The College of Business & Economics at the University of Hawaii at Hilo has one of the most diverse groups of students, staff, and faculty in the country. It is also one of only two AACSB-accredited programs in Hawaii. Offering an exceptional business education injected with the liberal arts, small class sizes, and expert faculty, the CoBE successfully develops capable and confident business leaders. These business students are efficient, make ethical decisions, carry integrity in academia and life, and value creativity, self-motivation, entrepreneurship, inspiration, sustainability, discovery, and community service.
Education
Throughout the undergraduate curriculum, students accumulate computer, analytical, critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills essential in the professional business world. There is a Bachelors in Business Administration in Accounting and Business Administration. The Business Administration major comes with concentrations in Marketing, Economics, Management, Finance, and Health Care Management. Students can also choose electives in Tourism Management and New Venture Management. The Bachelors in Economics degree provides areas of focus in Quantitative Economic Analysis, International Trade, and Sustainable Development. The CoBE offers scholarships specifically for business students, including the Aoyagi Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, Aito Endowed Excellence Scholarship, and Taniguchi Endowed Scholarship.
The first year of the educational path includes the Freshman Business Experience, where students gain insight into the world of business, careers, and professionalism. In the second year, students travel to the mainland to attend classes at one of several different universities. In the third year, students can complete a local internship, focus on business and concentration courses, prepare to go overseas, and then spend a semester or summer studying abroad. This gives students opportunities to take unique courses in Brazil, Spain, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, France, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. Students have studied Wine Marketing in France, have learned languages, explored cultures, and taken Chinese Business Culture & Management in Hong Kong. They spend the fourth-year back at UH Hilo, finishing up business credits for graduation.
Student Life
Students need to experience learning, laughter, and life throughout their time in college. The CoBE has many ways for students to accomplish this mission. Several student organizations, like the Student Government Association, allow students to meet new friends, build professional skills, and experience challenges. Through essential relationships with local and national business leaders, the CoBE can provide professional connections for students to find internship opportunities. These connections also bring executives to campus to speak to the students. There are also career fairs, speed-networking events, entrepreneurial workshops, and real-world, hands-on projects.
To become great leaders, students must have the heart to serve others, and UH Hilo provides great opportunities for students to experience that through the Campus and Community Service Program. This program organizes activities that promote “excellence in service-learning” and meets the needs of the community. Some of the events are Beach Clean-Up, Hunger Banquet, Read Across America, Make a Difference Day, and Relay for Life.