UH regents to consider Texas dean

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

Neal Smatresk, a dean of science at the University of Texas-Arlington, could be appointed in February as the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's new vice chancellor for academic affairs — the second-highest position on the UH flagship campus — according to a report in the UTA campus newspaper.

Smatresk could not be reached in Texas yesterday for comment.

The appointment is expected to come before the UH Board of Regents for public confirmation at the next meeting.

Smatresk was one of four candidates — including former Kamehameha Schools chief executive Hamilton I. McCubbin — on the short list for the position that handles academic issues for the state university's largest campus.

Smatresk would be second in command to chancellor Peter Englert and would reportedly make just under $200,000. He would succeed Karl Kim, who has been serving in an interim position and earns $148,000.

Smatresk has been dean of the College of Science at UTA since 1998.

He received his master's degree in biology at the State University of New York in Buffalo and his doctorate in zoology at the University of Texas-Austin, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania.

A 17-member search committee of faculty, students and community members selected the four finalists in August.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.