New UH President Visits Big Island, Focuses on Key Priorities
Wendy Hensel, the newly appointed president of the University of Hawaiʻi system, recently completed a tour of the Big Island campuses, engaging with students, faculty, and staff at UH Hilo, Hawaiʻi Community College (HCC) campuses, and the Kō Education Center. The visits were designed to address pressing issues and understand the unique needs of each location.
During the open forums, Hensel fielded questions on a wide range of topics, including the role of the UH System in supporting individual campuses, the need for technological infrastructure upgrades, and the university’s commitment to being a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning.
Professor Celia Bardwell-Jones, chair of the Gender and Women’s Studies program at UH Hilo, noted the significance of the personal connection afforded by the visit. “I felt that having that personal connection in a meeting and being able to ask her the essential questions for our campus is important,” she said. “I felt her answers were thoughtful.” An estimated 80 people attended the UH Hilo open forum.
Hensel’s tour also included stops at HCC Manono and Pālamanui, as well as the Kō Education Center. Each visit began with a traditional kīpaepae welcoming ceremony. Hensel expressed her appreciation for the cultural immersion. “I really appreciated the hands-on learning opportunities, especially in understanding the cultural practices behind the Kīpaepae. That was particularly meaningful to me,” she said.
Key discussion points during the campus visits included adopting new technology, staff development, transparency, student fees, and expanding interdisciplinary collaboration. A major focus was on the integration of artificial intelligence.
Hensel acknowledged her initial apprehension about AI, but expressed excitement about its potential. “Truthfully, it is astounding to see what schools are doing with AI, ” she commented. “It can be used for so many different subjects and areas of study and for things I never would have thought of.”
The University of Hawaiʻi recently announced a partnership with Google to provide free AI training to students and employees across its 10-campus system. This initiative offers access to the Google Career Certificates program, which aims to equip students with skills in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity and data analytics. Hensel stated that “consistently developing artificial intelligence skills will help students and faculty stay ahead in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.”
Hensel also met with the Hanakahi Council at UH Hilo to discuss the perpetuation of Hawaiian language, culture, and subject matter across the university system. She emphasized her commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of Native Hawaiian students and faculty. “I cannot pretend to know what the needs are of our Native Hawaiian faculty and students, but I am committed to asking questions and keeping an open dialogue with leadership across the board to make sure those needs are met,” she shared.
During the forums, students raised concerns about the difficulties in transferring credits between the two-year and four-year campuses within the UH system. One student, identified as Hannah, detailed her experience of being misled by her advisor and professors, which resulted in delays in her graduation. Hensel responded by expressing her desire to streamline the course equivalency process to ensure a smoother transition for students.
Hawaiʻi Community College Chancellor Susan Kazama highlighted Hensel’s commitment: “President Hensel is deeply committed to listening and becoming an active part of our community. I sense that she understands our mission, recognizes the strength of our kauhale (village), and embraces the collaborative culture that defines Hawaiʻi Community College.”
At the Hawaiʻi Community College Manono campus, Hensel engaged with students from various programs. One student in the Electrical Installation and Maintenance Technology program, KalaʻiI Davis, noted the positive impression Hensel made by asking students directly for their input on improvements. “We were able to share our concerns and felt like she understood our point of view. It really made us feel like we could actually have a say in addressing the obstacles we face,” Davis said.
Hensel also visited the Kō Education Center in Honokaʻa and the Pālamanui campus on the west side of the island, expressing her admiration for their commitment to making higher education accessible to all. She acknowledged their “bold visions for the future.”
