Scott Murakami is new UH Community Colleges' workforce development director

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Susan Lee, (808) 956-5852
Director of Marketing Communications, Office of the VP for Community Colleges
Kristen Bonilla, (808) 956-5039
Public Information Officer, External Affairs and University Relations
Posted: Jun 8, 2011

Scott Murakami
Scott Murakami
HONOLULU—The Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges is pleased to announce that Scott Murakami has joined the University of Hawai'i Community Colleges (UHCC) as the director of workforce development. He leaves his position as director of the Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training (PCATT), a nonprofit consortium of the community colleges offering courses, training and services in the advanced technology fields.
 
In his new position, Murakami will be responsible for the strategic coordination, planning and development of training programs that support Hawai'i's economy as it relates to advancing UHCC's mission, goals and major initiatives. This includes serving as the UHCC liaison with state agencies and private industries in developing cooperative partnerships to support economic and workforce development programs and initiatives in the state of Hawai'i.
 
"Workforce development and economic diversity have been top on my urgency list ever since I took this position two years ago," said UHCC Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Peter Quigley. "The state must use all of its resources to stimulate economic activity and insure that the people of Hawai'i have every possible avenue to improve their work readiness and skill set. This is especially true as this green economy continues to redefine itself but this also applies to other sectors such as health care and agriculture."
 
"Scott Murakami understands these issues and has a proven track record for making things happen at PCATT where he previously was the director," Quigley said. "He understands what it takes to provide more opportunities statewide so our fellow citizens have the opportunity to earn a good living, upgrade their skill sets, or learn a new trade or job skill."
 
Murakami comes to UHCC with extensive leadership experience and knowledge in the areas of advanced technology training and post-secondary education. Murakami has worked as chief executive officer of the Hawai'i Technology Institute, vice president of academic affairs at Hawai'i Business College, and financial service manager for Hawai'i Job Corps Center.
 
He has been a presenter at numerous national and local conferences related to advanced technology, workforce development and post-secondary education. Most recently he presented " Sustaining Your Advanced Technology Center" at the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers Conference, and "Upgrading the Nation's Latest Technical Workforce Needs with Innovative Approaches" at the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) National Convention.
 
Murakami holds a master's in accounting and a master's in business administration, finance, both from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. He also received his bachelor in arts degree from UH Mānoa.