The College Achievement and Retention Experience (C.A.R.E.) at Honolulu Community College (HonCC) strives to foster an environment of accountability, support, and achievement for all HonCC students. We understand that everyone faces challenges, and everyone needs assistance in meeting them. We offer specialized services and support for skills such as self-management, setting and prioritizing goals, and addressing common obstacles that every student may encounter during their academic life. We can also help you access programs and services that develop attitudes and behaviors necessary for success.
At HonCC, we understand how important it is to have a support team. We are here to keep you on track as you achieve your educational and career goals. Our dedicated staff is available by appointment, Monday through Friday. If you would prefer guidance and support from an experienced HonCC student, our peer-to-peer coaches can help guide you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us by visit us in Building 7, Room 325 or call us at (808) 845-9290. We are here for you!
The College Achievement and Retention Experience (C.A.R.E.) at HonCC strives to foster an environment of accountability, support, and achievement.
Our commitment is to:
- Increase student success through proactive intervention and increased interaction with students, faculty, and staff.
- Increase student success through guidance, personalized assistance and support as well as access to programs and services that develop attitudes and behaviors necessary for success.
- Increase student success through collaboration and cooperation with students, faculty, staff, and support services.
C.A.R.E. Core Values
- Optimism – We believe that every student can achieve their academic and career goals and overcome all barriers to success.
- Creativity – We strive to find creative and innovative solutions to assist students in overcoming barriers to success.
- Humility – We will conduct ourselves so that no student feels as though we have any special importance or are superior to the student in any way.
- Compassion – We understand that everyone faces challenges, and everyone needs assistance in meeting them.
The College Achievement and Retention Experience (C.A.R.E.) at HonCC helps students achieve success by focusing on the following outcomes.
Students will be able to:
- Develop strategies to achieve my college goals
- Identify on or off campus resources available to me
- Review information related to my academics
The consensus opinion on successful community college retention states that approaches that involve “high touch” are more likely to be successful. The C.A.R.E. program strives to be as “high touch” as possible in serving students. No matter the barriers keeping students from success, the C.A.R.E. program wants to help by providing the most personalized and effective service possible.
Students face many different obstacles to success. C.A.R.E. can help you can overcome these obstacles. Below are common barriers that students encounter.
SCHOOL ISN’T FOR ME. I’M THINKING ABOUT QUITTING!
Wait! Let us help. We all get discouraged from time to time, but often when you quit, you never get around to starting again. Your goals are important to us too. Before you quit, please come see us. Together, we can discover ways to help.
I’M HAVING TROUBLE PAYING FOR SCHOOL.
Financing your education is a big challenge. The College Achievement and Retention Experience (C.A.R.E.) can assist you in thinking of possible options to help. For example, there may be additional financial aid opportunities available for you, and we can help you in making it a little easier to apply for financial aid.
I’M FEELING OVERWHELMED!
Feeling overwhelmed during the semester happens to us all. But the College Achievement and Retention Experience (C.A.R.E.) can help you reduce stress and the feelings of being overwhelmed. We can teach you how to manage these overwhelming feelings.
I NEED TUTORING, BUT I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO FIND IT.
The College Achievement and Retention Experience (C.A.R.E.) will connect you to the academic help you need to be successful.
I AM HAVING PERSONAL HARDSHIPS THAT ARE JEOPARDIZING MY ABILITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
The College Achievement and Retention Experience (C.A.R.E.) is here to assist you in overcoming barriers that are blocking your success. Sometimes, however, those barriers are more personal in nature and require connection to other resources. We can connect you with people ready to help. HonCC is committed to your success, both on-campus and elsewhere.
The C.A.R.E. program provides proactive, innovative, and high touch outreach to keep students attending HonCC. When students are admitted to HonCC and have yet to register, we call them to offer information about how HonCC can best meet their needs. For students who are registered and are struggling academically, the C.A.R.E. program strives to aid them in keeping their eyes on the prize: achieving their educational and career goals.
To explore any of these topics in further detail, we welcome you to meet with a CARE staff member by making an appointment via honcare@hawaii.edu or call us at (808) 845-9290.
Ina Miller-Cabasug, Retention Specialist
Email | Direct (808) 844-2353
Retention Specialist Ina Miller-Cabasug has been helping students at HonCC achieve success for more than ten years. She has a Master’s in Counselor Education from San Jose State University.
Ina’s Programs: LBRT, ASNSCI, HWST, ECED, CSNT, HSER
“I want all students to know how truly important they are and that meeting their needs is the college’s most important priority. When any student needs help, no matter what, we can provide resources to help meet nearly any challenge. Just give us a chance to help.”
Donald Frost, Academic Success Coordinator
Email | Direct (808) 845-9284
Academic Success Coordinator Donald Frost has been helping students for more than forty years. Before coming to the Academic Success Center, Donald taught autobody repair at The Employment Training Center, HonCC, and Windward Community College.
Don’s Programs: AERO, AMT, CARP, COSM, DISL, EIMT, FT, MELE, OESM, RAC, SMP, WELD
“Many students just don’t believe they can do it. That’s what they’ve always been told. I heard the same thing, people telling me I shouldn’t go to college. Realizing that I could do it was the first step. I want to help students develop the confidence to be successful.”
Kristi Teruya, Academic Coach
Email | Direct (808) 844-2381
Academic Coach Kristi Teruya has been a part of the HonCC campus since 2014. Prior to that, she was a teacher working with at-risk youth in schools based in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in California. Kristi has a Master’s degree in Education from Pepperdine University.
Kristi’s Programs: LBRT, ASNSCI, HWST, AJ, AEC, CA, FIRE
“I was one of those students who never asked for help because I was embarrassed, thinking that people would think less of me for it. I almost failed a class before I worked past my pride to ask my instructor for help. Students need to know that the instructors and support services want to help you succeed. I hope that I can assist students with seeing that asking for help is the first step to becoming successful.”
Get in Touch
College Achievement and
Retention Experience (C.A.R.E.)
Building 7, Room 325
Phone: (808) 845-9290
Hours: M–F, 8:00 am–4:30 pm
Peer to Peer Support
How we can help
Peer Coaches can assist with:
Need some extra support this semester? Receive guidance and support from an experienced HonCC student. At HonCC, we understand how important it is to have a support team. Let our peer coaches be a part of your team! To learn more about our CARE peer-to-peer support services, please contact Kristi Teruya by email or call (808) 844-2381.
- Connection to Campus and Community Resources
- Guidance on creating an effective instructor-student relationship
- Goal Setting
- Study Skills
The benefits of having peer-to-peer support:
- Someone who can relate to the obstacles you might face in college
- A trusted source of support who will listen to any obstacles you may be facing
- Someone who has an established connection to the campus
THE CAREPOD: A PODCAST BY THE CARE PEER COACHES
Resources for Students
To explore these topics in further detail, we encourage you to make an appointment with a CARE staff member. Call (808) 845-9290 or email us. You may also visit the CARE office in Building 7, Room 325.
