The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) aims to name the next president of the state’s public higher education 10-campus system by fall 2024, and for the next president by the beginning of 2025. The updated timeline was announced at a March 21 BOR presidential search special meeting during a presentation (PDF) by WittKieffer, the firm selected to assist in the search.
“The selection of the next president will likely be the single most important decision made by this board and we are committed to doing it thoroughly in an inclusive and transparent manner,” said BOR Chair Gabriel Lee. “Now, we have clarity on the process forward that includes a number of opportunities for internal and external stakeholders to have their voices heard.”
April
- WittKieffer interviews regents individually for input on candidate profile/position description
- Presidential Search Advisory Group (PSAG) holds first meeting after completing ethics, financial disclosures and confidentiality agreement
- PSAG meets with WittKieffer to provide input on candidate profile/position description
April/May
- Public forums in each county (East and West Hawaiʻi Island, Maui County, Honolulu County, and Kauaʻi County) to solicit public input on candidate profile/position description
May
- WittKieffer develops a leadership profile that includes the position description based on the collective input from regents, the county forums, PSAG members and the results of the public survey (2,093 completed)
- Leadership profile is reviewed and approved by PSAG and then by the regents at May 16 BOR monthly meeting
May to August
- Candidate recruitment period
July to August
- Review of candidate materials
August
- First round of candidate interviews
September
- Three to four finalists are named
October
- Final selection and negotiation
- New president is announced
January
- New president begins
Advisory group
The BOR also finalized the responsibilities of the PSAG. Members will begin meeting in April after completing ethics and financial disclosures and a confidentiality agreement.
- Assist WittKieffer with county forums
- Review and assist WittKieffer in developing the leadership profile and position description based on collective input from regents, the presidential survey, the county forums and PSAG members
- Review and assess the initial candidate applications and identify candidates for BOR consideration first interview round
- Interview the first round of 8–12 candidates
- Recommend semifinalists for regent consideration, from which 3–4 finalists will be selected for final campus in-person interviews
The regents unanimously approved the 12 PSAG nominees on March 7 and announced on March 1 that WittKieffer had been hired for the search. The new president will succeed President David Lassner, who announced in September that he will retire in 2024.
