Wendy Hensel

UH is deeply grateful to Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, Jack Tsui and Walter Dods for their transformative $5 million commitment to support name, image and likeness opportunities for our student-athletes. This extraordinary investment helps create a stronger, more sustainable foundation for University of Hawaii Athletics, supporting our ability to retain Hawaiʻi talent, recruit top student-athletes and remain competitive on the national stage. There is still much more work ahead, but today marks a major step forward, made possible by these donors’ belief in and extraordinary support for UH Athletics. Together, we are strengthening Our Team, Hawaiʻi’s Team. !

Did I expect to see three distinct rainbows on my commute this morning? No. Does it ever get old? Also no. It’s another beautiful day at the University of Hawai‘i!

It was great to start the week with a reunion breakfast with Dr. Larry D. Johnson, Jr., President of Bronx Community College! While it’s always nice to catch up with a wonderful colleague, it’s especially fun with an innovator like Larry, who is doing exciting work for students and higher education generally. Mahalo and aloha for coming all the way to Hawai’i!

Congratulations to Vassilis Syrmos, who the Board of Regents unanimously approved as the next chancellor of University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua, whom the regents also unanimously approved as interim director of the Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office for the UH System and UH Mānoa.

Vassilis brings decades of leadership, deep institutional knowledge and a genuine commitment to listening and collaboration as he leads our flagship campus into its next chapter. Noelani’s exceptional leadership and deep commitment to ʻike Hawaiʻi will help continue advancing our work as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning grounded in aloha and care for people and place.

I am thrilled to have them join our leadership team and know they will help strengthen and elevate the important work happening across our university.

Visit UHNews.org to learn more about Vassilis and Noelani.

I am excited to share that we have officially launched the search for a new Associate Vice President for Workforce Development, a new position that has been one of my top priorities since arriving at UH.

As Hawaiʻi’s sole public higher education system, UH has a responsibility to work hand-in-hand with employers to prepare students for meaningful careers and help meet our state’s workforce needs. This new leader will help us move at the speed of business by creating a stronger, more coordinated partnership between UH and industry across all 10 campuses. I’m excited about what this role will mean for our students, our communities and Hawaiʻi’s future workforce.

Please share widely with anyone who would be interested. Learn more and apply: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2026/06/04/workforce-development-avp/

I once heard someone say being a college president was comparable to being a snake charmer. That bad metaphor took on all new meaning this week when I encountered a rattlesnake while walking in New Mexico! I don’t like seeing snakes in a zoo let alone inches from my unsuspecting foot. Thankfully he just kept minding his own business and slithered past — all 4 feet of him. Just one more reason I love being at the University of Hawai‘i — no snakes on the islands!

It was a pleasure spending the last few days in Santa Fe, New Mexico with the Presidents and Athletic Directors of the schools of the Mountain West Conference. At a time when collegiate athletics is changing by the day, the University of Hawaii at Manoa is fortunate to be part of this thoughtful, competitive group that prioritizes our student-athletes.

UH has loved playing these teams in football and now looks forward to joining as a full member for most sports as of July 1, when I also will be joining the MW Executive Committee and representing the MW on the College Football Playoffs Board of Managers. Thanks to Commissioner Gloria Nevarez and the MW staff for a great meeting and visionary leadership!

A belated mahalo to the UH President’s Commission on the Status of Women for last Friday’s annual year end luncheon and for the important work you do to support women across our UH community.

I appreciated the opportunity to celebrate the commission’s work over the past year, welcome new members and co-chairs, and continue building pilina in support of women across the 10 campuses.

For decades, the commission has helped advance equity, opportunity and well-being for our students, faculty and staff. Mahalo for your leadership, advocacy and commitment to making UH a stronger and more supportive place for all.

Mahalo to Mālama Mānoa for hosting a wonderful reception for me at College Hill on Wednesday. I truly appreciated the warm welcome and the opportunity to learn more about the important work you do to preserve, protect and celebrate the special qualities that make Mānoa such an extraordinary place.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa is one of the best universities in the world, and so much of what makes it special is the community that surrounds it. Mānoa residents care deeply about their neighborhood, one another and preserving what makes this place so special.

I enjoyed learning more about Mālama Mānoa’s decades of service—from protecting historic spaces and caring for our ʻāina to honoring kūpuna and strengthening connections across the valley.

I look forward to continuing to strengthen the partnership between UH Mānoa and this incredible grassroots community organization.