University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ leaders gathered for the annual , a three-day professional development event designed to support department chairs, deans, directors and other academic leaders while fostering collaboration across the flagship campus. The conference was organized by the .
The conference featured strategic sessions focused on leadership development, student success, institutional effectiveness and emerging challenges in higher education. The opening “Meet the Cabinet” panel featured UH President Wendy Hensel, UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos, incoming Interim Provost Denise Konan and members of the university’s leadership team, including Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Nikki Chun, Chief Business Officer Sandy French, Interim Director of the System Â鶹´«Ã½ Papa O Ke Ao and UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office Noelani Goodyear-Kaopua, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Excellence Laura Lyons, Interim Vice Provost for Student Success Kap¨¡ Oliveira and Interim Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship Robert Wright. The panel discussed the university’s future direction, priorities and opportunities.
‘New level of operational effectiveness’
Hensel reflected on her 18 months serving in the dual role of UH president and UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ chancellor, describing the transition to dedicated campus leadership as an opportunity for UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ to define its future while remaining closely connected to the 10-campus UH System.
“I think it’s the moment for ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ to chart its vision, which is a really exciting thing,” Hensel said. “This campus is extraordinary, and I learned a lot about the work that we do here and the excellence to come. The future for ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ as part of the 10-campus system is increased impact. We can work together effectively to create an entirely new level of operational effectiveness, impact and efficiency for our students.”
Syrmos, , shared his vision for the UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ campus as Â鶹´«Ã½‘s flagship university and announced plans to begin a refreshed strategic planning process this fall with broad campus participation.
“²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ should and will be a premier global flagship institution for our students, faculty and the state of Â鶹´«Ã½,” Syrmos said. “It is a great opportunity to create our own identity while working collaboratively with the other nine sister campuses to advance the future of our students and our state.”
Syrmos also highlighted the experience of the leadership team supporting the campus during a period of transition and expressed enthusiasm about working with Konan who officially starts as interim provost on August 7.
“I am very excited that we are returning back to having not just a chancellor, but also a provost,” Konan said. “That is a huge investment in ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ and one that we should embrace. I am the direct interface with the deans, with the chairs and with the academic campus. This is something I know very well because I’ve been a chair, and I’ve been a dean.”
Leadership team addresses key campus issues
During the question-and-answer session, attendees engaged the leadership team on a wide range of issues affecting the future of UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹. Topics included:
- Leadership priorities
- UH‘s budget model and fiscal planning
- Academic quality and student success
- Native Hawaiian advancement
- Research competitiveness
- Administrative technology systems
- Global engagement
Discussions also explored enrollment trends, online education, international partnerships and efforts to strengthen UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹’s position as a leading research university in the Asia-Pacific region.
Syrmos also provided an update on efforts to develop a new budget model for UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹. The proposed approach would combine historical funding allocations with performance-based measures and is expected to involve extensive engagement with campus stakeholders before implementation.
“That discussion has started, but it’s going to take a lot of work, and it’s going to take a lot of time,” Syrmos said. “As Denise is getting in as provost, she will be the leader on that project.”
The Leading with Excellence Conference was created to provide current and aspiring academic leaders with practical tools, leadership development opportunities and a forum to share ideas and best practices.