Dr. John Ayabe

As the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. John Ayabe works closely with the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs in the development and administration of academic programs and their associated activities including faculty development, tenure and promotion, academic program assessment, and scheduling.

Ayabe joined UH West Oʻahu in September 2025 bringing more than 17 years of higher education teaching experience and faculty leadership. He earned his Ph.D. in U.S. History from Saint Louis University (Mo.). He served as Assistant Professor of History at Quincy University (Ill.), before joining the faculty at Simpson University (Calif.) where he advanced through the ranks as a professor and was awarded Professor of the Year in 2015. His scholarly interests focused on early-nineteenth century religious movements and sectarian conflicts, and he continues to research and write on the cross-section between religious affiliation and national identity of the early American republic.

Ayabe also brings more than 7 years of advancing administrative experience in higher education. He served as chair of the History & Political Science Department, Chair of the Humanities and Fine Arts Division, Dean of Arts & Sciences, and Provost at Simpson University. In these roles he led the redesign of the general education curriculum, managed the university’s development of STEM programs, advanced undergraduate research, facilitated program assessment and accreditation, championed faculty development, and functioned as the chief academic officer. In recognition of his promise as an administrator in higher education, he was selected in 2022 for the prestigious Senior Leadership Academy administered by the American Academic Leadership Institute and the Council for Independent Colleges.

His position at UH West Oʻahu marks a return to the Leeward coast of Oʻahu where he spent his youth.