Firm selected to assist with UH Hilo chancellor search

A professional search firm has been selected to assist in the search for the next University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo chancellor as originally intended when the search was announced. Witt/Kieffer is a national executive search firm with nearly 50 years of experience. The search is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, with the new chancellor in place in spring 2019.

Applications continue to be accepted through the summer with the finalists conducting campus visits in fall 2018. This will allow full participation by all stakeholders before a selection is made.

UH President David Lassner will receive input from the committee and stakeholders and present a recommendation to the Board of Regents. More information and a complete position description can be found on the UH Hilo Chancellor search website.

Marcia Sakai will continue to serve as interim chancellor until the new chancellor begins.

The 16-member search committee is comprised of faculty, staff, students and community members and is co-chaired by Farrah-Marie Gomes, UH Hilo vice chancellor for student affairs, and Vassilis Syrmos, UH System vice president for research and innovation.

“The next chancellor will be critical in strengthening UH Hilo’s unique position in the state and beyond,” said Lassner when the search was announced in December 2017. “The next chancellor must lead the campus vigorously forward with a spirit of innovation and collaboration in order to adapt to the changing environment for higher education in Hawaiʻi and across the nation.”