For the first time in the school’s history, Hawaii Pacific University has named a provost in an effort to improve its academic performance and reputation, according to a press release.

Matthew Liao-Troth hails from Georgia College and State University, where he currently serves as interim provost and vice president of academic affairs. But his resume stretches back much farther; he was dean of GCSU’s College of Business, a chair and director in various capacities at Western Washington University and chair of DePaul University’s American Humanics Program.

Liao-Troth holds doctoral and master’s degrees in management and policy from the University of Arizona and a master’s in business administration from San Diego State University with a focus on personnel and industrial relations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from the University of California – Santa Cruz.

He starts his new post at HPU on July 15. 

Matthew Liao-Troth. (Photo courtesy of HPU)

— Alia Wong