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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HRD and UMass President’s Office Human Resources are pleased to announce the kickoff of the 2025 Performance Recognition Program. The annual Performance Recognition Program is an opportunity to formally recognize and acknowledge Commonwealth employees for their extraordinary contributions to public service. This year's nomination period will run from April 1 through May 30, 2025. For more…
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Departures, Name Departure Date Title Department Julie Smith March 18 Budget Analyst Mgmt & Fiscal Affairs
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Sheree M. Ohen, J.D., , joins the University of Massachusetts President's Office in the role of Assistant Vice President of Equity and Access. Ms. Ohen has vast experience in higher education and the field of law. Most recently, she served as the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Amherst College. Ms. Ohen holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Golden Gate University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in English…, Dr. Gabriela C. Weaver, joins the University of Massachusetts President's Office in the role of Assistant Vice President, Academic Affairs and Research. Dr. Weaver has worked in the field of higher education for more than three decades most recently she served at the Amherst for 10 of those years in roles such as Vice Provost for Faculty Development, Assistant Dean for Student Success and Professor of Chemistry. She…, Sara Veilleux -, As we address the current challenges facing higher education, it is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Sara Veilleux as the Director of Strategic Sourcing this month. The UPST Sourcing & Category Management Team, which manages approximately $1 billion in annual spending for the University, is committed to employing strategic and collaborative sourcing practices that…
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In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, celebrated on the third Monday of January, we embraced the spirit of service that Dr. King championed. This day commemorates his legacy and encourages everyone to engage in community involvement and volunteerism. This year, our colleague Sam Burling from Internal Audit took the lead in organizing a food drive, demonstrating the power of collective…
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