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COMPASS Task Force

Campus Oriented Mental Health Partnership & Action for Student Success

Aloha kākou,
In support of student well-being and mental health, Leeward Community College has joined the JED Campus initiative through The JED Foundation. This national effort helps colleges strengthen mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention systems to ensure robust safety nets for students.

Leeward CC has formed a campus-wide JED team—the COMPASS Task Force—to assess, support, and implement improvements across programs, policies, and systems. Following a comprehensive campus assessment, JED will provide a detailed feedback report highlighting our strengths and identifying areas for growth. Implementation will occur over the next four years.

As a campus community, we each play a vital role in fostering a caring, supportive environment for our students, colleagues, and ourselves.

Carlos Peñaloza

Leeward CC Chancellor

Browse a listing of Leeward CC and community crisis resources

View faculty resources on our Intranet (COMING SOON)

COMPASS Task Force Members

  • Anika Gearhart-Edwards
    Co-Chair (Instructional, Psychology)
  • Zoey Lau
    Co-Chair (Mental Health)
  • Lori Lum (Mental Health)
  • Leilani Yanagi (Native Hawaiian Success Counselor)
  • Syreeta Washington (Academic Counseling)
  • Kelly Kennedy (Instructional, ELL)
  • Robert Oshita (Instructional, DMED)
  • Lexer Chou (Student Life Coordinator)
  • Tom Hirsbrunner (Title IX)
  • Shari Imanaka (Health Center)
  • Tasha Moses-Williams (Tutoring Services Coordinator)
  • Danny Wyatt (Wai‘anae Moku Coordinator)
  • Jon Alves (Security)
  • Dianne Jovenal (Student Representative)
Student at beach with laptop

Looking to connect with others and get involved at Leeward?

There are plenty of ways to meet other students and become part of our vibrant campus community. What makes Leeward special is the diversity of our students, coming from all walks of life, age groups, and interests. It’s a great opportunity to learn something new, gain a fresh perspective, or connect with someone you might never have met if not for your time here. Whether you’re interested in joining a student club, volunteering, or attending fun events, Leeward Community College offers countless ways to get involved, build connections, and make the most of your college experience.

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I want to connect with others and have fun.
  • Go to one of the many events hosted by various campus programs and Student Life. Stay updated on IG: @leewardcc
  • Get out in the fresh air and enjoy our many gardens on campus.
  • Up for some friendly competition? Join IM LeeSports and play against students from Honolulu CC, Kapiʻolani CC, Windward CC, and UH West Oʻahu.
  • Stop by in between classes or hang out with IM LeeGaming in our IM LeeGaming Room.
  • Search our Club Listing, under RISO, and check out the clubs that want you as a member!
  • Kīpuka, our Native Hawaiian Center at Puʻuloa welcomes anyone to hang out in their Lounge, equipped with comfy furniture and snacks.
I want to connect with others while I work.
  • Visit the Student Employment page to see all the different jobs available to you.
  • Connect with Career Central if you would like to talk more about your interests and job options on campus.
I want to connect with others who have similar interests or experiences.
  • Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society offers a myriad of opportunities for scholarships, intellectual enrichment, and personal development through programs based on Phi Theta Kappa’s four hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship.
  • Phi Beta Lambda is a professional business association serving postsecondary students nationwide and abroad and helps future business leaders convert their ambitions and abilities into financial success and professional recognition.
  • Search our Club Listing, under RISO, and check out the clubs that want you as a member!
  • Leeward’s Performing Arts is where it’s at! There is a strong community waiting to welcome you!
I want to connect with others while Iʻm at a lecture, seminar, or workshop.

Success Connection Workshops are free workshops for Leeward CC students and employees.
Leeward’s Instagram highlights workshops and events all year round. Follow them on @leewardcc

I want to connect with someone who can help me through a difficult time.
  • Find support with our Mental Health and Wellness Team, including urgent help if you need to talk to someone right away.
  • Our counselors are here for you—whether you need help with classes, want to talk through something personal, or just need to bounce ideas about your academic journey.
  • Take care of your medical needs at the Student Health Center.
  • The award-winning Live Pono. Love Pono. podcast features a wide range of topics, with insights from professionals, community organizations, campus resources, and real student experiences.
  • Refer to our LGBTQ+ website for resources on and off campus.
  • Confidential Resources provide a variety of services including mental health support and counseling, and assistance in deciding whether you would like to report to the University.

I’m not quite ready to make a move.

If you’re not ready to reach out, consider following our YouTube or IG. It’s a great way to see what opportunities are available. Meeting people and growing friendships is an important part of the university experience! The options above reflect opportunities but may not encompass all that Leeward has to offer. Talk with your counselor or explore the website for other ways to connect.

Strategic Plan

Group at the beach

The JED Campus feedback identified several categories organized into strengths and recommendations. These findings are a key component of Leeward CC’s evidence-based mental health review. The following are representative samples of the findings.

Strengths and Recommendations

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1. Student Engagement and Campus Connections

Strengths:

  • Mental health screenings are available, and crisis support services (e.g., BIT team) are in place.
  • The mental health and wellness website is a good resource for students.

Recommendations:

  • Consider adding a health history form during student enrollment to proactively flag potential mental health issues.
  • Expand routine mental health screenings for depression and anxiety across student services.
2. Early Identification of Mental Health Concerns

Strengths:

  • Mental health screenings are available, and crisis support services (e.g., BIT team) are in place.
  • The mental health and wellness website is a good resource for students.

Recommendations:

  • Consider adding a health history form during student enrollment to proactively flag potential mental health issues.
  • Expand routine mental health screenings for depression and anxiety across student services.
3. Promoting Help-Seeking Behavior

Strengths:

  • Initiatives like peer support programs and mental health education help reduce the stigma surrounding help-seeking.

Recommendations:

  • Enhance accessibility of mental health resources on the website and throughout campus.
  • Increase awareness of available support services, especially for students facing academic or personal stress.
4. Access to Mental Health Services

Strengths:

  • Counseling services, psychiatric medication management, and 24/7 helplines are available.
  • Counseling staff diversity reflects the student body.

Recommendations:

  • Develop clearer leave of absence and re-entry protocols for students needing mental health breaks.
  • Explore additional after-hours mental health services, especially for students balancing work and caregiving duties.
5. Substance Misuse Prevention and Support

Strengths:

  • Existing substance misuse policies and emergency response protocols are in place.
  • Alcohol-free events and substance misuse education campaigns are well-established.

Recommendations:

  • Align services with the SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) model for substance misuse.
  • Consider expanding access to Naloxone (opioid overdose reversal) on campus.
  • Formalize a Medical Amnesty policy to encourage students to report substance misuse without fear of consequences.
6. Crisis Management and Suicide Prevention

Strengths:

  • A Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) is in place to address students of concern.
  • Clear communication is provided for emergency and after-hours care.

Recommendations:

  • Formalize case management processes, especially for students who have been hospitalized or are in ongoing treatment.
  • Establish a formal postvention protocol following suicides or tragic events to ensure timely support for affected students and staff.
7. Campus Safety and Means Restriction

Strengths:

  • Restricted access to high-risk areas (e.g., rooftops) and controlled substances.
  • Firearms and toxic substances are appropriately regulated.

Recommendations:

  • Conduct annual environmental scans to identify and mitigate new safety risks on campus.
  • Implement breakaway closet rods in all new or renovated dormitories to reduce suicide risks.
  • Organize regular prescription drug collection events in partnership with local authorities.
Overall Recommendations
  • Expand training for faculty and staff to better identify and refer students in crisis.
  • Enhance data collection to track engagement with mental health resources and identify gaps in student support.
  • Develop formal MOUs with off-campus mental health providers for streamlined referrals.
  • Increase awareness of mental health and wellness resources, both online and in-person. (end of strat plan + findings)

Task Force Impact at a Glance

Summer 2024 – Campus wide task force assembled
Aug 2024 – Partnership Launch
November 2024 – Campus wide assessment and Healthy Minds Study
March 2025 – Strategic plan created utilizing institutional data
June 2025 – Additional subcommittees created to drive strategic plan implementation

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