Next Kaua‘i Community College chancellor recommended to university president

Margaret Sanchez has been recommended to be the next chancellor of Kauaʻi Community College after a nationwide search.

Sanchez was recommended for the position out of four final candidates by Vice President for Community Colleges Erika Lacro to University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner. The effective date of the appointment is July 19.

“Margaret has provided stability to Kauaʻi Community College during her interim appointment, and she will continue to support the college in its efforts to meet the local community workforce needs,” said Lacro. “Margaret joined Kauaʻi Community College in 2017, and she has developed strong relationships with local businesses and communities. She is ready to take Kauaʻi Community College to the next level.”

Sanchez has been serving as interim chancellor since 2023. Before that, she was vice chancellor for student affairs at Kauaʻi CC for five years. Before joining the Kauaʻi CC leadership team in 2017, Sanchez served as dean of matriculation and assessment at City College of San Francisco.

She also served as the Learning Center director, MESA (Math, Engineering and Science) director and chemistry instructor at Mendocino College in Northern California. Sanchez was a bilingual math/science instructor to high school migrant students and served in the U.S. Peace Corps as a middle school science and English instructor and field education officer.

“I am so grateful to have this opportunity to work in the Kauaʻi and Niʻihau communities,” Sanchez said. “I am committed to the mission of Kauaʻi Community College, to be a kahua (foundation) that inspires, engages and empowers learners and educators to enrich our community and our world. I am excited to continue the work with our students, staff and community to provide all island residents with increased access to reach their personal and education goals.”

Sanchez holds a master of arts in education degree from Sonoma State University and a bachelor of arts in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She also has single-subject teaching credentials in physical and biological science.