University of Hawaii at Hilo Profile

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (UHH) stands as a prominent public co-educational institution located on the island of Hawaiʻi, offering a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs that cater to a wide range of academic interests and professional aspirations. Founded in 1949, UH Hilo has grown into a respected university with a commitment to both academic excellence and cultural diversity, which is further reflected in the university’s diverse student body and its strong connections to the local Hawaiian culture and community. Through its comprehensive academic programs, commitment to research, and emphasis on sustainability, UH Hilo has carved out a distinctive role within the University of Hawaiʻi System and the broader academic landscape.

UHH offers a broad spectrum of programs across six main colleges: the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management (CAFNRM), the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the College of Business and Economics (CoBE), Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani (the College of Hawaiian Language), the College of Continuing Education and Community Service (CCECS), and the College of Pharmacy. These colleges provide students with a wide variety of opportunities to engage in fields as diverse as agriculture, business, science, education, Hawaiian language and culture, and health sciences. The university is committed to nurturing students in a holistic environment that integrates rigorous academics with hands-on, community-oriented learning experiences.

The College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management (CAFNRM) offers programs that are crucial to the stewardship of Hawaiʻi’s unique environmental resources. With a focus on sustainability, resource management, and agricultural innovation, the college prepares students for careers that support both Hawaiʻi’s local economy and the global demand for sustainable resource management. Students in the CAFNRM program are exposed to practical learning experiences, often working in partnership with local communities and organizations to address environmental challenges specific to the island.

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is the largest and most diverse academic unit at UH Hilo. It encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine arts. CAS offers a variety of programs that allow students to pursue Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, as well as opportunities to engage in research, internships, and study abroad experiences. Students in CAS benefit from a dynamic learning environment that emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The college is home to numerous academic departments, including Anthropology, History, Political Science, Psychology, Biology, and Chemistry, each contributing to a rich academic culture that values both knowledge and applied learning.

One of the most unique and culturally significant academic units at UH Hilo is Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani, the College of Hawaiian Language. As one of the few colleges in the world dedicated specifically to the Hawaiian language, this college plays a vital role in the preservation, revitalization, and promotion of the Hawaiian language and culture. Through its academic programs, including a Bachelor of Arts in Hawaiian Language and a Master of Arts in Hawaiian Language, the college offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in Hawai‘i’s indigenous language and engage with a cultural heritage that is central to the identity of the state. The college also supports research and community outreach programs designed to revitalize the Hawaiian language across Hawai‘i and beyond.

The College of Business and Economics (CoBE) at UH Hilo offers a range of business-related degrees, including the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Business programs in CoBE are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a hallmark of excellence in business education. This accreditation signifies that UH Hilo’s business programs meet the highest standards of academic quality and provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive global business environment. The college’s academic offerings include concentrations in areas such as accounting, management, and marketing, with opportunities for internships and professional development designed to prepare students for successful careers in business.

The College of Pharmacy at UH Hilo is another key academic unit that contributes to the university’s prestige. Offering a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, the college is committed to educating the next generation of pharmacists, with an emphasis on clinical skills, patient care, and community service. The program is one of the few of its kind in Hawai‘i, making it a critical resource for the state’s healthcare system. The College of Pharmacy also has a strong commitment to addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in rural and underserved communities in Hawai‘i and the Pacific Islands. Through its community-based education and outreach programs, students gain invaluable experience working with diverse populations and in diverse healthcare settings.

In addition to its broad academic offerings, UH Hilo is also well-regarded for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The university is particularly proud of its ethnic and racial diversity, which is reflected in its rankings by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2008 edition of America’s Best Colleges, UH Hilo was ranked tied for 6th place among the nation’s liberal arts colleges for ethnic and racial diversity among the student body. This ranking is a testament to the university’s success in attracting students from a wide range of backgrounds, creating an inclusive environment that fosters cross-cultural understanding and respect. The university’s emphasis on diversity is not limited to its student body but extends to its faculty and staff, as well as to the curriculum, which incorporates diverse perspectives and issues in the classroom.

Moreover, UH Hilo is ranked highly for campus diversity and the percentage of international students. In the U.S. News & World Report 2007 rankings, the university was tied for 5th place among liberal arts colleges for ethnic and racial diversity. At that time, the university had the highest percentage of Asian-American students among liberal arts colleges in the U.S., with 43% of the student body identifying as Asian. The university’s strong commitment to creating an environment that is welcoming to students from different backgrounds and cultures is also evidenced by its ranking of 9th among national liberal arts colleges for campus diversity, and 14th in the percentage of international students.

UH Hilo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is not just about representation, but also about creating an environment where students can engage in meaningful conversations about race, ethnicity, culture, and identity. The university provides students with opportunities to engage in service-learning projects, study abroad programs, and internships that allow them to explore and contribute to global and local communities in ways that promote cultural understanding and collaboration.

Academically, UH Hilo has consistently focused on integrating research and experiential learning into its curriculum. The university encourages students to actively participate in research projects, often collaborating with faculty members on topics ranging from environmental sustainability to Hawaiian culture and language revitalization. Research opportunities allow students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world problems, deepening their understanding of the subject matter and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields. This commitment to research is also reflected in the graduate programs offered by the university, which include Master’s degrees in fields such as education, business, and sciences, as well as a Doctorate in Psychology.

In conclusion, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo represents a dynamic and forward-thinking institution that values academic excellence, cultural diversity, and sustainability. With a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, exceptional accreditation standards, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, UH Hilo provides students with a transformative education that prepares them to succeed in an interconnected world. Whether pursuing a degree in agriculture, Hawaiian language, business, or pharmacy, students at UH Hilo are encouraged to think critically, engage with global issues, and make meaningful contributions to society. The university’s academic programs, research opportunities, and community-oriented focus make it a distinctive and valuable institution of higher education within the University of Hawai‘i System.