Testimonials
“I had a tremendously useful experience in CCLC. The week of workshops at Claremont College was informative and the learning I picked up was almost overwhelming. Here in Hawaii, with colleagues across the community college system we devised the first mission and the first group activities of the organization. Much that I learned that year has served me well as I’ve been involved in UH system-level activities over the years. Joyce Tsunoda, Peggy Cha, and Cammie Matsumoto were extraordinary in helping us go from vision to execution.”
- Paul Lococo - Generation 1, Leeward Community College
- Paul Lococo - Generation 1, Leeward Community College
“I found the CCLC to be a motivating and inspiring experience. This experience provided me with the opportunity to share and learn from the other CCLC leaders across the UH-Community College system. CCLC helped me to refine my leadership and capacity building skills, allowing me to be more effective when I engage with my students, colleagues and the greater community.”
- Donnalyn Napua Kalei - Generation 2, Hawaii Community College
- Donnalyn Napua Kalei - Generation 2, Hawaii Community College
“I was the chair of the Staff Senate Executive Committee when I was selected as a second generation Community College Leadership Champion (CCLC). Through my CCLC experience, I came to the realization that there are many types of leadership, not only positional. I learned how to empower my co-workers by nurturing their leadership gifts and talents. I also made friendships that will last a lifetime. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be have been a CCLC.”
- Kyle Higa - Generation 2, Honolulu Community College
- Kyle Higa - Generation 2, Honolulu Community College
“It was a wonderful experience. The workshops and speakers were fantastic. Learning about “Individual Preference Types,” understanding organizational dynamics, conflict management, and looking for more than one answer to a problem, were just some of the topics that I remember and still use. Also significant were the insights, experiences, and camaraderie that were shared with me by other faculty, administrators, and staff from other UHCC campuses and mainland colleges. For me, stepping into a new a new position, the CCLDI experience was invaluable”
- James Goodman - Generation 2, Leeward Community College
- James Goodman - Generation 2, Leeward Community College
“As the 4th Generation University of Hawaii Community College Leadership Champion, I was much honored to have been selected. The experience that I have gained as a UHCCLC will be one that I will never forget. Attending the CCLC Meeting in San Diego was an experience in itself. I had never flown out of state by myself before, therefore I was very nervous. As soon as I got to the gate on Oahu and met everyone, the fellowship of 4th Generation began. There was non-stop discussions and sharing of experiences. We went almost everywhere together. The camaraderie did not stop in San Diego. When we came back to Hawaii and our jobs, we would still keep in touch through email and monthly meetings. I believe that the University of Hawaii Community College Leadership Champions (CCLC) has not only encourage, develop and support the community college leadership but have built a bridge of fellowship and families across the islands.”
- Tammy M. Tanaka - Generation 4, Hawai'i Community College
- Tammy M. Tanaka - Generation 4, Hawai'i Community College
“The opportunity to serve as the CCLC for Maui Community College in 2005-07 and attend the CCLDI in 2005 equipped me with the practical skills necessary to move from full-time teaching into a combination of teaching and administration. Working on projects with colleagues from across the system was a great experience. I looked forward to our monthly meetings; visiting all of the various campuses and hearing the College Chancellors share their views on leadership. Seeing and understanding how the whole University of Hawaii system works as opposed to just one island and one campus. Without CCLC I would never have gotten to know wonderful people like Cammie Matsumoto, Peggy Cha, Alan Ragains, and Kyle Higa.”
- Cynthia Foreman - Generation 2, UH Maui College
- Cynthia Foreman - Generation 2, UH Maui College
“The benefits I have gained from participating in CCLC can be divided into two areas: networking and leadership development.
First of all, with the demise of the system wide “Excellence in Education Day,” it became very difficult to meet in person and network with faculty and staff from all over the system. CCLC allowed me the opportunity to meet and network with many of my peers helping to build a better sense of community and making me feel more connected to system as a whole.
More importantly, in regards to leadership, CCLC afforded me the opportunity to hear and learn from leaders throughout our system. The leadership conference in San Diego and the many campus wide workshops/meetings we had really helped to refine my leadership skills, and encouraged me to take leadership roles in campus wide academic advising initiatives as well as various other committees on campus and in the system. One of my favorite “take aways” is that great leaders inspire and uplift others, nourish self-confidence in the people they lead, and empower them to do things they taught was impossible.”
- Sean M. Calder - Generation 4, UH Maui College
First of all, with the demise of the system wide “Excellence in Education Day,” it became very difficult to meet in person and network with faculty and staff from all over the system. CCLC allowed me the opportunity to meet and network with many of my peers helping to build a better sense of community and making me feel more connected to system as a whole.
More importantly, in regards to leadership, CCLC afforded me the opportunity to hear and learn from leaders throughout our system. The leadership conference in San Diego and the many campus wide workshops/meetings we had really helped to refine my leadership skills, and encouraged me to take leadership roles in campus wide academic advising initiatives as well as various other committees on campus and in the system. One of my favorite “take aways” is that great leaders inspire and uplift others, nourish self-confidence in the people they lead, and empower them to do things they taught was impossible.”
- Sean M. Calder - Generation 4, UH Maui College
“The Community College Leadership Champions program provided valuable connections for me with other leaders both throughout the University of Hawaii system and community.The year plus program provided insight on existing different roles along with their responsibilities and also the opportunities that have yet to be created that will assist me in bettering myself and my surroundings. I am proud to have been chosen to participate as a Community College Leadership Champion and can truly say that this program has improved my outlook on life and has also provided me with valuable friendship relationships with not only my mentors but also my peer Champions from all the generations both past and present.”
- Angela Gannon - Generation 5, UH Maui College
- Angela Gannon - Generation 5, UH Maui College
“I found the experience to be very rewarding and bonding. I made unique and lasting connections and relationships with people.”
- Helen Nishimoto - Generation 3, Hawai'i Community College
- Helen Nishimoto - Generation 3, Hawai'i Community College
“Being a CCLC member and representing my office has been an honor and a humbling experience. I’ve made wonderful new friends with whom I’ve shared memorable life and work experiences. Having experienced the open discussions at our meetings and the wonderful retreat on Kaua‘i, I have learned a lot about my inner self and the type of leadership style that best describes me. Thank you to each of my CCLC colleagues as I know we will continue to grow together in our leadership capacities; many thanks to Helen Cox for being such an engaging leader who has helped me to understand the many facets of what leadership is about; and thanks to Cammie Matsumoto for all your assistance and coordination. ”
- Mary Perreira - Generation 7, UHCC System Office
- Mary Perreira - Generation 7, UHCC System Office
“Great way to learn more about yourself, the Community College system, and to meet and network with great people!”
- Shelley Ota - Generation 3, Leeward Community College
- Shelley Ota - Generation 3, Leeward Community College
“Being a community college leadership champion was a great experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to meet great people who are now friends for life. I had the chance to learn about myself and the leader I am today and strive to be each and everyday. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to represent my campus. Like I said, I got the chance to learn about
myself, from my fellow group members, from an awesome Chancellor you are not afraid to talk to, and the community college system as a whole.”
- Preshess Willets-Vaquilar - Generation 6, Honolulu Community College
myself, from my fellow group members, from an awesome Chancellor you are not afraid to talk to, and the community college system as a whole.”
- Preshess Willets-Vaquilar - Generation 6, Honolulu Community College
“The Hawaiian proverb below by Mary Kawena Pukui reflects my experience in CCLC:
ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi
All knowledge is not taught in the same school
One can learn from many sources
I have had a great experience in learning and interacting with my colleagues throughout the UH System and am grateful for the opportunity to participate in CCLC this year. Special thanks to Cammie Matsumoto who coordinated our monthly meetings and the League for Innovations Conference and to Helen Cox for all of her leadership, guidance, and wisdom.”
- Ron Umehira - Generation 7, Leeward Community College
ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi
All knowledge is not taught in the same school
One can learn from many sources
I have had a great experience in learning and interacting with my colleagues throughout the UH System and am grateful for the opportunity to participate in CCLC this year. Special thanks to Cammie Matsumoto who coordinated our monthly meetings and the League for Innovations Conference and to Helen Cox for all of her leadership, guidance, and wisdom.”
- Ron Umehira - Generation 7, Leeward Community College
“A fabulous opportunity to meet and work with emerging leaders from other UHCC campuses. It is also great to be hosted by each of the CC campuses on each island.”
- Wesley Teraoka - Generation 4, Leeward Community College
- Wesley Teraoka - Generation 4, Leeward Community College
“The best part of participating in CCLC was relationship building; I value and depend on these relationships with peers across the system.”
- Kate Sims - Generation 5, Hawai'i Community College
- Kate Sims - Generation 5, Hawai'i Community College
“Being a CCLC member provided me with leadership experiences as well as valuable lessons that helped me develop into a better leader. It helped me solidify my belief that a good leader is one who learns from success as well as failure and that self-reflection is an integral part in assessing your leadership skills. CCLC is a great OHANA to be a part of.”
- Femar Lee - Generation 5, Honolulu Community College
- Femar Lee - Generation 5, Honolulu Community College
“I want to thank Helen Cox and Cammie Matsumoto for facilitating the group’s activities and for listening to our concerns about growing as professionals. They are leaders with “style” and I’m glad I had this opportunity to get to know the both of them.”
- Sandy Y. Hoshino - Generation 6, Leeward Community College
- Sandy Y. Hoshino - Generation 6, Leeward Community College
“Being a part of CCLC helped me to understand the role of leadership in any position. I also appreciated the opportunity to become friends with my peers within the system and to learn from Helen Cox as a leadership mentor.”
- Della Kunimune - Generation 5, Leeward Community College
- Della Kunimune - Generation 5, Leeward Community College
“I did not know what to expect when I started CCLC, but our generation bonded quickly, and Helen Cox was an excellent mentor and facilitator. I learned a lot about myself, and the workings of the UHCCs. It made me focus on the concept of leadership and my relationship with others. The people in my generation will be lifelong friends and as we continue our individual career paths it is nice to know that we will always have each other.”
- Sherri Fujita - Generation 6, Hawai'i Community College
- Sherri Fujita - Generation 6, Hawai'i Community College
“The whole experience with CCLC has been valuable for me. It has especially broadened my knowledge of the uniqueness of each UH community college campus, the varying forms of leadership in education learned at the 2006 CCLDI, and the wonderful resource we have in our system of wonderfully competent staff and faculty.”
- Lianne Nagano - Generation 3, Honolulu Community College
- Lianne Nagano - Generation 3, Honolulu Community College
“It was a wonderful experience. The workshops and speakers were fantastic. Learning about “Individual Preference Types,” understanding organizational dynamics, conflict management, and looking for more than one answer to a problem, were just some of the topics that I remember and still use. Also significant were the insights, experiences, and camaraderie that were shared with me by other faculty, administrators, and staff from other UHCC campuses and mainland colleges. For me, stepping into a new a new position, the CCLDI experience was invaluable. ”
- James Goodman - Generation 2, Leeeward Community College
- James Goodman - Generation 2, Leeeward Community College
“Besides being exposed to many different leadership techniques CCLC has broaden my perspective on the individual segments that make up the University system and the diverse people that lead us. The networking with other people from the various campuses has been an added bonus. Mahalo Nui Loa CCLC.”
- Milton Tadaki - Generation 7, Honolulu Community College
- Milton Tadaki - Generation 7, Honolulu Community College