Windward Community College Enrollment

Nestled at the base of the Ko’olau mountain range lies the emerald campus of Windward Community College. Celebrating its 50^th birthday, this institution serves as the gateway to higher education for residents of Ko’olauloa and Ko’olaupoko. Early in the pandemic, though, troublingly low student enrollment rates plummeted even further. 

We sought to meet the challenge through several complementary investments. The $2.3M Soar Higher program led by Hawaii P20 brings together area middle and high schools around college exploration and awareness activities. Alongside partner Kamehameha Schools, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation also awarded $2.1M to expand Windward Community College’s successful early college efforts that award college credits to high school students. 

Perhaps the most important partnership effort, however, has been the Ho’olei Scholarship which covers full tuition for public high school students in the first year along with an on or off campus job.  

Hard work and partnership are paying off. This fall, freshman enrollment jumped 20 percent with 398 students welcomed to campus. Particularly encouraging is the 71 percent growth in male students and 40 percent jump in Native Hawaiians. Of the 298 freshmen, 270 of them received a Ho’olei award. 

This opportunity “allows students to choose college when otherwise the cost and need to work would have made it impossible” notes Windward chancellor Ardis Eschenberg. After several quiet years when learning transitioned online, the campus is once again full of student laughter and discussion.  

Thankfully, early application data hint at equally strong returns from area high schools in the upcoming year. These investments are among the most important ways in which the Foundation is helping young people across Windward Oahu to follow their dreams.