This story was originally published fall/winter 2025 issue of Shidler Business. 

By Dani Douglass

Dean Vance Roley is one of University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s longest standing deans and as a finance guy, it would only be natural that he is fond of nice, even numbers. Which is a big reason his original plan was to transition from his two-decade deanship and return to the classroom at the Shidler College of Business on Jan. 1, 2025. But that timing wasn’t good for the university because former President David Lassner had planned his own transition. After talks with former Provost Michael Bruno and Jay H. Shidler, BBA ’68, it was decided that he’d stay on the extra year to ensure a smooth and successful search for the next dean. If a successor is not yet secured, Roley says he is prepared to continue serving as dean until the transition can be completed. 

As he readies to pass the reins to the next dean, he reflects on the milestones during his tenure and the impact of his vision, while also looking forward to the next chapter doing what originally attracted him to higher education. While most deans outright retire, he plans to teach again following a sabbatical which includes travel plans and some on-the-ground research. 

When Roley arrived at Shidler College from the University of Washington, he brought a vision that included stewardship, stability and purpose. And during his era as dean, he’s led the college through growth, transformation and increased global visibility and engagement. A big part of the college’s success has to do with tremendous contributions from the alumni and business communities over the years. 

“Without their financial support and aid with internships and job placement — we wouldn’t be where we are today,” he said. 

Shidler’s transformational gifts were milestones in Roley’s time as dean but there were several early supporters who helped set things in motion. He highlights support from alumnus like Bill Johnson, BBA ’65, and others, including corporate sponsors such as First Insurance Company of Hawaii, helping to fund scholarships, study abroad opportunities and internships. 

Shidler’s partnership with the college has strengthened Roley’s long-term priority — which aligns with Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) principles — to make continuous improvements each year. Roley says that the gifts made many of the things he dreamed about possible and allowed accelerated improvements. 

“Jay’s gifts also created a bandwagon effect — bringing more donors into the fold,” he said. 

Roley notes that support the college has received from alumni residing in Asia — especially Hong Kong and Singapore — is significant. He said that when the AACSB peer review team visited last year, his colleagues were impressed. Support in Asia is harder to garner because of the lack of tax incentives and most schools struggle to fundraise. 

Anyone who visits Shidler College notices the older facilities and Roley said that in his early years, faculty and staff emphasized a need for a new building. “And we still need one,” he laughs. But from day one, he brought a theme with him — investing in people and programs. 

Roley originally got into academia because he loved finance, economics and research. Along the way, teaching grew into something that he found incredibly rewarding. Although it’s been more than 20 years since he stepped foot into a classroom as a professor, he’s now looking forward to a change of pace. 

Is he nervous about how drastically things have changed since he last taught? Absolutely, and that is why he is taking a part of his upcoming five-month sabbatical to sit in on finance courses at Shidler College and to learn the new technologies — especially the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence — and to ready himself for the new challenge. 

Roley’s career experiences — especially as dean — will have an impact on his future students. With extensive interactions with the alumni and business communities, he’s honed a deep understanding of what students need to succeed in today’s job market and in their careers. He hopes to bring those insights and the many connections he’s made directly into the classroom. 

Now that people and programs are in good shape at Shidler College — as reflected in 44 faculty endowments (up from six when he started) and more than $1 million in annual scholarship support — Roley admits that the next major step should be a new facility because modern building would be transformative for students and faculty. “I think the time is right,” he said. 

The college’s next chapter lies in the hands of the incoming dean. As Roley’s tenure draws to a close, he’s confident that the college is stable and building momentum, shaped by years of careful planning and strategic collaboration. He is excited to see how the next dean will build on that progress and guide Shidler College into its future.