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Doris Ching

At a meeting on November 19 at Windward Community College, the Board of Regents approved the appointment of Doris Ching as interim chancellor of UH West Oʻahu. Her appointment begins on January 1, 2016.

As UH West Oʻahu interim chancellor, Ching will oversee all aspects of the university including academic affairs, administration and student affairs.

UH West Oʻahu is a very special campus with an educational mission so vital to its surrounding community and the entire state,” said Ching. “I am honored to work with faculty, staff, and students who care about the growth of the campus. Though, in many ways, I could never fill the shoes of Dr. Rockne Freitas, I intend to continue his unwavering commitment and traditions he established to provide high quality education that will make the UH System, the community and our students thrive, succeed and be proud to be associated with this university that cares deeply about all students and their families.”

“When I recently spent a day at UH West Oʻahu I asked students, faculty, administrators and community supporters if they had recommendations for an interim chancellor,” said UH System President David Lassner. “Each and every group I talked with enthusiastically supported Dr. Doris Ching for the position. I have known and worked with Doris for decades and I am exceedingly grateful that she is willing to take on one more important role to serve UH.”

“Dr. Doris Ching has been an incredible asset to the students, faculty and staff at UH West Oʻahu and in her previous positions working at UH,” said UH West Oʻahu Chancellor Rockne Freitas. “She comes to the chancellor position with a wealth of experience in higher education in both student affairs and academic affairs. Her dedication to creating a student-centered environment at the university is unmatched, and she continues to bring together all students, faculty and staff in support of this worthy goal.”

More about Ching

Ching is an emeritus vice president for student affairs for the University of Hawaiʻi System. She began her career as an assistant and associate professor of education at UH Mānoa. She served in various executive roles at UH, including the associate dean of education, assistant to the president of the UH System and the vice president for student affairs for UH Mānoa and the UH System.

She is currently UH West Oʻahu interim vice chancellor for academic affairs and served on UH West Oʻahu’s Strategic Planning Committee, helping facilitate and coordinate the university’s updated strategic plan, Na Kākou E Hoʻomālama.

Search for a permanent chancellor

The board recently authorized President Lassner to begin the search for UH West Oʻahu’s permanent chancellor. President Lassner will name a search advisory committee that will include stakeholders from the UH West Oʻahu community. The position will be prominently advertised nationwide with the intent of recruiting the very best candidates. The committee will conduct the initial screening and interview process and submit a list of finalists to the president.

There will then be a series of campus interviews and open and public forums for the finalists. After the president receives input from the stakeholders and conducts his own review of candidates, he will present his recommendation to the Board of Regents for final approval. The search is expected to take six to nine months.

November 20, 2015—Editor’s note: This article was updated after Doris Ching’s appointment was approved at the November 19 UH Board of Regents meeting.

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