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Mahalo nui to the Wo 'ohana for this wonderful opportunity to participate in this professional development. I am so grateful to be able to learn more about our community college system, and the phenomenal people that make such positive impact for our students and community. I have been able to make meaningful connections throughout my experience as a WoLC, and I look forward to many more. Mahalo again for creating an incredible legacy of community leaders. Aloha No.

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David Tsugawa, Wo Learning Champions XII

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David Tsugawa, Wo Learning Champions XII

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I wish to express my deepest thanks to Mr. Robert Wo and the entire Wo family for endowing such a generous gift and by creating the Wo Learning Champions generations.  Being a Wo Learning Champion has been the most rewarding and meaningful experience in my time at Hawai’i Community College.  I have been blessed with the opportunity to take part in a wonderful collaboration of colleagues from across the University of Hawai’i Community Colleges, something that does not come easy because of the waters that divide us.  Being part of the Wo Generations allowed us to bridge those waters, to learn about and from each other, to share what each of our rich collection of campuses has to offer, and to be delighted with the enrichment and strengthening of our kauhale.  We have become better educators, and we have become better people.  This could only have been possible through the unique experience that is the Wo Learning Generations.  I have learned that nothing can divide our spirit if we realize that we are better for what we give to each other and when we celebrate together.  I am grateful that the Wo Learning Champions will continue on, and that future generations will continue benefit from your generosity under the care of our dear mentor and friend, Louise Pagotto.  Thank you for the legacy that you have created.

With much gratitude and heartfelt thanks, Mahalo nui loa e aloha,  David

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Neil Stotts, Wo Learning Champions Generation XII

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Neil Stotts, Wo Learning Champions Generation XII

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Mahalo to Robert Wo and family for supporting the UH Community Colleges. Your gift has caused a ripple effect throughout the islands, which has improved the quality of learning for our students as well as boosted the morale and can-do attitude of our colleagues. Louise said that we were the "green lights" on our campuses, the positive ones who strive to get things done. Through Wo LC, I was surrounded by green lights past, present, and future. I learned not only how the UHCC system works with more depth and insight, but how to affect positive change in the system. I was inspired by colleagues, I learned from them, and visiting their campuses taught me so much about our individual islands. I've taken this inspiration back to Maui, where it is shared with other Wo alumn, and where we strive to help our college flourish. I truly believe that UHMC is such a wonderful, enlightening environment in great because of the influence of Robert Wo and family. Mahalo.

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When I first was inducted into the group, I heard the mantra, "Once a Wo, Always a Wo." I didn't know what that meant until now. I became part of a larger family of inspiring, creative, collaborative, and nurturing individuals who continue to amaze me. Through the Wo Learning Champions experience, I have been able to create new partnerships and friendships with leaders across the state of Hawaii and beyond. I am truly grateful for the opportunities that were provided to me as part of the Wo Learning Champions and I appreciate the generosity of the Wo family and Robert Wo. Thank you for having the vision of inspiring teachers and professionals in higher education that will continue in our work with our students and communities. With gratitude and the warmest aloha, Kelli.

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Kathleen (Kate) Zane, WoLC Generation IX

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Kathleen (Kate) Zane, WoLC Generation IX

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Being a Wo Learning Champion has been the single most rewarding professional development experience of my career within the UH Community Colleges system. I wrote "has been" but being a WoLC really IS an ongoing opportunity to be part of the Wohana for a lifetime. Our informal motto is "Once a Wo, always a Wo" and this special membership for which we are indebted to Mr. Wo and the Wo family is indeed an enduring one. It lives on in our active inclusion each time the newest WoLCs are welcomed, and it abides in our professional work and life-long learning as educators to our Hawai'i community. I am so grateful to be a part of this generously created and supported program. I have also benefited from Louise Pagotto's inspiring mentorship as she brilliantly leads in facilitating the Wo Learning Champions in the innovative and visionary spirit of the Wo family. Mahalo nui loa.

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Dean Crowell, WoLC Gen VIII/ Wo Global Gen II

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Dean Crowell, WoLC Gen VIII/ Wo Global Gen II

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As a past Wo Learning Champion and a Wo Global Learning Champion, I am grateful for the once in a lifetime opportunities Mr. Wo and the Wo family have provided. Thank you for your visionary commitment and generous support towards the betterment of Hawaii’s post secondary educators. As an educator at Honolulu Community College I was able to hone my organizational and leadership skills through the various professional development experiences provided by both WoLC programs. These newly gained skills implemented into the courses I teach have allowed me to be the recipient of the Board of Regents Excellence in teaching award. I along with other Wo champions are forever grateful for your generosity and continual support.  Mahalo nui loa and Aloha no!

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Toni Cravens-Howell, WoLC Generation XIII

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Toni Cravens-Howell, WoLC Generation XIII

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For me, Wo has been and continues to be an enviornment that promotes personal and professional growth. I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to be part of this family. It has allowed me to create invaluable relationships with members of the Hawaii Community College system. I appreciate that the Wo family saw the value in supporting the development of our faculty and staff. I love my Wohana. Mahalo nui loa.

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Kathleen Hagan, WoLC Generation IX/Wo Global Generation III

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Kathleen Hagan, WoLC Generation IX/Wo Global Generation III

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Ah, where do I start to say wonderful things about Wo?! I feel so privileged to have been a part of both programs. The travel, the networking, the expanded awareness of programs our sister campuses have to offer and the skills and talents of our colleagues. How refreshing and stimulating to be around other "green light" folks and work together to put on meetings and conferences to promoted educational excellence here in Hawaii. It demonstrated vision and courage to invest in something seemingly "soft" that doesn't have rapid and obvious "returns"; but building our future educators and leaders is a great legacy, and our return commitment is demonstrated in our heartfelt statement, "Once a Wo, always a Wo." Mahalo and Aloha.

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Derek Snyder, WoLC Generation X / Wo Global Generation II 

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Derek Snyder, WoLC Generation X / Wo Global Generation II 

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I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the Wo family for such a visionary commitment to the people of Hawai'i through the UH community college campuses.  My experiences as a Wo Learning Champion and a Global Wo Learning Champion have both been vastly transformative professional development endeavors in my career as an educator at UH Maui College.  With so many wonderfully talented and committed educators having participated in the Wo Learning Champions programs over the years across all of our campuses, and with each UHCC campus playing such an important role in our respective communities, it is astounding to think about how many lives have been truly impacted through the Wo family's generosity. The Wo family will forever be associated with positively transforming the lives of the people of Hawai'i through higher education. Mahalo.

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Wishing the Wo family my deepest appreciation.  We are blessed to be given the opportunity to visit all of the UH community college campuses under the leadership of Louise Pagotto.  It was wonderful to learn how to be better educators and in turn we became better people!  :)
Please know that the Wo family is an inspiration to so many.  I am grateful.
Thank you.

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Anne Chung, Generation VII, Wo Learning Champion

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Anne Chung, Generation VII, Wo Learning Champion

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As a Hawaii public school graduate, I was allowed to travel to Japan in 1987 through the Foundation for Study that was supported by the generosity of the Wo family.  I was so lucky to be able to have a homestay experience and participate in educational experiences even though I was a neighbor island public school student. This experience allowed me to grow my love for not only Japan and its culture but also a love for traveling the world and sharing and learning. That love led me to a career in education as a public high school teacher in Hilo. I am now a faculty at Hawaii Community College where I was again a recipient of the generosity of the Wo family as a Wo Learning Champion. I thank the Wo family for the opportunities you have given me in my life and hope that what I do in my personal and professional life helps to keep the Wo legacy alive. Mahalo.

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Joyce Yamada, Generation VIII, Wo Global Generation I

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Joyce Yamada, Generation VIII, Wo Global Generation I

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Mahalo for providing the opportunity and space for leadership development, self-development and for forging lasting friendships across continents! I credit the relationships made through the Wo Learning Champions and Wo Global Learning Champions to my enjoyment of and success in my work at Maui College. Mahalo nui!

Thinking of you with warm thoughts and prayers as you celebrate Mr. Wo's remarkable life. Your family is surrounded by the love of many.

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Being a WoLC helped me to establish a firm foundation to my teaching while instilling in me the value of professional development and teamwork. Furthermore, I met colleagues from other campuses that I may not have met otherwise and gained many friends. I am so grateful to Mr. Wo and the Wo Family for this invaluable opportunity that continues to support my professional development to this very day! Thank you very much for your generosity and establishing WoLC!

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I am forever grateful to the Wo family for providing my colleagues and I a once in a lifetime professional development opportunity. In addition to the awesome experiences and learning opportunities, I met an amazing group of individuals that I would never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Thank you so much for your generosity.

My sincerest condolences.

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I was a Wo Learning Champion in the early stages of the program, even before facebook and blogs. In fact, one of Generation II's undertakings was selecting the domain name and providing input for the Wo Learning Champions first website.  When it came time to host my Wo colleagues on Hawai'i Island, I was excited to show them our  humble but effective West Hawai'i operation. The morning everyone arrived, I met them at the airport. As we exited and headed south toward Kailua Kona, we immediately hit traffic moving at a snail's pace. When we reached the Natural Energy Lab (NELHA), I took the turnoff hoping that a short field trip would give traffic time to clear. We stopped at the lobster farm, visiting with the lobsters and their keepers. We asked questions and gained new knowledge about the process of farming lobsters.  We then returned to the car and the highway with a couple of new passengers who fortunately rode in the trunk. Traffic was still stop and go but thanks to our adventure we were inclined to laugh rather than grumble, and we spent our time getting to know each other.  We created a special memory that day,  which set a good natured, easy going tone that carried over to our future gatherings.  We were a diverse group of community college professionals who benefited in multiple ways from the opportunity to meet as colleagues, undertaking projects aiding the UHCC system, our home campuses and communities. Mahalo nui loa for the foresight and generosity of Bob and Jim Wo, their wives and family who made this all possible. May you find peace and comfort knowing that Mr. Bob Wo's legacy is great, as is that of the Wo family. The Wo Learning Champions initiative has touched countless lives, some directly through its investment in junior and senior members of the State's community colleges and many more indirectly as they become students, friends and acquaintances of a Wo Learning Champion.

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I would like to thank Mr. Wo and his Ohana for their generosity and vision in creating such an amazing program which will continue to live on in the generations.  Experiencing such a unique and innovative program was a blessing.  I can fondly remember the life lessons from the outings and meetings, which have influenced my time here at Windward Community College.   I will always cherish the lifelong friendships as we “Live the Magic”.

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Wo Learning Champions presented a unique opportunity for my Wo brothers and sisters and me to develop our skills in collaboration, leadership, and pedagogy. We each had projects in which we partnered with others and worked on to fruition. We visited and hosted each other at each of the CC campuses, which helped us to hone in on our organizational and leadership skills. With the funds that each of us Wo champions received, I was able to attend a national conference on developmental education.  The conference had a profound influence on my pedagogy. Best of all, I have met the most fantastic individuals who are now my lifelong friends! Mahalo to Louise Pagotto for keeping us focused and giving us opportunities to grow!  Mahalo to the Wo family for your generosity and this one-of-a-kind opportunity! The experience has been empowering! I have been blessed!

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Wo Learning Champions was a game changer for me in my career. Not only did it inspire a continuing interest in professional development and a growth mindset for me, it allowed me to see my own potential in organizational leadership. I have immense respect and gratitude to the Wo family for their vision and desire to help our College's faculty and staff improve and grow to better serve the students of our extended community. This gift to us is a treasure.

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My participation as a "Wo" was one of the most impactful professional development experiences I have had as a faculty. I learned so much about teaching, innovation, and collaboration. As a Wo Learning Champion, I developed important relationships, friendships, and contacts. When any of us want to start a new project, we know to look for a fellow Wo Learning Champion! I have partnered with fellow “Wo”s, across generations and throughout the system, on projects to support student learning and to make our campuses true learning environments. The Wo Learning Champion program has contributed greatly to the success of community college teaching and learning, supporting both faculty and the students they engage. Mahalo to the Wo family for making the Wo Learning Champions possible!

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Wo Learning Champions are about developing and celebrating the wonderful people who make community colleges into the amazing places they are. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the different initiatives and people working to make things happen. Mahalo Nui Loa for your contributions and support.

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My time spent as a Wo Learning Champion (WoLC) truly captured everything that is important about the professional development of teachers and counselors. WoLC embraces a cohort model that highlights the stellar programs on each campus so participants truly understand how each campus fits into the UH Community College System. My generation, like many before and after, brought together some of the most courageous and innovative colleagues and friends I have made in my professional life. WoLC allowed these relationships to flourish with dedicated space and time for conversations, learning, and support to happen. I am honored to be a Wo Learning Champion and grateful for the opportunity the Wo ohana was provided.

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Thank you to the Wo Family for this beautiful gift. You have inspired so many generations of faculty and staff to go beyond the impossible. I will never forget all the wonderful opportunities your family has done for our community, the University of Hawaii System and the world!!!

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This wonderful legacy of the Wo family lives strong in each generation of Wo Learning Champions, past, present and future.  The experience instilled a deep sense of service and leadership style with a strong foundation based on integrity and honor. My initiation to WLC was as an unsure junior faculty who embraced the experience with eyes wide open. In short time, I moved through the faculty ranks to department head, campus administration and UHCC system office. Along each step, the Wo experience, servant leadership, and values served as my beacon and guide to stay true to self and those we serve. Special appreciation to Louise, whose subtle mentoring instilled leadership skills we strive to pass on to others. Best wishes to the Wo family and may you all take comfort in knowing that your legacy lives in each one of us.

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I will forever be grateful for the life transforming opportunity that being a Wo Learning Champion afforded me professionally and personally. I made lifelong friendships and memories, learned invaluable skills on how to be an effective leader, and achieved great satisfaction learning and supporting the community.  The Wo Learning Champions program provides innumerable benefits for Hawaii's community colleges. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you've done for us!

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Much love and deep, heartfelt gratitude for both Mr. and Mrs. Wo and the Wo family for their generous investment in the professional development of our UH community of colleagues. As a staff member at HCC, I felt so honored and privileged to be chosen as a Wo Learning Champion. Prior to this, most, if not all, professional development opportunities were only open to faculty. By opening the doors to staff, the Wo family raised the bar for the UHCC's. They recognized staff as a respected, equal player at the table and celebrated their talents and innovative work by granting staff the support to expand their professional horizons. I am forever grateful for your belief in me!

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The Wo Learning Champions program opened my eyes to the strength, innovation, creativity, determination, and joyfulness of my colleagues throughout the UHCC system. I will never forget my experiences learning and growing with my Gen XI cohort. Thank you to Robert Wo and the Wo family for your generosity that has allowed so many of us to participate in this innovative program. Mahalo nui!

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Mahalo nui loa to the Wo family for their generosity, belief and dedication to professional development, community and innovation for our Community Colleges and our professional colleagues.
James and Juanita Wo, Robert and Betty Wo (with Windward CC Chancellor Angela Meixell and Leslie Opulauoho) - December 1, 2006

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Erin Thompson (formerly Erin Loo), Gen IV

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Erin Thompson (formerly Erin Loo), Gen IV

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Mahalo nunui to the Wo family for having the vision, generosity, and belief in Hawaiʻi's community college system to create this innovative professional development opportunity for all of us. This program taught me the importance of investing in myself so that I could be a better person for my students, colleagues, college, and community. It gave me the opportunity to reflect on my own practice, connect with others who have similar passions, and work collaboratively to implement goals no matter how big or small. This experience laid the foundation for how I would approach professional development throughout the rest of my career. I owe all of this to Wo!

In addition, I have to say that there was no better leader or role model I could have asked for than Louise Pagotto. She is a critical component to the success of this program and has been someone I have looked up to and tried to emulate ever since. Louise is the personification of what Wo stands for. Mahalo to the amazing Wo ʻohana for giving us both the gift of this program and the best leader to run it. Never doubt the immense difference you have made in the lives of so many!

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Wo Learning Champions means a commitment to put learning first, leading, innovating, sharing knowledge and expertise. I am grateful for my Wo Learning Champion experiences because they provided me with the vehicle to build relationships with so many inspirational community college colleagues.

I was humbled to be selected as a Wo Global Learning Champion which was a life changing experience.  It helped me to develop intercultural awareness, and along the way I realized that we are more similar than different. I am forever grateful to Louise Pagotto who has championed this professional development opportunity.  I am forever grateful to Mr. Wo for his support and for believing in us. My aloha and deepest condolences to the Wo family.

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Becoming a part of the Wo-hana changed my life in a number of ways - from being able to see and experience first-hand the creativity and innovation that other community college members developing on the campuses across the system, to hosting my generation on my own campus and being able to share the things I am proud of that my kauhale do there, to making lifelong friendships and colleagues that span the system, the campuses, across miles, and even those in new positions and new chapters of their lives (Ph.D.s, new partners, new Wo-babies!), I am incredibly proud to be a representative of the Wo Learning Champions (WoLCs). Louise Pagotto has also been the most supportive and wonderful leader to have during that journey, and I can't think of anyone else more perfect for that role. Thank you for making that possible, for me and for so many other WoLCs. Your ideas, your support, and your vision have created something that is much bigger than just changing us as individuals; it has made and continues to make change possible across the UH system and beyond. Thank you.

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Kacie Nagamine (fromerly Nishioka), GenX

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Kacie Nagamine (fromerly Nishioka), GenX

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Wo Learning Champions isn't like any other professional development I've experienced. We get to network with other peers and colleagues that want to make a difference and be the "Green lights" on our campuses. Networking with others campuses truly opened my eyes on how we support each other to provide a service to our students, our colleagues, and the community. I'm honored to be a Wo Learning Champion, and truly appreciate this professional development opportunity. The Ohana within the Wo Champions is like no other and I'm so very proud of all the generations and we could not have done it without the support from the Wo family and our great leader, Louise Pagotto! Thank you for the generosity and support through all these years!

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Thank you.
As a first generation college student who began his higher education career in community colleges, your generosity and support created a pathway for me to complete a doctoral degree. For that, I am eternally grateful. Please know you have touched many lives.

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Mahalo Nui Loa to your generosity and a heart. I am grateful to be a Wo Champion and privileged to be a part of your legacy. Mahalo Nui Loa for the experiences I've had in my professional development. I have learned so much from other campuses and have made connections with leaders who truly care about serving others. You created the heart of Ohana with the Wo Champions!

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Thank you for the finest professional development opportunity of my entire career.  I have learned what makes each campus unique, met current and future campus as well as system leaders, discovered programs I never knew existed, and made friendships that I know will last a lifetime. Once a Wo always a Wo.

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I am honored to have been selected to participate in the Wo Learning Champions.  I had the opportunity to meet and work with great people.  I so value the relationships of “green lights” I was able to establish.  I visited and experienced community colleges and associated programs throughout the entire state.  During these visits, I was consistently  blown away by the innovative thinking and commitment to student learning.  To this day I continue to draw from my experiences as a Wo Learning Champion.  Mahalo nui loa for funding this invaluable experience.

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The Wo Learning Champions opportunity has been life changing for myself and for my family.  This experience has taught me that moving forward with integrity will have it's challenges but well worth it in the end.  I've coming across many intersections but was reminded about our "green lights", which has created moments that refilled my soul and outlook on life.  I was gifted a small kukui nut tree at our visit to Windward Community College, that now stands tall in my front yard and serves as a reminder for all the meaningful experiences in my life.  Mr. Wo, we may have not talked in person, but your actions will be with me for life.  I hope you are proud on what we all have accomplished.

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I've participated in a lot of professional development experiences across various contexts in my international journey to the UHCC system, and Wo Learning Champions has been hands-down the most impactful of my career. I look forward to Wo every month - it sustains and inspires me. This program has enriched my understanding and appreciation for not only my neighbor campuses but my own campus as well as this amazing place I now call home. I wasn't entirely sure what I had signed up for or who the "Wos" were when I started this program...I believe Louise Pagotto explained it best when she said Wos are "green lights" - they say 'yes' to challenges and innovation; they endeavor to uplift others and nurture great ideas into positive change. I am so humbled to know such amazing colleagues, and I am immeasurably grateful for the Wo family, whose generosity has turned what was once just a great idea into a reality. Wo Learning Champions is bigger than any individual, project, or generation - it has created boundless ripples of positivity in the world. I am, and always will be, proud to be a Wo.

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Wo means positive motion. Being part of the WOhana has helped me see my role as a drop of rain that joins the stream. Because of Robert Wo's vision, hundreds of educators have gained the inspiration and skills that help us improve the lives of thousands of Hawaii's future. Please accept my condolences and gratitude.

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The last 11 years at UH Maui College marked the best decade of my higher education career because I have had my Wo experience and my WoOhana.  Louis’ servant leadership style with genuine kindness and humility will always be my inspiration.  I relish every moment I have had with my WoOhana.

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WLC means lifelong memories and relationships. It connects educators with a "can do" attitude together across the CC system.  Sharing our programs gave us a renewed pride of our own campus while getting a closer view and appreciating the other campuses' programs.  It was such a privilege to be part of the WLC group and I will forever be grateful to the Wo Family's generosity!

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Wo means...O.H.A.N.A

Opportunist
Heartwarming
Akamai
Nourishing
Amazing

Ohana!