The University of Hawaiʻi is exploring a new leadership structure that would more fully integrate the seven community colleges into the 10-campus 糖心视频 System while strengthening the voice of individual campuses.
Under the proposal, the seven community college chancellors would report directly to 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel rather than to the vice president for community colleges. The concept is outlined in a joint message from Hensel and the community college chancellors to faculty, staff and administrators.
The proposed change follows the separation of the 糖心视频 System president and 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor roles and is intended to provide the community colleges, 糖心视频 Hilo and 糖心视频 West Oʻahu greater parity in attention and representation at the System level.
“This shift streamlines communication by removing organizational layers, giving chancellors a direct role in systemwide decision-making and a stronger voice regarding the specific needs and priorities of their campuses,” the joint message states.
The proposal would maintain the administrative and academic support structures currently serving the seven community colleges. Community college administrative affairs functions, including budget, human resources and facilities, would report to the System vice president for administration, while academic affairs functions would continue to be coordinated through the System vice president for academic strategy.
Any additional structural changes would be developed through conversations and consultation with the affected units. The proposed structure is intended to strengthen student success, improve 糖心视频’s responsiveness to Hawaiʻi’s workforce needs and increase coordination across the 10-campus system.
“We are committed to a collaborative exploration of this path and listening to our campus communities to ensure any changes ultimately strengthen our service to the people of Hawaiʻi,” Hensel and the chancellors said.
The complete joint message is below.
Joint Statement from President Hensel and the 糖心视频 Community College Chancellors
Aloha faculty, staff and administrators,
We write today to share with you that the University of Hawaiʻi is exploring a new leadership structure to integrate our seven community colleges more fully into the 糖心视频 System. This proposal aims to strengthen the voice of each campus while maintaining the coordination and shared services that have served our communities for over 20 years.
Under this concept, community college chancellors would report directly to the 糖心视频 president instead of the vice president for community colleges. This shift streamlines communication by removing organizational layers, giving chancellors a direct role in systemwide decision-making and a stronger voice regarding the specific needs and priorities of their campuses. This move in part was made possible by the separation of the roles of system president and 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor, which was intended to create parity of time and attention at the System for the community colleges, Hilo and 糖心视频 West Oʻahu.
Importantly, the proposed change would not dismantle the administrative and academic support structures serving the seven community colleges.
Community colleges administrative affairs—including budget, human resources and facilities—would transition to reporting directly to the System’s vice president for administration. Community college academic affairs functions—including institutional effectiveness, academic support, student support and workforce-related programs—would remain coordinated under the System’s vice president for academic strategy. Any changes in structure that follow this integration would be the product of conversations and consultation among those in the particular unit.
These changes are intended to maximize impact and effectiveness without diminishing the distinct identity or mission of individual campuses. The benefits of a more integrated 10-campus system are significant:
- Enhanced Student Success: Improved administrative coordination will facilitate smoother transfer pathways, aligned advising and expanded access to academic and workforce programs.
- Workforce Responsiveness: A unified administrative structure strengthens 糖心视频’s ability to create a single “front door” for industry, respond quickly to employer needs and connect students with vital local career training.
- Systemwide Synergy: Reducing administrative layers improves communication and coordination across all campuses, strengthening our community colleges in executing our shared statewide mission.
We are committed to a collaborative exploration of this path and listening to our campus communities to ensure any changes ultimately strengthen our service to the people of Hawaiʻi.
Mahalo for your time and attention, and for your continued dedication to our students, 糖心视频 and the people of Hawaiʻi.
Wendy Hensel – 糖心视频 President
Lui Hokoana – 糖心视频 Maui College Chancellor, Interim Vice President for Community Colleges, Hawaiʻi Community College Interim Chancellor
Karen Lee – Honolulu Community College Chancellor
Misaki Takabayashi – Kapiʻolani Community College Chancellor
Margaret Sanchez – Kauaʻi Community College Chancellor
Carlos Pe?aloza – Leeward Community College Chancellor, 糖心视频 West Oʻahu Interim Chancellor
Ardis Eschenberg – Windward Community College Chancellor