The System Office’s role in academic affairs stresses oversight, coordination and collaboration to ensure a quality learning experience for students and excellence in research. Academic governance and academic policy are the primary focus of the System Office in academic matters.

The senior vice president reports to the Board of Trustees Committee on Academic Affairs, Student Affairs & Equity (CASA) on policy matters of personnel, tenure review, academic program development and review. The Board of Trustees is the lead governance body for the University of Massachusetts System.

Academic Program Review is an extensive process involving all levels of governance and policy on each campus in the system. The Academic Affairs, Student Affairs & Equity office works closely with each campus to ensure that each new program in development adheres to Trustee Policy T92-012, follows a strict set of Program Approval Guidelines, and is prepared in a manner that is consistent with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education program application requirements. Links to the Department of Higher Education Curriculum outlines and budget forms, among others, can be found on the Academic Policy page.

Leadership and Governance

  • Kumble R. Subbaswamy, Ph.D., Senior Vice President (Interim)
  • Nefertiti A. Walker, Ph.D., MBA, Deputy Vice President 
  • Robert Gamache, Ph.D., Senior Advisor
  • Candyce Carragher, Senior Executive Associate

The Academic Advisory Council (AAC) is made up of the chief academic officers of each campus. AAC meets monthly for the purpose of reviewing academic matters common and unique to all campuses.

Chief Academic Officers

Kumble Subbaswamy, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President for Academic, Student Affairs and Equity
University of Massachusetts President's Office
ksubbaswamy@umassp.edu

Contact:  Candyce Carragher, 617-287-5329 | ccarragher@umassp.edu

Nefertiti Walker, Ph.D., MBA
Deputy Vice President for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Equity
University of Massachusetts President's Office
nwalker@umassp.edu

Contact:  Candyce Carragher, 617-287-5329 | ccarragher@umassp.edu

Robert Gamache, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor for Academic Affairs
University of Massachusetts President's Office
rgamache@umassp.edu

Contact:  Candyce Carragher, 617-287-5329 | ccarragher@umassp.edu

Michael Malone, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Massachusetts Amherst
mmalone@provost.umass.edu​

Contact: Kelly Smiaroski, 413-545-6225 | ksmiaroski@provost.umass.edu

Joseph B. Berger, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Massachusetts Boston
joseph.berger@umb.edu​

Contact: Jannette White, 617-287-5602 | jannette.white@umb.edu

Ramprasad Balasubramanian, PhD
Interim Provost/Vice Chancellor
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
r.bala@umassd.edu 

Contact: Kristen Kupiec, 508-999-8024 | kkupiec@umassd.edu

Joseph Hartman, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Joseph_Hartman@uml.edu

Contact: Meylia Kurnianto, 978-934-3000 | meylia_kurnianto@uml.edu

Terry Flotte, M.D.
Dean of the School of Medicine
Provost and Executive Deputy Chancellor
University of Massachusetts Medical School
terry.flotte@umassmed.edu

Contact: Kimberly La Perle, 508-856-2107 | kimberly.LaPerle@umassmed.edu