Hawaii Community College was recognized as a Fulbright Program top-producing institution for the 2022–2023 academic year by the U.S. Department of State.
The Hilo-based college is one of 12 community colleges nationwide to have a U.S. Fulbright scholar.
“This achievement is a testament to your institution’s deep commitment to international exchange and to building lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote in a congratulatory letter to Chancellor Rachel Solemsaas. “I would like to thank your entire team for their hard work in promoting the Fulbright Program to your faculty and staff, and in particular Pamela Scheffler for their support of the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program on your campus.”
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program.
Scheffler, a science professor the the college who teaches in the Tropical Forest Ecosystem and Agroforestry Management Program, is currently in Indonesia studying native stingless bee ecology with faculty at Udayama University.
This is the second time Scheffler has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar. She studied small farmer agroforestry systems in India in 2012.
“It is an honor for Hawaii Community College to receive this recognition,” said Solemsaas.