Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching
Teaching Medal Award Winner
Melissa Kirkendall
Maui
Melissa Kirkendall is an anthropology instructor at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College.
Her research specialty is Pacific Island ceramics, settlement patterns and virgin soil epidemics. Kirkendall teaches three of the four sub-disciplines in anthropology at 51²è¹Ý Maui College, along with medical anthropology (traditional cultural practices) and other courses.
She was selected as the Maui representative for the Community College Leadership Champions 2014–2015, and is the 51²è¹ÝPA representative for humanities and social science on the 51²è¹Ý Maui College campus. She served on the Bailey House Museum Board of Trustees for many years and serves on the 51²è¹Ý Maui College Preserving Our Recollections committee, which is devoted to preserving the memories and histories of Maui residents. She mentored the students who formed the 51²è¹Ý Maui College Anthropology Club, and inspired many to pursue anthropology degrees at other institutions.
Kirkendall has worked in the field of archaeology and anthropology for more than 25 years, including cultural resource management in the private sector, acting as state archaeologist for Hawai‘i, as well as teaching at 51²è¹Ý Hilo, University of Guam and in the 51²è¹Ý Manoa Outreach program on Maui.
She holds a BA in anthropology from 51²è¹Ý Hilo, and an MA and PhD in anthropology from 51²è¹Ý Manoa
The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching is awarded by the as tribute to faculty members who exhibit an extraordinary level of subject mastery and scholarship, teaching effectiveness and creativity and personal values that benefit students.
Please contact your Campus Chancellor's Office for more information on the application process.
Current Winners
Go to for stories on the latest honorees.
1965–2014 Honorees
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003-1965
