Aloha, 2022. Imagine, just two years ago, it was a vastly different world. It was a time of pre-COVID, when we weren’t wearing facemasks, social distancing or monitoring the daily case counts. Today, as we welcome in the new year, we can reflect on our individual experiences and lessons learned.
In essence, the College of Social Sciences specializes in learning from the past to affect the future.
For example, in this issue, we spotlight the Department of Anthropology’s acknowledged expertise in Polynesian archaeology, and the Center for Oral History’s adept chronicling of the pandemic’s impact on Hawaiʻi. We share shining examples of students and alumni: Alyssa Rodello’s life changed after spending a Study Abroad semester in Seville, Spain. And Natalia Tamirisa, who earned her PhD in Economics on this campus in 1997, is now an advisor at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, our distinguished and productive College researchers continue to explore and shed light on topics such as health, policy and the economy, community and society, and climate change and sustainability.
That’s the beauty of the social sciences. You know what they say: The past is your lesson. The present is your gift. The future is your motivation. Mahalo for your continued support as we strive to teach students about the world’s biggest issues and how to navigate this ever-changing world.
Denise Eby Konan
Dean, College of Social Sciences
