Assistant Dean Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 93,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Hawai'i at Manoa is seeking an Assistant Dean for the Hawaiinuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge (HSHK). This leadership role oversees undergraduate program development, recruitment-to-placement pathways, and school outreach.

You will coordinate curricula, advising, scholarships, and student events while aligning operations with indigenous knowledge and Research I expectations. Strong cultural protocol skills are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD with 5 years in working with Native Hawaiian communities and 4 years of executive leadership experience or MA in Hawaiian Studies or Hawaiian Language and 10 years of executive leadership experience in Hawaiian serving organizations.
• Distinguished record of student advising, community relations, and service at the university/college level.
• Prior academic administrative experience at an institute of higher learning.
• Demonstrated skills in admissions, advising, record keeping curriculum changes, scholarships and other efforts to ensure that undergraduates and graduate are provided with necessary services.
• Demonstrated excellence in Hawaiian Cultural Protocols, language and culture.
• Ability to conduct cultural trainings and workshops in professional settings.
• Proficiency in ‘olelo Hawai‘i (ability to read, write, and converse).
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external constituencies which includes students.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret administrative directives and guidance to ensure IT operations align with organizational standards and industry best practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the development of all undergraduate academic programs, including the undergraduate student pathway from recruitment to retention to placement in the workforce, supporting the School’s role in aina and olelo based programs and HSHK outreach programs.
• Coordinates with HSHK faculty and staff to enhance undergraduate HSHK curricula, including course scheduling, academic advising, and proposals for new or revised programs and facilitates the development of new curricula and courses.
• Conducts program analyses of HSHK graduate programs, including review of curricula, evaluation of graduate degree requirements, and coordination of program changes, in collaboration with HSHK leadership.
• Provides leadership and oversight for student events related to recruitment, retention and matriculation efforts, including but not limited to Eia Hawaiinuiakea, Ke Ko a Ka Waiakeakua, first year student experience, Convocation, and other student-related events.
• Supervises department academic advisors and student support professionals related to student application review, evaluation of transcripts, student counseling, advisement of incoming freshmen and transfer students, School registration procedures, and course scheduling.
• Oversees the School’s scholarship procedures.
• Collaborates with faculty and local educational and private sector partners to organize and implement an overall recruitment program for high school and prospective students and majors.
• Develops and oversees the support structure within the School and the community to deliver suitable outreach, retention and placement programs; coordinates the development of external support for these programs within the University and outside the University while leveraging government resources and other aligned Hawaiian funding agencies.
• Serves as principal interface with the Community Colleges and partnering academic institutions.
• In collaboration with HSHK faculty and staff, develops and enhances the School’s operations, messaging, cultural protocols, and alignment with the kuleana of being an indigenous School within a Research I (R1) institution.
• As part of the Dean’s leadership team, ensures effective coordination among administrative units and alignment with the School’s mission and strategic priorities.
• In line with supporting research within the School, promotes operational efficiency and effective risk mitigation related to external grants and contracts.
• Promotes a culture of service that supports faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
• Provides leadership in the development and delivery of Hawaiian cultural protocol and cultural competency training for faculty, staff, and administrators in support of the School's mission and values.
• Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and policies and procedures of the University, raise awareness among staff, and direct them in such a way that University compliance requirements are met.
• Identify and mitigate through policy development/ revision/ enhancement and training, areas of risk and developing risk to the University, e.g., legal, financial, reputation, and compliance risk, and ensure team is aware and focused on addressing same.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Cultural protocol

Education

PhD or MA in Hawaiian studies

Job description

Title: Assistant Dean of the Hawaiinuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge (HSHK)

Position Number: 89201

Hiring Unit: Hawaiinuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge (HSHK)

Location: University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI

Date Posted: August 10, 2026

Closing date: August 28, 2026

Salary Range: SM-1 Minimum $103,776 Annually

Additional Salary Info: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Full Time/ Part Time: Full-time

Temporary/ Permanent: Permanent

Funding: General Funds

INTRODUCTION:

The Assistant Dean of the Hawaiinuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge (HSHK) University of Hawai'i at Manoa reports to the Dean and serves on the HSHK Executive Committee. The mission of the Hawaiinuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge is to pursue, perpetuate, research, and revitalize all areas and forms of Hawaiian knowledge.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversees the development of all undergraduate academic programs, including the undergraduate student pathway from recruitment to retention to placement in the workforce, supporting the School’s role in aina and olelo based programs and HSHK outreach programs.

Coordinates with HSHK faculty and staff to enhance undergraduate HSHK curricula, including course scheduling, academic advising, and proposals for new or revised programs and facilitates the development of new curricula and courses.

Conducts program analyses of HSHK graduate programs, including review of curricula, evaluation of graduate degree requirements, and coordination of program changes, in collaboration with HSHK leadership.

Provides leadership and oversight for student events related to recruitment, retention and matriculation efforts, including but not limited to Eia Hawaiinuiakea, Ke Ko a Ka Waiakeakua, first year student experience, Convocation, and other student-related events.

Supervises department academic advisors and student support professionals related to student application review, evaluation of transcripts, student counseling, advisement of incoming freshmen and transfer students, School registration procedures, and course scheduling.

Oversees the School’s scholarship procedures.

Collaborates with faculty and local educational and private sector partners to organize and implement an overall recruitment program for high school and prospective students and majors.

Develops and oversees the support structure within the School and the community to deliver suitable outreach, retention and placement programs; coordinates the development of external support for these programs within the University and outside the University while leveraging government resources and other aligned Hawaiian funding agencies.

Serves as principal interface with the Community Colleges and partnering academic institutions.

In collaboration with HSHK faculty and staff, develops and enhances the School’s operations, messaging, cultural protocols, and alignment with the kuleana of being an indigenous School within a Research I (R1) institution.

As part of the Dean’s leadership team, ensures effective coordination among administrative units and alignment with the School’s mission and strategic priorities.

In line with supporting research within the School, promotes operational efficiency and effective risk mitigation related to external grants and contracts.

Promotes a culture of service that supports faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

Provides leadership in the development and delivery of Hawaiian cultural protocol and cultural competency training for faculty, staff, and administrators in support of the School's mission and values.

Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and policies and procedures of the University, raise awareness among staff, and direct them in such a way that University compliance requirements are met.

Identify and mitigate through policy development/ revision/ enhancement and training, areas of risk and developing risk to the University, e.g., legal, financial, reputation, and compliance risk, and ensure team is aware and focused on addressing same.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

PhD with 5 years in working with Native Hawaiian communities and 4 years of executive leadership experience or MA in Hawaiian Studies or Hawaiian Language and 10 years of executive leadership experience in Hawaiian serving organizations.

Distinguished record of student advising, community relations, and service at the university/college level.

Prior academic administrative experience at an institute of higher learning.

Demonstrated skills in admissions, advising, record keeping curriculum changes, scholarships and other efforts to ensure that undergraduates and graduate are provided with necessary services.

Demonstrated excellence in Hawaiian Cultural Protocols, language and culture.

Ability to conduct cultural trainings and workshops in professional settings.

Proficiency in ‘olelo Hawai?i (ability to read, write, and converse).

Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external constituencies which includes students.

Ability to comprehend and interpret administrative directives and guidance to ensure IT operations align with organizational standards and industry best practices.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

At least 3 years experience in working with Hawaiian agencies, Hawaiian government agencies, at the local and federal level.

Excellence in Hawaiian Cultural Protocols and recognition as a kumu in cultural spaces.

Significant experience in advocating and securing funding for Hawaiian programs at the local and federal level.

Demonstrated commitment and professional record of working with Hawaiian and indigenous communities.

INQUIRES:

Email: Dr. Kamana Beamer, Dean, [e-mail].

EEO, Clery Act, ADA

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/