Bitter named UH Hilo Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Michael Bitter

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Kris Roney announces the selection of Dr. Michael Bitter as the permanent Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences following the UH Board of Regents meeting held January 19, 2023. Bitter begins his official duties January 20, 2023. He previously served as Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bitter came to UH Hilo as an Assistant Professor in 1999, and taught in the Department of History as an Assistant, Associate, and full Professor for over 17 years. During that time, he served as Chair of the Department for seven years, UHPA faculty union representative for Social Sciences, CAS Faculty Senate Chair, and UH Hilo Faculty Congress General Education Committee Chair.

More recently, he served as Social Sciences Division Chair, then Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since 2017. As Interim Dean, he has encouraged a variety of initiatives designed to improve the UH Hilo student experience by supporting student, faculty, and staff success. He is actively engaged in promoting the expansion of the programs making up the College and collaborating with the Center for Global Education and Exchange to increase exchange opportunities for UH Hilo students to study at partner universities, both nationally and internationally.

Bitter received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in European History with a focus on Russia and Eastern Europe.

“Dean Bitter’s commitment to the people and mission of UH Hilo are evident in the work he has done over the years in both his faculty and administrative roles,” Roney noted. “His continued leadership of the College and encouragement of their vision for the future will serve our students and community well.

“I am grateful to him for his long and continuing service to UH Hilo, and extend my thanks to the committee for their deep engagement in making this selection,” she added.