The (BOR) unanimously approved the appointment of Vassilis Syrmos as the next chancellor of , the flagship campus of the state’s 10-campus public higher education system, during a special meeting on June 4. Syrmos was recommended for the position by UH President Wendy Hensel following a nationwide search. His official start date will be July 1.

Syrmos joined UH Mānoa 35 years ago as a faculty member in the College of Engineering. As chancellor, he will serve as UH Mānoa’s chief executive officer, reporting to the UH president and serving on the president’s senior leadership team. He will oversee an annual budget of more than $800 million and a workforce of more than 5,000 employees, leading academic affairs, research, student success, enrollment and administrative operations in partnership with the provost and executive team.

“I am honored by the confidence placed in me and grateful for the opportunity to serve UH Mānoa at this important moment,” said Syrmos after the regents’ vote. “While I know the university well, I also know there is always more to learn. My first priority will be to visit every school, college and major unit across UH Mānoa to listen and learn directly from our students, faculty and staff. The strength of this university has always been its people, and I believe our best path forward begins by listening first.”

Syrmos has served as interim provost of UH Mānoa since July 2025, 12 years as UH vice president for research and innovation and eight years as associate vice chancellor for research at UH Mānoa.

“Vassilis has done an exceptional job as interim provost, building on decades of leadership across the UH System and at �鶹��ýMānoa,” Hensel said when announcing her recommendation. “He brings a deep understanding of UH Mānoa’s budget, operations and role within the broader UH System, as well as strong relationships at the state and congressional levels. I am confident he will be an effective partner as we strengthen leadership for our flagship campus.”

Leadership experience

As interim provost, Syrmos helped secure legislative support to sustain the UH Cancer Center’s research and strengthened its ability to maintain National Cancer Institute designation through legislation that doubled �鶹��ý’s cigarette tax. He also advanced efforts to improve UH Mānoa’s financial transparency, modernize budgeting, strengthen student success initiatives and better align campus operations with institutional priorities.

As vice president for research and innovation, Syrmos led long-range strategic planning efforts that contributed to record growth in extramural funding, including a high of $734 million in fiscal year 2025, the fourth consecutive year UH exceeded $500 million in research funding. He strengthened partnerships with �鶹��ý’s congressional delegation, federal agencies and state leaders to advance strategic university priorities and expand research opportunities. Syrmos also established the Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation, making UH the only R1 university in the nation to embed Indigenous knowledge and innovation within its research enterprise.

Chancellor position re-established

The BOR voted to re-establish the UH Mānoa chancellor position in December 2025 following a recommendation from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems to separate the roles of UH president and UH Mānoa chancellor. The UH Mānoa Faculty Senate unanimously endorsed launching the search during the spring semester to provide stability for the campus and dedicated leadership as UH Mānoa and the UH System work to separate long-shared hybrid positions and offices.

Syrmos was selected from a finalist pool that included the provost and vice president for academic affairs at San Francisco State University and the president of National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. The nationwide search attracted 32 applicants and generated nine additional nominations and inquiries.

Related UH News stories:

• Longtime UH leader Vassilis Syrmos recommended as UH Mānoa chancellor, May, 28, 2026
• UH Mānoa chancellor search committee members announced, March 11, 2026
• UH launches search to re-establish UH Mānoa chancellor position, February 25, 2026

Vassilis Syrmos has been recommended by University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel to serve as the next chancellor of UH Mānoa, the flagship campus of the state’s 10-campus public higher education system. His appointment will go before the UH Board of Regents (BOR) for final approval on Thursday, June 4. If approved, he will begin serving on July 1, 2026. (Editor’s note: Syrmos’ appointment was approved by the BOR on June 4.)

A faculty member in the UH Mānoa College of Engineering for 35 years, Syrmos brings more than two decades of higher education leadership experience. He has served as interim provost of UH Mānoa since July 2025. Before that, he served for 12 years as UH vice president for research and innovation and eight years as associate vice chancellor for research at UH Mānoa.

“Vassilis has done an exceptional job as interim provost, building on decades of leadership across the UH System and at UH Mānoa,” said Hensel. “He brings a deep understanding of UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s budget, operations and role within the broader UH System, as well as strong relationships at the state and congressional levels. I am confident he will be an effective partner as we strengthen leadership for our flagship campus.”

As interim provost, Syrmos helped secure legislative support to sustain the UH Cancer Center’s research and strengthen its National Cancer Institute designation through the doubling of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s cigarette tax. He also advanced efforts to improve UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s financial transparency, modernize budgeting, strengthen student success initiatives and better align campus operations with institutional priorities.

As vice president for research and innovation, Syrmos led long-range strategic planning efforts that contributed to record growth in extramural funding, including a high of $734 million in fiscal year 2025, the fourth consecutive year UH exceeded $500 million in research funding. He strengthened partnerships with �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s congressional delegation, federal agencies and state leaders to advance strategic university priorities and expand research opportunities. Syrmos also established the Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation, making UH the only R1 university in the nation to embed Indigenous knowledge and innovation within its research enterprise.

“I am deeply honored to be recommended as the next chancellor of UH Mānoa”, said Syrmos. “Having served the university for more than three decades, I consider �鶹��ý and this campus my home. I look forward to working with President Hensel in strengthening student success, advancing research and innovation and working closely with our faculty, students, staff and community partners as we continue to move UH Mānoa forward as �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s flagship university.”

Nationwide search

Syrmos was selected from a finalist pool that also included the provost and vice president for academic affairs at San Francisco State University and the president of National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. The search attracted 32 applicants and nine nominations or inquiries.

The BOR voted to re-establish the UH Mānoa chancellor position in December 2025, following a recommendation from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems to separate the roles of UH president and UH Mānoa chancellor. The faculty senate unanimously endorsed an immediate launch to the search in spring semester to provide stability for the campus and dedicated Manoa leadership in discussions regarding the separation of hybrid positions and offices shared between Manoa and the system.

The search included a representative advisory committee, open nominations and applications, campus visits by finalists, public forums and stakeholder meetings. All three finalists participated in two-day campus visits that included more than 20 meetings with stakeholder groups and a public presentation and Q&A session, each of which was viewed by more than 500 people. Community feedback generated more than 650 comments across all finalists, in addition to input from shared governance groups.

Chancellor responsibilities

As chancellor, Syrmos will serve as the chief executive officer of UH Mānoa, reporting to the UH president and serving on the president’s senior leadership team. He will oversee a budget exceeding $800 million and more than 5,000 employees, providing leadership across academic affairs, research, student success, enrollment and administrative operations in partnership with the provost and executive team.

Syrmos is expected to advance UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s mission as �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s flagship research university while strengthening connections across �鶹��ý, the Pacific and Asia and upholding the university’s responsibility to the Native Hawaiian community, language and culture.

Related UH News stories:

• UH Mānoa chancellor search committee members announced, March 11, 2026
• UH launches search to re-establish UH Mānoa chancellor position, February 25, 2026

University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel presented a coordinated effort to better align strategy and budgeting across the 10-campus system to the UH Board of Regents on April 16.

Hensel framed alignment as a core governance issue, emphasizing that strategic priorities must be consistently reflected in how resources are allocated in the budget, how campuses are evaluated and how leaders are reviewed.

A structured approach

Hensel highlighted challenges that are common in multi-campus systems, where individual campuses tend to operate separately. When alignment is weak, she said, strategic plans often sit on the shelf.

The result can be a system that underperforms despite strong individual efforts. Leadership, she noted, must regularly navigate tensions between aligning the 10 campuses while still allowing for individual campus missions to be pursued.

“We want an aligned system where we’re all moving in the same direction, but there are differentiated missions on each campus and specific priorities on each campus,” Hensel said. “We, as a group of 10 [campuses], have agreed on the major objectives that have let us have significant impact over time.”

To address those issues, the university is implementing a coordinated process centered on key areas:

• Strategic action plans: annual plans tied directly to system and campus priorities, with defined outcomes, teams and resources.
• Budget transparency: a clearer, multi-year budgeting process aligned with strategic goals rather than historical funding patterns.
• Incentives: performance-based funding and stipends to encourage innovation, collaboration and student success.
• Accountability: a standardized set of performance metrics and regular campus reviews to track progress and inform leadership evaluations.

The system also plans to expand leadership evaluations for officers, chancellors and administrators, including potential 360-degree reviews, and increase transparency through regular performance reporting.

Continuous improvement

Hensel concluded by emphasizing that alignment is not a one-time effort but an ongoing cycle of planning, measurement and adjustment.

“In order to move from a very decentralized approach to strategy across the 10 [campuses]; by setting alignment as a goal up front, it really enables the entire strategic plan to be executed,” she said.

The goal, she noted, is a more cohesive system that better serves students and the state.

Cancer patients traveling off-island for treatment. Kūpuna waiting months to see a neurologist. Rural communities struggling to access behavioral health and addiction services. These challenging realities are driving the University of �鶹��ý Board of Regents request for $3,724,600 to expand �鶹��ý’s healthcare workforce and improve access to care across the islands.

The funding would support UH’s new Health Science and Healthcare Interdisciplinary Workforce Initiative, a coordinated hire request that would add 18.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) clinician and faculty positions across five health sciences units to address severe shortages in high-need medical fields, including cancer, neurology and dementia, and behavioral health integration and addiction medicine.

“UH has a kuleana to the people and ʻāina of �鶹��ý, and that responsibility drives us to focus on solutions that make a real difference in our communities,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “By strengthening our healthcare workforce, we can train more providers and expand access to care for kupuna and families across all islands.”

Expanding the healthcare pipeline, patient care

The coordinated hire would add clinician faculty who both train future healthcare providers and deliver direct patient care in rural and underserved communities across the state.

“The goal is to improve access to care across all islands by providing direct clinical services and addressing shortages in underserved communities,” said UH ����ԴDz� Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “This coordinated request for positions will increase the workforce pipeline by training more doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and other health providers essential to providing high quality care for patients with dementia, addictions, or other behavioral health challenges.”

Addressing high-priority health needs

The initiative spans five UH units—UH ����ԴDz�’s , the , the , the , and the UH Hilo —and focuses on clinician leaders and researchers working with state and health system partners through community-based, interprofessional approaches aligned with legislative priorities.

Funding would be directed toward three high-priority health areas identified as critical needs for the state:

• Cancer ($1,674,400; 6.35 FTE): Establishing an accredited hematology-oncology fellowship and expanding clinical research capacity.
• Neurology and Dementia ($1,162,200; 7.40 FTE): Creating an accredited neurology residency program and expanding the Kūpuna Workforce Innovation Hub.
• Behavioral Health Integration and Addiction Medicine ($888,000; 4.75 FTE): Expanding the Education and Research Center of Addiction Medicine and enhancing telehealth services.
• Beyond direct patient care, the initiative would support statewide continuing education in dementia care and behavioral health–primary care integration, consistent with �鶹��ý State Department of Health and legislative priorities.

Targeted request in a tight budget climate

The initiative is one of two high-priority items in UH’s $18.8 million supplemental operating budget request () for fiscal year 2026–27, introduced amid slowing state revenue growth.

“We purposefully limited the request to major strategic items that are time-sensitive and provide essential benefits to both the state and the university,” said UH Vice President for Budget and Finance Luis Salaveria. “Given the current fiscal climate, this approach allows UH to focus its resources on areas where the need is greatest, and the impact on �鶹��ý’s communities will be most immediate.”

The University of �鶹��ý is launching an exploratory effort to strengthen coordination between the UH ����ԴDz� (JABSOM) and the , which are located next to each other on the same property in Kakaʻako. The initiative aims to enhance collaboration in health sciences research, education and community service, and support �鶹��ý’s growing health workforce needs.

Over the past decade, the UH units emerged as a major hub for health sciences innovation and partnership, bringing together faculty, researchers, students, clinicians and community organizations. UH leaders say that greater alignment across the two academic and research units could build on that momentum and help expand access to care across the islands.

Exploration, collaboration

In a January 14 message sent to the JABSOM and UH Cancer Center employees, UH President Wendy Hensel, UH ����ԴDz� Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos, UH Cancer Center Director Naoto T. Ueno and JABSOM Dean Samuel Shomaker emphasized that the initial phase will be exploratory and collaborative.

“As we look ahead, we have a shared opportunity to build on this foundation so that our work is even more impactful for the people of �鶹��ý,” the message noted. “This initial phase will focus on identifying areas where shared administrative services, joint planning and enhanced communication can support our collective mission.”

The effort will examine opportunities related to facilities and campus operations, fiscal and grants administration, clinical research support and other core functions essential to academic and research excellence. UH leaders stressed that there are no plans to eliminate positions as part of the exploration.

“This exploratory work will preserve and strengthen the distinct missions of both institutions, JABSOM’s medical education and academic autonomy, and the UH Cancer Center’s National Cancer Institute designation and programmatic leadership, while seeking efficiencies and synergies that support both,” stated the university leaders in the message.

A working group representing both units will convene in early 2026 to help inform next steps. The coordination effort will be conducted in an open, consultative and transparent manner with continued engagement of faculty, staff, students and partners.

Luis P. Salaveria has been selected to be the next University of �鶹��ý Vice President for Budget and Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Salaveria is set to start, subject to confirmation by the Board of Regents, on November 21 and will replace Kalbert Young, who is departing at the end of 2025 after 10 years in the position to become the executive director of the �鶹��ý State Employees’ Retirement System.

Salaveria has 35 years of professional executive experience in the public and private sectors, most recently serving as the state’s director of finance from 2022 to 2025 in the administration of Gov. Josh Green.

“We are thrilled to welcome Luis to lead our financial operations at UH,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “As a cabinet member and director of finance, he was responsible for overseeing the planning and design of the state’s entire operational and capital improvement budgets. His proven record of achievement in complex financial situations makes him uniquely qualified to ensure the long-term financial stability of our 10-campus system.”

Salaveria will be responsible for UH’s $1.1-billion operating budget, guiding financial planning and resource allocation to strengthen academic, research and student success initiatives across the 10-campus system.

“As an alumnus of UH, I am honored to join the 10-campus system and serve in this vital role,” said Salaveria, who earned his bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in political science from UH ����ԴDz�. “I have been fortunate to serve in various cabinet roles in state government under three administrations. This, coupled with my private sector background, I believe provides the technical expertise and vision necessary for this position. I look forward to contributing to the long-term financial health and success of the university.”

As the state finance director, he oversaw the State Treasury, which holds assets exceeding $14 billion, and managed the planning and design of the state’s annual $19-billion operational budget and $3-billion capital improvement budget.

Salaveria led the state’s financial response to the Maui Wildfire Disaster, implemented the state’s tax reform package, the “Green Affordability Plan,” resulting in the largest income tax update in state history, and developed the strategy for the state’s first climate resilience fund.

From 2014 to 2018, he served as director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), where he oversaw statewide economic policy in business development, trade, energy and housing. Before joining DBEDT, Salaveria was the state’s deputy director of finance from 2011 to 2014, helping manage the state’s multi-year financial plan that achieved a $1 billion turnaround in three years.

In the private sector, Salaveria served as senior director of government affairs for SanHi Government Strategies, LLP (2018–22), representing clients including Fortune 500 companies, non-profits and trade associations. The work included successfully drafting and passing legislation and providing consulting in government operations.

University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel and Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza hosted public forums at Leeward CC and on October 10, to open a campus-wide conversation about a potential unified vision and closer integration between the two institutions. (Videos of both forums are available below.)

The sessions, which were also livestreamed, followed Hensel’s September 18 announcement that Peñaloza will serve as interim chancellor of UH West Oʻahu effective January 1, while continuing to lead Leeward CC. In her remarks, Hensel emphasized that the dual leadership role represents the beginning of a conversation and “there are no predetermined outcomes.”

“All of you will have the opportunity to engage directly and we’ll hear from you about what excites you about the future, what opportunities are out there and that these conversations will go forward together,” Hensel said.
Peñaloza affirmed his dedication to serving, and uniting, the two campuses in support of students.

“I am committed to both campuses and I am committed to exploring possibilities to enhance our student experience,” Peñaloza said. “As I’ve been committed to Leeward for a little over six years, I am committed to making UH West Oʻahu part of my ʻohana as well and make sure they get the necessary resources for us to explore what could be the future for both of us.”

More than 50 people attended the Leeward CC forum in person and more than 100 tuned in online. At UH West Oʻahu, more than 70 people attended in person and approximately 150 watched online. In total, approximately 30 questions were answered in both forums, following presentations by Hensel and Peñaloza.

Questions were asked about a variety of topics, including student support services, academic alignment, and how shared initiatives could enhance educational access for west Oʻahu students. Hensel and Peñaloza reaffirmed that no structural changes have been made and that the purpose of the discussion is to listen, gather input and envision possibilities together.

UH West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham, who will step down at the end of the year, opened the forum at UH West Oʻahu and introduced Hensel and Peñaloza.

Recordings of both forums will be added to this story when they’re available for those who could not attend.

Leeward CC forum

UH West Oʻahu forum

University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel, subject to approval by the Board of Regents, has appointed Carlos Peñaloza, current chancellor of , to simultaneously serve as interim chancellor of , effective January 1, 2026. This unique dual appointment will launch a groundbreaking strategic exploration of the potential for a unified vision for and integration of the two West Oʻahu campuses.

Peñaloza will succeed Chancellor Maenette K. P. Ah Nee-Benham, who announced in August that she will step down at the end of the year. During this interim period, Peñaloza will continue to lead Leeward CC, ensuring stability and continuity for both institutions. Discussions with stakeholders at both campuses will be scheduled in the coming months.

“This is a critical moment to rethink how we deliver higher education to the region,” said Hensel. “With engagement from students, faculty and staff and guided by Chancellor Peñaloza, this effort will assess whether joint leadership can create a more seamless, effective and innovative experience for our students and meet the unique needs of this growing population center. Carlos is a proven leader who has earned the trust of the Leeward community. His vision and innovative thinking make him the ideal person to guide this crucial exploration.”

Prioritizing innovation, student success

Peñaloza’s initial charge will be to work closely with the faculty and staff of both UH West Oʻahu and Leeward CC—including , a full-service education center—to consider the potential for operating as a more integrated regional campus. This exploration will prioritize innovation, efficiency and student success, with key areas including:

• Optimizing curriculum and course pathways to ensure seamless credit transfer for students moving between Leeward CC and UH West Oʻahu.
• Exploring academic innovation and new pathways, such as three-year degree programs, to accelerate graduation and meet critical workforce needs.
• Strengthening the use of unique facilities, such as the , Waiʻanae Moku and the for greater access for students across both campuses.
• Strengthening community impact through programs and partnerships that directly reflect the needs of West and Central Oʻahu.

“Leeward and West Oʻahu already share many students, valuable faculty collaborations and strong community ties,” said Peñaloza, who has served as Leeward CC chancellor since 2019.

“I am honored by this interim appointment and look forward to exploring how one unified vision can reduce barriers, open new opportunities and strengthen our collective impact on the region by advancing access and student achievement.”

Emphasizing student empowerment, achievement

A graduate of Queensborough Community College in New York, who was born in Valencia, Venezuela, Peñaloza subsequently earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in biology from the City University of New York. He previously served as provost and chief academic officer at Saint Luke’s College of Health and Sciences in Kansas City, Missouri, and has more than a decade of biomedical research experience.

During his tenure at Leeward CC, the campus has made investments to reduce deferred maintenance, opened the Wahiawā Value Added Product Development Center and the Hōʻikeākea Gallery, and expanded the Waiʻanae Moku education center. Leeward CC has also become the food and product innovation hub for the community colleges. Peñaloza has served as commissioner for the American Association for Community Colleges and currently serves on the board of directors.

Peñaloza has long emphasized equity and student empowerment, and his leadership at Leeward CC has focused on reducing achievement gaps for Native Hawaiian students, supporting innovation among faculty and staff and strengthening community partnerships. Leeward CC has been recognized nationally for its Kawaimanomano (The Many Waters) professional development program. In 2024, Leeward CC awarded $1.4 million to 859 �鶹��ý Promise Scholarship recipients, something Peñaloza hopes to continue to leverage to make the pathway to a four-year degree more affordable.

“This is an opportunity to build on our shared history—UH West Oʻahu was colocated on Leeward CC for decades—and amplify our strategic strengths,” Peñaloza said. “Both colleges have been trailblazers in online learning and early college programs, and together, we can become a model for 21st-century education.”

The UH administration will report to the UH Board of Regents with findings and recommendations arising out of the strategic collaboration for further consideration.

�鶹��ý Community College is welcoming two new academic leaders who bring deep commitment, experience and vision to the college: longtime faculty member Carrie Mospens as dean of career and technical education (CTE), and Hilo native Jace Saplan as dean of liberal arts and sciences.

Carrie Mospens

After nearly two decades at �鶹��ý CC, Mospens steps into her new role as dean of CTE, where she will oversee programs that prepare students for careers vital to �鶹��ý Island’s economy. She joined the college in 2010 and has served as an instructor, associate professor, English department chair and interim dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

“Throughout my years at �鶹��ý CC, I’ve seen firsthand the resilience, determination and transformation of our students,” said Mospens. “Stepping into this role allows me to continue supporting them in new ways, helping ensure they have the tools and pathways to succeed in careers that benefit both themselves and our community.”

Her leadership emphasizes place-based, hands-on learning that responds to industry needs. “My vision is to forge accessible and responsive programming that empowers our students to fulfill their aspirations through pathways rooted in partnerships and innovation,” she explained.

Chancellor Susan Kazama said, “Carrie’s long service at �鶹��ý CC reflects her unwavering commitment to student success and community engagement. As dean of Career and Technical Education, she will help strengthen pathways that connect our students to meaningful careers.”

Jace Saplan

Liberal arts and sciences is �鶹��ý CC’s largest academic unit. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools �鶹��ý Campus, Saplan brings national experience to the dean’s post, having served as senior director of Identity and Belonging at Whitman College and in faculty and leadership roles at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� and other institutions.

“I was drawn to this role because it brings together knowledge, culture and opportunity,” Saplan said. “The liberal arts and sciences help students to ideate their kuleana (responsibility) to ʻāina (land), self and the community at large. In my role, I look forward to collaborating with our faculty to ensure that our students thrive.”

Kazama said, “Jace brings a strong vision for academic excellence, and a deep respect for our kauhale (village) and the cultural values that ground our college. We look forward to the positive impact his leadership will have on our students, faculty and community.”

Charles “Chip” Fletcher has been named the next dean of the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� (SOEST), with his appointment set to take effect on July 7 following notice at the next Board of Regents meeting. UH ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno made the selection following a comprehensive search.

“We had several outstanding candidates for this position, but Chip truly distinguished himself,” said Bruno. “He brings exceptional scientific expertise, a deep understanding of SOEST and a longstanding commitment to both the university and the people of �鶹��ý. Chip is widely respected by state leaders and community members alike, and as we navigate the uncertainties ahead, his steady leadership will be critical for one of the premier research units at UH ����ԴDz�.”

Fletcher has served as interim dean of SOEST since 2022 and was previously the associate dean for academic affairs. A climate scientist, geologist and educator, Fletcher has held a position as a faculty member in the SOEST since 1991. He leads a research team dedicated to modeling climate impacts, sea level rise and resilience strategies for �鶹��ý and Pacific Island communities. He has also served as a Special Advisor on Climate Change and Resilience to �鶹��ý Gov. Josh Green.

A big picture thinker, Fletcher has published more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers, contributing critical knowledge to the fields of climate change, marine geology and environmental sustainability. Throughout his career, he has been an advocate for climate action and environmental stewardship, ensuring that scientific research informs real-world solutions for �鶹��ý, the Pacific and beyond.

“I’m both humbled and excited to serve as dean of SOEST—a thriving ʻohana of brilliant, caring minds dedicated to research, education and service that centers the people and environments of �鶹��ý, the Pacific and our shared planet,” said Fletcher.

During his public presentation as a finalist for the position, Fletcher shared a vision for SOEST, including maintaining excellence in research and education, supporting both scientific progress and community well-being, commitment to advancing UH ����ԴDz� and SOEST as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, and ensuring the resilience of island communities in �鶹��ý and throughout the Pacific. His leadership journey at UH ����ԴDz�, combined with his established relationships within the community, legislators and the school, makes him an ideal candidate.

“My vision for SOEST is grounded in pilina—the deep relationships we build with each other, with our island home, and with communities across �鶹��ý and the Pacific,” said Fletcher. “These connections are the foundation of meaningful science, impactful education and lasting resilience. As we move forward, I’m committed to honoring these relationships and strengthening SOEST as a place of excellence, inclusion and aloha.”

SOEST has brought in more than $987 million in extramural funds and private revenue in the past decade and is home to four academic departments, two additional degree granting programs, eight organized research units, and numerous specialized facilities and laboratories. SOEST scientists are global experts in ocean, earth, environmental, and planetary sciences, as well as marine biology, renewable energy and ocean engineering. Researchers and students are advancing the frontiers of knowledge and innovating solutions to living on planet Earth in ways that conserve natural ecosystems; promote just, healthy communities; and foster a high-tech economy in which future generations can thrive.

Steven Merrill, the University of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s first-ever director of emergency management for the 10-campus system, brings decades of crisis management experience to his new role. Merrill joined UH in January 2025, following a distinguished 33-year career with the FBI, where he most recently served as the Special Agent in Charge for �鶹��ý, Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa.

Since arriving at UH, Merrill has been focused on assessing existing emergency protocols and developing comprehensive continuity plans. He aims to establish a unified approach to emergency preparedness while tailoring strategies to the specific needs of each campus.

“It’s not a matter of if we’re going to have an emergency, it’s a matter of when,” said Merrill. “I want to ensure that the university system is as prepared as possible, so we can get through crises safely, with minimal disruption to our operations.”

One of his top priorities is creating a culture of preparedness, emphasizing regular training and engagement with faculty, staff and students.

“It’s not enough to have an emergency response plan sitting on a website or someone’s desk,” Merrill added. “My job is to sell the plan to all stakeholders, explain why it is important, and empower people to be prepared—not just for themselves, but for their co-workers and students.”

A career on the frontlines

Merrill’s career has placed him at the heart of some of the world’s most challenging crises. He was the first U.S. responder to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and managed the investigative response to the Merrimack Valley gas explosions in Massachusetts in 2018.

“I’ve always been drawn to situations that push me outside my comfort zone,” Merrill said. “Each response taught me valuable lessons I carry with me today.”

His broad experience also includes working extensively in the Philippines for the FBI at the US Embassy in Manila, where he studied the Tagalog language to better connect with local partners. He also led a high-profile corruption investigation involving a California mayor in the Bay Area and mentored new agents during the 2011 college admission scandal known as Varsity Blues, reinforcing his commitment to teamwork and accountability.

Looking ahead, Merrill believes that UH’s greatest strength in times of crisis lies in its core cultural values.

“What’s going to carry us through the crises is the spirit of aloha and ʻohana. I have real confidence in this university’s ability to make it through, because we have that spirit. I know that when times get tough, everyone will step up and do their part to help one another.”

—By McKenzie Kurosu

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� has selected Mo Zell as the next dean of the . She is set to officially assume the role on April 16, 2025, pending the posting on the March 20, Board of Regents meeting and final approval by UH President Wendy F. Hensel.

Zell brings more than 22 years of academic experience across four institutions, with the last 12 years spent in multiple leadership roles at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning. She has been recognized for her work in fostering community partnerships and driving innovative educational programs.

“We are thrilled for the future of the School of Architecture under Professor Zell’s leadership,” said UH ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno. “Her expertise, vision and innovative approach will enhance the school’s impact on students, faculty and the broader community. With extensive administrative experience, a commitment to student-engaged research, and a passion for fundraising, she stood out as the top candidate to lead the school forward.”

Zell expressed her enthusiasm for joining UH ����ԴDz�. “I am thrilled and honored to join the University of �鶹��ý as the dean of The School of Architecture. SOA has a rich history of innovation and an incredible faculty and student body,” she said. “I look forward to working together to expand opportunities for students, strengthen professional and industry partnerships, and magnify ways design can address pressing challenges, from housing to climate resilience.”

Throughout her career, Zell has championed programs that connect architecture education with real-world applications. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she launched initiatives such as the High School Design Build Summer Camp, which introduces students from underrepresented backgrounds to architecture, and the Design + Construction Initiative, which partners with organizations like Habitat for Humanity to enhance affordable housing solutions. While serving as associate dean, she launched the award winning externship program which connected students to week-long professional job-shadowing opportunities across the country. Zell recently served as president of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) from 2023 to 2024, where she emphasized creating inclusive pathways in architecture and expanding the impact of faculty research.

Zell’s current research was funded as part of a $3.4M Department of Energy Net-Zero Energy Homes grant, awarded to the City of Milwaukee. The grant provides incentives for a manufacturer to move to Milwaukee to fabricate wall systems for net zero housing, funding for the school to test a series of pre-manufactured wall systems, including energy performance, carbon impact, and cost, and gap financing for the construction of 25 net zero housing units. With this funding opportunity, Zell has strengthened the partnerships with industry and the profession and expanded research for students.

Zell earned her master’s in architecture from Yale University and her bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Virginia.

Bruno also extended gratitude to Interim Dean William Chapman for his leadership and service. “His dedication and contributions have been instrumental in guiding the School of Architecture, and the university looks forward to celebrating his impact as he transitions from the role and returns to the faculty,” he said.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa Office of the Provost has formally initiated the search for the next dean of the (SOEST). The search advisory committee reporting to Provost Michael Bruno has been established to start the search process.

SOEST is widely recognized as a world-class research and academic institution. It is ranked in the top 1% globally for atmospheric science, earth science and oceanography. The mission of SOEST is to serve society through uplifting and expanding new knowledge about our oceans, Earth, atmosphere and planets, and enhancing the quality of life in �鶹��ý, the nation and across the globe, by providing world-class research and education, contributing to a high-tech economy, and promoting the sustainable and resilient use of the environment.

Denise Konan, dean of the College of Social Sciences, will chair the search advisory committee, whose members are as follows:

• Rosie Alegado, associate professor, Department of Oceanography and UH Sea Grant, Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, SOEST
• Alex Culley, associate researcher, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, SOEST
• Jenny Engels, ADVANCE grant co-principal investigator, community member
• Jennifer Griswold, associate professor and chair, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, SOEST
• Amir Haroon, assistant professor, �鶹��ý Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, SOEST
• Anita Lopez, director of Research Vessel Operations, RCUH member
• Teresa Medeiros, fiscal manager, UH staff
• Gregory Moore, emeritus professor, Department of Earth Sciences, SOEST
• Yuta Norden, graduate student
• Robert Toonen, professor and Gates Endowed chair, �鶹��ý Institute of Marine Biology, SOEST

The committee will recommend finalists to Provost Bruno, who will then recommend a selectee to the UH president.

The search process has started and will lead into the spring 2025 semester with finalists invited to campus in spring and anticipated start date for the new dean in fall 2025.

The �鶹��ý State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) on September 24, honored University of �鶹��ý President David Lassner and UH Maui College’s Nicolette van Der Lee as part of the second annual Workforce Development Hero Awards.

Lassner was honored with the lifetime achievement award and van Der Lee was tapped for her work with the UH Community Colleges to provide free training in collaboration with �鶹��ý employers and community organizations.

The Workforce Development Hero Awards honor key contributors to workforce excellence across the islands. September is Workforce Development Month.

The DLIR pointed to Lassner’s 46 years of service at UH and that under his leadership, the UH System has become a driving force in meeting �鶹��ý’s workforce needs, setting records in research, graduation rates and inclusion of underrepresented populations.

“This recognition is an honor that so many of our UH team, like Nicolette, deserves,” Lassner said. “We have made it clear that we aim to meet the workforce needs of the industries in �鶹��ý and to prepare our students for jobs that are still coming as part of our mission to educate.”

Van Der Lee, who also served as a program manager for the UH Community Colleges, was recognized for her efforts in leading important workforce development programs such as the Hana Career Pathways and , which offers free skills training in high-demand industry sectors. This program has served thousands of �鶹��ý residents and brought in millions of dollars of federal grants to promote job training classes at the UH Community Colleges.

2024 Workforce Development Hero Award Winners

• Oʻahu: Lord Ryan Lizardo, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and Ariel Villanueva, ʻEwa Makai Middle School
• Maui: Nicolette van Der Lee, University of �鶹��ý, Maui Campus
• Kauaʻi: Kaina Makua, Kumanu I Ke Ala
• �鶹��ý Island: Kevin Aki, County of �鶹��ý
• Legislator of the Year: Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz
• Lifetime Achievement Award: David Lassner, President, University of �鶹��ý

The honorees will be recognized at the Future of Work 2025 Conference on September 30, 2024.

“It’s the most amazing feeling to be here back home,” said Susan Kazama, who was named the chancellor of �鶹��ý Community College in July 2024. Born and raised in Hilo, Kazama first returned home after almost 40 years away to serve as interim �鶹��ý CC chancellor a year earlier.

�鶹��ý CC launched the fall semester with a faculty and staff meeting in August, where Kazama was served ʻawa and participated in a hula.

• Related UH News story: Susan Kazama returns home to lead �鶹��ý CC, July 23, 2024

Integrating Native Hawaiian values

“We want to make sure that we integrate Native Hawaiian values as part of the curriculum, part of the values and part of the culture of the college,” Kazama said, noting that more than half the the students there are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. “It is really important that we make sure we help our keiki and our Native Hawaiian students thrive on this island and in the institution.”

She has already embraced the host culture in multiple ways, joining the campus halau and journeying for a cultural exchange through the �鶹��ý Pāmaomao program over the summer.

“It’s not just hula to me,” she said “It was about learning the culture and the values because one of the things that they teach us at the is more about some of the integrity and the respect that you learn from the hula messages that come out from the dance. It is how to respect the land, how to respect the ʻāina, how to respect the people, how you ask rather than take.”

Thriving on island

Hula is one of �鶹��ý CC‘s unique certificate programs, another is agroforestry. Developing and growing programs focused on building the skilled workforce across industries is another important goal.

“That means getting students into internships and apprenticeships on this island—78% of the students that come to �鶹��ý CC stay on this island. So what that means to me is that we need to build the workforce in our community,” Kazama said. “We need to make sure that they are going to live here, stay here and get a living wage job because they need to be able to thrive on this island.”

This can be challenging for the large geographic area served by the Manono campus in Hilo, the Kō Education Center in North �鶹��ý and the Pālamanui campus in West �鶹��ý. Kazama said �鶹��ý CC might be experimenting with shorter eight-week courses this semester to try to shorten the time for some certifications.

Promoting sustainability

A third goal is promoting sustainability for the land and the culture, and showing students how to grow and thrive on �鶹��ý Island. She points to the college’s three-acre farm Mauliola through which agriculture students are providing fresh produce to the �鶹��ý Food Basket, with geographic and programmatic expansion of the agriculture programs on the horizon.

“I grew up as a farmer’s daughter,” Kazama said. “My parents both come from farm people—my mom from a 100-acre farm in ʻĀhualoa and my dad is from Pepeʻekeo, but has a degree in agriculture and has always grown his own produce.”

She said exciting geographic and programmatic expansion is on the horizon for the campus.

‘Stronger together’

The key to �鶹��ý CC’s success is its people, according to Kazama, who returned to �鶹��ý Island after serving at four other University of �鶹��ý campuses.

At �鶹��ý CC, everyone is welcomed with aloha, she said, and everyone strives to go a little bit further. For example, if a visitor asks where the cafeteria is, someone will walk them there instead of just pointing them in the right direction. According to Kazama, everyone working together in that spirit is ultimately what will make the campus successful.

“We are stronger together,” Kazama said. “We all need to help each other, and be that community spirit that we are all proud of for �鶹��ý CC.”

Colorful game pieces were strategically removed, and laughter filled the air as students competed in the “Penny Game” at a Math Boot Camp in August. Newly permanent Chancellor Margaret Sanchez was in her element.

“Math boot camp is one of my favorite things because I used to run math boot camps, and I think they’re super important to give students that time, that space to realize that they can do math,” Sanchez said.

She assumed the permanent chancellor position in July after serving in an interim capacity for 18 months. Prior to that Sanchez served as vice chancellor for student affairs at Kauaʻi CC for five years.

• Related UH News story: New Kauaʻi CC interim chancellor excited to start the year strong, January 20, 2023

“I think we’re in a real pivotal spot right now that requires us to be very intentional about how we support students, so that we keep them here, we nurture them here,” Sanchez said. “My vision for Kauaʻi CC is that the island residents have what they need from our college to thrive and stay on the island.”

Her plans include launching a scholarship program, similar to Windward CC’s Hoʻolei Scholarship, which covers the first year of tuition for public and charter school graduates from that area.

“We are looking at what wraparound scaffolded supports are needed so that students can thrive—can get an education that allows them to earn enough money to have a house and a family on this island,” she said. “That’s really the vision, and I see the college as being the vehicle to move island residents to that goal.”

Four priorities

• To get there means focusing on four priorities:
• securing a path forward for student, faculty and staff housing;
• developing programs for the 150-acre Līhuʻe campus that serve the students and honor the history of Kauaʻi;
• ensuring connection with industry and developing students so that they become part of the solution to the islands’ problems;
• making sure the faculty, students and staff have the supports they need in an expensive county and state.

“I think success would be having the college recognized by our island residents as the place to go for what they need for skill building and for education,” Sanchez said. “Sometimes we call ourselves the best kept secret, and I don’t want it to be a secret anymore.”

After 35 years working in higher education in �鶹��ý—across five campuses statewide—Susan Kazama is calling �鶹��ý Island home, again. Kazama, born and raised in Hilo and a member of the first graduating class of Waiākea High School, returned in July 2023 to serve as interim chancellor.

On July 19, 2024, she took the helm officially. Among Kazama’s top priorities for the college are workforce development, student success, Indigenous values, sustainability and campus safety.

“The year I spent as interim chancellor gave me an invaluable opportunity to listen, learn and look for solutions,” said Kazama. “I was able to really view the campus through the lens of the students we serve by immersing myself as a student.”

Incorporating Native Hawaiian values

As interim chancellor, Kazama immediately joined classes with �鶹��ý CC’s I Ola Hāloa Center for �鶹��ý Lifestyles, which allowed her to learn protocol, leadership strategies, history and ʻōlelo (language). Noʻel Tagab-Cruz, coordinator for I Ola Hāloa Center for �鶹��ý Life Styles, said Kazama was unafraid to jump in, but was cautious and aware of where to step.

“She has participated in numerous kīpaepae (a ceremony for the introduction and transition into new spaces). Susan continues to be supportive of our Haʻakūmalae Protocols program, which makes �鶹��ý CC a leader in the UH systemʻs strategic initiative to transform into an Indigenous-serving institution,” Tagab-Cruz said.

Kazama said she would like more of the campus to understand how to incorporate Native Hawaiian values into the curriculum.

“I want us to be the premier Native Hawaiian-serving institution of choice for the island—a place where all of our students feel welcomed, valued and supported,” she said. “Seventy-eight percent of our �鶹��ý CC students from the Big Island stay on island to live and work. We need to find ways to create opportunities for them to earn a living wage to afford the high costs here.”

Expanding opportunities

�鶹��ý CC is a unique part of the UH System, Kazama said. “We have three sites across the island, as well as online classes, which makes learning much more accessible to our students. Not only that, but we have several educational opportunities like a hula certificate, agroforestry and our apprenticeship and non-credit programs found nowhere else.”

She aims to expand apprenticeship and internship opportunities for students through community organizations. Kazama would like to include more Early College and dual enrollment pathways for career technical education where high school students can earn a college credential before they graduate from high school, giving them a step up into employment.

�鶹��ý CC’s agricultural program’s partnership with The Food Basket (�鶹��ý Island’s Food Bank) creates an “amazing” opportunity to build sustainability for the college and the community, according to Kazama.

She said,“It’s important that we teach our young people how to feed themselves and their families. Our new 15 acres of additional land is going to be really big for this cause.”

Library studies

Kazama earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology as well as a master’s in library studies from UH ����ԴDz�. She started with UH in 1987 as a librarian at UH Maui College then at Honolulu CC. She spent 12 years at UH ����ԴDz�’s Hamilton Library before accepting the library director position at Kapiʻolani CC in 2001. She served as interim vice chancellor for academic affairs at Kapiʻolani CC and Honolulu CC until 2021, when she became a program coordinator for continuing education at Kapiʻolani CC.

She said her background as a librarian lends itself to leading a college campus, and decades of work on Maui, Oʻahu and now �鶹��ý Island have given her a large network of relationships and resources to draw on.

“Librarians are organized, detail-oriented, budget-conscious and collaborative,” Kazama said. “We like beauty and order, but above all, we are solution driven, and we usually know where to look for answers.”

—By Katie Young Yamanaka

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM) welcomed Sam Shomaker as its sixth dean on July 1. Shomaker is a 1986 JABSOM graduate and former vice dean from 2000 to 2005 and interim dean from 2005 to 2006. He returns to the UH medical school after leading the Austin campus for the University of Texas Medical Branch and the Texas A&M Health Science Center.

Related: Thomas Samuel Shomaker named JABSOM dean, May 16, 2024

“This is a special place,” Shomaker said. “It trains the healthcare workforce for this state and the whole Pacific region, so it’s a crucial piece of the healthcare system of the state, and it’s very gratifying and a great honor for me to have been asked to come back and assume the deanship.”

Traditional Hawaiian greeting

Shomaker met the JABSOM community during a coffee hour at Cafe Waiola. The event began with members of JABSOM‘s welcoming Shomaker with two traditional oli.

“This oli speaks to this place we’re at in Kaʻākaukukui,” explained Keawe Kaholokula, chair of the Department of Native Hawaiian Health. “For Hawaiians, the place has a history, and that history connects us to this place. It’s a way for us to bring to life that history in the present.”

The second oli, composed by Kaholokula specifically for Shomaker, acknowledged his journey back to JABSOM. Kaholokula recalled being a junior faculty member during Shomaker’s previous tenure and emphasized that his return builds on the solid foundation already established at JABSOM, continuing its mission of excellence.

Connecting with new and former colleagues

Dozens from JABSOM and the community greeted Shomaker, including Violet Horvath, director of the , and second-year medical student Ryan Shontell.

“Despite all the pomp and circumstance and how many people he met before that, he was attentive and listening, so it looks like he is ready to take it all on. We’re looking forward to working with him too actively,” Horvath said.

“The showing of force from UH faculty, both on the medical education side and all the research faculty, was super interesting,” Shontell said. “I wasn’t expecting the oli Dr. Kaholokula did initially to introduce him; that was pretty special.”

In the coming weeks, Shomaker will outline his goals for JABSOM to become the leading medical school in the Asia-Pacific region and the leading Indigenous-serving medical school in the world.

“The welcome I’ve received has been fantastic,” Shomaker said. “I’ve reconnected with so many old colleagues and friends, and I’m really looking forward to the work and the challenge, and I know I’ll have great help from the talented faculty, staff and students here at JABSOM.”

Shomaker succeeds Dean Jerris Hedges, who retired in 2023. Lee Buenconsejo-Lum served as interim dean and will continue to have a prominent role as associate dean for academic affairs.

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The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� has launched the search for a director to lead the newly established , a major initiative to improve healthcare and health outcomes in �鶹��ý, inspired by UH‘s pivotal role in the stateʻs response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The goal of the institute is to leverage the university’s extensive expertise and resources in health sciences and medicine to expand the healthcare workforce, reduce health disparities, address climate change impacts on health and respond to emerging health threats.

“We are seeking a dynamic leader to guide the new institute,” said UH ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno. “This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of our communities in �鶹��ý and the broader Pacific region. The director will play a critical role in shaping the future of healthcare through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to addressing health disparities.”

The director will be responsible for coordinating efforts across the UH units that include programs related to health sciences and medicine:

Related: Collaboration across health sciences goal of UH ����ԴDz� initiative

• College of Natural Sciences
• College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
• College of Education
• College of Engineering
• College of Social Sciences
• Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy
• John A. Burns School of Medicine
• School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
• School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology
• Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
• UH Cancer Center

UH ����ԴDz� offers more than 50 health sciences-related degrees and certificates across nine colleges and schools, as well as the state’s largest social work, nursing and public health programs. In fiscal year 2022 alone, UH ����ԴDz� secured more than $130 million in external grants and contracts related to health sciences.

Alex Ortega, dean of the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, is chairing the search advisory committee, whose members consist of steering committee members who led the development of the Health Sciences Institute. The committee will recommend finalists to Bruno, who will determine the best candidate for the position.

For the job announcement and position description, visit the . Review of applications will begin in late July and will continue until the position is filled.

Dr. Thomas Samuel “Sam” Shomaker will be the next dean of the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� (JABSOM) after his nomination was approved today (May 16) by the UH Board of Regents (BOR). Shomaker is scheduled to begin on July 1 and was nominated by UH ����ԴDz� Provost Michael Bruno after a comprehensive nationwide search.

Related �鶹��ýNews story: Former leader recommended as �鶹��ýmedical school dean

“Dr. Shomaker has extensive leadership experience and served in senior leadership positions within higher education and medical schools, including his time at JABSOM,” said Bruno. “He has an understanding of the needs of JABSOM, our community and health partners, �鶹��ý and beyond.”

Shomaker is a 1986 JABSOM graduate and previously served as vice dean of the medical school from 2000-2005 and interim dean from 2005 to 2006. He returns to JABSOM after serving as dean of the Austin campus for the University of Texas Medical Branch and the dean and vice president at Texas A&M Health Science Center.

“Mahalo to the search advisory committee and Provost Bruno for affording me this opportunity,” said Shomaker. “It is the highest professional honor of my career to be named the dean of my alma mater. My senior quote upon graduation was, ‘thank you for the opportunity to serve the people of the state of �鶹��ý.’ Now I get to realize that dream.”

At the public presentation Shomaker delivered at JABSOM as one of the finalists for the position, he outlined his goals for JABSOM: become the leading medical school in the Asia-Pacific region and the leading Indigenous-serving medical school in the world and leverage JABSOM’s unique location to develop research, business and health care connections with Asia and the Continental U.S.

“I am excited by the great potential of JABSOM, both in training the next generation of physicians for �鶹��ý and in contributing to the diversification of our economy through our research program,” said Shomaker. “I look forward to working with the faculty, staff and students of our school and our important clinical partners to make JABSOM all it can be for our state and its people.”

Shomaker has 20 years of experience in health care, an MD degree, a law degree, and a master’s degree in management to improve health care. His educational journey includes earning his MD from UH ����ԴDz�, a JD from Georgetown University School of Law, a master’s degree in management from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University.