There has been a great amount of discussion in recent years about our state’s “brain drain” epidemic and the challenges of keeping our home-grown talent here. High cost of living, lower compensation and limited career opportunities are among the hurdles Hawaii’s millennials must overcome to build a life in the islands.
Fortunately, it’s not all gloom and doom. Many of Hawaii’s best and brightest are choosing to stay to take advantage of our community’s unique strengths and opportunities. Along with being recognized as one of the world’s best places to find work-life balance, the islands are also home to a close-knit business and educational community that are strong supporters of fostering local talent.
At the University of Hawaii, we have a champion in the Shidler College of Business.
In 2014, Jay H. Shidler increased his commitment to the college to $100 million; this gift will surely elevate the business school and increase the value of its degree. In 2016, U.S. News ranked the school 17th in the nation for international business, and in the top 25 percent of 488 AACSB-accredited business programs nationwide.
Undergraduate enrollment experienced solid growth from 896 in 2011, to 1049 in 2016.
The college placed 571 students in internships in 2015, and placed 88 percent of seniors in jobs three months after graduation. It’s awarded 290 scholarships totaling $1.2 million, and awarded $150,000 in travel scholarships to support study-abroad programs.
It raised nearly $3 million from the private sector for the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) to enhance the entrepreneurial community at UH; attracted top faculty recognized for their top-tier research and teaching; and offered free seminars and lectures (Kipapa Lecture, Will Weinstein Lecture Series).
For a nationally ranked college, the Shidler College of Business is often under-recognized as a resource for business education in the islands. Yet, it provides many opportunities that often meet or exceed well-known U.S. business schools.
Given the escalating cost of attending college on the mainland, and especially for students who expect to live and work in Hawaii, the Shidler College of Business is a viable first choice.
— Keith M. Vieira, Principal, KV & Assoc. Hospitality Consulting, and Shidler College of Business executive in residence
