Denise Konan, an economics professor with strong student and faculty support, has been selected interim chancellor of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, officials said yesterday.

Pending approval by the university's Board of Regents, Konan will become the first woman chancellor at Manoa, the top administrative position at the university's largest campus with about 20,000 students.

The selection of Konan was greeted enthusiastically by UH faculty members and several student leaders who had actively campaigned for her. Konan was chosen from a list of five candidates to replace departing chancellor Peter Englert, whose contract was not renewed.

"She's thoughtful and energetic and has a real open-door policy. That's the kind of administrator that students want to see," said Grant Teichman, head of the Associated Students of the University of Hawai'i.

Konan, who started teaching at UH in 1993, twice has received the Excellence in Teaching award at Manoa, which is voted on by students. She also has administrative experience, having served for several years as interim assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs and more recently as chairwoman of the Economics Department at Manoa.

Tom Schroeder, outgoing head of the Manoa Faculty Senate, said Konan will be well-positioned to maintain the positive momentum that has been building at Manoa in the past year.

"She's got academic credentials, administrative experience and knows the lay of the land around Hawai'i Hall," he said. "The fundamental thing is to provide a steady hand and keep things moving forward."

Chung Lee, a professor of economics, said Konan has a reputation as an able administrator who is "very collegial. She listens and doesn't intimidate."

Konan's appointment by acting President David McClain will be submitted for approval by the regents at their regular meeting on Monday, said university spokesman Jim Manke.

McClain picked Konan, who was off island and unavailable for comment yesterday, after consultation with senior faculty members and administrators as well as students, Manke said. Among the other four candidates, law school dean Aviam Soifer took himself out of the running early in the search, telling McClain he was content where he was.

Konan's appointment for one year would begin Aug. 1 and continue while a search for a permanent chancellor and university president is made.

Even as an interim appointee, Konan likely would play a key role in leading the Manoa campus through a time when a 140 percent tuition increase is being implemented.

"As the new chancellor, we expect her to be working with students to make sure that extra money will be going to provide more classes and more safety and security for students," said Katie Barry, a student leader at UH.

During her three years as interim assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs, Konan was a key figure in developing the university's new strategic vision plan, which helped solicit hundreds of ideas — ranging from physical improvements to increasing the diversity of the faculty to putting more soap and paper towels in restrooms.

"She went out of her way to seek out student input and help the students," Barry said.