Student Opportunities
Student Rate
Qualifying students may register for discounted rates for the HCC, and will have all rights and privileges of full conference registration. Verification is required upon registration with a student ID or record of class registration.
Three day access for students costs $170 ($180 after the Early Bird deadline), and 1 day access for students costs $90 ($100 after the Early Bird deadline). Visit our Register page for more information.
Student Scholarship Program
In partnership with Hau‘oli Mau Loa Foundation’s Environmental Leadership Pathways Initiative, the Hawai’i Conservation Alliance and Foundation (the Alliance and Foundation) is proud to announce the 2019 Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference (HCC) Student Scholarship Program. Celebrating its 7th year, this registration incentive aims to provide a one-of-a-kind career development opportunity for students/emerging professionals interested in pursuing a career in a conservation-related field. Over the years, the program has grown to include high school students, college students and emerging professionals across the Hawaiian Islands. This year the Alliance and Foundation is accepting 180 students/emerging professionals into the program. If accepted, Student Scholarship recipients will attend all three days of Conference at a reduced rate of $50 (normally $170 [$180 after the Early Bird deadline]).
In addition, Student Scholarship recipients are eligible to apply for the Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program. The intention is to provide an opportunity for emerging professionals from Hawai‘i to meet and network with Hawaiʻi’s established professionals in the conservation research and natural resource management community. For established professionals, it is an opportunity to mentor the next generation of conservationists, managers and educators, along with sharing their journey in this field. Students/emerging professionals will benefit from one-on-one interaction with respected professionals in their areas of interest. Learn more about the Pūlama Kuamoʻo Mentorship Program.
Preference will be given to those applicants who meet the following criteria listed below:
- A current Hawaiʻi high school junior/senior OR a recent graduate of a Hawaiʻi high school
- A student currently enrolled in a post-secondary education institution in Hawaiʻi (undergraduate, graduate, associates, etc. program)
- An emerging professional, no more than three years into his/her career, working in Hawaiʻi
- All applicants should be able to demonstrate their commitment to conservation in Hawaiʻi
Applicants will be assessed on:
- Program evaluation criteria
- Completed application
- Personal Statement
If accepted as a Student Scholarship recipient, you must agree to the following program requirements:
- Check-in each day of HCC at the Alliance & Foundation’s Conservation Career Compass booth
- Participate in the Alliance & Foundation’s Conservation Career Compass – Career Pathway Mapping Activity
- Complete the Post HCC Student Scholarship Program Survey
*Neighbor Island Applicants: We provide a limited amount of $200 travel stipends for neighbor island conference attendees. If you are accepted as a Student Scholarship recipient and have requested a travel stipend, travel stipend checks will be distributed on Thursday July 11th in the afternoon. You MUST have attended the entire conference and be present to receive your stipend. Checks will NOT be mailed.
**Please note: Applicants will be accepted into the Student Scholarship Program on a first come, first serve basis. You will receive notification of whether or not you have been accepted into the program after May 24th. If accepted, you will also receive a unique code and instructions on how to register for HCC. Once you receive these instructions, you will have two weeks to register. At the time of registration, you will be charged the reduced rate of $50 (normally $170 [$180 after the Early Bird deadline]).
If you have questions, please contact capacity@hawaiiconservation.org.
Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Emerging Professionals Workshop
Date and Time TBD
Held annually at the Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference, Nāhululeihiwakuipapa develops a workshop that provides emerging professionals and students an opportunity to develop technical, networking and leadership skills critical for career, community, and personal success. Workshop topics are selected based on the interests and needs indicated on surveys taken by emerging professionals and students. Our goal is to empower workshop participants to lead from where they are, by providing them the opportunity to put learned skills into practice. Learn more.
Student Awards
Each year at the Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference, prizes are awarded for the top student presentations in the following categories:
- Outstanding Graduate Student Oral Presentation
- Honorable Mention Graduate Student Oral Presentation
- Outstanding Graduate Student Poster Presentation
- Honorable Mention Graduate Student Poster Presentation
- Outstanding Undergraduate Student Oral Presentation
- Honorable Mention Undergraduate Student Oral Presentation
- Outstanding Undergraduate Student Poster Presentation
- Honorable Mention Undergraduate Student Poster Presentation
Awards are based on scoring by volunteer judges attending the conference. Students are scored according to creative ability, scientific procedures, thoroughness, competence, and communication.
To be considered for a Student Award, indicate that you are a student when submitting your abstract. In order to be considered, the student presenter must be the principal author of the work being presented and must be enrolled in an academic degree program through the Spring semester/quarter of 2019 (recent graduates are eligible). Undergraduate (high school, Associate’s, Bachelor’s) and Graduate students are welcome to be considered for Student Awards.
