Pacific Women’s College begins offering online courses.
- by Rachel Aubrey
Pacific Women’s College will begin its semester on Feb. 27 and is currently seeking donations and funding to help see the college move forward in its goal of educating women. A silent auction, information session and dessert party will be held on Saturday Feb. 9 on the 9th floor of The Pinnacle located at 1199 Bishop Street in downtown Honolulu.
For the past seven years Dr. Carol Parker and her associates have looked forward with anticipation to one thing, Pacific Women’s College. Starting in January of 2012, Dr. Parker and eight additional staff members will offer online courses in business, education, liberal and fine arts, and home and family management.
What began as a doctoral dissertation for Parker from the University of Southern California has now become a reality, as PWC will begin offering four unit classes in a 12-week semester via Skype. Their focus, to provide a “balanced education.”
“Our plan is to eventually have women from Pacific Islands including Guam, Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, and eventually parts of the mainland enrolled in classes by 2013,” said Parker.
The question posed most frequently to Parker in regards to starting a women’s only college, why women?
“Research has shown that women learn better in a single gender environment and the retention and graduation rate is higher,” said Parker.
The emphasis given to educating women is based on Parker’s research, which shows that culturally women tend to educate other women on topics ranging from childcare to budgeting finances.
“In many cultures it is women sharing information and knowledge with other women,” said Parker, “They are the primary care givers in the home and they are the ones teaching their children.”
With plenty of time to study the trends and demographics, Parker saw a need for a college where women could learn skills and gain confidence in being able to live the kind of life they want to live.
With a “shoestring” budget comprised of mostly donations, PWC doesn’t have to concern itself at the present with overhead, as classes will only be offered online for the initial semester. Plans are being made however, to acquire a small “satellite” campus space on the east side of Oahu by the end of the year.
While the college does not wish to segregate, all the men that Parker interviewed to teach courses wanted to make too many changes to the program and overall mission of the college. The college will be the epitomize the idea of “for women, by women.”
Kimberly Lum, a Marketing Director at Ke Ola Hou, has known Parker for more than 10 years and was appointed to be the secretary of PWC. Lum confirmed all the hard work and dedication that Parker as well as the other members of the board of trustees put forth to turning this idea into a reality.
“Carol shared with me her vision in 2007, she is so passionate and committed to creating PWC and frankly her excitement has spread,” said Lum.
For more information about Pacific Women’s College, courses, degrees offered and class schedules, visit their website at http://www.pacificwomenscollege.org/ or send an email to pacificwomenscollege@gmail.com. PWC is a 501-3© non-profit organization.
© 2012.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
For the past seven years Dr. Carol Parker and her associates have looked forward with anticipation to one thing, Pacific Women’s College. Starting in January of 2012, Dr. Parker and eight additional staff members will offer online courses in business, education, liberal and fine arts, and home and family management.
What began as a doctoral dissertation for Parker from the University of Southern California has now become a reality, as PWC will begin offering four unit classes in a 12-week semester via Skype. Their focus, to provide a “balanced education.”
“Our plan is to eventually have women from Pacific Islands including Guam, Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, and eventually parts of the mainland enrolled in classes by 2013,” said Parker.
The question posed most frequently to Parker in regards to starting a women’s only college, why women?
“Research has shown that women learn better in a single gender environment and the retention and graduation rate is higher,” said Parker.
The emphasis given to educating women is based on Parker’s research, which shows that culturally women tend to educate other women on topics ranging from childcare to budgeting finances.
“In many cultures it is women sharing information and knowledge with other women,” said Parker, “They are the primary care givers in the home and they are the ones teaching their children.”
With plenty of time to study the trends and demographics, Parker saw a need for a college where women could learn skills and gain confidence in being able to live the kind of life they want to live.
With a “shoestring” budget comprised of mostly donations, PWC doesn’t have to concern itself at the present with overhead, as classes will only be offered online for the initial semester. Plans are being made however, to acquire a small “satellite” campus space on the east side of Oahu by the end of the year.
While the college does not wish to segregate, all the men that Parker interviewed to teach courses wanted to make too many changes to the program and overall mission of the college. The college will be the epitomize the idea of “for women, by women.”
Kimberly Lum, a Marketing Director at Ke Ola Hou, has known Parker for more than 10 years and was appointed to be the secretary of PWC. Lum confirmed all the hard work and dedication that Parker as well as the other members of the board of trustees put forth to turning this idea into a reality.
“Carol shared with me her vision in 2007, she is so passionate and committed to creating PWC and frankly her excitement has spread,” said Lum.
For more information about Pacific Women’s College, courses, degrees offered and class schedules, visit their website at http://www.pacificwomenscollege.org/ or send an email to pacificwomenscollege@gmail.com. PWC is a 501-3© non-profit organization.
© 2012.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
