, a professor of botany and microbiology at was awarded the 2015 Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions in Vocational Education. She is the creator of the with two concentrations—plant biotechnology and ethnopharmacognosy.

White developed four unique facilities used for student research and hands-on training—the , the , the climate-controlled greenhouse for orchid growing, and the for growing medicinal and nutritious plants for nutraceutical research and bioproduct manufacturing.

This successful certificate program has graduated numerous students. Some graduates enter the workforce in science related fields or became agribusiness or plant-based product entrepreneurs. Her hands-on teaching style instills self-confidence in students and deepens their interest, participation and learning in plant science and pharmaceutical fields.

White recently developed a pathway certificate of competence in plant-food production and technology. She initiated a credit/non-credit collaborative certificate partnership with Windward CC’s Hiilaniwai Food Service Innovation Training program to improve student recruitment, completion rates and expansion of workforce development initiatives. These joint certifications have greater value in competitive job markets. She also recently built a partnership with Kailua High School to provide dual­credit botany classes on their campus starting in fall 2016, allowing students to receive the college certificate while in high school. These partnerships will produce skilled workers ready to enter the workforce and pursue degrees in plant science fields.

More about the Kunimoto Memorial Award

The Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Vocational Education rewards outstanding achievement and significant contribution to vocational and technical education by a community college faculty member or student.

The award was established by family members to honor the namesakes’ role in development of the food industry in Â鶹´«Ã½.

UH News video on Windward CC’s agripharmatech program

, March 11, 2014

Five foodservice students from various hotel and lodging companies on Oʻahu completed the first-ever (HARIETT) Culinary Vocational Arts Program at .

The program provided students with academic training and practical laboratory skills training. Students participated in the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ManageFirst program classes in food safety and sanitation, menu planning, purchasing, inventory control and management. The 245-hour laboratory skills training classes included food production, basic baking and garde manger.

“I really enjoyed this class and learned so much. It was hard, but I learned very good lessons on how not to give up when the pressure is on,” said Lisa Hao, HARIETT student.

Windward Community College Career and Community Education and HARIETT partnered to provide the 473-hour culinary education and training program.

More about HARIETT

HARIETT is a non-profit institution and a labor-management partnership/Taft Hartley fund that provides benefits to both members of UNITE HERE! Local 5 and employers throughout the state of Â鶹´«Ã½.

For more information about future foodservice training programs, contact Windward Community College–Career and Community Education at (808) 235-7433.

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Michael Paulding, a information technology instructor, was awarded the 2014 Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions in Vocational Education.

Paulding’s lesson plans are a mix of theory and hands-on assignments, encouraging students to reinforce classroom activity with personal application. He is known for his ability to explain complex programing concepts and for his willingness to go the extra mile to give every student the opportunity to succeed.

“Mr. Paulding’s dedication to students is probably his most distinctive trait,” said one of Paulding’s students. “He offers an extensive amount of his time outside of class to help students succeed and excel in their studies. He is the only professor who challenged and pushed me to reach higher summits while at the same time making the semester enjoyable.”

In addition to his work in the classroom, Paulding hosts online review sessions every Sunday to assist and prepare students to become Microsoft-certified professionals.

Paulding holds a postsecondary educational credential and an MS in information and computer sciences. He is expected to earn his PhD in education in the fall of 2014.

When not teaching and leading mentoring sessions, Paulding is active in ocean activities, including swimming, bodysufing and sailing.