UHNews.org posted more than 1,600 stories in the very challenging 2025. Here are the 10 top UH News stories on leadership updates and systemwide initiatives in chronological order:
Meet Wendy Hensel: A life shaped by resilience, learning and love
From her beginnings as a lawyer-turned-educator to her rise through academic leadership roles at Georgia State University and the City University of New York, Hensel has consistently prioritized collaboration and the power of education to uplift diverse communities.
UH President Wendy Hensel visits Molokaʻi in final stop of statewide tour
Hensel met with Molokaʻi High School early college students, Molokaʻi Education Center administrators, graduates and current students. She spent the first months as UH president visiting all 10 UH campuses and education centers. Read more about her visits.
Matt Elliott selected as the next UH Mānoa athletics director
Elliott brings 13 years of experience at UCLA, where he led the department’s transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten Conference. Prior to that, his work included sport oversight, legal affairs, NIL policy, government relations, head coach searches, compliance and supervision of athletic performance and sports medicine.
Vassilis Syrmos appointed interim provost of UH Mānoa
Syrmos brings more than three decades of experience in higher education leadership, including roles as associate vice chancellor for research at UH Mānoa and, for the past 12 years, vice president for research and innovation for the UH System.
New technology platforms approved for systemwide student support
The platforms proactively alert faculty, advisors and support staff at the earliest signs of student risk. The goal is to provide support the moment it is needed, and not months later when it is likely to be too late to be effective. Most of the interventions will occur even before students are aware they may need help.
AI expert joins UH to lead tech, innovation across campuses
Ina Wanca is charged with developing an AI and technology strategy to enhance instructional environments, research capabilities and administrative efficiency. Her duties also include establishing frameworks for responsible technology adoption and partnerships with community and industry organizations.
Peñaloza to serve as interim chancellor of UH West Oʻahu, lead collaboration with Leeward CC
Peñaloza’s initial charge will be to work closely with the faculty and staff of both UH West Oʻahu and Leeward CC—including Waiʻanae Moku—to consider the potential for operating as a more integrated regional campus, prioritizing innovation, efficiency and student success.
UH enrollment tops 51,000, highest in eight years
Enrollment across the 10 UH campuses reached 51,411 students in fall 2025, a 2% increase from last fall and the highest enrollment since 2017. This marks the third consecutive year of growth and a 5.1% increase since fall 2023, reversing earlier declines and building momentum across both four-year and two-year campuses.
Direct2UH streamlines admission to UH for Hawaiʻi public high school seniors
Direct2UH provides free, direct admission to nine UH campuses based on students’ grade point averages, allowing them to secure a place at a UH campus without completing a traditional application. Once students complete a short online form, their admission is confirmed contingent upon graduation in May.
UH Hilo, Honolulu CC join UH’s renewed push to improve student outcomes
The campuses are the first to partner with the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) to examine its policies and practices to spot issues that may unintentionally hold students back. NISS will help each campus identify those barriers and create a clear plan to better support students from enrollment through graduation.
More UH System stories
UH sets extramural funding record for 4th consecutive year, $734M in FY 2025
UH shatters fundraising record with $171M for students, faculty and research
UH names Luis Salaveria as next VP for Budget and Finance/CFO
UH CFO Kalbert Young to depart to lead ERS
Friendly AI chatbots guide students, boost engagement, provide support
New transfer website promotes academic mobility across UH campuses
Top national rankings for the UH Community Colleges
