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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On June 18, 2025, the Administration & Finance (A&F) team gathered for a vibrant and informative Town Hall that highlighted the division’s resilience, innovation, and commitment to service. Hosted by Kelly Gregory, the event brought together voices from across the system to reflect on recent achievements, share critical updates, and chart the path forward. , Federal Funding in Focus , Directors Monica Jackson and Deirdre Delaney delivered a timely update on the evolving federal grants landscape. Despite a turbulent start to 2025—with delays, new justification requirements, and increased scrutiny, UMass responded with agility. A revamped draw request strategy helped reduce payment delays, and credit ratings remained stable thanks to strong financial oversight. , Accessibility Takes Center Stage, Digital accessibility was a key theme, with Claudia Cortes outlining the University’s commitment to ADA compliance. With a compliance deadline of April 2026, A&F is actively reviewing websites, third-party tools, procurement processes, and employee training to ensure equitable access for all., By the Numbers: Departmental Highlights , Eight departments shared impressive metrics and milestones, presented by some of A&F’s best and brightest: , Budget Office, – Presented by Sara MacKenzie Managing a $4.3B budget, producing over 1,200 pages of reports, and tracking $2.1B in capital project spending., Employee Services Team (Payroll & Travel/Expense), – Presented by Caitrin Merrill & Erika O’Malley Processed 42K+ W-2s, $2B in gross pay, and 76K+ expense reports, with 25K active employees supported., Application Specialists (EST), – Presented by Elijah Collins Maintains 200+ PeopleSoft programs, supports $168M/month in payroll, and manages 150+ system interfaces., Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), – Presented by Samantha Wallace Tracks 31 systemwide risks and 133 mitigation strategies, with national recognition for the MATRX tool., Human Resources , – Presented by Diane Pelletier Processed 18.5K+ HR transactions and managed 40 union contracts across all campuses., Innovation & Operational Services, – Presented by Jacob Sturtz & Andrew Buroni Delivered 12 roadmap projects and supported 13 enterprise applications with 1,751 cases closed in FY25., Treasury & Operations, – Presented by Ben Johnson & Molly Lynch Managed $141M in investment income, 163K credit card transactions/month, and filed $10.5M in energy credits., Unified Procurement Services Team (UPST) , – Presented by Jazemine Belkin, Ashley Tejada & Evanthia Tully Oversaw $1.07B in spend, processed 275K invoices, and created 2,000+ contracts annually. , Evolving for Impact: The Access Team, David Nero introduced the new A&F Support Services Access Team, launching July 1. This team will centralize customer service across A&F, offering a single point of contact and a new Customer Service Rotation Program for staff development. It’s a bold step toward a more unified, responsive A&F. , Roadmap 6.5: Strategic Vision Ahead , Amy Ryan shared updates on the A&F Roadmap, which continues to guide strategic initiatives across the division. With 21 projects on track for completion by the end of FY25, Roadmap 6.5 will build on this momentum with a renewed focus on leadership, shared services, and ERP strategy. , Closing Reflections , Senior Vice President Lisa Calise closed the event with gratitude and encouragement, highlighting the collective achievements of the A&F team and the importance of staying connected to our mission. , Photos from the Town Hall
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By Kate Carroll, Sr. Applications Specialist, UITS UMass Dartmouth MSTM Graduate - Class of 2025 In addition to my current role supporting international applications here in UITS, I’ve also been pursuing a master’s degree in technology management through UMass Dartmouth’s online program. This spring—just before (finally) walking across a rainy stage to collect my symbolic diploma jacket (…
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The IT Conference held at UMass Dartmouth on June 5, 2025 was attended by over 200 UMass Information Technology employees across all campuses. This was an annual event prior to Covid and our Dartmouth contemporaries celebrated the opportunity to reboot this important occasion to gather, network and learn amongst campus colleagues. Vala Afshar was the keynote speaker and gave a lively discussion…, CIO Fireside Chat, , moderated by Peggy Dias of UMD, included rapid-fire questions, along with one uniquely specific question posed to each of our six UMass CIOs. Rapid-Fire Questions/Answers: There are now 25 hours in a day, what do you do with that last hour…In 3 words or less? Michael Milligan (UMPO) – Sleep, Eat, Drink Michael Cipriano (Lowell) – Definitely Recreational Ray Lefebvre (Boston) – Time with Family…, UMass Boston, will host the IT Conference next year, so be on the lookout for your invitation to participate and attend the 2026 IT Conference at UMB. Thank you to UMass Dartmouth for hosting and to the 2025 IT Conference Committee:
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The 50th anniversary of Cabo Verde’s independence, July 5, 1975, celebrates the day in which Cape Verde officially declared its independence from Portugal. Approximately 70,000 Cape Verdeans live in Massachusetts. Historically, one of the major factors that brought Cape Verdeans to Massachusetts was the whaling industry. Each year, Boston and New Bedford hold festivities for Cabo Verde’s…, Ways to Celebrate , Cabo Verde Independence Day Festival, Friday, July 4, 2:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Boston City Hall Plaza The Cape Verdean Association of Boston hosts the annual Independence Celebration at Boston City Hall Plaza on the date of July 4. The festival environment helps to showcase Cape Verdean culture, art, music, and food in a family friendly environment. , Celebrate All Month Long in New Bedford , Various dates and locations Celebrate the food, music, history, and cultural pride of New Bedford’s Cabo Verdean community during Cabo Verdean Heritage Month. We have spotlighted a few of the events below. Check out the Cabo Verdean Heritage Month calendar for a full list of events. Casting a Wider Net Traveling Exhibit Wednesday, July 2 – Friday, August 1 Cape Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall…
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