Dr. Doris Ching
The University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents approved Dr. Doris Ching as University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu interim chancellor effective Jan. 1, 2016. The board confirmed Ching as interim chancellor in a unanimous decision during the UH Board of Regents meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19 held at Windward Community College.
Dr. Doris Ching is an emeritus vice president for student affairs for the University of Hawaiʻi System. She began her career as an assistant and associate professor of education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She served in various executive roles at the University of Hawaiʻi, including the associate dean of education, assistant to the president of the UH System, and the vice president for student affairs for UH Mānoa and the UH System. She is currently UH West Oʻahu interim vice chancellor for academic affairs and served on UH West Oʻahu’s Strategic Planning Committee, helping facilitate and coordinate the University’s updated Strategic Plan, Na Kākou E Hoʻomālama. Dr. Ching will become interim chancellor at UH West Oʻahu following Chancellor Rockne Freitas’ retirement on Dec. 31.
“When I recently spent a day at UH West Oʻahu I asked students, faculty, administrators and community supporters if they had recommendations for an interim chancellor,” said UH System President, David Lassner. Each and every group I talked with enthusiastically supported Dr. Doris Ching for the position. I have known and worked with Doris for decades and I am exceedingly grateful that she is willing to take on one more important role to serve UH.”
“Dr. Doris Ching has been an incredible asset to the students, faculty and staff at UH West Oʻahu and in her previous positions working at UH,” said UH West Oʻahu Chancellor, Rockne Freitas. “She comes to the chancellor position with a wealth of experience in higher education in both student affairs and academic affairs. Her dedication to creating a student-centered environment at the University is unmatched, and she continues to bring together all students, faculty and staff in support of this worthy goal.”
As UH West Oʻahu interim chancellor, Ching will oversee all aspects of the University including academic affairs, administration, and student affairs.
“UH West Oʻahu is a very special campus with an educational mission so vital to its surrounding community and the entire state,” said Dr. Doris Ching. “I am honored to work with faculty, staff, and students who care about the growth of the campus. Though, in many ways, I could never fill the shoes of Dr. Rockne Freitas, I intend to continue his unwavering commitment and traditions he established to provide high quality education that will make the UH System, the community and our students thrive, succeed and be proud to be associated with this university that cares deeply about all students and their families.”
Dr. Ching earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in secondary education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and her Ed.D. with a focus in educational administration and supervision from Arizona State University.