Honolulu Community College has appointed Sara M. Butler as vice chancellor of academic affairs (VCAA), effective August 5, 2026.
As VCAA, Butler will serve as Honolulu CC‘s chief academic officer, overseeing instructional programs, academic support services, curriculum and accreditation efforts, and working closely with Chancellor Karen Lee and campus leadership to advance the college’s academic mission.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Butler to Honolulu CC and excited she has joined our team,” Lee said. “She brings a wealth of experience in curriculum development, accreditation, strategic enrollment and student success initiatives. Her proven ability to build strong, collaborative relationships across faculty, staff and community partners will elevate our students’ experiences and create opportunities for their future.”
Helping students achieve their goals
Throughout her career, Butler has led work in strategic enrollment management, dual enrollment expansion, distance education, program review and outcomes assessment, and accreditation. She has also worked with Indigenous-serving institutions, including the California Indian Nations College.
“I am truly honored and grateful to join the Honolulu CC ʻohana. I am looking forward to learning from my colleagues, the students and community partners so that I can support Honolulu CC’s dedicated faculty and staff as they play a pivotal role in helping our students achieve their academic and professional goals,” Butler said.
New leader’s experience
Butler brings almost two decades of academic experience, having taught in the City University of New York, California State University, and University of California systems. She began her full-time teaching career in the California Community College system, earning tenure as a political science professor at College of the Desert in Palm Desert.
Her administrative career started as a dean at College of the Desert. In 2022, Butler served concurrently as both dean of social sciences and arts and interim vice president of instruction. She later served as dean of academic affairs at Santa Ana College. She is joining Honolulu CC from Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa, where she was dean of languages, arts and academic support.
Butler holds a PhD and MA in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a BA in history and political science from the College of Staten Island.