06/08/2026
Sharing some recent work done for the UH Community Colleges’ Transfer Success Campaign 🎥
Sometimes a college experience is defined by a single conversation.
David Grupen entered Honolulu Community College planning to study music. What changed the trajectory of his life was not a class or an assignment, but a conversation with his academic advisor, who helped him recognize strengths he had never fully considered.
That conversation ultimately led David toward law. He transferred to UH Mānoa, pursued his passion for personal injury law, and is currently studying for the bar exam.
David’s story highlights something we heard repeatedly throughout this campaign: student success is often driven by relationships. The guidance, mentorship, and personal attention available within the UH Community Colleges system can have a lasting impact long after graduation.