{"id":236782,"date":"2026-07-01T08:00:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T18:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=236782"},"modified":"2026-07-01T10:37:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T20:37:04","slug":"a-new-chapter-defining-our-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/07\/01\/a-new-chapter-defining-our-future\/","title":{"rendered":"A new chapter: Defining our future"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"\"<\/p>\n

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa on July 1, 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dear UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa ʻohana<\/span>,<\/p>\n

\"Syrmos<\/a>
Vassilis L. Syrmos
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As I step into my new role as chancellor of UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa, I do so with the clear-eyed perspective of a 35-year journey that began as an assistant professor and has taken me to my current position. My time here has taught me that UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa is not merely an institution; it is the intellectual, economic, and cultural heart of our state. The uniqueness of our state, combined with our commitment to Indigenous knowledge systems and understanding of sense of place, offer us a distinct global competitive advantage to firmly establish UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa as the “North Star” for the rest of the world as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning.<\/p>\n

Today, we will launch efforts to solidify UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa\u2019s status not just as a broad R1 institution, but specifically as the premier global public flagship of the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>. We must remain a top-tier destination of choice for our students, who select us for our commitment to delivering a vibrant and comprehensive collegiate experience rooted in academic brilliance, world-class research, and most importantly \u2014 their individual success.<\/p>\n

To do so, we will need to focus on attracting premier talent and retaining exceptional individuals that are already a part of our ʻohana<\/span>, including students, faculty, and staff. We must also look at redesigning and reimagining our key programs, infrastructure, and core functions to ensure that we produce well-prepared graduates to power the knowledge-based workforce of the future.<\/p>\n

Related stories: Meet Vassilis L. Syrmos: A life shaped by innovation, mentors and a passion for UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa<\/a> and
\nLeading UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa forward: Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone at UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa plays a key role in this process. The plan for my first 100 days is to visit our schools, colleges, housing, campus operations, facilities, and services teams to ask questions, listen, and learn directly from those on the frontlines. Your expertise, your candid feedback, and your willingness to be a part of the solution will help to define a new pathway forward, as UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa begins to operate with more autonomy, operational agility, and our own identity.<\/p>\n

We will hold open and frank discussions to foster a deeper understanding of the decision-making that occurs on both sides. Through this process of learning from each other, I will use your diverse perspectives to help me forge our shared path forward. I invite you to join me in this transformation. Together, we can build a flagship that honors our unique sense of place, while defining the future of higher education and research in the Asia-Pacific region.<\/p>\n

With aloha and appreciation,
\nVassilis L. Syrmos
\nChancellor, University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa<\/p>\n

Stay connected with Chancellor Syrmos by visiting his website<\/a> and following him on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> and LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos shares his vision for the university,.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":236796,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1193],"tags":[1787,9],"class_list":["post-236782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-administrative","tag-manoachancellor","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t