Embattled KCC chancellor stepping down
Kapiolani Community College Chancellor Leon Richards announced today that he will step down as chancellor after commencement exercises May 15, a decision that followed calls from faculty, staff and students that he be removed from his position.
In a nearly simultaneous email to “Kapiolani colleagues,” John Morton, University of Hawaii vice president of community colleges, said the decision was reached “by mutual agreement” and that Richards will no longer be involved in management at KCC.
“In accordance with UH policy, he will be assigned to report to me until Dec. 1, 2016, at which time he will retire from the university,” Morton wrote. In the interim, Richards will develop a transition plan and agenda for international education programs at the community colleges.
“Chancellor Richards’ greatest contribution has been his ability to create a model international education program at Kapiolani that both attracts hundreds of international students to come to Hawaii and creates opportunities for Hawaii community college students to study abroad,” said Morton.
Morton said he will recommend that Louise Pagotto, vice chancellor of academic affairs, be named interim chancellor.
Morton praised the college for its “well-earned reputation as a place of outstanding teaching and learning, innovation, and engagement with the community.” But he said it was time for a leadership change.
Richards, who joined KCC in 1977, was acting chancellor for two years before getting the permanent job in 2007, and has also worked as dean of instruction. His academic specialty is political science/international relations and teaching English as a second language.
During his tenure, Kapiolani Community College has grown to become the largest of the UH community colleges, with 7,816 students enrolled last fall.
“The primary focus of my career has been, and remains to be, the building of students’ character and the education of their intellect and attitudes so that they can better serve themselves and their community, and better function in the world at large,” Richards wrote in an email to the Kapiolani Ohana this afternoon.
“However, the current environment on our campus is not favorable to these goals, as it diverts energy and focus from meeting the needs of our students.”
The decision came after the Faculty Senate and the three other authorized governance organizations on campus passed resolutions of no confidence in his leadership. The others were the Student Congress, the Staff Council, which represents administrative, clerical and custodial staff, and the Kalaualani Council, which represents Native Hawaiian faculty and staff.
KCC Chancellor Leon Richard's retirement message by Honolulu Star-Advertiser
19 responses to “Embattled KCC chancellor stepping down”
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What was this man’s major failing? I thought KCC was an awesome college and the jewel of the UH system.
Yes, i am curious about that as well.
Should’ve been following the story!
Hmm. The discussions here are truly about as useful as testicles on a catholic priest.
If I’d been following the story, i would not have needed to ask would I? beside, i have never seen anything about this in the press until today.
He gets to collect a substantial public salary until the end of the year while doing virtually no work. He was a poor choice for this sleepy post in 2007 and he only got worse I guess. Sad.
Wow allie. you should run for Governor, President or something. You know something about EVERYTHING don’t you.
You don’t really need to know anything to run for President. Look at Trump.
North Dakota public school grads are well educated and read a great deal.
They also excel in Scuttlebutt 101.
Allie…go be part of Trump election group…you have the perfect crystal ball…I am sure he did not get the support along the way…must play the politics wen you are on the top….next????
Don’t stop, keep it going, clean house, starting from the top.
All up and down UH
Peter Principle.
Sadly, as one faculty member said, his main credential was his race. Had he been white, he would have been fired years ago. Odd world we live in.
go home….far away…Mahalo!
Has that happened at UH? High up administrator is being protected as a white boy part of the white boys network! Especially between the two Nixon Quakers! Chancellor and VCAA are both Quakers! Immoral ones!
Better check his birth certificate.
Well that’s more grace than the dude across the way at UH Manoa! Maybe the embattled faculty should ask for Vroman to step down for not doing anything about all that immorality!
What does our Governor have to say about this mess?