Professor Margaret Anne McManus has been appointed as the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s inaugural chief academic advancement officer by Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos, effective December 1. The three-year appointment runs through November 30, 2028.
Reporting directly to the provost, McManus will lead efforts to align philanthropic initiatives with UH Mānoa’s research, academic and campus strategic priorities. Her responsibilities will include developing and carrying out a comprehensive, multi-year advancement strategy and advising the provost and campus leadership on donor relations and long-term development goals.
“I am honored to serve as the inaugural chief academic advancement officer and to help strengthen the connection between UH Mānoa’s mission and philanthropic partnerships,” McManus said. “This role offers an exciting opportunity to expand support for our students and faculty, as well as research and educational programs in ways that advance the university’s long-term goals. I look forward to working closely with campus leadership and our dedicated community of supporters to cultivate new opportunities that will help move UH Mānoa forward.”
“Dr. McManus’ experience as a prominent researcher and educator, demonstrated success in fundraising efforts, and exceptional leadership as chair, clearly distinguish her as the ideal candidate to take on this important inaugural leadership role,” Syrmos said. “Her deep understanding of our academic mission and her proven ability to build meaningful partnerships will strengthen UH Mānoa’s long-term advancement strategy. I am confident that her leadership will help expand opportunities for our students and faculty while elevating the university’s impact locally and globally.”
McManus’ background
McManus is currently professor and department chair of the Department of Oceanography in UH Mānoa’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, and director of the Uehiro Center for the Advancement of Oceanography.
She has played a central role in establishing numerous endowed and programmatic funds that support faculty and student success, enhance education and research, foster global collaboration and advance UH Mānoa’s scholarly impact. Her work has contributed to the development of major academic and research initiatives both within the Department of Oceanography and across the UH Mānoa campus.
“At UH Foundation, we feel enormously privileged to work in collaboration with Dr. McManus in deepening our philanthropic culture across UH Mānoa,” said Tim Dolan, UH vice president of advancement and UH Foundation CEO. “She has proven herself to be a natural leader in this space, and we look forward to our critical work together.”
McManus has been with UH Mānoa since 2003. She earned her PhD and MS in oceanography from Old Dominion University, and BA in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia.
