A formal search for the next dean of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health has been initiated by the UH Mānoa Office of the Provost. A search advisory committee reporting to Provost Michael Bruno has been established to start the search process.
The Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health is committed to globally engaged research and education. Its students and faculty collaborate with international professional institutions and organizations engaged in epidemiology, gerontology, health literacy, health behavior, health services, social welfare, mental health, child welfare and health economies. The dedication and engagement of the school has been highlighted through the intersecting crises of health and social needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The school is named for Myron B. Thompson, who earned his master’s in social work from the Thompson School and devoted his life to improving the well-being of Native Hawaiians and all the people of Hawaiʻi. The Thompson School is proud and honored to follow his example of reflecting the critical importance of an interdisciplinary approach to solving problems of social injustice and health inequity.
William Chismar, dean of the Outreach College (and former interim dean of the Thompson School), will chair the search advisory committee, whose members are as follows:
- Clifford Bersamira, assistant professor (social work), Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
- Jane Chung-Do, associate professor and associate chair (public health), Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
- Kamanaʻopono Crabbe, chief executive officer, Kohala Institute at ʻole(community)
- Kanoe Enos, consultant, Aʻaliʻi Alliance
- Meripa Godinet, professor (social work), Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
- Martina Kamaka, professor, John A. Burns School of Medicine (Kūaliʻi Council)
- Lisa Kehl, assistant specialist (public health), Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
- Whitney Kim, graduate student (GSO)
- Kainoa Leong, undergraduate student
- Kenneth Nakamura, professor and chair, Department of Pediatrics, John A. Burns School of Medicine
- C. Mahealani Nishimura, administrative officer, Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge (staff)
- Christy Nishita, associate specialist (Center on Aging), Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
- David Nisthal, instructor (social work), Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
- Kūʻulei Salzer-Vitae, junior specialist, University Health Services Mānoa (Kūaliʻi Council)
- Rebecca Stotzer, professor (social work), Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health
The committee will recommend finalists to Provost Bruno, who will then recommend a selectee to UH President David Lassner.
The search process has started and will continue throughout the summer (the formal job announcement is forthcoming) with finalists invited to campus in early fall 2022 and with the anticipated start date for the new dean in early spring 2023.
