The Tea
CAROL THORNBER has been named dean of the School for the Environment and professor of environmental science. Dr. Thornber joins us from the University of Rhode Island (URI), where, in addition to holding a tenured full professor position, she also held several leadership roles. She is a marine ecologist with a multidisciplinary funded research program that has investigated the impact of climate change on local and global coastal communities, multitrophic aquaculture, invasive species, coastal resilience, and harmful algal bloom ecology.
As associate dean at URI, Dr. Thornber coordinated the integration of research programs and graduate student support across social science and natural science departments. She was also the principal investigator of a $20 million grant to Rhode Island from the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Dr. Thornber is an active and engaged scholar, and her students and postdoctoral researchers have become faculty, environmental consultants, federal and state environmental scientists, and environmental lawyers, among other professions.
“Throughout our comprehensive search process, it became evident that Dr. Thornber possesses the exceptional blend of academic prowess, leadership experience, and passion for environmental issues essential to this role,” said Venky Venkatachalam, College of Management dean and distinguished professor.
Dr. Thornber said, “The cross-disciplinary research, coupled with the connection to the City of Boston, drew me to this position. I’m excited to lead a school focused on solving climate issues today and shaping a sustainable future for generations to come.”
Dr. Thornber received a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Stanford University, a PhD in ecology, evolution, and marine biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and conducted postdoctoral research and training at the University of California, Davis, and San Francisco State University.
CALVIN R. HILL has been named UMass Boston’s inaugural vice chancellor for inclusive excellence and belonging. An accomplished administrator, teacher, and scholar who will bring more than two decades of higher education experience to this position, Dr. Hill joins us from Springfield College, where he served for nearly a decade as vice president for inclusion and community engagement. He previously excelled in leadership roles at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota; Worcester State University; Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions; and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. In addition to his organizational leadership accomplishments, Dr. Hill has written and presented extensively on issues related to diversity and inclusion.
As vice chancellor, Dr. Hill will act as the university’s chief diversity officer, actively supporting and advancing the university’s values of diversity and inclusion, engagement, transformation, and cultural development.
“Dr. Hill stood out not only for his exceptional qualifications and expertise but also for his alignment with our institution’s values and goals. His proven track record of success and dedication to advancing this mission makes him an ideal fit for this position,” said Karen Ferrer-Muñiz, vice chancellor for student affairs and search committee co-chair.
Dr. Hill remarked, “I am thrilled to join this vibrant community and am excited to continue the work of creating an environment where every individual feels valued, heard, and empowered to thrive. Together we can ensure that our campus reflects the rich tapestry of voices and experiences of the community we serve.”
Dr. Hill received a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Bethany College, a master’s degree in student personnel administration from Emporia State University, and a PhD in political science from Howard University.
UMass Boston Cuts Ribbon on New Student Veteran Center
Campus leaders, students, faculty, alumni, and friends gathered to cut the ribbon on a new permanent location for the Student Veteran Center on the first floor of McCormack Hall. The student-run center serves as a resource and connection hub, providing a wide range of support and information to student veterans and military-affiliated students. The new space features computers, workstations, and meeting areas as well as a lounge, new furniture, a kitchen, and other amenities for students to use.
“The center provides a place for veterans to be with those who they know, to a degree, understand what they have been through,” said Troy Hewitt, a nursing student and Army Reserve medic who serves as coordinator of the center. “I found students that had been through some of the same life experience as me, and even though we all came from different walks of life, we could all connect over our common bond of service.”
“This wonderful space is the culmination of collective effort, dedication, and support from colleagues across UMass Boston who share a commitment to our student veterans, and the unique and diverse individuals that comprise our military-affiliated student community,” said Jen Maitino, associate dean and director of housing and residential life.
Chancellor Suárez-Orozco said that “belonging” will remain a central theme as the campus continues to be transformed in the months and years ahead.
“Building community and bringing people together is an important part of our mission,” he said. “And this refresh marks another step in this direction for our Beacons who have served, are serving, seeking to serve, and are the partners or children of those who serve.”
International Leaders Join Chancellor at Vatican Climate Summit
UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco has led scientists, social scientists, researchers, governors, and mayors from around the world in developing the Planetary Protocol for Climate Change Resilience. The compact, authored in part by Chancellor Suárez-Orozco and Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, was signed by international dignitaries, including Pope Francis, at a three-day global climate summit at the Vatican last spring, “From Climate Crisis to Climate Resilience.”
Participants also committed to follow up on the global summit by hosting state and city summits to develop locally relevant resilience plans. Governor Healey announced that she will work with Chancellor Suárez-Orozco to host a summit in Massachusetts with local leaders from across the state to coordinate adaptation, transformation, and financing plans.
Record Breaking Increase in Research Funding
UMass Boston’s research enterprise has experienced unprecedented growth over the past three fiscal years. The university reported $81.1 million in annual research funding and $71.3 million in research expenditures in fiscal year 2024. These levels, along with the number of doctorates conferred annually, position the university to ultimately move into the R1 category on the 2025 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
“This growth is a result of a deep commitment to research excellence. You can see the efforts throughout the university, from the growth of a robust technology ecosystem to our faculty’s interdisciplinary collaborations to the leading-edge instrumentation and expertise in our core facilities,” explained Bala Sundaram, vice provost for research and strategic initiatives.
Sundaram added, “Across our campus, faculty, students, staff, and industry researchers engage in research seeking meaningful results to solve real-world problems. What’s more, our students who engage in research activities have opportunities to develop into creative problem-solvers with in-demand employment skills.”
Research Awards Received:
FY24 $81.1M | FY23 $78.2M | FY22 $67.7M
Research Expenditures:
FY24 $71.3M | FY23 $63.1M | FY22 $51.6M
Research Core Facilities Revenue:
FY24 $1,269,399 | FY23 $564,158 | FY22 $386,012
The Research Core Facilities at UMass Boston provide product developers and researchers from academia and industry access to the scientific expertise on our campus, along with cutting-edge instrumentation to conduct research, create prototypes, develop products and processes, and explore solutions for complex problems. In addition to UMass Boston faculty and students, during fiscal year 2024, the 40+ research core facility clients included companies in technology, health care, blue tech, food produce development, and more.
Starratt Family Funds Full- Ride Scholarship
Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston Public Schools (BPS), and UMass Boston (UMB) announced a new scholarship for graduates of the newly renamed Ruth Batson Academy. A $1.9 million donation from lifelong educators Robert and Ruth Starratt to the UMass Boston College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) created the Robert and Ruth Starratt Endowed Scholarship, to be given to students from the Ruth Batson Academy who upon graduation plan to pursue a career in education in the Boston Public Schools. The scholarship underscores the collaboration among the City of Boston, Boston Public Schools, and UMass Boston to foster college-level opportunities for high school students, and builds on the partnership between the city and the university to make the Ruth Batson Academy BPS’s first university-assisted community hub school.
New Grant Will Foster Connections
Jessica Whiteley, professor of urban public health and senior associate dean in the Manning College of Nursing & Health Science received a $200,000 grant from the Linde Family Foundation titled “Nurses Connect: A Peer Mentoring Program.” This program aims to enhance retention and success among new nursing undergraduate students by providing psychosocial support, improving confidence, and fostering a sense of belonging. Students will connect with peer mentors to help guide them with firsthand knowledge.