New University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel shared key highlights from her first 16 days on the job during her inaugural report to the Board of Regents (BOR). The first BOR meeting of 2025 was held at UH West Oʻahu on January 16.
President Hensel reflected on her visit to the UH West Oʻahu campus two days earlier, which marked the beginning of her statewide tour of UH campuses and education centers planned for her first 90 days in office. She also outlined her collaborative approach to working with state lawmakers as the legislative session kicked off on January 15.
Hensel began her presentation by expressing gratitude to those who have supported her transition to leading Hawaiʻi’s 10-campus public higher education system.
“While I have only been in my role officially for a short time, I have been working with the Board and the UH leadership team for several months to be as prepared as possible on my very first day,” said Hensel “I want to express my thanks to all of you, with a special mahalo to President Lassner, for your time and support during this transition. My thanks as well to the many members of the legislature, leaders of businesses, and organizations of all kinds who have so warmly welcomed my husband and me to our Hawaiʻi home.”
Hensel was officially hired as UH president on October 17, 2024, and began her tenure on January 1, 2025.