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Longtime University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa leader Denise Eby Konan has been selected as interim provost, with her appointment set to take effect on August 7 following notice at the next UH Board of Regents meeting. UH Mānoa Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos appointed Konan to serve as the campus’ chief academic officer while a national search is conducted for a permanent provost.

Konan has served as dean of the College of Social Sciences since 2012, leading 11 academic departments that deliver nearly a fifth of the degrees offered at UH Mānoa. She joined the university in 1993 as an assistant professor of economics and has since held several senior leadership positions, including interim chancellor and interim assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs. Altogether, she brings 19 years of executive leadership experience and 33 years of service at UH Mānoa.

“Dr. Konan is an accomplished academic leader whose deep understanding of UH Mānoa and unwavering commitment to our students, faculty and staff make her exceptionally well suited for this role,” Syrmos said. “As we prepare for the fall semester and continue advancing our vision for UH Mānoa as a premier global public flagship university, I am confident her experience, collaborative leadership and dedication to academic excellence will help move the campus forward.”

As interim provost, Konan will oversee the university’s academic enterprise, including enrollment management and student success, and the development of key performance indicators for UH Mānoa’s new strategic plan.

“It is an honor to serve UH Mānoa in this capacity,” Konan said. “I look forward to working alongside our faculty, staff, students and campus leadership to strengthen academic excellence, expand opportunities for student success and build on the many strengths that make UH Mānoa a world-class university. Together, we will continue advancing our mission of education, research and service for Hawaiʻi and the broader Pacific region.”

An internationally recognized economist, Konan has conducted research and consulted on international trade and economic policy throughout Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. She has served as a consultant to the World Bank, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Arab League and multiple national governments. She is also president of the Hawaiʻi Asia Pacific Institute and the Northeast Asian Economic Forum.

In addition to her leadership of the College of Social Sciences, Konan is an Economic Advisor to the Republic of Palau for the U.S. Department of Interior and a research fellow with the UH Economic Research Organization.

Details on a search for a permanent provost will be announced at a later date.