Dr. Debra Nakama

07/01/2022

A day after retiring from my university position, I look back in gratitude.

The most successful people aren’t those who do what they love but rather those who find love in what they do.

09/27/2021

The workplace has changed. Now more than ever, we need new ways to re-charge and maintain emotional and spiritual balance. Here are four ways to do so.

The workplace has changed. Now more than ever, we need new ways to re-charge and maintain emotional and spiritual balanced.

08/30/2021

I consider myself a living, breathing testament to how community colleges serve a public good. Here are the three main ways that they did for me — and continue to do so for millions of others.

I consider myself a living, breathing testament to how community colleges serve a public good. Here are three ways they do so.

08/06/2021

STEM professionals who find the courage to teach are game-changers in the classrooms. More often than not, it is for reasons of the heart that these individuals are led to a career in teaching.

STEM professionals who find the courage to teach are game-changers in the classrooms. We need more of them, especially in Hawai'i.

07/21/2021

Making free is right in line with why community colleges were founded to begin with: to make higher education more accessible for everyone. Historically, this has been done through low tuition and open access. The American Families Plan takes this vision one step further.

Making community college free furthers the original mission of community colleges: to make higher education more accessible for everyone.

05/26/2021

“Summer melt” is the higher-education phenomenon where students who are seemingly intent on enrolling in college fail to do so once fall arrives. This happens more often than you might think, for a variety of reasons.

“Summer melt” is the higher-education phenomenon where students who are seemingly intent on enrolling in college fail to do so once fall arrives. This happens more often than you might think, for a variety of reasons. Causes of Summer Melt Even students who’ve aspired to attend college their e...

04/14/2021

Here are three key ways to get your organization out of its silos and working collaboratively — during the pandemic and beyond. https://www.debranakama.com/improving-collaboration-college-silos/

08/25/2020

While the media has seen a deluge of reporting on the number of institutions moving classes online, there are other trends afoot that haven’t received as much coverage.

While the media has oft reported on the number of institutions moving classes online, other trends haven't received as much coverage.

08/14/2020

Early college programs are not just a way to complete a higher degree more quickly. Students can also reap other benefits.

08/05/2020

Not every teaching method works for every individual — and that can have a huge impact on which program a college student ultimately chooses to enroll in. Here's what you need to ask.

Not every teaching method works for every individual — and that can have a huge impact on which program a college student ultimately chooses to enroll in.