University of Hawaii Maui College Chancellor Clyde Sakamoto will retire this year after 23 years in the position. Sakamoto, who will retire at the end of October, has been a part of the UH System for 41 years and has been the chief executive officer of the Maui campus since 1991.
“Clyde has been the singular face of higher education on Maui for decades,” said UH Interim President David Lassner in a Feb. 19 press release. “He has always been an innovator and visionary… Clyde’s legacy includes the beautiful UH Maui College campus, a robust suite of educational programs that support economic development, and a county-wide understanding of the importance of higher education to the community.”
During his time at the campus, Sakamoto also served as dean of instruction and was executive director of Projects 2 and 4, which brought baccalaureate development to UH community colleges.
Sakamoto also has been a driving force in fund-raising. He has helped secure more than $147 million in extramural funds for UH Maui College since 1997. He oversees a $10 million federal Rural Development Grant and has helped secure more than $13 million in rural development funds since 1997. He also helped UH Maui land a $3 million grant for the Native Hawaiian Scholarship Program, obtained and administered grants related to telecommunication infrastructure, gender equity, Hawaiian education and sustainable technologies.
Chancellor Sakamoto also is credited with increased enrollment. When he assumed responsibility for leading UH Maui College in 1990, the Fall enrollment was 2,346. The student population in the Fall of 2013 was 4,076–a 74 percent enrollment increase.
“I am continually and deeply grateful to have been given an opportunity to contribute to higher education in Maui County and Hawaii,” Sakamoto said. “On behalf of our students and community, our college’s progress reflects a commitment from our campus staff and faculty, community and political leadership in Maui County. I thank all of you who have contributed to improving higher learning in Maui County. Through your support and assistance, we built a firm foundation for continual and future leadership to prepare learners for the global and local opportunities presented by needs and problems. I am especially grateful for my faculty, staff and administrative colleagues who inspire learners by addressing unmet needs, persevering through complicated and transparent processes without complaint, and adding value to our students’ access to careers that will sustain themselves and their families.”
Vice President of Community Colleges John Morton said he is appreciative of the many years of leadership and contributions that Chancellor Sakamoto has provided to UH Maui College and the community college system. “Our task now is to begin the process of finding someone who can continue Chancellor Sakamoto’s legacy of service and dedication to the residents of Maui County as the next Chancellor,” Morton said.
Photo: University of Hawaii
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