Vassilis Syrmos approved as next UH Mānoa chancellor

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The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) unanimously approved the appointment of Vassilis Syrmos as the next chancellor of UH Mānoa, the flagship campus of the state's 10-campus public higher education system, during a special meeting on June 4. Syrmos was recommended for the position by UH President Wendy Hensel following a nationwide search. His official start date will be July 1.

Syrmos joined UH Mānoa 35 years ago as a faculty member in the College of Engineering. As chancellor, he will serve as UH Mānoa's chief executive officer, reporting to the UH president and serving on the president's senior leadership team. He will oversee an annual budget of more than $800 million and a workforce of more than 5,000 employees, leading academic affairs, research, student success, enrollment and administrative operations in partnership with the provost and executive team.

"I am honored by the confidence placed in me and grateful for the opportunity to serve UH Mānoa at this important moment," said Syrmos after the regents' vote. "While I know the university well, I also know there is always more to learn. My first priority will be to visit every school, college and major unit across UH Mānoa to listen and learn directly from our students, faculty and staff. The strength of this university has always been its people, and I believe our best path forward begins by listening first."

Syrmos has served as interim provost of UH Mānoa since July 2025, 12 years as UH vice president for research and innovation and eight years as associate vice chancellor for research at UH Mānoa.

"Vassilis has done an exceptional job as interim provost, building on decades of leadership across the UH System and at UH Mānoa," Hensel said when announcing her recommendation. "He brings a deep understanding of UH Mānoa's budget, operations and role within the broader UH System, as well as strong relationships at the state and congressional levels. I am confident he will be an effective partner as we strengthen leadership for our flagship campus."

Leadership experience

As interim provost, Syrmos helped secure legislative support to sustain the UH Cancer Center's research and strengthened its ability to maintain National Cancer Institute designation through legislation that doubled Hawaiʻi's cigarette tax. He also advanced efforts to improve UH Mānoa's financial transparency, modernize budgeting, strengthen student success initiatives and better align campus operations with institutional priorities.

As vice president for research and innovation, Syrmos led long-range strategic planning efforts that contributed to record growth in extramural funding, including a high of $734 million in fiscal year 2025, the fourth consecutive year UH exceeded $500 million in research funding. He strengthened partnerships with Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation, federal agencies and state leaders to advance strategic university priorities and expand research opportunities. Syrmos also established the Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation, making UH the only R1 university in the nation to embed Indigenous knowledge and innovation within its research enterprise.

Chancellor position re-established

The BOR voted to re-establish the UH Mānoa chancellor position in December 2025 following a recommendation from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems to separate the roles of UH president and UH Mānoa chancellor. The UH Mānoa Faculty Senate unanimously endorsed launching the search during the spring semester to provide stability for the campus and dedicated leadership as UH Mānoa and the UH System work to separate long-shared hybrid positions and offices.

Syrmos was selected from a finalist pool that included the provost and vice president for academic affairs at San Francisco State University and the president of National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. The nationwide search attracted 32 applicants and generated nine additional nominations and inquiries.

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