The centennial of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa has provided the perfect occasion to celebrate the growth of the state's premier research institution. But these mileposts also invite some self-evaluation, and it's encouraging to see that going on, too.

It's especially gratifying to see the new chancellor of the flagship campus, Virginia Hinshaw, helping to kick-start the discussions.

During a meeting with The Advertiser's editorial board, the former provost and executive vice chancellor of the University of California, Davis, sketched an outline of her vision for Manoa, an outline that she hopes will be filled in as she continues her meetings with faculty, administrators, students and leaders of the broader community.

Although the challenge ahead seems daunting, Hinshaw seems to have grasped both the university's significant assets and the realities of achieving success in Hawai'i's environment. That's critical.

She also seems to be well-prepared for the work, owing to both her administrative experience and her academic orientation. As a virologist, Hinshaw's research has focused on flu viruses — how they are transmitted, as well as how vaccines can counter them. She thus comes with a built-in empathy for the goals of developing a life-sciences research industry in the state.

Hinshaw has held leadership roles in university hospitals, too, so she clearly recognizes the importance of helping the John A. Burns School of Medicine chart a course toward a promising future.

That's where she will need the support of the private sector, for the further development of JABSOM, as well as other UH schools.

Improving the research capacity of Manoa must proceed alongside the promotion of UH as, in Hinshaw's words, "a destination of choice" for students and faculty.

Hinshaw and others in the administration want to raise the campus' profile among students. In some cases, that means not hiding Manoa's light under the proverbial bushel basket. Many schools and departments — ocean sciences, astronomy and languages, to name just three — have reputations that already draw students, and they should be promoted. Others need advancement; Hinshaw should continue working collaboratively toward that end.

UH also needs to address its relatively low graduation rate. Only about 55 percent of UHM students obtain a degree within six years, according to campus data, 12 percent below that of comparable institutions.

Beyond academics, Hinshaw also seems focused on creating a more inviting campus community by upgrading the physical plant and expanding housing support, both on campus and off. Reckoning with Hawai'i's cost-of-living realities is essential to attracting students and stellar teachers, and Hinshaw has good ideas about enlarging the ranks of assistant professors to seed a robust future faculty.

She is examining ways of reworking the UH organizational "infrastructure," but there is also considerable bridge-building to be done with lawmakers and others who wield influence.

Perhaps she can help the rest of the administration edge toward greater autonomy, which UH still sorely needs.

The university must seize opportunities that present themselves with what Hinshaw calls "nimbleness," and that kind of efficiency requires greater fiscal independence than UH has had for most of its century of life.

The new chancellor takes a consultative approach to her job. "We have two ears and only one mouth for a reason, and we have to use them proportionately," she said.

Hinshaw sets deadlines for decisions, and that's good, too. A smart new administrator knows to listen well — and then act. Above all, the university needs strong leadership if it's to flourish for the next 100 years.