her journey at UH West Oʻahu

At UH West Oʻahu she continued to do well. Konstantinos Zougris, a UH West Oʻahu assistant professor of sociology, said Estanique was an exemplary student, delivering challenging assignments in a timely manner, working well and adapting to others in groups, while demonstrating leadership skills.

“I was really impressed by her diligence and academic work,” Zougris said. “She was one of my top students.”

Estanique chose to attend UH West Oʻahu for a variety of reasons and speaks highly of the faculty. She is thankful for her husband, who she says was a partner in her education by helping out with their three children. She has three older children ages 21, 22 and 24 as well as two granddaughters.

Estanique’s already setting her sights on her next educational goal and plans to apply to the College of Education at UH Mānoa to enter the in the fall 2020 semester.

To read the full article, go to .

Keren Motonaga of Â鶹´«Ã½ Island endured a long journey to become the first person in her family to receive a four-year college degree. Ten years after she started attending the , the 28 year old graduated in December 2018 with a bachelor of arts in Japanese studies and a minor in linguistics.

Born and raised on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island, Motonaga graduated from Kamehameha Schools Â鶹´«Ã½ in 2008 and was initially on track to graduate from UH Hilo in five years, while making the most of the opportunities available. She participated in a study abroad program, spending time in South Korea and a year in Japan. She took part in a national student exchange going to school for a semester at the University of Montana. Then came a series of life challenges that knocked her off track.

“The semester I was supposed to graduate, there was a car accident with me and my mom,” said Motonaga. “Also, there was a period of homelessness and unhealthy personal relationships that got in the way of my schooling.”

While out of school, Motonaga regretted not completing her college degree, knowing it was an unfinished part of her life.

“I felt like I wasn’t done, like I wouldn’t be happy with myself if I didn’t finish what I had started,” she said before making the decision to return and finish. “My family was my biggest motivation. No one has graduated in our family with a bachelor’s degree before, so it was a big milestone for me and for them.”

UH is targeting returning adults

UH is now actively targeting former students, like Motonaga, referred to as “returning adults” or “stopped out students,” to return and complete their post-secondary degree or certificate. According to the 2017 Â鶹´«Ã½ State Data Book, about 94,000, 25 year olds to 44 year olds in Â鶹´«Ã½ have some college credits but not a degree.

The Lumina Foundation awarded UH $400,000 in 2018 to support adults who want to earn college degrees, certificates and other professional credentials. The award has helped UH develop a system that supports adults returning to UH to finish degrees that includes personalized advising, credit for prior learning opportunities and expanded online learning options.

“For many ‘stopped out’ students, the top reasons for returning are personal—to achieve a goal that they set for themselves or to make their families proud. We also know that completing a certificate or degree increases earnings, job security and job opportunities,” said Tammi Chun, Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges. ”Studies show that a person with an associate degree earns about $500,000 more over their lifetime compared to a high school graduate and those lifetime earnings jump to $1 million more for someone with a bachelor’s degree. Re-engaging these former students is also critical in reaching the state’s educational goal of 55 percent of working age adults holding a two- or four-year college degree by the 2025.”

Balancing “real life” with academics

While completing her degree, Motonaga worked at two restaurants in Hilo while balancing her academics. She credits encouragement from her family, friends and church for her success and says her professors really played a big part in helping her graduate.

“They were very understanding that I was a returning adult and they want their students to succeed,” said Motonaga. “I felt that this semester and appreciate them a lot.”

Motonaga is now searching for a job where she can utilize her degree. “It’s been very competitive trying to find a job without one, but now having job experience and education will help change my living situation.”

The has awarded the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ $400,000 to support adults who want to earn college degrees, certificates, and other quality credentials. To date, Lumina has invested nearly $6.5 million in the Adult Promise effort nationwide.

“This Lumina grant provides national recognition and validation of the work our team has already started and our ability to effect change,” said UH President . “Â鶹´«Ã½’s future depends on an educated citizenry, and the additional credentials earned through this work will be critical to personal, career, family and community success for thousands across our islands.”

Vice President for UH Community Colleges added, “Â鶹´«Ã½ competed successfully among 25 other states and joins the nation’s leading states in increasing educational opportunities for working adults.” Morton continued, “In Â鶹´«Ã½, there are more than 169,000 25–64 year olds who started college but have not yet earned their degree, including 34,000 who started at one of our ten UH campuses in the last five years.”

To receive grants, states must show that they have financial aid for adults in place; a strong commitment to achieving fair-and-just educational outcomes among people of color; a clear readiness and intention to promote systemic change benefiting adults; and buy-in among stakeholders such as employers, public colleges and universities, community organizations and state leaders.

The Lumina Foundation award will help UH:

• Promote the Â鶹´«Ã½ Promise program for community college students and advocate for the expansion of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Promise program to baccalaureate students.
• Develop a system that supports adults returning to UH to finish degrees. Returning students will benefit from streamlined services including personalized advising, credit for prior learning opportunities, and expanded online learning options.
• Implement outreach/public awareness campaigns targeted to adults to finish degrees that they started—at UH and elsewhere.

For more information, .

will hold an open house showcasing information on the educational opportunities available for adults who want to advance in their job, finish their degree or get training in an emerging field on Wednesday, April 22, 5:30–8 p.m. in Hale ʻĀkoakoa 105. The open house is free and open to the public and includes childcare and refreshments. There will also be a drawing for a tuition waiver.

Topics covered include

• How to apply for financial aid
• Scholarship programs for non-traditional students who feel higher education is beyond their financial reach
• Opportunities to earn college credits for learning acquired through life experience
• Degree planning

Degree and certificate programs showcased include Hawaiian studies, veterinary technology and biological and physical science. A variety of certificate program information will also be available.

“As a state, we must increase the number of adults with college degrees to meet workforce demands. We strive to make Windward CC accessible for that purpose. Please check us out!” said Carla Rogers, counselor for adult learners at Windward CC.

For more information or to reserve a seat and/or childcare, call (808) 235-7387.