Caption:Dr. Bob Franco (front row, far left) of Kapiolani Community College joins ASCC administrators to discuss the Self-Study component of WASC accreditation. Front row (l-r) Franco, Dean of Trades & Technology Bill Emmsley, Office of Institutional Advancement and Effectiveness Director Dr. Kathleen Kolhoff-Belle.
Second row (l-r): Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs Mikaele Etuale, Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Irene Helsham, and Vice President Dr. Seth Galea'i. (Photo:
J. Kneubuhl)

In keeping with its goal of strengthening its Self-Study for WASC, the College recently received some valuable insights on the process from a gentleman whose long involvement with Education and Service Learning in American Samoa has led many in the field to regard him as a trusted friend rather than simply a professional acquaintance. During a brief visit to the Territory, Robert W. “Bob” Franco of the University of Hawaii’s Kapiolani Community College (KCC) addressed a meeting of the ASCC administration and Curriculum Committee late last month, and described in detail the procedures KCC follows when writing its own Self-Study.

            Franco currently holds the position of Interim Director for Planning and Grants Development at KCC. Simultaneously, he serves as a Senior Faculty Fellow for Community Colleges in the Campus Compact, a nationwide organization that promotes the incorporation of Service Learning into the curriculum of schools across the country. He began his academic career as a professor of anthropology, and his scholarly research focused on contemporary Polynesia, and in particular, Samoan diaspora and urban adaptation. By his own estimation, Franco has made visits to Samoa and other areas of the Pacific for more than 30 years. Since becoming involved with the Campus Compact, Franco has provided Service Learning training and technical assistance for more than 140 community colleges and universities in 31 states and three U.S. territories.

            Like ASCC, KCC receives an accreditation review by WASC every six years. With a student body of over 7,000, and approximately 450 people on its faculty and staff, KCC easily dwarfs ASCC in terms of size, but in terms of WASC standards, Kapiolani observes all of the same guidelines as its American Samoa counterpart. Describing the Self-Study process KCC has evolved over time, Franco talked about “Data Elements” applicable to any of his institutions numerous academic programs.  Some of the major Data Elements in the KCC Self-Study include Enrollment; Number of Students Per Faculty; Persistence (the number of students who remain in a program from the fall to spring semesters); Continuation (students who continue in a program past the second semester); Completion of Degrees and Certificates; Transfer Rate; and Student Satisfaction. “We try to keep our focus on measurable results,” he explained.

            According to Franco, KCC needs to gather this data not only for WASC, but also to present before the Hawaii State Legislature, who allocates the majority of the University of Hawaii’s funding. Since the State cannot always provide the full measure of funding required by KCC, Franco says the institution relies strongly on grants from the federal government and other sources to make up the deficit. “These days, grant requests play an important a role in our planning process, along with data collection,” he explained. Franco also discussed the approach KCC takes towards its budget, Tactical Planning and Student Learning Outcomes.   

            "It was helpful to see the evaluation model used by KCC,” observed Dr. Kathleen Kolhoff-Belle of the College’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Advancement.  “After our 2002 WASC visit, ASCC identified 25 similar Data Elements that we use for Program Review.  We will use this not only for on-going evaluation of programs but as a part of our Self Study.  There is an increasing need for accountability in all our programs, and we need to be able to evaluate measurable goals and objectives, not only for WASC, but for continuing improvement of academic quality at ASCC." 

            Writing via e-mail from Honolulu, Franco summarized his recent trip to American Samoa as “great”. The American Samoa Humanities Council sponsored his visit, so that he could assist them with the preparation of a forthcoming 9th grade history textbook. The council includes ASCC Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs Mikaele Etuale, who invited Franco to the College to share his insights on the Self-Study process. Recalling his stopover at the College, Franco referred to his audience of administrators and Curriculum Committee members as “a team of committed educators working as a team to complete a positive Self-Study for the sustained improvement of ASCC.”  

            On another topic, Franco remarked on the increasing number of young adults from ASCC and the territory’s high schools who transfer to KCC, and what academic directions look most promising for today’s students. “Quality teachers, nurses and social workers remain a critical need for American Samoa, Hawaii, and all of Oceania,” he observed. “In addition, more Samoan students will hopefully major in science, technology and engineering, because the Pacific island governments will need to better understand changes in water quality, marine and terrestrial ecology, biotechnology, and the engineering related to communication, transportation, infrastructure and emergency response. More Samoan teachers who can make math learning exciting and effective could provide the key to 21st century science careers for their students. In other areas, successful Business professionals can really help drive job creation in the Territory, and the Tourism & Hospitality industry her has much room for growth.”     

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