A capacity crowd filled the Architecture Auditorium at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 for a profound exploration of peace and justice. Newly appointed 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Chancellor Vassilis Syrmos hosted a special public lecture by renowned minister, author and civil rights scholar Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., titled “Moral Courage and Nonviolent Transformation,” on Wednesday, July 15.

Carter brought decades of historical perspective and academic expertise to the conversation. He retired on June 30 as the dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel and a professor of religion at Morehouse College. Carter is also the founder of the Gandhi King Ikeda Institute for Ethics and Reconciliation at Morehouse, an initiative dedicated to advancing global harmony and interfaith dialogue.

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green attended the lecture to present a special proclamation to Carter. Honolulu-Hawaiʻi NAACP President Alphonso Braggs also presented an official letter to the keynote speaker on behalf of the national leadership.

“Carter鈥檚 lessons on nonviolence and moral leadership call on us to have courage and look beyond ourselves, especially in challenging times,” Syrmos said. “It is inspiring to hear from someone who has worked and lived toward peaceful ends, crossing religious and cultural lines to bring people together.”

Following the primary presentation, Maya Soetoro served as the moderator on a panel discussion exploring the practical applications of nonviolent transformation in contemporary society. The collaborative dialogue featured a panel that added Brien Hallett from the Matsunaga Institute for Peace, Ann Hartman from the East-West Center, and Adin Strauss representing Soka Gakkai International鈥�USA. The experts provided diverse perspectives on how communities can implement ethical reconciliation and moral courage today.

The lecture was presented by the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Office of the Chancellor in coordination with the Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, with support from the Matsunaga Institute for Peace, East-West Center, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 College of Education, United Nations Association鈥揌onolulu Chapter and Peacebuilding LLC.

A traditional oli ceremony welcomed Vassilis L. Syrmos as the new chancellor of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Members of the campus community chanted Welina Mānoa to greet and welcome him into the role.

Syrmos began his tenure as 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor after being unanimously approved by the 糖心视频 Board of Regents on June 4 following a nationwide search. 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel recommended him for the position.

“It is the pinnacle of the journey both professionally and personally. My family, my kids grew up here. The state has been my home for 35 years,” Syrmos said. “I want to give a big thanks to President Hensel for entrusting me to do this job. This is a really important job within the 糖心视频 System and the 10 campuses. It is an honor.”

As chancellor, Syrmos serves as chief executive officer of 糖心视频 Mānoa, overseeing academic affairs, research, student success, enrollment and administrative operations for the university鈥檚 flagship campus. He reports to the 糖心视频 president and serves on the president鈥檚 senior leadership team.

Syrmos emphasized 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 role as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, underscoring the university鈥檚 responsibility to ground research and education in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 values and communities. His priorities include strengthening student success, supporting faculty and staff, and advancing 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 research and innovation efforts.

He plans to spend his early months in the role visiting schools, colleges and units across campus to listen and learn directly from students, faculty and staff. Syrmos has described 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 long-term trajectory as becoming a global public flagship university rooted in academic excellence, talent retention and world-class research, with a focus on creating an environment where faculty and students can thrive and innovate.

Syrmos joined 糖心视频 Mānoa more than 35 years ago as a faculty member in the College of Engineering and has since held multiple leadership roles across the university. Most recently, he served as interim provost beginning in July 2025.

Prior to that, he served 12 years as vice president for research and innovation and eight years as associate vice chancellor for research at 糖心视频 Mānoa. In those roles, he helped guide long-range research strategy, contributed to record extramural funding growth and supported initiatives to strengthen research infrastructure and partnerships.

Read more about Chancellor Syrmos at these 糖心视频 News stories:

• Meet Vassilis L. Syrmos: A life shaped by innovation, mentors and a passion for 糖心视频 Mānoa
• Leading 糖心视频 Mānoa forward: Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos
• A New Chapter: Defining Our Future

Stay connected with Chancellor Syrmos by visiting and following him on , and .

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 on July 1, 2026.

Dear 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 ʻohana,

As I step into my new role as chancellor of 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补, I do so with the clear-eyed perspective of a 35-year journey that began as an assistant professor and has taken me to my current position. My time here has taught me that 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 is not merely an institution; it is the intellectual, economic, and cultural heart of our state. The uniqueness of our state, combined with our commitment to Indigenous knowledge systems and understanding of sense of place, offer us a distinct global competitive advantage to firmly establish 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 as the “North Star” for the rest of the world as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning.

Today, we will launch efforts to solidify 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 status not just as a broad R1 institution, but specifically as the premier global public flagship of the University of Hawaiʻi. We must remain a top-tier destination of choice for our students, who select us for our commitment to delivering a vibrant and comprehensive collegiate experience rooted in academic brilliance, world-class research, and most importantly 鈥� their individual success.

To do so, we will need to focus on attracting premier talent and retaining exceptional individuals that are already a part of our ʻohana, including students, faculty, and staff. We must also look at redesigning and reimagining our key programs, infrastructure, and core functions to ensure that we produce well-prepared graduates to power the knowledge-based workforce of the future.

Related stories: Meet Vassilis L. Syrmos: A life shaped by innovation, mentors and a passion for 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 and
Leading 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 forward: Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos

Everyone at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 plays a key role in this process. The plan for my first 100 days is to visit our schools, colleges, housing, campus operations, facilities, and services teams to ask questions, listen, and learn directly from those on the frontlines. Your expertise, your candid feedback, and your willingness to be a part of the solution will help to define a new pathway forward, as 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 begins to operate with more autonomy, operational agility, and our own identity.

We will hold open and frank discussions to foster a deeper understanding of the decision-making that occurs on both sides. Through this process of learning from each other, I will use your diverse perspectives to help me forge our shared path forward. I invite you to join me in this transformation. Together, we can build a flagship that honors our unique sense of place, while defining the future of higher education and research in the Asia-Pacific region.

With aloha and appreciation,
Vassilis L. Syrmos
Chancellor, University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补

Stay connected with Chancellor Syrmos by visiting and following him on , and .

鈥檚 new chancellor, Vassilis L. Syrmos, assumed leadership of 糖心视频鈥檚 flagship campus on July 1, 2026, bringing more than 35 years of experience as a faculty member, researcher and administrator at 糖心视频.

For Syrmos, 糖心视频 Mānoa is more than a world-class research university—it’s a place deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi, shaped by its responsibility as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, and uniquely positioned to serve the state, the Pacific and the world. Guided by a leadership philosophy grounded in collaboration, accountability and excellence, Syrmos is focused on strengthening student success, supporting faculty and staff, advancing research and innovation, and elevating 糖心视频 Mānoa‘s standing as a global public flagship university.

Related stories: Meet Vassilis L. Syrmos: A life shaped by innovation, mentors and a passion for 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 and
A new chapter: Defining our future

Syrmos brings decades of executive leadership experience to the role. He most recently served as interim provost at 糖心视频 Mānoa, where he led efforts to strengthen financial transparency, modernize budgeting practices and advance student success initiatives. Prior to that, he spent more than 12 years as 糖心视频 vice president for research and innovation, helping to drive record growth in extramural funding and establishing the Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation. Before serving as vice president for research and innovation, Syrmos spent eight years as 糖心视频 Mānoa‘s associate vice chancellor for research, helping expand the university’s research capacity and develop major research facilities.

In the second installment of a two-part interview with 糖心视频 News (read the first installment), Syrmos discusses his vision for 糖心视频 Mānoa, his priorities as chancellor and how he plans to build on the university鈥檚 strengths while preparing it for the future.

What do you hope to accomplish in your first 100 days?

I will spend my first 100 days visiting every unit, college and school, student housing when our students are back, faculty housing, and facilities shops to ask questions, listen and learn directly from those serving on the frontlines. I see myself as a learning chancellor who knows where and how to optimize systems. I plan to have an interim provost in place so that I can turn my attention to addressing 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 most pressing needs.

How do you plan to meet 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 kuleana (responsibility) to Native Hawaiians and Native Hawaiian knowledge?

Being a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning is not just a title, it reflects our responsibility to properly m膩lama (steward) our state, our academy, our scholarship, our land-grant mission and our community relationships. We will do so by aligning 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 research with our local values to find grounded, place-based solutions that can only be found in Hawaiʻi.

You state that you want to establish 糖心视频 Mānoa as a global public flagship. What does that mean and how do we get there?

A global public flagship is a destination of choice university that is firmly rooted in student success, academic excellence and world-class research. To do so, we must treat our faculty, students and staff as our most precious resource and provide them with an environment of excellence.

It starts with recruiting the best talent and, more importantly, retaining the talent that we already have. It means fostering a culture of intentional scholarly vitality—where faculty have the time, the freedom and the administrative support to create academic excellence that leads to student success. It also means creating a place where faculty take high-reward intellectual leaps to create and disseminate new knowledge.

We must also look at redesigning and reimagining key programs, structures, functions and knowledge to ensure that 糖心视频 Mānoa has the specialized ‘engine’ required of a premier flagship institution that provides the knowledge-based workforce needed today and tomorrow.

Finally, we need to take a deeper dive into further operationalizing our mission as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning. The Indigenous knowledge of our host culture is our distinct competitive advantage in concepts of circular economy, land and ocean conservation, natural resource management, Indigenous health innovation, climate variability, aquaculture and so much more.

What is the role of the 糖心视频 Mānoa Chancellor?

The chancellor is the CEO of the 糖心视频 Mānoa campus. The role demands that the leader is capable of navigating the complex political landscapes of both internal and external stakeholders. The chancellor must also be a technically proficient administrator, overseeing a more than $800-million budget and a workforce of 5,000 employees. Beyond management, the chancellor is an entrepreneur who articulates a transformative vision for the campus—one that not only motivates our faculty, staff and students, but also inspires the critical support of private donors and government officials.

How does the Chancellor differ from a Provost?

The provost serves as the Chief Academic Officer. They are responsible for student success, academic excellence and enrollment management. The provost serves as second-in-command to the chancellor and is responsible for the overall academic vision and direction of 糖心视频鈥檚 flagship research campus, including strategic and academic planning, budgeting, faculty affairs and student success.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I see myself as a fair, open and reasonable leader, but at the same time, I recognize that maintaining very high standards can often be a double-edged sword. While some might perceive me as demanding, I feel that setting high expectations is necessary to secure meaningful outcomes for our institution. Accountability remains a cornerstone of my leadership philosophy, but I also understand that professional setbacks often serve as the most profound catalysts for our growth.

How do people see you, and how does it compare to how you see yourself?

I believe my colleagues, associates and friends will say that one of my greatest strengths as a leader is my effectiveness to get things done by carefully analyzing the situation and identifying potential solutions, working with my team and constituents to develop an appropriate plan of action and then putting the plan into action. I feel they would say that I have high expectations of my staff, office, fellow administrators, our students and faculty. At the same time, I place those same expectations on myself.

Stay connected with Chancellor Syrmos by visiting and following him on , and .

Vassilis L. Syrmos said his career has been guided by a commitment to excellence, service and the University of Hawaiʻi—principles that helped shape his journey to becoming chancellor of on July 1, 2026.

An electrical engineer by training, Syrmos has spent more than 35 years serving 糖心视频 Mānoa as a professor, researcher and administrator, helping guide the university through periods of growth and transformation. He said that mentors, a fascination with technology and a belief in collaboration have played a significant role in shaping both his career and leadership approach.

Related stories: Leading 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 forward: Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos and
A new chapter: Defining our future

He says his leadership philosophy centers on listening, shared purpose and continuous improvement. As Syrmos assumes 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 top leadership role, he believes he brings a deep understanding of the institution and a vision for advancing its impact across Hawaiʻi, the Pacific and the world.

Syrmos earned his PhD from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Democritus University of Thrace in Greece.

In part one of a two-part interview with 糖心视频 News, Syrmos shares his journey, experiences and leaders who shaped him at 糖心视频. Read the second installment of the interview.

You鈥檝e seen 糖心视频 Mānoa change over three and a half decades. What is the single biggest difference between the university you joined 35 years ago and the one you lead today?

糖心视频 Mānoa has grown from a regional university with research and academic excellence in a handful of areas to a robust flagship institution that provides high-level research and doctoral education across a wide range of disciplines. Coupled with our vibrant intercollegiate athletics program and our ongoing efforts to improve the student experience on campus, the 糖心视频 Mānoa of today is definitely a larger and more complex institution.

What is the long-standing “Mānoa way of doing things” that you think serves the campus well?

The “Mānoa Way” is the dedication, pride, responsibility, respect and an understanding of the sense of place that the faculty, staff and administrators bring to work each and every day to serve our students and to make our community, state, nation and the world a better place to live. It is a true embodiment of the Aloha spirit that is unique to this special place that we call home.

“糖心视频 Mānoa is a land-grant university where access meets excellence.” — Chancellor Syrmos

What is one that you think needs to be left behind?

The perception that 糖心视频 Mānoa is simply a good value or a good second-choice destination for students. 糖心视频 Mānoa is a premier academic institution where students have access to unparalleled experiential learning from a cadre of exceptional faculty in world-renowned research and innovation programs in astronomy, earth and ocean sciences, health sciences and tropical agriculture. 糖心视频 Mānoa is a land-grant university where access meets excellence.

When a leader comes from the outside, they often bring a generic “disruptor” playbook. Because you know this place intimately, what is your custom vision for 糖心视频 Mānoa‘s unique footprint in the Pacific?

I do not subscribe to stereotypes. I have seen great leaders and individuals who have come from the outside and succeeded, and I have also seen others who have failed miserably. I believe in managing successful “disruption” in a way that people can recognize the value, be part of the change, and are willing to do the necessary work because they understand that the results will enhance both their own experiences and that of the university.

What led you to pursue a career in electrical engineering? How does that impact how you lead/make decisions now?

I鈥檝e always been fascinated with technology. While it may seem trivial to most people because technology is so prevalent and available today, I appreciate the cross-disciplinarity of sciences that converged to disrupt and transform the patterns of everyday life.

Similarly, I see 糖心视频 Mānoa as a disruptor that will develop new research and innovations that will help to create a knowledge-based workforce and economy that will improve the quality of life in our state and beyond.

What did you learn from the transition from professor to administrator?

My biggest takeaway is that everyone plays a significant role in the success of an organization, and it is vital to keep the channels of communication open. Those in the field need to know what the administrators are planning, and likewise, the administrators need to know what is happening in the field. While everyone may not agree on the path or the outcome, being a part of the process goes a long way in developing a greater understanding of the decisions made.

Any words that you live by?

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom, and we are what we repeatedly do. Therefore excellence is not an act but a habit.” Those are the words spoken by the great Greek philosopher Aristotle that I learned in my youth that remain close to my heart.

Name a mentor or mentors who have shaped you into the person you are today.

I had dozens of mentors over the last 35 years, but I would like to especially acknowledge David Karl, Gary Ostrander, Harold Matsumoto and Kalbert Young as those who have had the greatest impact on my professional career. From the faculty standpoint, Dave always reminded me of the value of relentless excellence and peer review, while Gary taught me patience and the importance of scholarship at the highest level. On the administrative side, Harold introduced me to the 糖心视频 administration, took me under his wing and showed me how to successfully navigate the rough seas. Kalbert instilled in me that if something doesn’t make sense, it is probably not a good idea. These four individuals helped to define who I am professionally.

Stay connected with Chancellor Syrmos by visiting and following him on , and .

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will host a special public lecture by renowned minister and scholar Lawrence Edward Carter Sr.: “Moral Courage and Nonviolent Transformation.”

, sponsored by Sokka Gakai International–USA and the Tony Group Foundation, is free and open to the community. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, in the Architecture Auditorium on the 糖心视频 Mānoa campus. .

Interfaith dialogue, nonviolent conflict resolution

Carter, who served as the dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel and a professor of religion at Morehouse College, will retire on June 30. His work has spanned decades, focusing on the intersection of religion, ethics and nonviolence.

At Morehouse, Carter founded the Gandhi King Ikeda Institute for Ethics and Reconciliation, which facilitates interfaith dialogue; nonviolent conflict resolution based on the philosophies of Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Buddhist peacebuilder Daisaku Ikeda; and the International Hall of Honor, a gallery featuring more than 300 portraits of global leaders dedicated to civil and human rights. He is also an acclaimed author, with works including A Baptist Preacher鈥檚 Buddhist Teacher and Global Ethical Options: In the Tradition of Gandhi, King, and Ikeda.

“It is an honor for us to welcome Dr. Carter to the 糖心视频 Mānoa campus at the conclusion of his storied 40-plus year career in teaching, mentoring and global engagement,” said incoming 糖心视频 Mānoa Chancellor and interim Provost Vassilis. L. Syrmos. “His lifelong commitment to foster global peace education and human rights is truly remarkable.”

Conversation: nonviolent transformation, moral courage of leadership

Following Carter鈥檚 presentation, the event will transition to a panel discussion moderated by Maya Soetoro of the Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace. The panelists joining them are Brien Hallett of the Matsunaga Institute for Peace, Ann Hartman of East-West Center and Adin Strauss of Soka Gakkai International–USA. The conversation will touch upon the practical applications of nonviolent transformation in contemporary society and the role of moral courage in leadership.

After the discussion, Carter will be able to sign copies of A Baptist Preacher鈥檚 Buddhist Teacher, which will be available for purchase at the event. Furthermore, those in attendance will have the chance to secure one of five complimentary copies through a special drawing provided by the 糖心视频 Bookstore.

The lecture is presented by the 糖心视频 Mānoa Office of the Chancellor in coordination with the Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, with support from the Matsunaga Institute for Peace, East-West Center, 糖心视频 Mānoa College of Education, United Nations Association–Honolulu Chapter and Peacebuilding LLC.

The (BOR) unanimously approved the appointment of Vassilis Syrmos as the next chancellor of , the flagship campus of the state鈥檚 10-campus public higher education system, during a special meeting on June 4. Syrmos was recommended for the position by 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel following a nationwide search. His official start date will be July 1.

Syrmos joined 糖心视频 Mānoa 35 years ago as a faculty member in the College of Engineering. As chancellor, he will serve as 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 chief executive officer, reporting to the 糖心视频 president and serving on the president鈥檚 senior leadership team. He will oversee an annual budget of more than $800 million and a workforce of more than 5,000 employees, leading academic affairs, research, student success, enrollment and administrative operations in partnership with the provost and executive team.

“I am honored by the confidence placed in me and grateful for the opportunity to serve 糖心视频 Mānoa at this important moment,” said Syrmos after the regents’ vote. “While I know the university well, I also know there is always more to learn. My first priority will be to visit every school, college and major unit across 糖心视频 Mānoa to listen and learn directly from our students, faculty and staff. The strength of this university has always been its people, and I believe our best path forward begins by listening first.”

Syrmos has served as interim provost of 糖心视频 Mānoa since July 2025, 12 years as 糖心视频 vice president for research and innovation and eight years as associate vice chancellor for research at 糖心视频 Mānoa.

“Vassilis has done an exceptional job as interim provost, building on decades of leadership across the 糖心视频 System and at 糖心视频 Mānoa,” Hensel said when announcing her recommendation. “He brings a deep understanding of 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 budget, operations and role within the broader 糖心视频 System, as well as strong relationships at the state and congressional levels. I am confident he will be an effective partner as we strengthen leadership for our flagship campus.”

Leadership experience

As interim provost, Syrmos helped secure legislative support to sustain the 糖心视频 Cancer Center鈥檚 research and strengthened its ability to maintain National Cancer Institute designation through legislation that doubled Hawaiʻi鈥檚 cigarette tax. He also advanced efforts to improve 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 financial transparency, modernize budgeting, strengthen student success initiatives and better align campus operations with institutional priorities.

As vice president for research and innovation, Syrmos led long-range strategic planning efforts that contributed to record growth in extramural funding, including a high of $734 million in fiscal year 2025, the fourth consecutive year 糖心视频 exceeded $500 million in research funding. He strengthened partnerships with Hawaiʻi鈥檚 congressional delegation, federal agencies and state leaders to advance strategic university priorities and expand research opportunities. Syrmos also established the Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation, making 糖心视频 the only R1 university in the nation to embed Indigenous knowledge and innovation within its research enterprise.

Chancellor position re-established

The BOR voted to re-establish the 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor position in December 2025 following a recommendation from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems to separate the roles of 糖心视频 president and 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor. The 糖心视频 Mānoa Faculty Senate unanimously endorsed launching the search during the spring semester to provide stability for the campus and dedicated leadership as 糖心视频 Mānoa and the 糖心视频 System work to separate long-shared hybrid positions and offices.

Syrmos was selected from a finalist pool that included the provost and vice president for academic affairs at San Francisco State University and the president of National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. The nationwide search attracted 32 applicants and generated nine additional nominations and inquiries.

Related 糖心视频 News stories:

• Longtime 糖心视频 leader Vassilis Syrmos recommended as 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor, May, 28, 2026
• 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor search committee members announced, March 11, 2026
• 糖心视频 launches search to re-establish 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor position, February 25, 2026

Vassilis Syrmos has been recommended by University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel to serve as the next chancellor of 糖心视频 Mānoa, the flagship campus of the state鈥檚 10-campus public higher education system. His appointment will go before the 糖心视频 Board of Regents (BOR) for final approval on Thursday, June 4. If approved, he will begin serving on July 1, 2026. (Editor鈥檚 note: Syrmos鈥� appointment was approved by the BOR on June 4.)

A faculty member in the 糖心视频 Mānoa College of Engineering for 35 years, Syrmos brings more than two decades of higher education leadership experience. He has served as interim provost of 糖心视频 Mānoa since July 2025. Before that, he served for 12 years as 糖心视频 vice president for research and innovation and eight years as associate vice chancellor for research at 糖心视频 Mānoa.

“Vassilis has done an exceptional job as interim provost, building on decades of leadership across the 糖心视频 System and at 糖心视频 Mānoa,” said Hensel. “He brings a deep understanding of 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 budget, operations and role within the broader 糖心视频 System, as well as strong relationships at the state and congressional levels. I am confident he will be an effective partner as we strengthen leadership for our flagship campus.”

As interim provost, Syrmos helped secure legislative support to sustain the 糖心视频 Cancer Center鈥檚 research and strengthen its National Cancer Institute designation through the doubling of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 cigarette tax. He also advanced efforts to improve 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 financial transparency, modernize budgeting, strengthen student success initiatives and better align campus operations with institutional priorities.

As vice president for research and innovation, Syrmos led long-range strategic planning efforts that contributed to record growth in extramural funding, including a high of $734 million in fiscal year 2025, the fourth consecutive year 糖心视频 exceeded $500 million in research funding. He strengthened partnerships with 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 congressional delegation, federal agencies and state leaders to advance strategic university priorities and expand research opportunities. Syrmos also established the Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation, making 糖心视频 the only R1 university in the nation to embed Indigenous knowledge and innovation within its research enterprise.

“I am deeply honored to be recommended as the next chancellor of 糖心视频 Mānoa”, said Syrmos. “Having served the university for more than three decades, I consider Hawaiʻi and this campus my home. I look forward to working with President Hensel in strengthening student success, advancing research and innovation and working closely with our faculty, students, staff and community partners as we continue to move 糖心视频 Mānoa forward as 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 flagship university.”

Nationwide search

Syrmos was selected from a finalist pool that also included the provost and vice president for academic affairs at San Francisco State University and the president of National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. The search attracted 32 applicants and nine nominations or inquiries.

The BOR voted to re-establish the 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor position in December 2025, following a recommendation from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems to separate the roles of 糖心视频 president and 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor. The faculty senate unanimously endorsed an immediate launch to the search in spring semester to provide stability for the campus and dedicated Manoa leadership in discussions regarding the separation of hybrid positions and offices shared between Manoa and the system.

The search included a representative advisory committee, open nominations and applications, campus visits by finalists, public forums and stakeholder meetings. All three finalists participated in two-day campus visits that included more than 20 meetings with stakeholder groups and a public presentation and Q&A session, each of which was viewed by more than 500 people. Community feedback generated more than 650 comments across all finalists, in addition to input from shared governance groups.

Chancellor responsibilities

As chancellor, Syrmos will serve as the chief executive officer of 糖心视频 Mānoa, reporting to the 糖心视频 president and serving on the president鈥檚 senior leadership team. He will oversee a budget exceeding $800 million and more than 5,000 employees, providing leadership across academic affairs, research, student success, enrollment and administrative operations in partnership with the provost and executive team.

Syrmos is expected to advance 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 mission as 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 flagship research university while strengthening connections across Hawaiʻi, the Pacific and Asia and upholding the university鈥檚 responsibility to the Native Hawaiian community, language and culture.

Related 糖心视频 News stories:

• 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor search committee members announced, March 11, 2026
• 糖心视频 launches search to re-establish 糖心视频 Mānoa chancellor position, February 25, 2026