The University of Hawai'i System (UH System) and its Board of Regents seek an experienced, inclusive, authentic, and community-minded leader with an unwavering drive and passion to serve the UH System and Hawai'i as its next President.


Founded in 1907, the UH System includes 10 campuses and learning centers across the Hawaiian Islands. It enrolls more than 49,000 students from all 50 states and more than 105 countries. As the only provider of public higher education in Hawai'i, the UH System embraces its unique responsibility to the Indigenous people of Hawai'i and Hawai'i's Indigenous language and culture. The UH System is the state's leading engine of economic growth and diversification, stimulating the local economy with jobs, research, and skilled workers. Additionally, Hawai'i's location in the northern Pacific Oceania region, between the eastern and western hemispheres, continues to create opportunities for Hawai'i to engage internationally in research and leadership opportunities while influencing scholarship and policy.


The UH System's ten campuses serve students and communities across the island state. The University of Hawai'i at Manoa, located on the island of O'ahu, is home to more than 19,250 students, a land-grant institution, and the System's flagship institution. The Carnegie Foundation classifies UH Manoa as an R1, a very high activity research university. The University of Hawai'i at Hilo on the Island of Hawai'i enrolls approximately 2,700 students. It has been consistently ranked No. 1 among the "Most Diverse National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report. The University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu in Kapolei, with more than 2,760 students, primarily serves students who reside in O'ahu's western and central suburban communities. The University of Hawai'i Community College System comprises four community college campuses on O'ahu and one each on Maui, Kaua'i, and Hawai'i Island with a collective enrollment of 22,744. In addition, UH campuses serve a large number of continuing education students in non-credit programs (21,021 in 2022-23). The UH System primarily serves residents (75.5% of classified students - Fall 2023) but also attracts international students (2,235 - Fall 2023). The UH System education centers provide physical satellite locations in less populated areas across the islands, supporting rural communities.


As the UH System begins its 117th year of service, it must anticipate what is coming locally, nationally, and internationally and act with agility and compassion to maintain a vital role in shaping the future of Hawai'i as the state's only public higher education system for today and tomorrow. The President reports to the UH Board of Regents, an 11-member board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Board of Regents governs and helps guide the UH System in providing broad educational opportunities and other imperatives of the board-approved strategic plan. The next President will provide vision, strategic planning, and accountability across the System, ensuring alignment with the UH System's Strategic Plan to achieve institutional goals. The next President will develop strong relationships with internal and external constituents, including faculty, staff, students, government officials, community members, donors, and alumni, among others; work effectively with the Board of Regents to achieve strategic goals; ensure efficient and effective operations and improved systems and infrastructure across the System; fulfill the System's responsibility to the people of Hawai'i as the sole provider of public higher education in the state; support, strengthen, and advocate for a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence creating opportunity for students and the people of Hawai'i; and elevate the University by promoting its distinctive programs and opportunities.


The incoming President must be a culturally responsive leader who demonstrates inspiring and authentic leadership qualities. They should have significant administrative and leadership experience at an institution or organization, preferably of comparable size and scope, and a demonstrated track record of success as a leader. Of utmost importance is a President who understands and embraces their personal kuleana and the UH System's Strategic Plan, "Kuleana imperative," to the Indigenous people of Hawai'i and to Hawai'i as a multicultural community. The President must be a global leader who can leverage the UH System's strengths in international education to synergize well with the UH System's indigenous-serving commitments.


The President should be accomplished and humble with strong interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills. It will be critical for the President to be committed to student access, success, and overall well-being while supporting research and teaching excellence that positively impacts local, national, and international communities. The President should have the requisite skills to manage a highly complex, multi-site System, and demonstrate facility in managing an annual budget of over $1.2 billion in appropriated funds and more than $550 million of extramural grants. The President should have demonstrated the ability to form strong and productive relationships with the state legislature and possess an ability to oversee the opportunities and complexities involved with NCAA Division I and Division II athletics programs. The President must be a committed and motivational leader with a clear vision toward accomplishing strategic goals and objectives through actions in the UH System and community. Additionally, the President should be experienced in resource development, including philanthropy, and be prepared to engage donors, alumni, and business and community leaders. The President should be a highly visible, engaged, and accessible leader who values transparency in decision-making processes. Additionally, they should be committed to shared governance and have a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.


All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited.


Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.


WittKieffer is assisting the University of Hawai'i in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by July 30, 2024.


Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal.


Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D., Suzanne Teer, and Shelley Arakawa UHPresident@wittkieffer.com.


The University of Hawaiʻi President's position is presently classified as an SM-5, which pays between $283,500 to $393,750. Salaries exceeding the established range are subject to approval by the Board of Regents per Regent Policy 9.212, and the salary of the current President is $430,200. The compensation for the next System President is under review by the Board which may consider a new range based on the current market, and the new range will be posted once available. Ultimately, the Board of Regents approve both the appointment of and salary (in-range and exceeding range) for the University President.



The University of Hawai'i is on Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution













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