Two UH-Hilo faculty chosen for national project that aims to redesign community-engaged courses

Two faculty members from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo have been selected for a competitive national initiative led by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and Public Agenda.

Fifteen educators were chosen nationwide for the Engaged Civic Learning and Economic Mobility Project, which was announced at the American Democracy Project at Compact26 in Chicago.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is the only institution represented by two faculty members:

• Xuan Xie, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing and marketing concentration coordinator, College of Business and Economics.
• Olga Sideleva, biology lecturer, College of Natural and Health Sciences.

The project brings together faculty to redesign community-engaged courses that intentionally align civic learning with economic mobility goals, applying research-based strategies to support student success.

For Xie, the recognition extends a teaching philosophy already rooted in real-world application—she replaces traditional exams with live consulting projects in her Principles of Marketing course.

“I am passionate about integrating community-engaged learning into my curriculum,” Xie said. “For a junior faculty member at a small public university like the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, being part of this national conversation is invaluable. I hope this program empowers me to create impactful, community-centered learning experiences that enhance students’ economic mobility.”

Todd Inouye, Ph.D., director of the College of Business and Economics, noted that Xie exemplifies how faculty bring the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s mission to life.

“Her students deepen their marketing skills through consulting with Hilo small businesses—work that is especially meaningful in a rural community where employment rates and educational attainment lag other parts of the state,” Inouye said.

Sideleva brings a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) perspective to the cohort and is looking to elevate her Oceanography MARE 201 course.

“This will help students develop real-world skills in science communication and applied problem-solving by connecting oceanography to environmental research management and local career pathways,” Sideleva said. “Through this approach, students learn to see oceanography not only as an academic discipline but as a meaningful tool for civic responsibility, sustainable economic opportunity, and community well-being on Hawaiʻi Island.”

Dean Simon Kattenhorn of the College of Natural and Health Sciences stated that Sideleva’s selection is an honor and the experience will benefit the students enormously.

“The College of Natural and Health Sciences is committed to curricula that embrace community engagement across our programs—whether to advance environmental and cultural protection of ʻāina, social justice, or economic development,” Kattenhorn said.

Both educators will bring research-based strategies back to Hilo, ensuring University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo graduates are equipped for career readiness and economic empowerment.

For more information on the project and the resources guiding this cohort, visit Public Agenda’s Economic Mobility Toolkit.