The College of Social Sciences enters 2025 with a new executive leadership team featuring two just-appointed associate deans. Wei Zhang, a Sociology professor and former department chair, is associate dean for academic affairs, and Psychology Professor Jack Barile is associate dean for research and director of the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI).
Both are direct reports to CSS Dean Denise Eby Konan.
“Wei has been at CSS for 17 years, and has served for two terms as Sociology department chair. She is passionate about advancing student success. We are developing fresh ideas for curriculum, academic pathways and international programs,” said Konan.
“Jack has been here since 2012, and his outstanding research makes a difference in people’s lives. In SSRI, he has inspired others to pursue new research opportunities, and he motivates our staff by articulating the importance of our work. In this role, Jack will take CSS to new heights in research.”
Wei Zhang
As a sociologist, Zhang is deeply interested in the social implications of health, including a focus on immigrants and older adults. Her passion for the field was shaped by her experience as a temporary caregiver for her grandparents, who led active and engaged lives well into their 90s.
“When I moved to the U.S. to pursue a PhD, my journey as an international graduate student cultivated a strong interest in examining how immigration-related factors – such as place of birth and English proficiency – impacted their health and well-being,” she said.
Zhang earned her bachelor and master of arts degrees in sociology from Nanjing University in China, and her doctorate and master of statistics from the University of Texas at Austin. Hired at UH Mānoa in 2008, she won a UH Board of Regents’ Medal for Teaching Excellence in 2022.
As associate dean for academic affairs, Zhang is looking forward to working with CSS faculty, staff and students, as well as other UH personnel and the greater community.
“I am excited to embark on my tenure as associate dean, because I love learning new things and exploring innovative ideas collaboratively,” said Zhang. “I value teamwork and interdisciplinary collaborations, and look forward to finding ways to strengthen our programs to better meet our evolving needs.”
Jack Barile
At CSS, Barile’s name is synonymous with research. Since 2020, he has served as interim director of SSRI, the research arm of CSS. He is also senior advisor for the Health Policy Initiative, a joint CSS/UH System partnership to facilitate research and dissemination of health policy recommendations in the state and across the Pacific. So it’s no surprise when, in early 2024, Barile was contacted by Governor Josh Greenʻs Office of Wellness and Resilience to lead a statewide community survey to learn more about the health and well-being of Hawaiʻi residents.
Barile led the creation of publicly available dashboards and reports to better inform legislative activity, funding needs, population-specific programming, coordination of cross-department efforts, and individual and system level outcomes.
“This project is so important because it highlights the voices of Hawaiʻi’s residents and brings attention to critical issues like housing, mental health and disaster preparedness,” he said. “It gives policymakers and community leaders the tools they need to make informed decisions.”
Barile earned his bachelor and master of science degrees from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. He was a post-doctoral fellow from 2010-2012 at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and won the CSS Award for Excellence in Research in 2018.
As associate dean for research, which is a new position, Barile looks forward to championing innovative projects, supporting the next generation of researchers and building partnerships that translate academic work into real-world impact. “I am passionate about leveraging research to create positive change,” said Barile, “and eager to support our faculty and students in making a lasting impact.”
