The University of Hawai'i Board of Regents has approved Reed Dasenbrock as the new vice chancellor for academic affairs at UH-Manoa, where he will serve as the top academic officer and as deputy to the chancellor.

Dasenbrock comes from New Mexico, where he served since 2007 as the cabinet secretary in charge of the Higher Education Department, the only such position in any state.

He was responsible for oversight over all state monies flowing to 25 different institutions in the state and worked closely with the institutions to develop statewide policies on higher education.

He formerly served as provost, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and professor of English at the University of New Mexico.