On April 8th, our office gathered for a special moment — the first-ever Eid celebration at the UMass President’s Office! It was a heartwarming event that brought colleagues together to learn, connect, and celebrate the spirit of Eid. Akshit opened the celebration with a warm welcome and introduced our speakers for the day. 🗣️ Siraj Sayyed kicked off the program by sharing an insightful overview…, What is Eid?, A holy festival celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan., Why is it celebrated?, Eid marks the reward from the Almighty after fulfilling the month-long duty of fasting., When is it celebrated?, Based on the lunar calendar, Eid dates vary each year., How is it celebrated?, With prayers, family gatherings, delicious food and sweets, exchanging gifts (especially for children in the form of “Eidi money”), charity, and heartfelt greetings. 🌍 Following Siraj, Shahriar Panahi gave us a glimpse into how Eid is celebrated in his home country. He shared personal stories and answered questions from the audience, making it a truly engaging and informative session. 🍬 To…
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Spring has arrived, marking a time of transition and march towards fiscal year end. Various departments within Administration and Finance (A&F) have compiled valuable resources, tips, and insights into an informative newsletter for Spring 2025 . This quarter's topics include: A Model for Higher Education: A Message from Mike Durkin, UMass CPO Leaning on UMass A&F Functions During…
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As we near the end of Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) at UPST, our goal is to ensure that year-end transactions are completed promptly and smoothly. To help with this process, UPST provides important transaction due dates in advance, giving everyone enough time to plan and submit FY25 transactions. Additionally, departments are encouraged to avoid unnecessary spending in the final weeks of the fiscal…
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We’re hitting the road for the fourth time—and this time, we’re heading to UMass Lowell as the Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) Roadshow continues its multi-campus journey to connect laboratory, facility and operations teams with suppliers who help keep UMass running smoothly. The MRO Roadshow is a great opportunity for preferred MRO suppliers and our campus team to come together and…
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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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MSRB (Massachusetts State Retirement Board) Member Statements coming in July, The MA State Board of Retirement will be mailing out member statements during the month of July. The statement reflects the balance of a member’s accumulated retirement contributions plus any interest the member’s account has accrued as of the end of last year. More information will be available on the MSRB website soon.
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