In Student Affairs, the role of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs & Equity is to provide oversight, coordination and collaboration among our campuses. The goal of student affairs is to:

  • Maintain and improve affordability and access for Massachusetts’ students
  • Promote diversity as a high priority throughout the University
  • Provide positive and civil climates on each campus
  • Ensure a quality student experience both in and out of the classroom

At UMass, our students play an active role in university governance. On each campus, the student body elects the student member of the University’s Board of Trustees and the officers of its Student Government to represent the student voice to campus administration.

The student affairs leadership on each campus is entrusted with providing students with a safe, inclusive learning environment and delivers the essential services that ensure student success. Vice chancellors and deans of student affairs enforce the Student Codes of Conduct and oversee the campus and student policies that ensure academic discipline and public safety.

The vice chancellors for student affairs of each campus meet multiple times a year with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs & Equity to hold working meetings as the Student Affairs Advisory Council (SAAC). The group meets to discuss areas of concern unique and common to all campuses.

Leadership and Governance

University of Massachusetts System Office Leadership

Kumble Subbaswamy, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Equity (Interim)

Nefertiti Walker, Ph.D., MBA
Deputy Vice President for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Equity

Robert Gamache, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor for Academic Affairs

Candyce Carragher 
Senior Executive Associate

Student Affairs Advisory Council (SAAC)

UMass Amherst

Shelly Perdomo-Ahmed, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life

UMass Boston

Karen Ferrer-Muñiz, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

UMass Dartmouth

Kimberly M. Scott, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

UMass Lowell

James Kohl, Ph.D.
Dean of Student Affairs and Enrichment

Brenda Evans
Dean of Student Affairs & Event Services

UMass Medical School

Alan Acosta, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost for Student Life, Director of Positive Learning Environments

Anne Garrison, M.D.
Interim Associate Dean for Student Affairs