PUHI — A new chancellor has been selected to take the helm of Kaua‘i Community College in 2023.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Margaret Sanchez was named interim chancellor for the community college beginning Jan. 3, 2023. The decision was announced on Thursday, Nov. 10.
Sanchez will succeed Joseph Daisy, who is retiring on Dec. 30 after a 44-year career in education.
“I am deeply grateful for Chancellor Daisy’s guidance of Kaua‘i (Community College) and contributions to the community college system, especially over the past few years helping to navigate the campus through the (COVID-19) pandemic,” said Erika Lacro, University of Hawai‘i’s vice president of community colleges, in a statement.
“Chancellor Daisy’s legacy of service and dedication to the residents of Kaua‘i are much appreciated.”
Lacro selected Sanchez to succeed Daisy, who served as the community college’s chancellor since 2020 and spent 21 years of his career in higher education.
“Margaret is committed to the success of our students, faculty and staff,” said Lacro in a statement. “Under her leadership, Margaret will guide Kaua‘i (Community College) to continue addressing the needs of their community.”
Under her leadership, Kaua‘i Community College has received more than $3.5 million in grants in support of its mission, which includes helping the college to be a Native Hawaiian Indigenous-serving educational institution.
Prior to joining the Kaua‘i Community College leadership team in 2017, Sanchez served as dean of matriculation and assessment at City College of San Francisco.
She has also continued as a trainer and steering committee member for Leading From The Middle, a professional development leadership program that is dedicated to developing and equipping middle leaders from California community colleges.
While at Mendocino College, Sanchez also served as learning center director and MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement) director, a learning community for students pursuing four-year degrees in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.
She was also a bilingual math and science instructor to high school migrant students, served in the Peace Corps as a middle school science and English instructor, and field education officer.
Sanchez earned her master’s degree from Sonoma State University and bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from University of California Santa Cruz. Sanchez also holds single subject teaching credentials in physical and biological science.
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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.
