From the Chancellor

UMass Boston is positioned to build on its distinctive strengths.

AT FALL CONVOCATION IN SEPTEMBER, we welcomed Beacons back to a rebranded and energized campus for the new academic year. Former White House Climate Adviser and UMass Boston alumna Gina McCarthy ’76 was there. And she had a message for us.

It is time for renewal. And it is time for resilience. If UMass Boston is to be—as our new 10-year strategic plan boldly asserts—a university for the times, we must meet the moment. We must rise to the task of making the world better, through our education, research, and service.

The fall 2022 issue of our beautifully redesigned magazine Beacons chronicles some of the ways UMass Boston is already hard at work moving the needle on four challenges of our time.

Tackling health inequity—by diversifying the nursing workforce and creating a pioneering urban public health department to renew our commitment that nobody’s health should be left behind.

Collaborating with municipalities in Boston to document climate inequity—by generating climate risk projections and crafting mitigation strategies to protect vulnerable communities from sea level rise.

Addressing racial inequity—by researching how prejudice and social isolation worsen the health, mental health, and financial hardships of Asian Americans with limited English proficiency.

And shaping a new education for the future paradigm—by partnering with private industry, school districts, and other universities to bolster science education and leadership in K-12 schools.

Indeed, as Gina McCarthy noted at Convocation, “I know so many of you are here because you already have a commitment to a better, more equitable world . . . So now it’s your chance to take hold of these inequities. It’s your chance to take advantage of the education this school has to offer so you can embrace the change that we all want and need to see. This is your time to shine.”

Yes, it is. Going forward, UMass is positioned to build on its distinctive strengths—innovative, student-centered learning; the advancement of knowledge and discovery in service of the public good; and basic and translational research that moves the world forward and is for the times.

I hope you are as inspired as I am by the better future UMass Boston will have a hand in creating.

Sincerely,

MARCELO SUÁREZ-OROZCO

BEACONS

Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco

Provost Joseph Berger

Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Adam Wise

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Alumni Engagement Allison Duffy

Director of Alumni Engagement Steven Whittemore

Communications Specialist Vanessa Chatterley

Art Director Kaajal Asher

kaajalasher.com

Copy Editor Sasha Nyary

sashanyary.com

Contributors Danielle Bilotta Andrea Kennedy DeWayne Lehman Crystal Valencia G’14 David Walberg

Photos and Illustrations Allie Crawford ’22 Bob Durling Photography Chris Ferenzi John Gillooly Sarah Hanson Bartosz Kosowski Elizabeth Kramp ’25 Matthew Mikaelian Alex Nabaum Javier Rivas

Beacons magazine celebrates the accomplishments and impact of the UMass Boston community and the lasting connection alumni and friends have with UMass Boston, Boston State College, and our legacy schools.

We welcome your inquiries, ideas, and comments. Please share them with the UMass Boston Alumni Engagement team at 617.287.5330 or alumni@umb.edu.