On Wednesday, a unique graduation ceremony took place at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in partnership with Windward Community College. At this event, nine incarcerated women were celebrated for their academic achievements, having earned a Certificate of Competence in the Mental Health Technician Program through courses provided by the Windward Community College. Among them, a pioneering moment was marked as one woman received her Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, becoming the first to do so while in custody at Women’s Community Correctional Center, according to a release from the Governor's Office.
The groundbreaking achievement was acknowledged in the presence of a range of dignitaries, including DCR Director Tommy Johnson and Windward Community College Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg. Johnson, in a statement obtained by the Governor's Office, praised the graduates and expressed a sentiment of resilience and redemption, "We all make mistakes in life but the content of our character is better defined by what we do after that. To move forward, to put those things behind us. To show people we’re not that person that they think we are, that we can change.” The ceremony underscored not only academic but personal accomplishments, with pride palpable among staff, graduates, and attending officials.
The graduates had enrolled in the Windward Community College Pu‘uhonua Program, which offers incarcerated individuals the chance to earn college credits, leading to opportunities for educational and career advancements post-release. Mickie Kolo, at 52, was the vanguard graduate who earned her AA degree. She shared in a statement available from the Governor's Office, “It was hard work and a long journey for me. It took a lot of discipline and a lot of focus and a lot of perseverance,” reflecting on the dedication required for her success.
These academic programs are heralded as vital steps in the reintegration process, aiming to fundamentally alter the life course of participants. In her address to the graduates, Eschenberg conveyed optimism about the future that awaits them, "Your palapala (degree) is your gateway to your next dream. It is a testament to your knowledge, your skills, your abilities and hard work. I wish each of you big dreams.” In the words of Women’s Community Correctional Center Warden Ione “Noni” Guillonta, who showed visible pride for the nine determined women, these achievements represented not just the culmination of study but the inception of changed lives, as mentioned by the Governor's Office. The community has been invited to witness the graduates' momentous day through shared photos and videos, available via a Google Drive link provided in the news release.
