New Leaders on Campus

Dean Fernhall

Bo Fernhall, PhD

DEAN OF THE MANNING COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES

Most recent role: Dean, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago

Prior institutions: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Syracuse University, George Washington University Medical Center, University of Rhode Island

Alma mater: Arizona State University (PhD), Southern Connecticut State College (MS, BS)

Why UMass Boston? I was attracted to UMass Boston because of the tremendous opportunity and potential. The vision and mission of the university and the Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences aligned perfectly with my own values and vision of what higher education is all about. I look forward to working with our fantastic students and faculty toward creating a more just, healthy, and equitable society.

Vice Chancellor Ferrer-Muñiz

Karen Ferrer-Muñiz, PhD

VICE CHANCELLOR OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Most recent role: Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Utica University, New York

Prior institutions: Hudson Valley Community College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Union College

Alma mater: SUNY Albany (PhD, MA), Inter-American University of Puerto Rico (BA)

Why UMass Boston? I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the wonderful students of UMass Boston and be in a city known as a hub for higher education. Throughout my transition here, I have been struck by a deep commitment of the campus to help people transform their lives and by its rich educational quality rooted in diversity. I am a strong believer in a community of care that prepares students to contribute to their communities and workforce. Therefore, I look forward to working with alumni, students, staff, and faculty to advance such work in a way that promotes safety, health, engagement, inclusion, and equity.

Dean Walker

Stephanie Walker

DEAN OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Most recent role: Dean of Libraries and Information Resources, University of North Dakota (2015–22)

Prior institutions: City University of New York’s Brooklyn College, Harvard Medical School, Mount Saint Vincent University, University of Toronto

Alma mater: University of Toronto (MSLS), University of Waterloo (MA, BA)

Why UMass Boston? One huge factor was the student body, as well as the overall UMass Boston community. I love working with this community. I was a firstgeneration student, from an immigrant family twice over, whose first language was not English, and I strongly believe that education is vital, and that a great education should be available and accessible to all. In past jobs, I have put a great deal of emphasis on starting or growing programs around open educational resources and open access to expand the accessibility of education and research; strengthening information literacy programs and outreach; enhancing faculty research support; and on renovating, repurposing, and transforming library spaces to make them much better for students, faculty, and other users. I’ve already found people at UMass Boston (and the greater New England library community) to be extremely interested in and energized by these ideas and initiatives, and I’m hoping to grow them all.

Dean Venkatachalam

Venky Venkatachalam, PhD

DEAN AND DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR, COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT

Most recent role: Dean, Beacom School of Business, University of South Dakota (2014–22)

Prior institutions: University of New Hampshire

Alma mater: The University of Alabama (PhD), Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (MBA), University of Madras, India (BS)

Why UMass Boston? Boston has a vibrant ecosystem of innovators, entrepreneurs, and world-class businesses. Being located in Boston as a premier public research university, UMass Boston offers tremendous opportunities to connect our students and faculty, with the businesses to develop and build world-class careers. Our student body is very diverse, and I am delighted to have this opportunity to serve the Boston and Massachusetts economies in providing a healthy pipeline of diverse worldclass workforce. Our faculty are outstanding teachers and engaged in cutting edge impactful research. I am looking forward to distinguishing our College of Management as a globally ranked business school.