Hawaii Association for Career and Technical Education Unifies with National ACTE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2016

Contact: Jarrod Nagurka
703-683-9312, jnagurka@acteonline.org

Hawaii Association for Career and Technical Education Unifies with National ACTE

Alexandria, VA – The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is pleased to congratulate the Hawaii Association for Career and Technical Education (HI ACTE) on its decision to re-affiliate and formally unify with the national association. Spearheaded by the leadership of HI ACTE President Warren Kawano and Executive Director Ron Umehira, and with the support of Hawaii CTE Director Bernadette Howard, the state-based association is now officially affiliated with the national body. The move will benefit career and technical education (CTE) professionals and students throughout the state.

As a result of the unification, HI ACTE members can now simultaneously join both their state and national professional membership associations. In doing so, HI ACTE has secured access for its members to the national association’s extensive professional development resources, public policy advocacy and leadership opportunities. The partnership will strengthen ACTE’s ability to connect with CTE stakeholders in Hawaii, and give HI ACTE members a louder voice in national policy discussions.

“ACTE’s Board of Directors and I are thrilled to have Hawaii ACTE join our community of CTE professionals and students,” said ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Wilson. “Working together, we are excited to help build a bridge to the middle class for millions of students across the country, including thousands in Hawaii, by making rigorous and comprehensive CTE more readily available.”

HI ACTE’s decision comes after a successful series of moves to reinvigorate their state association after it was disaffiliated in July 2015. The revival of the Association is largely a result of the hard work and dedication of Kawano and Umehira, who both graduated from ACTE’s fellowship program in 2015 and 2012, respectively.

“Hawaii ACTE is excited to unify, build new relationships, and support all of Hawaii’s CTE educators and students in the year ahead,” concluded Kawano.

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About ACTE: The Association for Career and Technical Education is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, guidance counselors and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.