Keynote Speaker

The Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day Committee is proud to announce Dr. Doris M. Ching as the keynote speaker for this event.

Doris M. Ching, Ed.D.
Emeritus Vice President for Student Affairs/Associate Professor of Education, University of Hawai'i (UH)

Doris Ching served as Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Hawai'i from 1987 until her retirement in 2005. Her prior positions included Assistant to the UH President; Associate Dean of Education; Director of Teacher Corps; student teacher supervisor; middle school teacher; associate professor of education; and chair of the Educational and International Division of the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research. She received her EdD degree in educational administration from Arizona State University and the BEd and MEd in secondary education from  the University of Hawai'i.

Nationally, Doris serves on the Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP) Board of Directors, Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) Advisory Council, and North American Interfraternal Foundation Board of Directors. She is a former member of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) and Golden Key International Honour Society Board of Directors. In 1999, she became the 9th woman, first woman of color, and first Asian/Pacific Islander to serve as president of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).  She has also served as president of the NASPA Foundation Board of Directors, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) College Commission, National Secondary School and Elementary School Recognition Programs selection panels, and various regional and national committees. She has served on accreditation teams for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and as consultant in education and teaching assessment in various states and the Pacific Islands.

In Hawai'i, Doris chaired the Aloha United Way Allocations and Agency Relations for five years, and co-authored the YWCA LeaderLuncheon Visions Strategic Plan, which led to an increase in the net results of the annual fundraising event from $17,000 to $100,000 in three years. She served on the Boards of the American Red Cross-Hawaii, Sacred Hearts Academy, YMCA-Cities in Schools and others, and continues to serve on the Hawai'i Veterans Memorial Scholarship Board of Trustees.  Her research and training grants brought several million dollars to UH. 

As an advocate of successful experiences for all students in excellence, equal rights and diversity, Doris implemented the prestigious Regents and Presidential Scholarship Programs; nationally-accredited UH-Manoa Children’s Center; Center for Adults Returning to Education; Women’s Center; Kua'ana Native Hawaiian Student Services; Health Career Opportunities Program; Commission on Diversity; Commission on Disabilities; Pre-Freshman Enrichment Program, School and College Services; Service Learning; and other programs. In her continuing commitment to assure equal rights and benefits for Asian/Pacific Islanders, Doris volunteers for Leadership Education for Asian/Pacific Islanders (LEAP) and continues to mentor numerous men and women professionals in higher education of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities across the nation.

Doris’ awards for her service and achievements include the UH Alumni Association Distinguished Alumna Award, George Lucas Award, Manager of the Year Award, College of Education Distinguished Alumna Award, YWCA LeaderLuncheon Award for Outstanding Women in the Community, and many others. Her national awards include the Alpha Gamma Delta Distinguished Citizen Award, NASPA Foundation Pillar of the Profession, Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Contribution to NASPA, and  others. She is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity, Soroptimist International, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She is an honorary member of Golden Key International Honour Society and Mortar Board.