HILO — Hawaii Community College students, staff and faculty will soon see a new chancellor on campus.
HILO — Hawaii Community College students, staff and faculty will soon see a new chancellor on campus.
The University of Hawaii Board of Regents approved a recommendation Thursday to hire Nevada community college administrator Rachel Solemsaas for the open post at HCC. Solemsaas will replace outgoing interim chancellor Joni Onishi.
“It’s definitely an exciting opportunity to serve Big Island residents, students and faculty,” Solemsaas said.
Solemsaas boasts a long history in community college finance administration. She’s worked the past four years as vice president for finance and administrative services at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada, and previously in leadership positions at multiple Seattle-area community colleges. She has three degrees, including a doctorate in higher education with emphasis on community college leadership.
Solemsaas said she’s looking forward to setting foot on campus — sometime in late June — and getting to know the community. She said she is passionate about increasing access to community college for underserved populations and wants to “serve students and help them succeed.”
“At the end of the day, it’s ‘How can we help our students be successful?’” she said.
Solemsaas is slated to start July 1. Her salary is listed as $167,520 per year, according to board meeting materials.
Email Kirsten Johnson at kjohnson@hawaiitribune-herald.com.