New Hires, Name Hire Date Title Department Farokh Bhada 5/12/25 Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer UMBA Matthew Reader 5/12/25 Program Manager UITS, Departures, Name Departure Date Title Department Brian Burke 6/27/25 Amherst Deputy General Counsel OGC
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On April 17, 2025, UITS held another successful Open Forum staff meeting that included a lively agenda: Welcome / New Hires and Promotions – Michael Milligan MVB Challenge Coin Award Recipients – Pete Connell and Scott Szajna Internal Rapid-Fire Presentations: Vanita Chawla – Automation, Apps & AI Az Blake – Prompt Builder in Agentforce: Field Generation Megan Momtaheni – Spotlight on Women’s…, UITS Most Valued Behaviors, You may have seen them listed in our email signatures or perhaps on banners back at South Street… At each Open Forum roughly 2-3 times per year, the MVB Working Group gathers and solicits nominations for folks who exhibit the most valued behaviors in a role model way. Anonymized nominations are submitted to one of the UITS Interns and the MVB team goes to work to determine the most commendable…, Winners of the April 2025 Most Valued Behaviors Challenge Coin are: , , UITS Most Valued Behaviors Challenge Coin:
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By Mike Durkin, Chief Procurement Officer Last month, the Unified Procurement Services Team (UPST) gathered to honor the remarkable career of John Healey, Contracts and Strategic Sourcing Manager, as he officially entered retirement. Surrounded by colleagues, friends, and well-wishers, we celebrated not only John’s impressive tenure but also the legacy he leaves behind. John began his journey…
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In April 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a rule requiring public entities to make their digital content accessible by April 24, 2026. This rule applies to all web and social media content, third-party products, mobile apps, and course content. Please refer to the Office of the General Counsel’s legal alert on Web Accessibility for Public Entities for a full list of requirements and…, Completed Activities, The Digital Experience team has completed development of four self-paced digital accessibility training courses: Develop Accessible Presentations Write Accessible Emails Create Accessible Social Media Posts Create Accessible Excel Spreadsheets Create Accessible Knowledge Articles Create Accessible Slack Posts Introduction to Video Accessibility The following departments have had Accessibility…, In Progress Activities, Review website PDFs and work with departments to convert to HTML, native formats, or web forms where possible. Work with Administration and Finance (A&F) to plan training roll out to A&F departments. Coordinate critical product testing at UITS and prioritize testing at A&F. Update University marketing videos with captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions. Develop Phase 2…, What to Expect Next, The evaluation process for the Document Remediation RFP is underway. The pool has been narrowed down to 2–3 finalist vendors. The Security team is currently reviewing the HECVAT (Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Tool) for the document remediation services. Administration and Finance (A&F) is defining an accessible procurement strategy. If you have any questions or concerns,…
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Walk it Out, On May 7th, we took a well-deserved break from our desks to recharge both body and mind. Whether you walked around the office or took a stroll through your neighborhood, this 30-minute walk was all about getting moving, relaxing, and enjoying some lighthearted moments with colleagues., Take a Moment—and Breathe in the Benefits, Feeling overwhelmed? Your breath might be the powerful tool you didn’t realize you had. On May 14th, we hosted a brief breathing session designed to help reduce stress, sharpen focus, and enhance overall well-being—whether you're at your desk or on the move. In just a few minutes a day, you can: Release tension and ease anxiety Improve sleep, focus, and emotional balance Feel more grounded, calm…, Deskercise, On May 28th, we hosted a “Deskercise” event—because your desk can be more than just a workspace! If you spend long hours sitting, this fun and practical workshop was made for you. What is Deskercise? Deskercise is a set of simple, low-impact movements you can do right at your desk to: Improve your posture Relieve aches and tension Boost your energy throughout the day What participants gained:…
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As the Unified Procurement Services Team (UPST) continues to evolve and support the University of Massachusetts system’s strategic procurement goals, we’re excited to share a few updates from the Contracts and Strategic Sourcing areas that speak to both leadership continuity and our commitment to internal growth. Following a rigorous search process for two key leadership roles, Contracts Manager…, Sue Cone has been appointed Contracts Manager, bringing with her over 17 years of experience within the UMass system., From her early days at ForHealth Consulting to her work at Chan Medical School, and most recently as a Senior Contracts Specialist with UPST, Sue has consistently demonstrated deep institutional knowledge, leadership, and a thoughtful approach to contract negotiations. As a founding member of UPST, her progression is a testament to her long-standing contributions and leadership within the…, With over 17 years of experience in Higher Education, Bill Mannix has stepped into the role of Strategic Sourcing Manager., Bill most recently led the Research, Medical & Scientific (RMS) and Professional Services categories as a UPST Category Manager. Prior to joining the team, Bill served as Procurement Director at Berkshire Community College for a decade, building a career rooted in higher education procurement. His structured, collaborative approach has earned the respect of colleagues and suppliers alike, and…
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Aloha, Team! Mahalo to everyone who joined us for the Backyard Office Luau BBQ on Wednesday, June 25! The patio and backyard at 50 Washington Street were transformed into a tropical escape, and your energy made it unforgettable. Highlights from the Day: Grilled favorites and sweet ice cream treats Friendly competition with lawn games Luau vibes, music, and plenty of sunshine Special Shout-Outs to…
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We’re pleased to share some exciting news from the President’s Office Administration & Finance (A&F) department: the launch of a new department, the Access Team: Admin & Finance Support Services. The, Access Team, builds on the strengths of the, UPST Service & Quality team, in providing consistent, high-quality services that address the evolving needs of our campus stakeholders. This support will now be extended to all departments under UMPO A&F, with Amanda Onwuka leading the team. Beginning July 1, the Access Team will offer a wide range of support services, including customer support, training, communication, and analytics for a range of Administration &…
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New Hires, Name Hire Date Title Department Farokh Bhada 5/12/25 Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer UMBA Matthew Reader 5/12/25 Program Manager UITS, Promotions, Name Promotion Date Title Department Susan Cone 6/2/25 Contracts Manager UPST Bill Mannix 6/2/25 Strategic Sourcing Manager UPST Nancy Chac 6/9/25 Project Manager UITS, Departures, Name Departure Date Title Department Daniel Kouns 6/7/25 Category Manager UPST Brian Burke 6/27/25 Amherst Deput General Counsel OGC
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After a successful rollout to UITS, we’re thrilled to announce that the Windows 11 upgrade is now entering the pilot phase with the rest of UMPO. Select individuals from each department have already experienced the new OS—and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive., Why Windows 11? , Windows 11 brings a modern, streamlined interface and powerful productivity enhancements designed to support hybrid work and collaboration. With features like Snap Layouts and improved virtual desktops, it’s built to help you work smarter and more efficiently. Want a quick look at what’s new? Check out this short video overview of the new features available in Windows 11., What’s Happening Now? , The project team recently wrapped up the pilot with a diverse group of users across UMPO to ensure a smooth transition. Their feedback has helped us fine-tune the rollout process and address any department-specific needs., Mark Your Calendar: July 17 , That’s our official rollout date for the full UMPO deployment. As we get closer to the date, we will be sharing more details about what to expect, how to prepare, and where to get support. Let’s get ready to make the move together—Windows 11 is coming, and it’s going to be great!
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