University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu Chancellor Maenette Benham welcomes a full slate of campus executives to start the fall 2023 semester.
Joining Vice Chancellor for Administration David McDonald and Executive Director for Strategic Directions, Assessment and Accreditation Jessica Miranda, both of whom joined the campus in the spring, are three new executive leaders: Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Harald Barkhoff, interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Camonia Graham-Tutt, and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dee Uwono.
“We welcome this new team of stellar academic leaders to UH West O‘ahu,” Chancellor Benham said. “Each member of this team brings a depth of experience and expertise across all components of the university coupled with their individual commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ʻwestside’ is Pueo Strong!”
She introduced the executive team to the campus at the Fall 2023 Convocation and Professional Development Day on Aug. 16. The group will focus on the alignment between UH Strategic Imperatives and the UH West O‘ahu Strategic Action Plan.
As the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Harald Barkhoff is the campus’ chief academic officer and is responsible for academic planning and curriculum development for the campus. He manages faculty and instructional activities as well as the operation of the library and resource center, course scheduling, new academic program growth and priorities, partnerships with other campuses and the business community, and non-credit program development that enhances the educational breadth, depth, and vibrancy of the campus.
Vice Chancellor Barkhoff received his Ph.D. in Sport Science/Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology from the University of Stuttgart & Tuebingen, Germany, his Teacher Education in Sport Science/Physical Education & German Language, Linguistics & Literature (equivalent to M.A.) from the University of Stuttgart, Germany, and Sport Science/ Physical Education & German Language, Linguistics & Literature (equivalent to B.A.) from the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, Germany.
The Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs provides executive leadership by assisting the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in the development and administration of academic programs. As the interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Camonia Graham-Tutt serves as senior advisor to the Vice Chancellor and Chancellor in matters involving complex and precedent setting complaints, issues, and grievances. Her duties include administering and interpreting the faculty collective bargaining provisions and University policies and procedures as well as providing leadership in the areas of professional development, the tenure and promotion process, and the implementation and direction of academic programs.
Associate Vice Chancellor Graham-Tutt earned both her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education followed by a Master of Science in Health Education degree at Baylor University. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Medical Sociology at Howard University, where she was an Edward A. Bouchet Scholar.
As Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Dr. Dee Uwono is responsible for campus-wide planning and policy formulation and ensures that student affairs programs, services and activities are aligned with the academic mission and strategic goals of UH West O‘ahu. Vice Chancellor Uwono provides leadership for the delivery and administration of a full-range of student affairs programs including enrollment management, admissions, outreach, academic program advising, student orientation and registration, financial aid, activities, counseling, cultural advising, health and wellness, judicial affairs, first-year experience and retention, and career development. As a member of the university’s senior staff, she is responsible for overseeing the budget and material resources of the Student Affairs department and developing a comprehensive learning environment with a successful program of student retention that complements UH West O‘ahu’s strategic plan for recruitment and enrollment.
Vice Chancellor Uwono earned her doctor of education degree in educational leadership at the University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education in 2010. She holds a masters in educational administration and a BA in zoology from UH Mānoa.
Vice Chancellor of Administration, Dave McDonald, is the university’s lead administrative and financial officer and has oversight for auxiliary services, business and financial services, budget, capital planning, facilities, government relations, human resources, information technology, and university planning and design. He works closely with other members of the university’s Executive Team and campus community to support the fulfillment of the UH West O‘ahu Strategic Action Plan.
He was the 2011 recipient of the Michael C. Holen Pacesetter Award from NACADA for his commitment to academic advising excellence. He has served on numerous state, regional, and national committees focused on various areas of higher education policy and operations. McDonald earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Oregon and his Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington.
Executive Director for Strategic Directions, Assessment and Accreditation, Jessica Miranda, serves as the university’s Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) Accreditation Liaison Officer; she develops and implement processes to measure UH West O‘ahu’s strategic impact; and she leads assessment efforts on campus to foster a culture of continuous improvement in academic, student life, and administrative programming.
Executive Director Miranda holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Measurement, Statistics, and Evaluation; a M.A. in Second Language Studies with specializations in Language Teaching and Language Assessment, Measurement, and Program Evaluation; and a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.