Admission Cycle:  Admitting AS7 Spring 2026

Talofa! The University of Hawaii at Manoa American Samoa Leadership Cohort is a 5-semester, 30-credit Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum Studies. It is designed for K–12 teachers, college instructors, and community leaders across American Samoa, who seek to lead with cultural humility, instructional excellence, and context-grounded strategies that bridge local values with career pathways for student success. Grounded in Samoa’s storied history of leadership and guided by values like fa’aaloalo, tautua, and vā, this cohort equips educators to advance college and career readiness, workforce
pathways, and culturally sustaining education within their own communities. Many of our graduates have earned the Territorial Teacher of the Year title for their leadership in American Samoa. 

KEY FEATURES
✔ Curriculum centers on the Samoan language, values, and oral history
✔ Capstone ePortfolio aligned with American Samoa teacher standards and community needs
✔ Contact Local Coordinator: Joseph Zodiacal (jez9@hawaii.edu)

Admission Cycle: Admitting Cohort 4 in Spring 2027

Ran annim! The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Chuuk Leadership Cohort is a 5-semester, 30-credit Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum Studies, created for K–12 teachers, college instructors, and community leaders across Chuuk. This program supports educators who lead with cultural humility, academic excellence, and community-based strategies that honor Chuukese values while preparing students for success in both college and career pathways. Rooted in Chuuk’s proud heritage of navigation, faith, and family, and guided by core values such as:
Service: Aramas Chok Angang
Leadership: Fairotiw me Fairota
Sustainability: Upwe Fangono En Nge, Upwe Nikiti En
Resilience: Pwurei Chok Nge, Mwarei Chok
Sovereignty: Iik me Ochan, Aramas me Owuun

This cohort empowers educators to strengthen teaching and expand workforce opportunities, and sustain language, culture, and identity through education. Graduates of the program go on to lead with compassion, wisdom, and vision, serving as change-makers throughout Chuuk and the broader FSM.

KEY FEATURES
✔ Curriculum centers on the Chuukese language,
values, and oral history
✔ Capstone ePortfolio aligned with Chuuk professional teacher standards and community needs
✔ Contact Local Coordinator: Rentia Francis (francisrentia@gmail.com)

Admission Cycle: Open and rolling admission. Please contact the PACMED Program to discern the best start time for you!

Aloha mai kākou! The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa PACMED Hawai‘i Leadership Cohort is a 5-semester, 30-credit Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum Studies created for K–12 teachers, college instructors, and community leaders across the Hawaiian Islands. This program supports educators who lead with aloha, cultural humility, and instructional excellence, using place-based strategies that honor Hawai‘i’s unique histories, languages, and communities. Grounded in Hawai‘i’s deep traditions of kuleana (responsibility), mālama (care and stewardship), and pono (justice and balance), the cohort empowers educators to strengthen college and career readiness, expand workforce pathways, and sustain Indigenous knowledge systems through education. Graduates of the Hawai‘i cohort become transformative leaders rooted in local values, committed to cultivating resilient, thriving schools that reflect and uplift the voices of our island communities.

KEY FEATURES
✔ Place-based curriculum centers on place and culture unique to each Hawaiian Island
✔ Capstone ePortfolio aligned with Nā Hopena A’o (HĀ) and community needs
✔ Contact Local Coordinator: Dr. Deborah Zuercheri (zuercher@hawaii.edu)

Admission Cycle: Admitting Cohort 3 in Fall 2026

Lenwo! The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Kosrae Leadership Cohort is a 5-semester, 30-credit Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum Studies designed for K–12 teachers, college instructors, and community leaders across Kosrae. This program supports educators who lead with cultural humility, instructional excellence, and locally grounded strategies that honor Kosraean identity while preparing students for lifelong learning and meaningful careers. Rooted in Kosrae’s proud legacy of wisdom, faith, and service, this cohort equips educators to strengthen college and career readiness, develop workforce pathways, and sustain language and culture through education. Many of our graduates have become influential educators and leaders across the FSM, serving with integrity, vision, and deep aloha for their island and people.

KEY FEATURES
✔ Curriculum centers on the Kosraean language, values, and oral history
✔ Capstone ePortfolio aligned with Kosrae professional teacher standards and community needs
✔ Contact Local Coordinator: Betty Tulensru (bettys@hawaii.edu)

Kosrae STEM/Place-based Video

Admission Cycle: Admitting Cohort 2 in Spring 2026

Alii! The 30-credit Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum Studies is rooted in island wisdom and designed for K–12 teachers, college faculty, and community leaders throughout Palau. This program supports educators who strive to uplift their learners through culturally grounded, community-centered teaching that honors both traditional values and modern career pathways. You can earn your master’s degree in as few as five semesters. Inspired by Palau’s proud legacy of leadership and guided by the spirit of sustainability, resilience, and equity as envisioned in the Palau Pathway 2030, this cohort empowers educators to strengthen college and career readiness, grow workforce development, and cultivate education that sustains language, culture, and identity—right where they live and lead.

KEY FEATURES
✔ Curriculum centers on the Palauan language, values, and oral history
✔ Strong partnership with Palau Community College
✔ Capstone ePortfolio aligned with Palau professional teacher standards and community needs
✔ Contact Local Coordinator: Dean Hedrick Kual (hedrickk@hawaii.edu)

PACMED Palau Video

Admission Cycle: Admitting Cohort 3 in Spring 2026

Kaselehlie maingko! The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Pohnpei Leadership Cohort is a 5-semester, 30-credit Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum Studies program. It is thoughtfully designed for K–12 teachers, college instructors, and community leaders across Pohnpei who are committed to leading with cultural humility, academic excellence, and locally rooted strategies that uplift students and communities. Grounded in Pohnpei’s rich traditions of leadership, this cohort empowers educators to promote college and career readiness, strengthen workforce pathways, and champion culturally sustaining education that reflects the strengths of their island home. Many of our graduates go on to become influential leaders in education across the FSM, with a heart for service and a vision for the future.

KEY FEATURES
✔ Curriculum centers on the Pohnpeian language,
values, and oral history
✔ Capstone ePortfolio aligned with Pohnpei professional teacher standards and community needs
✔ Contact Local Coordinator: Dr. Deeleeann Daniel (deeleean@hawaii.edu)

CORE VALUES
Service: sahpis
Leadership: Kairoir, Kawkaweid oh tehtehk de apwapwalih oh kakahlua
Sustainability: Epwel keneinei pwe en kak poatoapoat
Resilience: sohpai oh powedi ansou apwal
Sovereignty: uhtohr

PACMED Pohnpei

Pohnpei STEM/Place-based Video

Admission Cycle: Organizing Cohort 5

Iokwe! The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Marshallese Leadership Cohort is a 5-semester, 30-credit Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum Studies program. It is thoughtfully designed for K–12 teachers, college instructors, and community leaders across the Marshall Islands, including outer islands such as Kwajalein, Jaluit, and Watje, who are committed to leading with cultural humility, academic excellence, and locally rooted strategies that uplift students and communities. Grounded in Matin Majol’s rich traditions of service leadership, this cohort empowers educators to promote college and career readiness, strengthen workforce pathways, and champion culturally sustaining education that reflects the strengths of their island home. Many of our graduates go on to become influential leaders in education across Oceania, with a heart for service and a vision for the future.

KEY FEATURES
✔ Curriculum centers on the Marshallese language, values, and current issues
✔ Capstone ePortfolio aligned with the PSS professional teacher standards and community needs
✔ Contact Local Coordinator: Theresa Kijiner (tkijiner@hawaii.edu@hawaii.edu)

RMI4 Graduation Video

Admission Cycle: Admitting Cohort 3 in Spring 2027

Mogethin! The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Yap Leadership Cohort is a 5-semester, 30-credit Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum Studies designed for K–12 teachers, college instructors, and community leaders across Yap. This program supports educators who lead with cultural humility, instructional excellence, and place-based strategies that honor Yapese traditions while preparing students for success in college, career, and life. Rooted in Yap’s respected legacy of wisdom, navigation, and intergenerational teaching—and guided by values such as gafel (respect for elders and customs), thuwal (service to community), and kinuwel (collective responsibility)—this cohort empowers educators to strengthen academic learning, develop meaningful workforce opportunities, and sustain culture, language, and identity through education. Graduates of the Yap cohort go on to serve as thoughtful, grounded leaders who carry forward Yapese values while building pathways for the next generation.

KEY FEATURES
✔ Curriculum centers on the Yapese languages, values, and oral history
✔ Capstone ePortfolio aligned with Yap professional teacher standards and community needs
✔ Contact Local Coordinator: Cal Hachibmai (cchachib@hawaii.edu )

PACMED YAP