Dr. Doris (Yamauchi) Ching has been appointed interim chancellor of the University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu. Her appointment by UH President David Lassner was confirmed unanimously by the UH Board of Regents at its Nov. 19 meeting. Ching succeeds Rockne Freitas, who retired at the close of 2015. She had been serving as the West O‘ahu campus’ interim vice chancellor for academic affairs and was also a member of the college’s Strategic Planning Committee, helping to facilitate and coordinate UHWO’s updated strategic plan.
Ching is a familiar face in UH administration. She was previously emeritus vice president for student affairs for the entire UH System and had served in various executive positions at the university, including associate dean of education, assistant to the president of the UH System, and as vice president for student affairs for UH Mänoa and the UH System.
Ching earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in secondary education at the University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa and her Ed.D. with a focus on educational administration and supervision from Arizona State University. She began her career and long association with UH as an assistant and associate professor of education at the Mänoa campus.
In a statement issued by UH West O‘ahu, President Lassner noted that while spending a day at UH West O‘ahu recently, he asked students, faculty, administrators and community supporters if they had any recommendations for an interim chancellor. “Each and every group I talked with enthusiastically supported Dr. Doris Ching for the position,” Lassner said, adding that he has known and worked with her for decades. “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 O‘ahu and in her previous positions working at UH,” said outgoing UH West O‘ahu Chancellor Rockne Freitas. “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 interim chancellor, Ching will oversee all aspects of the university, including academic affairs, administration and student affairs.
“UH West O‘ahu is a very special campus with an educational mission so vital to its surrounding community and the entire state,” said Ching. “I am honored to work with faculty, staff, and students who care about the growth of the campus.” She said she intends to continue Freitas’ commitment and traditions he established to provide a quality education for the students.
