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NEW TO THE CHAMINADE 'OHANA:
WILLIAM RHEY, PH.D. DEAN, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATION
Dr. William Rhey, Chaminade’s newly named dean of the School of Business and Communication, says his years of experience in higher education have taught him that great universities have several things in common: a strong faculty, eager and ambitious students and supportive, visionary leadership. And Chaminade, he said, "offers all three.” “The university has a clear purpose in serving Hawaiians and students from all backgrounds, fostering social justice and promoting service and peace,” Rhey told Chaminade Magazine in a recent interview. “I love knowing that the skills we teach in Business and Communication result in helping students and their communities to flourish— economically and spiritually.” Rhey is taking on the new role as the state faces an uncertain economic future amid the pandemic, with historically high unemployment levels and businesses struggling to stay afloat. He said to help address the crisis, he wants to position the School of Business and Communication as a hub of expertise and solutions as Hawai'i looks to diversify its economy, offer career retraining or continuing education programs and bolster emerging growth areas. Rhey said on his “to do” list are serious discussions about what additional opportunities the School can offer to meet community needs, including new graduate programs and tracks, micro-credential and certificate programs, and other continued learning offerings. He described his personal mission as dean of the School like this: “To sustain all that is wonderful about our School of Business and Communication while helping our faculty and students to respond to new opportunities in education and in the marketplace— opportunities that will make our students more successful and the world a better place.”
“I love my job,” he added, “which is to help match resources to opportunities. What better resources than the aloha-spirited students here at Chaminade and the knowledgeable, caring faculty? I get to help encourage ideas and move them to successful conclusions.” Rhey has served in university leadership roles at a number of institutions, including most recently as the dean of Hawai'i Pacific University’s College of Business. He received a doctoral degree in Economics and Management from the University of Mississippi and has master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration from Baylor and Bucknell universities. As a scholar, he’s focused on entrepreneurship, business ethics, and international marketing. Rhey said while interviewing for the position of dean at Chaminade he was moved by the charisma, energy and transformative vision of the university’s president and provost. “After meeting them I knew that Chaminade would be a great place to serve,” he said. “That feeling was only magnified by meeting the business and communication faculty who all live and breathe service to the students and university that they are obviously dedicated to and believe in.” He said he was particularly impressed with the individualized learning experiences faculty members provide, ensuring students achieve their educational goals while building mentorships—and friendships—along the way that last a lifetime. “Chaminade offers students close mentoring relationships, enlightened cultural growth, real-life business and communication projects, fun-filled competitions and an ongoing selection of service learning opportunities,” Rhey said. Oh, and the location isn’t too bad either. “This in the context,” he said, “of living in one of the most beautiful spots on earth.”
