The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is proceeding in the coming months with the recruitment of four executive-level positions: head of Enrollment Management, directors of the Institute for Astronomy (IfA) and Hawaiʻi Institute for Marine Biology (HIMB), and dean of the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene (SONDH).
The recruitment for these positions has been delayed due to the hiring freeze instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and anticipated budget shortfall. The freeze is a short-term budget-saving measure that allows for the president to approve exceptions for positions essential to health, safety and achievement of institutional goals.
“These four leadership positions are essential to the academic success of UH Mānoa,” said UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno, who requested the exceptions. “They are essential to three of UH Mānoa’s premiere research and academic units, all of which are identified with critical roles in advancing Hawaiʻi’s post-pandemic future. Furthermore, maintaining and accelerating momentum in student recruitment is necessary to build the educational capital of the state and for UH Mānoa to thrive. The need for stable and strong leadership in each of these areas cannot be overstated.”
Finalists selected for Institute for Astronomy director
Two finalists for the IfA director position have been named and are scheduled to participate in virtual meetings with stakeholders and give virtual public presentations as follows:
- Douglas Simons, visiting February 23–25, 2021
Executive Director
Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope
Public Presentation: Tuesday, February 23, 12:30–1:30 p.m.
ZOOM ID: 930 5086 0814
PASSWORD: 003806 - Kenneth Chambers, visiting March 1–3, 2021
Astronomer and Director, Pan STARRS Observatory
Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Public Presentation: Monday, March 1, 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m
ZOOM ID: 927 2601 1147
PASSWORD: 560806
Campus and community members, as well as the general public, are encouraged to attend the public presentations. The stakeholder meetings will be with senior administrators, faculty, staff, students and internal and external constituents.
Following the visits and review of the feedback from the Search Advisory Committee and others, UH Mānoa Provost Bruno will be making a recommendation on this appointment to UH President David Lassner.
For more information about the search process, including the candidate biographies and where to submit feedback, go to the IfA director search website.
HIMB director finalists to be named by March 1
The search for the HIMB director began after HIMB Director Ruth Gates passed away in October 2018 but was postponed at the start of the pandemic. The search committee has resumed its work and is expected to name three finalists by March 1.
The process will be similar to the IfA director search. The finalists will participate in stakeholder meetings and give a public presentation, where they will take questions. Following the visits and review of the feedback, the search committee will make a recommendation to Provost Bruno and School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) Dean Brian Taylor, who will then make their recommendation to UH President David Lassner.
The position is expected to be filled by July 1 when interim HIMB Director Judy Lemus will step down and return to her faculty position. HIMB is part of SOEST.
Enrollment management leader sought
A national search will begin soon for what is envisioned in the nearly complete Phase 2 UH administrative reorganization as a new position: Vice Provost for Enrollment Management. The position is planned to oversee both undergraduate and graduate recruitment and retention, student financial aid and the registrar’s office. The university plans to have the position filled by January 1, 2022.
Nursing School dean to lead post pandemic
The search for a new dean for the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene (SONDH) is also expected to begin in the coming months. Current Dean Mary Boland had intended to retire in 2020 after 14 years in the position but agreed to stay on to ensure continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Boland’s leadership, SONDH faculty and students have played significant roles in the university and state’s pandemic response.
“We cannot thank Mary enough. She delayed her well deserved retirement by a year when the pandemic struck,” said Bruno. “She has been indispensable to the state and UH System in planning the COVID-19 response.”
