Academic Vice President R. Kelly Haws announced Nancy Tarawhiti as the new associate academic vice president for faculty at Brigham Young University–Hawaii. Tarawhiti succeeds Yifen Beus, who announced plans to retire at the end of December after 26 years of teaching and leadership at BYU–Hawaii. Tarawhiti and Beus will work together during the fall semester to ensure a smooth transition. Tarawhiti will officially assume the role in mid-November.
“It has been a privilege to know Yifen for many years and work closely with her over the past few months,” Haws said. “The entire university ohana has benefited from both her intellect and her heart, often through hard work done quietly but with an impact felt across campus.”
“Yifen has brought wisdom, strength and a deep commitment to service throughout her leadership,” Haws added. “I hope she feels our profound mahalo for all she has given. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her every happiness in this next chapter of her life.”
Tarawhiti enters this new role after serving for two years as dean of the Faculty of Education & Social Work. She joined the BYU–Hawaii faculty in 2014 and spent the next 10 years teaching, coordinating, and leading the English as an International Language Program. Tarawhiti also edited the TESL Reporter, a peer-reviewed academic journal for educators who teach English as a second language.
Before coming to BYU–Hawaii, she worked in curriculum, assessment and research at the English Language Center and the Department of Linguistics and English Language at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
“Nancy is a thoughtful and experienced leader who listens carefully and brings both strength and genuine warmth to her work with others,” Haws said. “With insight and grace, she intertwines her love of education with her understanding of Heavenly Father’s plan for His children.”
"She cares deeply about helping faculty fulfill their responsibilities and bless the lives of our students,” continued Haws. “Interactions with Nancy leave people feeling lifted and wanting to be better. I look forward to serving with and learning from her, and I extend our grateful aloha as she begins this new responsibility.”
A BYU–Hawaii alumna, Tarawhiti earned a Bachelor of Science in office management while participating in a scholarship program that preceded today’s IWORK program. She later earned a master’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages from Brigham Young University in Provo and a Doctor of Philosophy from Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand.
“I bring my mana wahine spirit to this new position and a deep loyalty to the mission of Brigham Young University–Hawaii,” Tarawhiti said. “I feel blessed and humbled to play a pivotal role in helping fulfill our stewardship to students.”
Originally from Aotearoa, New Zealand, Tarawhiti is the daughter of Hori and Cairo Tarawhiti. She credits her parents’ example for her love of and commitment to service. Their Church service included assignments as mission leaders, service center managers, seminary and institute missionaries, a missionary training center president and companion, and missionaries at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Aotearoa Village.
Tarawhiti has served in Sunday School, Primary, Young Women and Relief Society callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She currently serves as first counselor in the Laie Hawaii Stake Primary presidency.