On March 23, 2017, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Education (COE) faculty, staff, and students spent the day at the Hawai‘i State Capitol. In conjunction with Education Week, Senator Michelle Kidani’s office provided the COE with a room to exhibit and discuss information about the college.
With the goal of building relationships among legislators, their staff, community stakeholders, and the college, the COE spent the day sharing about its diverse programs, units, activities, and impact. For the previous two years, the college had brought legislators to the COE campus for this purpose, but decided to try a new approach this year in an effort to meet a broader audience.
“Our hope is that attendees leave the event having learned about the diverse impact that the COE has across our whole state,” said Jessica Miranda, COE Director of Assessment, Accreditation, and Accountability. “We also hope to build positive relationships through the conversations that we have at the event.”
The inaugural COE Day at the Capitol event was well received and included attendance from numerous senators, representatives, committee chairs, and legislative aides as well as Roosevelt High School’s award-winning LifeSmart student team, members of the Boy Scouts, and other community members. Plans for next year are underway.
