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.
Academic Program and Curriculum Changes
The UMass President's Office Department of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs & Equity oversees all academic program and curriculum changes. To request a change, please go to the Academic Program and Curriculum Changes webpage. From that page, users can select an action and download blank forms to complete and upload.
The approval process, required forms, and timelines vary depending on the type of action, with many changes requiring approval from the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and/or the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees.
Leadership and Governance
- Nefertiti A. Walker, Ph.D., MBA, Senior Vice President
- Tom Beraldi, Assistant Vice President for Strategic Analytics and Decision Support & Chief Data Strategist
- Candyce Carragher, Senior Executive Associate
- Sheree Ohen, J.D., Assistant Vice President for Equity and Access
- Gabriela C. Weaver, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research
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
Nefertiti Walker, Ph.D., MBA
Senior 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
Gabriela Weaver, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs & Research
University of Massachusetts President's Office
gweaver@umassp.edu
Contact: Candyce Carragher, 617-287-5329 | ccarragher@umassp.edu
Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Massachusetts Amherst
fouad@umass.edu
Contact: Jo Allen-Oleet, 413-545-6234 | jallenoleet@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
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
r.bala@umassd.edu
Contact: Kristen Kupiec, 508-999-8024 | kkupiec@umassd.edu
Lynne Cossman, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Massachusetts Lowell
lynne_cossman@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 LaPerle, 508-856-2107 | kimberly.LaPerle@umassmed.edu