EL3vate
Experiential Learning, Engineering Design, & Entrepreneurship in Education (via Accelerating Teaching Excellence)
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What is the EL3vate Program?
EL3vate is a faculty professional development (PD) initiative aimed at incorporating experiential learning, entrepreneurial frameworks, engineering design thinking, and emerging technologies (including AI) into course curricula.
Developed in collaboration with the UH Online Innovation Center (UHOIC), the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business, and the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB), this year-long program includes 3 phases:
Phase 1: Pre-EL3vate Expedition
Completion of Expedition PD prerequisites and (optional) synchronous sessions (i.e., orientation, and support sessions)
Phase 2: EL3vate Expedition
This phase begins with a two-week intensive professional development (PD) course to set the foundation as cohort participants begin the design (or redesign) of their course to integrate experiential learning, engineering design, entrepreneurship concepts, and mindsets.
Phase 3: Trek to EL3vate Summit
The expedition then continues as the cohort finishes designing/developing and implementing (teaching) the course. Concurrently, monthly Growth Sessions will be held to connect cohort participants along with industry partners and other guest speakers. Cohort participants will reconnect synchronously to reflect, share their experiences, highlights, and successes, and celebrate the close of the EL3vate program.
Through partnerships with industry and community organizations, the EL3vate program equips participants to inspire their students to innovate and solve real-world problems as local and global citizens.
Program Learning Outcomes
Hover over or select each topic for a detailed description of the outcomes participants will achieve.
This is a very rewarding experience, and it makes me realize how much I have already been doing in my courses that is innovative. And it has pushed me to stretch and innovate in many ways that I've longed to do before. Not only that but I think that if I had not taken this opportunity, I would be trying to figure out how to quit teaching instead of trying to figure out how to bring to life ideas that I've had for years.
...the abundance of resources shared during the Growth Sessions was invaluable. From planning templates, AI, numerous examples and lesson design provided a strong foundation for continued development well beyond the sessions themselves.
Mahalo for an inspiring and supportive EL3vate experience. The program gave me the space, tools, and encouragement I needed to rethink and redesign my...course in ways that feel more meaningful for my students
Overall EL3VATE was an awesome experience and great learning opportunity! HUGE MAHALOS
I am so grateful for the EL3vate Team, PACE, and for the opportunity to participate...I learned so much from them in various areas related to my course redesign (basically in areas that I wouldn't have even thought to further my knowledge in if it wasn't for this PD).
Thank you for allowing me to audit the program over the past year as I have learned so much and gained confidence in using AI and other online features. The EL3vate program is an excellent professional development resource and I have included it in my interactive mentoring and training program guide.
Applications Are Now Open!
The deadline to submit an application form for the 2026-2027 cohort is Sunday, May 10th, 2026.
Applications Timeline:
- Applications Open: Monday, Apr. 13 – Sunday, May 10, 2026
- Applications Deadline: Sunday, May 10, 2026
- Notification of Program Acceptances: Mid-May
2026-2027 EL3vate cohort applications have closed.
If you would like to be notified of possible future offerings or updates, please fill out the interest form.
Program Schedule
By Early Summer 2026
- Submit an initial draft of your Course Map to be used during the PD.
- It is highly recommended to complete the Preparing to Teach Online at UH (PTTO) module for guidance through the course map drafting process.
- End of May-Beginning of July, 2026 – Feedback will be provided by PD facilitators.
- Attend the EL3vate Orientation and optional Support Sessions.
EL3vate Expedition PD Training*
- Monday-Friday, July 20-24 and July 27-July 31, 2026.
- Required attendance to synchronous sessions (9 a.m.-noon, total of 30 hours).
- Active participation during interactive sessions and engage in hands-on activities.
*Optional office hours are available for additional program support. $500 will be paid out upon full attendance and participation in the EL3vate Expedition PD.
Aug. 2026 – May 2027
- Expedition Implementation (teach the class) – Finish course development, maintain connections with community and industry partners, and teach the redesigned course.
- Expedition Growth Sessions (CoP) – Engage in monthly synchronous sessions with cohort peers.
- Participate in a showcase to share, collaborate, and reflect on course implementation highlights, successes, and experiences. *$1,500 will be paid out upon full attendance, participation, and completion of all post-expedition activities.
Program Benefits
Professional Development
Elevate existing teaching practices and apply new instructional strategies and educational technology tools (including AI) to adapt to the changing landscape of workforce needs.
Course Redesign
Opportunity to redesign a course to incorporate experiential learning, entrepreneurial frameworks, design thinking, and engagement strategies with community partners for real-world problem-solving.
Collaboration & Networking
Participate and engage in a community around entrepreneurship and innovation to promote and sustain peer-to-peer learning via monthly growth sessions.
Funding & Other Opportunities
A stipend amount of $2k will be distributed upon completion of Phase 2 and Phase 3, respectively.
Empower Students
Equip students with the 4Cs and an entrepreneurial mindset to excel in today's dynamic world.
Strengthen Community Ties
Build lasting partnerships with industry and community organizations, aligning education with real-world needs.
Contribute to UH’s Strategic Goals
Play a role in fulfilling UH’s commitment to local and global challenges, particularly in innovation and workforce development.
EL3vate Cohort
EL3vate Cohort
- ALL
- 2024-2025 COHORT
- 2025-2026 COHORT
Alethea Kuʻulei Serna
Campus: UH Mānoa
Department: School of Teacher Education
Alexander Meyer
Campus: UH Maui College
Department: Electronics Computing Engineering Technology (ECET)
Alice Tse
Campus: UH Mānoa
Department: Department of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
Dayle Turner
Campus: Leeward Community College
Department: Language Arts
Diane Van Hoose
Campus: UH Hilo
Department: School of Nursing
Gary Albitz
Campus: UH Maui College
Department: Hospitality/ABIT
Gladys Megargel
Campus: UH Hilo
Department: School of Nursing
Jenni Guillen
Campus: UH Hilo
Department: Biology
Kacie Ho
Campus: UH Mānoa
Department: Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences
Kimberly Russell
Campus: UH Hilo
Department: English
Kresta Painter
Campus: Kauaʻi Community College
Department: Science and Math
Noa Lincoln
Campus: UH Mānoa
Department: Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences (TPSS) and Hawaii County
Noe Tupou
Campus: Windward Community College
Department: Hawaiian & Pacific Studies
Patricia Yu
Campus: UH West O‘ahu
Department: Social Science
Poonam Keral
Campus: UH Mānoa
Department: Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM)
Ruthie Clearwater
Campus: UH Maui College
Department: Allied Health-Nursing
Sky Kauweloa
Campus: UH Mānoa
Department: Interdisciplinary Studies
Tiffani Amana
Campus: Hawaiʻi Community College
Department: Humanities
Tracy Thornett
Campus: UH Hilo
Department: Nursing
Xiaodan Mao-Clark
Campus: UH Mānoa
Department: Shidler/Travel Industry Management
Yasushi Ishida
Campus: UH Mānoa
Department: School of Architecture
Trek to the EL3vate Summit
Sketchnotes are visual summaries of notes that include images, drawings, and shapes. Here are some of the sketchnotes created by the EL3vate facilitators for the monthly Growth Sessions!
Growth Session Sketchnotes (2025-2026 Cohort)
2025 Compiled Sketchnotes (PDF version)
Growth Session Sketchnotes (2024-2025 Cohort)
2024 Compiled Sketchnotes (PDF version coming soon)
EL3vate Summit (2024-2025 Cohort)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQs have been created for participants in the InnovatED program or those interested in applying. Please note that this is a working document and the content continues to be revised based upon the most recent updates.
