Cathi Ho Schar

Associate Professor, Architecture

Professor Cathi Ho Schar of UH Mānoa’s School of Architecture is a Hawaiʻi-born architect and educator whose work bridges design, education, and community impact. With nearly two decades of service to the university, Schar has taught across undergraduate and graduate programs while also serving as the founding director of the University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center (UHCDC), a nationally recognized model of practice-based, community-engaged learning.

Grounded in the belief that design education must cultivate ethical, systems-oriented thinkers, Professor Schar’s teaching connects students directly with the social, cultural, and environmental forces shaping the built environment. Through over 35 courses, she has integrated real-world projects into the classroom, guiding students through collaborative, place-based approaches that emphasize co-design, stakeholder engagement, and public impact. Her structured yet flexible pedagogy supports both technical skill-building and creative exploration, while fostering confidence and collaboration.

Schar’s mentorship extends beyond the classroom through supervision of student employees, research initiatives, and professional development pathways, including support toward architectural licensure. Central to Professor Schar’s philosophy is a commitment to care, reciprocity, and responsibility, values that shape both their teaching and community partnerships. By uniting education, research, and service, she empowers students to become thoughtful designers and leaders dedicated to advancing equity, sustainability, and the public good.

“One of the most valuable aspects of this course was how it used game-based learning to make complex topics like climate change, sustainability, and infrastructure feel more approachable and engaging. Designing a wastewater-themed game with my group really pushed us to think creatively while tackling a real-world environmental issue. I also appreciated how the course connected us with professionals and actual city initiatives, it made the work feel more meaningful and showed how our designs could have a real impact. The hands-on, collaborative nature of the class kept things interesting and helped build skills that are super relevant to our field”

“I appreciated how Cathi was very helpful and was very uplifting throughout this semester. She understood that we have other commitments outside of the studio and made sure that we were okay and if we had any issues to never hesitate and reach out.”