Virginia Hinshaw appointed UH Manoa chancellor

University of Hawaiʻi
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Posted: Mar 15, 2007


HILO, Hawaiʻi — Virginia S. Hinshaw, provost and executive vice chancellor of the University of California, Davis, has been named chancellor of thUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Hinshaw‘s appointment, approved today by the UH Board of Regents at its monthly meeting in Hilo, begins July 1, 2007, anis for five years.

An academic leader with a distinguished record of accomplishment at UC Davis, and prior to that the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Hinshaw is also a renowned scientist with expertise in microbiology whose work over the past 25 years has aided in the understanding of the influenza virus and new approaches to vaccines.

"Virginia Hinshaw is the complete package: a scholar of distinction and a transformationalacademic leader," said University of Hawaiʻi System President David McClain. "As UH Mānoa enters its second century, Dr. Hinshaw‘s rich experience coupwith her inclusive and collaborative nature will enable the campus to fulfill its considerable potential — for the benefit of students, the advancement ofknowledge, and the welfare of all the people of Hawaiʻi."

As chancellor at UH Mānoa, Hinshaw will serve as the chief executive officer responsiblfor providing both administrative and academic leadership to the University of Hawaiʻi System‘s flagship campus.

"I‘m truly excited about prospect of joining the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, an institution of many accomplishments, but clearly with increasing aspirations for the future,said Hinshaw. "I look forward to serving as chancellor and joining this wonderful ʻohana. Be assured that the second century for the University oHawaiʻi at Mānoa is filled with great potential and, by working together, this university will realize that potential for the benefit of the people ofHawaiʻi and beyond."

Hinshaw was selected after a year-long search by an advisory committee of faculty, staff, students and community members thascreened numerous applicants, bringing four candidates to the UH Mānoa campus last month to give a public presentation and meet with a variety of constituent groups.

"In a worldwide search, we progressively narrowed our field from a very large pool of prospects, first to dozens, and then,finally, to a few from among whom we chose four candidates—the best of the best," said Robert Bley-Vroman, chair of the search advisory committee anprofessor in the UH Mānoa College of Languages, Linguistics and Literature. "The committee is pleased with the process and very happy with the finaloutcome. Over the past days, I have again and again been approached by members of our Mānoa community who express enthusiasm about Virginia Hinshaw. She can count on strong support."

As provost at UC Davis, Hinshaw is the campus‘ chief academic and financial officer. Her responsibilities includoversight of the campus‘ $2.3 billion budget, and overall responsibility for the UC Davis Health System; campus operations, including resource management,planning and policy development; and strategic leadership in planning, coordinating and implementing academic direction and programs. Prior to joining UC Davis in 2001, she served as dean of the Graduate School and vice chancellor for research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Hinshaw holds joint appointments at UC Davis as a professor of virology in the UC Davis School of Medicine and in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Her research on the influenza virus has increased the understanding of important hosts of the influenza virus in nature, transmission among humans, lower mammals and birds, genetic changes related to disease severity, the molecular basis of cell-killing, and new approaches to vaccines. Previously, she held research appointments at the Medical College of Virginia, the University of California, Berkeley, St. Jude Children‘s Research Hospital, Harvard Medical School, andthe University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She received a bachelor‘s degree in laboratory technology in 1966 and a master‘s degree in microbiology in 196 both from Auburn University. After working at the Medical College of Virginia as a clinical and research microbiologist, she returned to Auburn University and received a doctoral degree in microbiology in 1973.

Her five-year appointment as chancellor of the UH Mānoa campus is at an annual salary of $350,016. She will also receive a $2,000 monthly housing allowance and appointment as a full professor in both the College of Natural Sciences and the John A. Burns School of Medicine.

For more on Virginia Hinshaw, visit manoa.hawaii.edu/chancellor/about.html.