RCL, who will integrate academic learning, personal growth and civic responsibility across their curriculum. The
RCL will further tie into the college’s proposed partnership with the City and County of Honolulu to establish a Center for Resilient Neighborhoods (
CERENE) to enhance community-based student learning through service learning, undergraduate research and internships focused on building resilience in Oʻahu neighborhoods and communities.
“Higher education around the world did not have time to plan for COVID and it slammed us all,” said Franco, who feels strongly that Kapiʻolani
CC and the University of Hawaiʻi must take the lead on sustainability. “We have time, but not much, to plan for climate change. And like COVID, climate change does not care about borders and boundaries. We need to develop both interdisciplinary and intersectoral partnerships to build a productive future for our students and our neighborhoods.”