New University of Â鶹´«Ã½ President Wendy Hensel will visit each of the 10 UH campuses and six of the university system’s nine education centers during her first 90 days in office. Hensel began her role as the 16th president of the state’s public higher education system on January 1, 2025.

The schedule is below and specific details will be announced by individual campuses. Each visit will feature an open campus forum—welcoming participation from all campus community members—along with meetings with student, faculty and staff governance groups, as well as the administration’s leadership team. In a January 6 message to the UH community, Hensel expressed her commitment to building meaningful connections through pilina, a Native Hawaiian concept that has been shared with her.

“It is fitting that pilina encompasses not only relationships, but also more broadly interdependence, interwovenness, and deep connections that span place, time and generations,” said Hensel. “Although recognizing that my pilina with Â鶹´«Ã½ and many of you is just beginning, it seems clear that it will be the foundation for the work we can and must do together for the thriving future Â鶹´«Ã½ deserves.”

President Hensel campus/education centers visit schedule

• Tuesday, January 14 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Wednesday, January 22 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Thursday, January 23 – UH Mānoa
• Monday, January 27 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Monday, February 3 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Wednesday, February 5 – Leeward CC —Read a recap of the visit.
• Monday, February 10 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Tuesday, February 11 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Tuesday, February 18 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Monday, February 24 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Tuesday February 25 – and —Read a recap of the visit.
• Monday, March 3 – and —Read a recap of the visit.
• Wednesday, March 5 – and —Read a recap of the visit.
• Monday, March 24 –
• Tuesday, April 8 –

Hensel has emphasized her commitment to attending as many campus events as her schedule allows while acclimating to her new role and navigating her first legislative session, which runs from January 15 to May 2. She is also meeting with county, state and local business leaders. Her top priority is visiting the campuses and education centers.

“Understanding first-hand how each campus uniquely contributes to the beautiful mosaic that makes up our UH community will be invaluable,” said Hensel. “With this knowledge, we can build a strong system that is capable of achieving excellence together that is otherwise unreachable alone. I promise to take your lead, listen with an open heart and mind, and learn about who you are, and share who I am as a human being to set the foundation for all the other work that lies ahead.”

For more information about President Hensel, visit the Meet President Hensel webpage. She is also active on social media and encourages the UH community to connect with her on , (formerly Twitter) and .

While the COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects throughout the world, resilience and innovation has created new opportunities for some people.

Kauaʻi resident Kalei Carvalho earned a master’s degree in education in learning and design and technology from University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa’s in spring 2021, without having to leave her island. She was selected to represent the as its student speaker at commencement ceremonies in May.

“I realized that I didn’t have to leave Kauaʻi to pursue my bachelor’s degree or my master’s degree,” . “I know many of you have taken your first online course within the last year. Like you, my journey exposed me to new and different skill sets throughout all my distance learning that helped tremendously for my master’s project.”

In 2021, 44 degrees across 23 distance education programs were awarded to Kauaʻi students. Students receive degrees or certificates awarded by the UH campus offering the program of study. These distance education programs allow students to “learn at home” as many students are not able to relocate to a neighbor island to pursue an education because of obligations including work, children and eldercare. Graduates often continue to reside and work on Kauaʻi upon graduation.

An increasing number of students on Kauaʻi have pursued UH distance learning degrees, from 147 in 2019 to 185 in 2021. The majority of students are enrolled at UH West Oʻahu (48%), followed by UH Mānoa (46%) and UH Hilo (6%).

“The University Center Kauaʻi is such a valuable resource to Kauaʻi residents because we provide students with comprehensive individualized local support to help them navigate their distance education journey,” said Rhonda Liu, an educational specialist with the University Center Kauaʻi. “I think it is important for people to know they don’t have to relocate to pursue a certificate, bachelor’s degree or higher as there are opportunities to earn their degrees online and hybrid through the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ campuses.”

UH distance learning opportunities

gives students access to education through audio, video and computer technologies without having to be physically present in the same location as an instructor. Students can earn a four-year or master’s degree from campuses system-wide with support from these University Centers.

• in Kona
• in Kahului
• in Līhuʻe

In addition, students may also receive support for a degree or certificate through campus-sponsored UH Education Centers.