The continued rapid expansion of digital technologies has an impact on how teachers teach and how students learn. As industry adopts these new technologies, there is the added responsibility to ensure that students going to work in those industries are exposed to the type of equipment and the applications they will use on the job. Also, research has shown that the physical setup of chairs, tables and presentation in a classroom can influence learning, especially when spaces are designed in a student-centered manner with a more flexible seating arrangement. In light of this, the University of Hawai'i Community College System (UHCC) has adopted an approach in leveraging grants and utilizing Minor CIP allocations to support the seven campuses in transforming outdated classrooms and facilities into modern 21st century teaching and learning environments.

Examples of student-centered classroom and facility renovations include the Leeward Community College GT-105 Ka'ala Room was converted from a traditional seating classroom with multi-level rows of desk chairs to an open concept room with mobile chairs on casters and large moveable tables that can be configured into seating arrangements to match room activities. The room was also outfitted with all the modern digital components and wifi, as well as several large projection screens on all sides of the interior walls.

The second floor of Kaua'i Community College's cafeteria was transformed from classroom and office space to a large gathering space for student government.