{"id":222250,"date":"2025-09-18T09:00:28","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T19:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=222250"},"modified":"2025-10-06T14:12:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T00:12:05","slug":"penaloza-interim-uh-west-oahu-chancellor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/09\/18\/penaloza-interim-uh-west-oahu-chancellor\/","title":{"rendered":"Pe\u00f1aloza to serve as interim chancellor of UH<\/abbr> West O\u02bbahu, lead collaboration with Leeward CC<\/abbr>"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Carlos
Carlos Pe\u00f1aloza<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> President Wendy Hensel, subject to approval by the Board of Regents<\/a>, has appointed Carlos Pe\u00f1aloza, current chancellor of Leeward Community College<\/a>, to simultaneously serve as interim chancellor of UH<\/abbr> West Oʻahu<\/span><\/a>, 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<\/span> campuses.<\/p>\n

\"u
UH<\/abbr> West Oʻahu<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/span><\/div>\n
\"\"
Leeward Community College<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n

Pe\u00f1aloza will succeed Chancellor Maenette K. P. Ah Nee-Benham, who announced in August<\/a> that she will step down at the end of the year. During this interim period, Pe\u00f1aloza will continue to lead Leeward CC<\/abbr>, ensuring stability and continuity for both institutions. Discussions with stakeholders at both campuses will be scheduled in the coming months.<\/p>\n

“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 Pe\u00f1aloza, 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.”<\/p>\n

Prioritizing innovation, student success<\/h2>\n

Pe\u00f1aloza’s initial charge will be to work closely with the faculty and staff of both UH<\/abbr> West Oʻahu<\/span> and Leeward CC<\/abbr>—including Waiʻanae<\/span> Moku<\/a>, 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:<\/p>\n