The Regents Candidate Advisory Council of the University of Hawaiʻi identifies candidates for the university system’s governing Board of Regents. The council presents pools of qualified candidates to the governor of Hawaiʻi from which candidates are nominated and, with the consent of the state senate, appointed by the governor.
The advisory council was created by Act 56, 2007 Hawaiʻi Legislature, in conformity with the amendment to Article X, Section 6 of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution ratified by the voters on Nov. 7, 2006. The council is tied to the University of Hawaiʻi for administrative purposes. In 2013, Act 72 was passed to further define the candidate advisory council.
Eight members, including one ex officio, comprise the advisory council. They establish the criteria for qualifying, screening and forwarding candidates for membership on the UH Board of Regents. The council advertises pending vacancies and solicits and accepts applications from potential candidates.
Amy Hennessey, APR, grew up in Hilo, Hawaii, where she graduated from Waiakea High School in 1991. She attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa and graduated in 1996 with a B.A. in Journalism with an emphasis in public relations. She has worked for more than 20 years in a variety of agency, nonprofit and corporate communications roles to help organizations with their strategic communications. Her focus has been on supporting initiatives that advance community efforts for the betterment of all.
Personally, Amy serves as an advocate for strengthening our community through education and helping those most in need. She currently provides mentorship as the professional advisor to the University of Hawaii at Manoa chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. She also serves on the boards of the University of Hawaii Alumni Association and the Public Relations Society of America - Hawaii Chapter.
Select a committee member to learn more about that individual.