First-ever Veterinary Technology Associate in Science Degree*
Veterinary Technology is among the five fastest-growing career fields in the nation. Hawaii’s veterinarians are seeking trained professionals to do the job, and Windward Community College is now providing the training. Vet Techs are needed at animal shelters, lab animal facilities, and private veterinary practices (there are over 80 veterinary clinics in Hawaii).
Students no longer need to relocate to the Mainland for training and can fill the demand for jobs right here.
“Windward is at the forefront for training Hawaii’s veterinary paraprofessionals. More than 70% of our students have found employment in veterinary practice,” explained Assistant Professor of Biology Ross Langston, who helped develop the Veterinary Technology program.
Veterinary technicians must perform a variety of services with a high level of training and care to animals large and small. Skills include animal care and nursing, administering anesthesia, assisting in surgery, dentistry, working in the lab and pharmacy, and taking and developing radiographs (x-rays).
Building on the success of the Veterinary Assisting Certificate of Achievement which began in 2008, the University of Hawaii Board of Regents approved the two-year Associate in Science degree in Veterinary Technology at WCC. Not only will this program provide additional training and real-world skills, but students will be able to obtain industry recognized credentials, enabling graduates to obtain reliable employment anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.
Students start with the two-semester Veterinary Assisting certificate then become eligible to apply to the AS 
Veterinary Technology degree program.
Much of the curriculum for the program was created by local veterinarians and technicians, several of whom also teach program classes and sit on the college's veterinary studies advisory committee. The AS degree has been a goal of the committee for the past five years since answering the call from two respected veterinarians, Dr. Eric Ako, The Pet Doctor, and Dr. Mark Caspers from Feather and Fur in Kailua, expressing the need for trained individuals.
Students are excited about the expanded degree program at Windward because it means graduates will be eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and work anywhere in the U.S. as a certified veterinary technician.
Dr. John Kaya, director of the AS degree in veterinary technology is looking forward to the program being accredited this year, making it possible for students to take the VTNE when the first cohort is ready to graduate.
“This degree is the “golden ticket” for students to be eligible to take the VTNE exam,” said Vet Tech Instructor Sam Craddock, and adds,"hiring highly skilled employees allows veterinarians to focus on patients while allowing a trusted technician to handle some of the more advanced nursing tasks."
For more information about the new AS degree in Veterinary Technology, contact vettech@hawaii.edu or program director Dr. John Kaya (pictured) at johnkaya@hawaii.edu.
New Associate in Arts in Hawaiian Studies*
Hawaiian knowledge is becoming an integral part of many careers in Hawaii—music, the arts, business, education, health care, science, film, and tourism.
The Associate in Arts in Hawaiian Studies is a 60-credit degree that is a foundational degree in Hawaiian knowledge and culture. The degree provides students with qualifications that will be useful in the workforce where understanding of the host culture or application of Hawaiian knowledge is desired.
The AA degree is patterned after Windward Community College’s current liberal arts AA degree, and is an option for students seeking an associate degree and entry into most baccalaureate programs at UH Manoa, UH Hilo and UH West-Oahu. The AA degree in Hawaiian Studies is also a pathway for entrance into either UH Manoa or UH Hilo Hawaiian Studies programs.
Upon successful completion of the associate in arts degree in Hawaiian studies, students will be able to:
- Describe aboriginal Hawaiian linguistic, cultural, historical, and political concepts
- Apply aboriginal Hawaiian concepts, knowledge and methods to the areas of science, humanities, arts, and social sciences—in academics and in other professional endeavors
- Engage, articulate, and analyze topics relevant to the aboriginal Hawaiian community using college-level research and writing methods
For more information, contact Kalawaia Moore at peterm@hawaii.edu or 235-7388.
New Certificate of Achievement in Agripharmatech* 
While biotech firms seek out qualified employees, restaurants reinvent how they source local foods, and entrepreneurs introduce innovative ways to use Hawaii’s plant resources, Windward Community College is preparing students for a variety of careers in the field of agripharmatechnology.
With a Certificate of Achievement in Argripharmatech, students can be qualified to work in the high-demand field of plant biotechnology and ethnopharmacognosy. Or, transfer to a higher degree institution and major in one of the biosciences. The certificate can also lead to agribusiness bioprocessing entrepreneurship.
The Certificate of Achievement in Agripharmatech is organized in two tracks:
- Plant Biotechnology
- Ethnopharmacognosy
Each track consists of 30-32 credits, and requires a unique capstone class.
The plant biotechnology track deals with developing and improving plant production in order to supply the world’s need for healthier (decreased use of pesticides) and more nutritious food crops, novel ornamentals, and plant-derived pharmaceuticals.
Ethnopharmacognosy is the study of traditional medicines derived from natural sources (medicinal/nutritious plants). Students will be able to complete the certificate in 2-3 semesters with coursework flexible enough to prepare them for employment in agricultural biotechnology or pharmacognosy, for entrepreneurship in agribusiness or plant-based product manufacturing, and for seamless credit transfer to higher degree institutions for the study of agriculture, pharmacy, and related disciplines.
After completing the program, students will be able to:
- Apply knowledge gained in plant sciences: identify plants, propagate/cultivate/maintain plants in vivo and in vitro
- Apply knowledge gained in microbial sciences: prepare/maintain bacterial cultures for genetic transformation and bioassay tests
- Conduct plant biotech and/or pharmacognosy research
For students with an interest in science in the botanical sense, this certificate could be just the thing to get started in a career in agripharmatech.
For more information, contact Dr. Inge White at ingelia@hawaii.edu or 236-9102.
*Effective Spring 2013 pending ACCJC approval.