UMass Dartmouth FY 22-23 Philanthropy Report

making the extraordinary happen at UMass Dartmouth

Students come to UMass Dartmouth with a vision for their futures, ready to dive into new experiences and expand their knowledge. As they immerse themselves in courses, internships, student clubs, or athletics, they realize the extraordinary opportunities that are at their fingertips, many of which are made possible by the philanthropy of our donor community. We are grateful for their donations, which provide financial support for our students, build innovative programs, and elevate the academic experience at UMass Dartmouth. This generosity is an investment in our students and in the SouthCoast.

A Message from the Chancellor

In the past year, we have experienced remarkable progress and achievements across our campus. From welcoming the largest entering class since 2015, to the completion of numerous infrastructure projects, the expansion of our academic programs, and the significant increase in research grants, UMass Dartmouth has continued to thrive and make a lasting impact.

Our high-quality programs in business, engineering, arts, sciences, nursing, law, marine science, and computer science are attracting top talent like never before. Our new Founder's Scholarship, which covers all student expenses, is creating a buzz among high schools in the SouthCoast region, and this autumn, we proudly welcomed over twelve exceptional students who achieved the highest academic standing in their Massachusetts high schools. On a national scale, UMass Dartmouth’s exceptional programs are also receiving recognition.

In the 2024 rankings by US News & World Report, UMass Dartmouth once again climbed significantly, now being placed in the top half of all National Research Universities in the country. We’re especially proud that we ranked as the third best public research university in Massachusetts and the second best-value school among all public universities in the state. UMass Dartmouth sets our students up for success, with 95% of our graduates employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.

Campus life is thriving, with over 120 student organizations for both resident and commuter students. Our Corsair sports teams are excelling at the highest level – last year, we secured the conference championships in football, softball, and men's indoor & outdoor track and field, sent two teams to NCAA tournaments, and had five student-athletes compete in NCAA championships. Many of our alumni and friends visited campus for Blue & Gold Weekend, embracing their Corsair spirit to support our sports teams and participate in events on campus.

Thanks to your generous support, our campus spaces are better serving the needs of our Corsair family. The Veterans’ Resource Center opened this past spring to provide military-affiliated students a community space that helps them transition to civilian life. The Observatory has re-opened with a new dome, allowing faculty and students to take their research to new heights. A walking labyrinth will provide a meditation space for all students, staff and faculty. The Claire T. Carney Library now offers space for highly requested eSports programs. Our Unity Plaza, visible at the entrance to campus, will proudly display flags that represent our diverse and unique campus community.

Our students come here with a dream to pursue their passions, and we’ve made remarkable advancements to alleviate the financial burden that can stand in their way. Your generosity creates scholarships, enhances academic programs, provides resources, and plays a pivotal part in changing the lives of our students and their families. In 2022, we met 80% of the financial need of our in-state students. While there is still much to accomplish, this remarkable progress is only made possible through the generous support of donors like you. Your contributions play a vital role in fostering a thriving academic environment and empowering our students to pursue their dreams.

On behalf of the entire Corsair community, I offer my sincere thanks for your contribution towards fostering purposeful lives, positive impact, and lasting success.

With gratitude,

Mark A. Fuller, Ph.D.

Chancellor

Restoring a modern learning hub

The largest investment in UMass Dartmouth’s history will prepare the Arts & Sciences building to serve students for the future

In 1964, famed Brutalist architect Paul Rudolph designed a distinctive setting for UMass Dartmouth’s campus—a series of concrete buildings in futuristic shapes that has served as the center of groundbreaking research and innovative thinking for decades. Sixty years later, the largest investment from the state of Massachusetts in UMass Dartmouth’s history will restore the main structure and first piece built in Rudolph’s campus plan, the Arts & Sciences building, and support student success for generations to come.

The Arts & Sciences building is the heart of the UMass Dartmouth campus, home to the College of Arts & Sciences, the largest college with its 60+ majors and minors. This central learning hub is also the site for community involvement at the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement, where our students, faculty, and staff organize to meet the needs of the SouthCoast through engaged learning and civic participation.

The Arts & Sciences building has functioned as the academic workhorse of the campus since construction was completed in 1966. Outside, its cantilever awnings, textured surfaces and other elements of Brutalist design make it historically significant and unique. Inside, cascading stairways carry students through three floors containing 34 classrooms, 173 faculty and staff offices, and light-filled atriums shaped by

spiraling geometric forms that create spaces for collaboration and connection.

This timely renovation of the Arts & Sciences building introduces a major opportunity to incorporate recent advances in technology, accessibility, and sustainability and provide UMass Dartmouth students with an unparalleled academic experience.

A historic investment in UMass Dartmouth

With $73 million in funding initially secured from the state in 2022, plus an additional $8 million allocated in 2023, the Arts & Sciences building looks forward to a renovation that will make it the modern learning center of campus. The $81 million investment from the state’s Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance will address deferred maintenance issues within the building. The full project—which will enhance classrooms, labs, offices, and student meeting spaces, and includes implementing geothermal energy as a part of UMass Dartmouth’s commitment to environmental sustainability— will cost approximately $97 million and is expected to be completed in 2026. The university will launch a fundraising campaign to support the cost of modernizing classrooms and areas that house student support services to ensure that UMass Dartmouth is providing a 21st-century learning environment for students.

“This historic investment in UMass Dartmouth and in our students—the single largest investment in our history—will enable us to provide the learning spaces our students need to pursue their ambitions," said UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark A. Fuller. “This comprehensive renovation of a signature academic building will make a major difference in the lives of our students and educational attainment on the SouthCoast.”

Led by the architectural firms of Sasaki Associates and Finegold Alexander, the project seeks to restore the Arts & Sciences building to its glory with updated systems for the future, focusing on meeting the University’s clean energy goals and the state’s green energy codes. Sasaki will work with 11 engineering and consulting firms, including those with expertise in renovating historic buildings.

The renovation of the Arts & Sciences building will bring enhancements to the campus’s most heavily trafficked building that address modern academic needs. Work will preserve Rudolph’s innovative design while modernizing the building’s mechanical systems and replacing its roof and windows. As the first major project in a campus-wide decarbonization effort,

the renovation will utilize energy-efficient systems, including a geothermal wellfield. The HVAC system will be replaced and electrical and other mechanical systems will be upgraded to improve both comfort and energy efficiency.

“This exciting renewal of the Arts & Sciences building will impact every first-year UMass Dartmouth student as they take their foundational courses in an upgraded facility that supports student learning,” said Interim Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Robert Jones. Classrooms will see improvements that facilitate active learning and introduces configurations and enhanced technology infrastructure that will provide accessibility and flexibility. Significant upgrades to ADA accessibility will make it easier for all members of the community to use learning and common spaces.

As UMass Dartmouth continues its upward trajectory in national rankings and witnesses the success of students, the renovation of the Arts & Sciences building is a key milestone in the university’s positive momentum and recognition of its commitment to providing an outstanding education that prepares students for the future.

UPGRADES TO THE ARTS & SCIENCES BUILDING

Roof replacement

Window replacement

Concrete repairs

Accessibility upgrades in classrooms, restrooms, spaces, and elevators

Energy-efficient heating, cooling, and ventilation systems to meet sustainability goals

Enhancements to teaching and learning spaces

With a complete systems replacement, the Arts & Sciences building will be the first major project in a campus-wide decarbonization effort. Graphic courtesy of Sasaki Associates.

Empowering Sarah Adjei ’26: Scholarships pave the way for global education access

From the villages of Ghana to UMass Dartmouth’s Ring Road, Sarah Adjei traveled across the world to attend college with the support of scholarship donors

Announcements echo in an unfamiliar language. Luggage wheels rhythmically roll toward unexplored terrain. Jet engines roar in the distance to sweep travelers away to their destination. As West African native Sarah Adjei ’26 walked through Boston’s Logan Airport for the first time, her clammy hands trembled with a nervous anticipation; she was eager to embark on her higher education journey, but uneasy about the many roadblocks that would stand in the way on her path to success.

“When I got to the United States, I was just a girl with ambitions in a beautiful place. I was doing everything I could to take it all in,” said Adjei. A first-generation college student, her journey across borders sparked both excitement and fear, as she was unable to resist the whirlwind rush of adrenaline she felt navigating her new home away from home. “As an international student, I came here all alone without my parents. It was terrifying, but so exciting at the same time.” With a suitcase full of dreams, Adjei arrived to the U.S.

following her high school career in her home country of Ghana. From beloved family members to decadent cuisine, she left everything she’d ever known behind in conquest of a degree that will transform her professional career. As the first in her family to attend college, Adjei’s fear of failure pulsed in her chest as she enrolled in classes at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, MA, but she found sheer solace in academia’s warm embrace.

My scholarship donor is part of my village that is shaping my future, and for that, they are my hero. I can now look at my education and see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Sarah Adjei '26

After receiving her associate’s degree, she transferred to UMass Dartmouth to study psychology. As she made yet another transition, Adjei found herself struggling with the expensive burden on her shoulders, making it challenging for her to focus on her studies and become fully immersed in the Corsair community. She needed financial support to truly thrive in her academics and experience college in a wholesome, incomparable way.

Adjei turned to the many scholarships offered to UMass Dartmouth students to make their passionate aspirations a reality. Endowed scholarships like the Dr. Teal DonabellaPedlow Memorial Scholarship are essential to opening doors for students to pursue the academic foundations that will prepare them for career success, a gesture that shows faith in the futures of ambitious Corsairs.

“When we established the Dr. Teal Donabella-Pedlow Memorial Scholarship, it was because we were dedicated to helping first-generation students get the education they deserve. These students understand the essence of balancing work, school, and their personal lives,” said donor Marie DonabellaPedlow. Adjei was awarded this scholarship to aid in her educational endeavors and set her up for financial stability in preparation for her future career. “We believe that everyone should have access to higher education to create a wellrounded, equitable society.”

The Donabella-Pedlow family's genuine display of philanthropy helped Adjei discover the college experience that she’d always dreamed of at UMass Dartmouth. Without the heavy burden of tuition and fees hanging over her head, Adjei has the strength to put all of her effort into acing her classes, being a valued member of the UMass Dartmouth community, and indulging in hobbies that ignite creativity within her. For example, she started her own website selling self-designed journal templates that cater to mental health needs, a personal project that aligns with her studies at UMass Dartmouth. She was so inspired by the selflessness of the Donabella-Pedlow family that she even gives back herself and distributes her journals to elementary school students in hopes of instilling positive mindsets in them at an early age.

“There is a serious mental health crisis in the world, but especially among college students,” said Donabella-Pedlow. “As the cost of college increases, I hope that this scholarship alleviates stress for students so they can have more time to focus on their personal health.”

Endowed scholarships make college less stressful for hardworking students with overloaded plates in front of them. They break down the barriers that students like Adjei may face during their educational careers. They serve as a beacon of hope for Adjei and others starting a new chapter of their lives, uncertain about the journey that lies ahead. They empower the next generation of professional leaders to shape a world that knows the importance of giving back firsthand.

“There’s an old saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’” said a confident Adjei, now secure in her pursuit for higher education due to this scholarship. “My scholarship donor is part of my village that is shaping my future, and for that, they are my hero. I can now look at my education and see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Endowment funds are a critical part of increasing student financial aid and developing innovative academic and research programs in perpetuity. For information about establishing an endowment or contributing to one, please contact University Advancement at giving@umassd.edu.

Sarah Adjei ’26

Making an impact on global sustainability

Scholars and researchers at the School for Marine Science and Technology contribute to creating a sustainable seafood supply while supporting the development of renewable energy

Groundbreaking research and innovative solutions pioneered by UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) have played a critical role in advancing the blue economy in the Commonwealth for over 20 years, including the revitalization of New Bedford’s scallop industry. Today, nearly half of SMAST’s graduate students are a vital part of research collaborations with offshore wind developers that position SMAST and the SouthCoast region as leading partners in this emerging industry and creates pathways to careers.

SMAST’s experts lie at the intersection between offshore wind developers and fisheries, bridging the stakeholders with valuable information as windfarms introduce changes to the ecosystem and challenges for fisheries to harvest in areas around the windfarms. “We focus on helping fisheries make decisions that allow them to move forward sustainably,” said Kevin D. E. Stokesbury, dean of the School for Marine Science and Technology. “Fisheries and offshore wind developers rely on the results of our environmental impact studies to establish an understanding of the ecosystem before construction so they can mitigate or respond to alterations that the windfarms may cause.”

SMAST students serve a pivotal role in the development of the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind project as they conduct research with faculty in areas of the Atlantic waters leased for development. Vineyard Wind enlisted the expertise of SMAST scientists with $1 million of funding to investigate how their planed offshore windfarm 35 miles off the coast of mainland Massachusetts would impact recreational and commercial fisheries.

Using the drop camera and trawl survey assessment methods developed by SMAST’s student and faculty researchers, their work will identify which species could be affected by wind

turbines before and after construction. “We’ve learned that it’s a very dynamic system that requires a robust monitoring plan throughout the process,” said Chris Rillahan, SMAST research associate and Ph.D. student. “Our work has helped define a standard for offshore wind developers based on the best science and research.”

“By looking at the whole ecosystem and fish behavior, we get a good indicator of what changes are happening in the waters,” said Amy Martins, an SMAST Ph.D. student. “Offshore wind energy introduces many benefits for our global health. Our work helps to create a synergy between the two industries so they can coexist.”

SMAST students Freddy Phillips and Amy Martins attached cameras and lights to the drop camera pyramid that will be lowered into the water to capture images of the sea floor.

“SMAST has a positive working relationship with the fishing industry, so partnering with their team was an easy choice,” said Crista Bank, fisheries manager at Vineyard Wind, and SMAST alumna. “Fishermen will be the first to witness any potential changes out there so having them part of the scientist process is important. Vineyard Wind wanted to make sure the fishing industry was included in all stages of the pre- and post-construction monitoring plans, from the development phase to conducting the research on their fishing vessels, and participating in the review process.”

Research collaborations such as the one with Vineyard Wind allow students to gain experience that will empower them to become leaders in developing solutions for sustainability. SMAST graduate students have worked in marine-related fields or fisheries and developed a network of connections that expands through faculty and corporate partnerships. “SMAST students, faculty, and our relationships with regional partners, fisheries and agencies creates an atmosphere that lends itself to scientific collaboration,” said Stokesbury.

VINEYARD WIND 1 WILL CONSIST OF:

62

Our work has helped define a standard for offshore wind developers based on the best science and research.”

Chris Rillahan, SMAST research associate and Ph.D. student

“It’s exciting to see our work getting attention in the science community, and to be involved in the work behind developing more sustainable energy sources,” said Andie Painten, a master’s student in fisheries oceanography who works on the windfarm survey and leads ventless trap and larval surveys in the offshore wind development area.

Research like the partnerships funded by Vineyard Wind create impactful interdisciplinary experiential research opportunities for SMAST master’s and doctoral students. Collaborating with SMAST’s world-class faculty experts, students make significant contributions to the economic development of our communities and develop solutions to marine-related issues.

predicted to generate and power over an equivalent of removing

400,000

wind turbines homes, vehicles

800

megawatts

325,000

of electricity from roadways

The first completed turbine for the Vineyard Wind 1 project, located 20 nautical miles south of Martha's Vineyard

New scholarship preserves the values of retired Chancellor Professor Ron DiPippo

Mechanical engineering alumni establish scholarship honoring their influential professor

For 37 years, aspiring mechanical engineering students set out to conquer Dr. Ron DiPippo’s demanding thermodynamics courses, studying harder than they ever had before. “Work hard, then work harder” was the mantra in Dr. DiPippo’s classroom. After surviving the grueling courses and exams that tested their knowledge, each student graduated from UMass Dartmouth with the fundamental skills that would lay the foundations of their engineering careers—and the confidence to succeed in a competitive industry.

Inspired by Dr. DiPippo’s impact on their educations and careers, a group of mechanical engineering alumni collaborated to establish the Chancellor Professor Ron DiPippo Scholarship Fund for mechanical engineering students. The committee of John Berg ’82, Bill Catlow ’69, Donald Foster ’72, John Guarino ’95, Gene Potkay ’73, Scott Tingle ’87, and Jim Zisson ’82, and Ray Laoulache, retired associate dean of the College of Engineering, sought to honor their professor and mentor by providing financial support to current mechanical engineering students at UMass Dartmouth.

“I gained a deep understanding of thermodynamics and energy systems, but perhaps more importantly, he taught me how to think critically, pay attention to details, and to work hard and apply engineering rigor,” said John Guarino ’95, executive director of the mechanical products team at Raytheon Missiles & Defense.

Ron DiPippo is a retired Chancellor Professor of mechanical engineering and former associate dean of the College of Engineering at UMass Dartmouth, known for teaching some of the most challenging courses in the mechanical engineering program from 1967 until his retirement in 2004. Prior to joining the faculty at UMass Dartmouth, DiPippo was a mechanical engineer at the U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, RI, where his work focused on the thermodynamic analysis of compact propulsion systems for underwater applications and fluid flow phenomena.

Ray Laoulache, John Guarino '95, Gene Potkay '73, Ron DiPippo, Scott Tingle '87, Don Foster '72, and John Berg '82

Engineering alumni look back fondly at their time in DiPippo’s classroom and value the impact he had on their academic and professional successes. By introducing them to the level of precision, rigor, and critical thinking required and emphasizing the mastery of fundamental skills necessary to become successful engineers, DiPippo played a significant role in his students’ academic and professional experiences.

“Dr. DiPippo is the most influential mentor in my life, and he is at the core of every success that I have achieved,” said Scott Tingle ’87, U.S. Navy Captain (retired). “He is the reason behind my deep interest and capabilities in engineering, science, math, and technology.”

“One of the greatest lessons Ron taught me was that dedication and perseverance is more important than raw intelligence,” said Gene Potkay ’73, who is a retired senior vice president of intellectual property for Nielsen.

Students were held to high standards in DiPippo’s courses, but the challenge of meeting those expectations quickly turned to admiration for his professionalism and style. “Ron was respected as a role model of technical professionalism, elegance, accomplishments, and social graces for young engineers,” said Don Foster ’72, mechanical engineering instructor and lab manager, who later became a colleague of DiPippo’s at UMass Dartmouth.

Establishing a scholarship in DiPippo’s honor was a fitting way to show gratitude for his influence, while providing financial support for current students. The Chancellor Professor Ron DiPippo Scholarship Fund will be awarded to a mechanical engineering student with demonstrated financial need and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Praise for DiPippo

“UMass Dartmouth has a long history of creating engineers with hard-charging motivation and in-depth understanding of engineering fundamentals. This scholarship will help us make more of them.”

Scott Tingle ’87 U.S. Navy Captain (retired)

“I can’t forget what a difference Dr. DiPippo made to me at a critical time. This scholarship is a way to honor him and pay it forward.”

John Berg ’85 CEO of Carpe Diem Technologies, Inc.

I hope this scholarship will continue to preserve the values that Dr. DiPippo and UMass Dartmouth embody... technology will continue to evolve, but engineering fundamentals, hard work, commitment, and attention to detail will remain critical skills for all successful engineering professionals.”

John Guarino '95

Executive

Director of Mechanical Products, Raytheon Missiles & Defense

prepared to protect your business

A $3.5 million National Science Foundation grant bolsters cybersecurity program, readying students to become leaders in this cutting-edge field

Cybersecurity threats are on the rise, leaving no company safe from data breaches and malicious software, ransomware, or phishing attacks. According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of Data Breach Report, the global average cost of a data breach was $4.45 million, including lost revenue caused by downtime and investigating and responding to the attack. Accompanied by the blow to a company’s brand and reputation, preventing these attacks is a top priority.

Responding to the critical need to create systems to combat these damaging attacks requires a workforce skilled in analyzing and designing secure information systems.

“You need to be good at building something to know how to break it and get into the details,” said Lance Fiondella, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of the UMass Dartmouth Cybersecurity Center. “Our students learn the fundamentals of design in their computer science and computer engineering courses that make them ready to work in the field of security at any level.”

My favorite aspect of studying cybersecurity at UMassD is that my professors encourage students to go beyond what the course offers."

Ayyappan Rajesh '24

Bolstered by a $3.5 million National Science Foundation grant and a designation as a National Security Agency Department of Homeland Security Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research, UMass Dartmouth’s cybersecurity program aims to address the national demand for a diverse cybersecurity workforce and prepare master’s-level professionals for government positions. The grant provides scholarship funding for students and opportunities internships and employment at premier agencies. The designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research puts UMass Dartmouth students in front of the nation’s top recruiters at an annual job fair in Washington, D.C., and the chance to connect with people working in cybersecurity research and engineering at federal agencies.

Cybersecurity is a rich and diverse subject, with business, psychology, and economics intersecting with computer engineering and computer science as students acquire skills

for developing cyber defense and secure software and solving problems resulting from cyber attacks of systems and data. Hands-on research opportunities with faculty and challenging class projects expose students to advanced applications of their skills and introduce contemporary issues such as the internet of things and the smart and connected world in which we live today.

“My favorite aspect of studying cybersecurity at UMass Dartmouth is that my professors encourage students to go beyond what the course offers,” said Ayyappan Rajesh ’24, whose interest is in wireless security and automotive security. “I worked on a project that led to a discovery of a replay attack in certain vehicles that let an attacker remotely lock, unlock and start vehicles. Outside of class, I have worked on projects involving connected cars, Internet of Things, and wireless security.”

With national recognition and the support of major grant funding, UMass Dartmouth students are prepared to meet the demand of cybersecurity positions, equipped with the fundamentals to be sharp computer engineers and computer scientists.

Ayyappan Rajesh '24 (left) met John C. Inglis, primary cybersecurity advisor to U.S. President Joe Biden at DEFCON, the world's largest hacking conference.

Faculty members Liudong Xing, PhD, and Gokhan Kul, PhD receive CyberCorps Scholarship for Service certification from government officials Dr. James L. Moore III, Assistant Director for STEM Education, National Science Foundation (NSF); Mr. Nitin Natarajan, Deputy Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA); Mr. Rob Shriver, Deputy Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM); and Dr. Suzanne Nielsen, Deputy Assistant National Cyber Director for Workforce, Education, and Training , Office of the National Cyber Director, Executive Office of the President

UMassD’s first-year MLS and nursing scholars

take a “S.T.E.P. Up”

A unique program for first-year College of Nursing and Health Sciences students pushes them to embrace their new identities as future medical professionals

Nursing major and Long Island native Elan BenYosef ’26 is quite familiar with the ups and downs of being a first-year student. Like others, he experienced a rollercoaster of emotions being in a college setting for the first time, but excitement prevailed once he started taking classes in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences (CNHS). “Once I really settled in, I remember feeling truly a part of the nursing program. At other schools, you feel like a number. Here, I feel like faculty and staff understand what incoming students really need.”

First-year nursing and medical laboratory science (MLS) students focus on building a strong core knowledge in foundational classes in preparation for the remaining rigorous programs that yields some of the best medical professionals in the SouthCoast. To support them, CNHS introduced S.T.E.P. Up, a new student program to aid first-year scholars in beginning their healthcare career journeys at UMass Dartmouth.

S.T.E.P (Students Transitioning to Excellence & Professionalism) Up is a one-year bridge program that engages first-year students in forming a vision for their futures in the healthcare profession. The program addresses gaps in communication, critical thinking, leadership, professional development, and team building—all skills necessary for aspiring nurses and medical laboratory scientists in the industry.

“The S.T.E.P. Up program provides students with an important piece of the foundation they need to become who they want to be and who our community needs them to be,” said Dr. Rekha Rosha, PhD, program manager of Student Support Services in CNHS. “We remind students that our MLS and nursing programs are not hands on during the first year. Rather, it’s intentional and focused hard work that lasts a lifetime."

To kick off the academic year with a bang, the S.T.E.P. Up program held a Saturday Summit for students to attend workshops on proper studying techniques, the importance of self-care, and the value of belonging. First-year scholars also received their respective group assignments that will be led by the program’s previous students, encouraging students to guide and serve others.

Caouette has participated in this program for the past three years. “As leaders, we organize and host big study groups to help each other prepare for exams. We make ourselves available and conduct office hours every week in case someone wants to chat about a class or just life. We even help them fill out order forms for the scrubs they’ll need for their sophomore year. It’s like having a safety net of friends to fall back on when you need to.”

The S.T.E.P. Up program is funded in part by Southcoast Hospitals Group, a long-standing partner in helping UMass Dartmouth prepare future leaders in healthcare by serving as one of many clinical placements for students. With a vested interest in helping produce the best nurses and laboratory scientists, their support is a vital part of students’ career preparations.

The S.T.E.P. Up program is also making strides to instill leadership skills in older students as they dive into the deep end of their MLS and nursing studies. Elan BenYosef ’26, Hannah Caouette ’25, Koryn Casmira ’25, Neisha Boiteux ’25, and Mitch Messina ’25 are S.T.E.P. Up student leaders this year and will model professional behavior, practice effective communication, encourage students to meet academic standards, and share their experiences of success and failure as CNHS students.

“At Southcoast, we’re excited to sponsor this program because these students are the future of our workforce,” said Tonya Johnson, the SVP and COO of Southcoast Hospitals Group.

“We need to invest in them for multiple reasons. It’s especially important to make sure these first-year students start their medical journeys off on the right foot and know that there is a wealth of support around them not just within UMass Dartmouth, but the entire SouthCoast community.”

S.T.E.P. Up student leaders include (left to right) Mitch Messina '25, Elan BenYosef '26, Neisha Boiteux '25, Hannah Caouette '25, and Koryn Casmira '25.

At its core, the S.T.E.P. Up program is fostering a new generation of skilled nurses and medical laboratory scientists that will evolve to become influential healthcare leaders attuned to the greater community beyond the walls of their hospitals.

Honoring a sister, friend,

and caregiver

Suzanne Rodrigues establishes a lasting legacy for her sister with a planned gift to UMass Dartmouth

A bus ride to Boston with their mother was how sisters Paulette Dumas and Suzanne Rodrigues spent many childhood days. Paulette was afflicted with a host of health issues at a very young age which required frequent visits to Boston to meet with her healthcare team. Suzanne witnessed how sick Paulette was throughout her life and stuck by her side as she endured surgery after surgery. Even after her fist kidney transplant, Paulette always had a great attitude and outlook on life. It was quite impressive how she maintained positivity when times were difficult.

Paulette had tremendous respect for the healthcare providers that cared for her with such compassion. So much so, she decided that working in the medical field would be her vocation. In 1988, Paulette earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from UMass Dartmouth. She didn’t stop there. In 1996, she returned to complete her master’s degree in nursing. Reaching her goal as a nurse practitioner, she joined New Bedford Medical Associates where she worked for many years.

Paulette was an amazing nurse practitioner. She was an empathic and compassionate caregiver. She had a kind heart, wonderful sense of humor, and was a giving soul, who was loved and respected by her patients and colleagues alike. Sadly, after her second kidney transplant, she succumbed to her health challenges. Friends and colleagues gathered for many years on her birthday to reminisce and honor her memory.

Paulette never forgot her years as a patient herself. She never forgot her time at UMass Dartmouth. She was very appreciative of everyone at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. She was proud to claim UMass Dartmouth as her alma mater.

In her sister’s memory, Suzanne established the Paulette L. Dumas College of Nursing and Health Sciences Endowment Fund. The fund will provide financial assistance to future healthcare professionals who study at UMass Dartmouth. There is no better way to remember Paulette than to give back to students with similar academic and career goals.

In establishing this gift, Paulette will have a lasting legacy at UMass Dartmouth, ensuring that aspiring medical leaders continue to flourish and make an impact in the community and beyond.

Help UMass Dartmouth advance knowledge and transform lives.

Smart options for making a profound impact:

GIVE CASH and provide instant support.

USE YOUR DONOR-ADVISED FUND to make an easy gift and help students thrive today.

MAKE A TAX-FREE GIFT from your IRA that counts toward your RMD (age 70½ or older).

BYPASS THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX with a gift of appreciated stock or real estate.

RECEIVE A LIFETIME INCOME from your gift with a charitable gift annuity.

gift.planning@umassd.edu umassd.planmylegacy.org

Want to know more?

Reach out or use the QR code to get your free copy of our brochure, 10 Strategies for Year End 2023.

Paulette Dumas '88, '96

Donors help create a community space for military-affiliated students

Jan Reynolds ’82 holds a profound respect for our country’s veterans. Inspired by the desire to honor her father, a veteran and UMass Dartmouth alum, and to give back to those who served, Reynolds and her family were lead supporters in the creation of a Veterans Resource Center for student veterans at UMass Dartmouth.

This spring, the Veterans’ Resource Center opened as an essential gathering place for military-affiliated students searching for a community of individuals with similar experiences and challenges. This resource hub will provide the support they need to fulfill their academic aspirations and address their unique needs. UMass Dartmouth was awarded a gold designation on the 2023-2024 Military Friendly® School List, based on leading practices, outcomes, and effective programs for student veterans.

Donor Jan Reynolds ’82 applauded the center for its intent to help veteran students with their unique needs and special requests. This space is near and dear to her heart since her father, Armand Houde ’82, was a veteran and faced his own set of challenges when returning to civilian life.

“When you join the military, you give up your entire life,” Reynolds persisted, directly addressing the student veterans in the room. “You give up your families, spouses, children, and friends to be told what to do, when to do it, and you have no input. You do that so I can have independence.”

“Having a dedicated space for our student veterans is like finding a home away from home,” said Javier Villanueva ’25, a veterans assistant with the Student Veterans’ Association. He hopes the new center will encourage student veterans to ask more questions about support services and make new friends with similar life experiences. “It’s a safe haven where we can connect with others, where we can grow, learn, and celebrate our achievements. The Veterans’ Resource Center is the heart of our community.”

“I am so grateful for the investment that donors have made in the Veterans’ Resource Center,” said James Miceli ’24, a student veteran assistant. “The center creates a space and opportunity for veterans who might pull away to come to campus, interact, and find a purpose at UMass Dartmouth.”

(left to right) Student veteran Javier Villanueva '25, donor Janice Reynolds '82, and student veteran James Miceli '24 at the Veterans’ Resource Center grand opening.

UMass Dartmouth debuts new Veterans' Resource Center

University News

UMassD

climbs in latest U.S. News & World Report Ranking

U.S. News & World Report released their 2024 College Rankings, and UMass Dartmouth continued its years-long upward trajectory in the national rankings. The university moved up 24 spots to rank 209 in the Overall Ranking, making it the thirteenth highest-ranked school among all higher education institutions in Massachusetts and the seventh highest-ranked public university in New England. In addition, the university ranked 78 among the Top Performers on Social Mobility. UMassD is the second highest-ranked university among public universities in New England in this important metric that measures how well schools do at graduating economically disadvantaged students.

UMassD named to 2023-24

Military-Friendly Schools List

Out of more than 1,800 participating institutions, UMass Dartmouth was named to the 2023-24 Military-Friendly Schools List for demonstrating its commitment to the academic success and personal accommodation of student veteran communities. UMass Dartmouth was also awarded a gold designation amongst 665 on this list based on student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, and loan default rates. UMass Dartmouth offers veteran and active military duty students a team of dedicated staff and helpful resources designed to help them succeed academically.

Marine and UnderSea Technology Research Program receives $3.6M grant

UMass Dartmouth’s School of Marine Science and Technology received a $3.6M grant for its Marine and UnderSea Technology (MUST) Research Program. This grant from the Office of Naval Research will fund nine projects that support the blue economy and offshore wind sectors. Research will be focused on improving sensors for unmanned undersea vehicles, wave energy conversion, underwater data transmissions and detection systems, and the habits of marine species in wind farm areas. Partner institutions and industries like BNWC, Brown University, Boston Engineering Corporation, and Jaia Robotics Inc. will support research initiatives that strengthen the U.S. Navy’s access to cutting-edge research and build a sturdy pipeline for a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce.

Two faculty members announced as Fulbright Scholars

UMass Dartmouth Associate Professor of Management and Marketing Arpita Joardar, and Associate Professor of STEM Education and Teacher Development Shakhnoza Kayumova, were announced as the latest U.S. Fulbright Scholars. Joardar hopes to teach international management at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore and be a visiting faculty member for universities in France during the winter session of 2023-24. During the spring semester of 2024, Kayumova will travel to Uzbekestan to conduct research on gender equity in STEM education and document the narratives of women with successful STEM careers.

UMass Dartmouth among the best for sustainability

For the 11th consecutive year, UMass Dartmouth has landed itself on a prestigious list that named the university as one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible. According to The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2023 Edition, only 455 out of 713 colleges were appointed to this list based on a survey of administrators and attending students during the 2021-22 academic year. The announcement follows the upgrading of 22,000 outdated light bulbs to high-efficiency LED bulbs that reduced the university’s greenhouse gas emissions by 3%.

Governor Healey discusses climate change at UMass Dartmouth

During their first trip outside the State House since being sworn into office, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll visited UMass Dartmouth to participate in a roundtable discussion on climate change, sustainability, and workforce development. In relation to the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s climate, education, and economic goals, the duo was interested in learning how to collaborate with the UMass Dartmouth community using our extensive work around climate sustainability. Over the past three years, UMass Dartmouth received nearly $23M in external funding to enrich research efforts in the environment, sustainability, and clean energy.

College News

Charlton College of Business

The Charlton College of Business welcomed five inaugural members of the BayCoast Scholar Program, an innovative scholarship and apprenticeship program developed in collaboration with BayCoast Bank. This program aims to assist underrepresented students in first earning their associate degree in business at Bristol Community College before pursuing their bachelor’s degree in business management at UMass Dartmouth, all while working at BayCoast Bank to grow their professional skillsets.

College of Arts & Sciences

In March 2023, 11 students spent their spring break building portable and sustainable water filtrations systems in Panajachel, Guatemala through 501-C3 non-profit organization, Worthy Village. Guatemalans turn to bottled soda for their primary source of hydration due to unclean drinking water, so this service trip immensely impacted this community’s overall health. Students went the extra mile to connect with local citizens to teach them proper hygiene techniques. Collegiate DECA impresses in Orlando competition

For the past 12 years, UMass Dartmouth has sponsored a Collegiate DECA chapter and recently started sending students and faculty to conferences in cities like Baltimore, MD, and Orlando, FL. In the spring semester of 2023, 10 members of the DECA club traveled to Orlando with faculty members to compete in the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC). Students split into six teams to participate in case study and business research competitions with topics ranging from marketing communications to financial statement analysis. Up against 250 universities from around the globe, three of six teams finished in the top ten.

UMassD students help build sustainable water filtration solutions in Guatemala

UMass Dartmouth celebrates inaugural BayCoast Scholars

BayCoast Scholars, UMass Dartmouth, Bristol Community College, and BayCoast Bank leaders gather at the front entrance of the Charlton College of Business.

UMassD students, faculty, and officials including Chancellor Fuller pose with Lt. Governor Driscoll and Governor Healey

UMassD students pose with local Guatemalans during their alternative spring break.

College News continued

Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Xiaofei Jia, PhD, was awarded a four-year R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue his extensive research on, “Developing Cyclopeptide Nef Inhibitors to Facilitate HIV-1 Eradication.” This is Jia’s second R01 grant from the NIH in the past two months; he was given another five-year grant for a similar project, “Elucidating the Structural Bases of HIV-1Induced CD4 Degradation.”

College of Nursing & Health Sciences College of Engineering

Several professors awarded grants from National Science Foundation

Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Liudong Xing and Associate Professor of Computer and Information Science Dr. Jiawei Yuan received three grants totaling $959K from the National Science Foundation (NSF). These funds will be used to continue extensive research on a variety of complex topics, like modeling and mitigating cascading failures in the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and unmanned aerial vehicles, and cybersecurity education.

Seniors complete alumni-sponsored capstone projects

Working with their peers on industry-specific issues within a 24-week timeframe, senior students collaborated with project sponsors to develop solutions to engineering challenges for booming businesses. Eager to strengthen their professional skillsets and put their knowledge to use, an expert team of students partnered with alumni sponsors from engineering firm Kimley-Horn to devise a drive-thru renovation plan for a Raising Cane’s fast-food restaurant in Louisiana.

In the U.S. News & World Report 2024 rankings, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ undergraduate nursing programs advanced to #93 among 700 participating nursing institutions, a three-spot leap from last year. It places them in the top 13% of nursing schools in the nation. UMass Dartmouth's CNHS has an impressive 94% five-year average, first-time pass rate on the NCLEX national nursing exam for BS graduates and 100% are either employed or enrolled in graduate study six months after graduation.

Mother of three and full-time nursing student Eugenie Ouedraogo ’26 was recognized as an advocate for affordable childcare at this year’s State of the Union Address in Washington D.C. She attended as Senator Elizabeth Warren’s guest after they bonded when Warren paid a visit to the daycare Ouedraogo frequents with her children. Ouedraogo left an impression when discussing the importance of affordable childcare with Warren, something the Senator politically fights for in the name of equal opportunity.

CNHS advances in U.S. News & World Report rankings

Nursing student Eugenie Ouedraogo attends 2023 State of the Union Address

Xiaofei Jia, PhD awarded another R01 grant

Student engineers pose together at capstone presentations on April 27.

Eugenie Ouedraogo ’26

College of Visual & Performing Arts

CVPA establishes partnerships with DATMA, CO-OP

The College of Visual and Performing Arts developed two partnerships this academic year in hopes of advancing student knowledge and related experience in various arts industries. A partnership with the Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute (DATMA) promises to promote our students’ hard work in public spaces and create previews of their future artwork. The other partnership put students in interior architecture and design classes to work as they redesigned the first-floor headquarters of CO-OP, a non-profit that serves adults with disabilities.

Assistant Professor McGoldrick wins 2023 Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching

Assistant teaching professor of interior architecture and design (IAD) Stephanie McGoldrick was awarded the 2023 Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching for her exceptional dedication to students and UMass Dartmouth. She joined UMass Dartmouth in 2018 and teaches courses in lighting design, design studios, professional practice, and more. McGoldrick was instrumental in launching the IAD program, and it has been incredibly successful; both the 2021 and 2022 graduates of this program reported full-time employment within six months of Commencement.

Honors College

Dr. Amy Shapiro named as inaugural Dean of Honors College

Professor Amy Shapiro was named Dean of the two-year-old Honors College. Shapiro sees much potential for the Honors College and its students. “I want the college to serve as an engine of economic and social mobility for our students, especially those who have been traditionally underserved,” she said. Shapiro is a long-time faculty member in the psychology department and former associate and interim dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

Research by Emily Brawley ’23 published in nursing journal

Honors nursing major Emily Brawley ’23 researched the use of oral contraceptives among college-aged women for her Honors APEX Project that concluded her collegiate career. Titled, “Oral Contraceptive Knowledge and Use Among College-Age Women,” CNHS faculty selected Brawley to present her research at the Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS) Conference. Her project was later published in the May/June issue of the Nursing Research journal, one of the top-ranked journals in the industry.

School for Marine Science & Technology

SMAST

After decades of leadership, Professor Kevin Stokesbury was announced as the new Dean of the School of Marine Science & Technology. He plans to ensure that SMAST continues to play a leading role in both research and marine science education. He began his career with UMass Dartmouth in 1998 as associate fellow in the former Center for Marine Science & Technology and served as the founding chair of the Department of Fisheries Oceanography for twelve years. Having received roughly $40 million in grants during the past two decades, he primarily researches sea scallop and groundfish resources, including stock assessment, fishery management strategies, and growth and mortality estimates.

Stephanie McGoldrick

Professor Kevin Stokesbury named as new

Dean

Kevin Stokesbury

College News

UMass Dartmouth awarded $1.4M grant for sea scallop research

A $1.4M grant for sea scallop research was awarded to SMAST Dean Kevin Stokesbury, whose research is critical to the revival of the scallop fishing industry. This grant is from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Fisheries Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program, a program that generates research funds from the sale of sea scallops set aside for future endeavors. These upcoming research projects will build upon the image-based drop camera survey that captures images of the sea floor to give Stokesbury and others much-needed data on sea scallops and their habitat.

PhD candidate publishes white shark study

Megan Winton ’23, PhD candidate at SMAST and staff scientist at the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC), conducted research on Cape Cod’s great white shark population and was published as the study’s lead author in the esteemed journal Marine Ecology Progress Series this past July. After years of great white sharks posing a safety risk during summer tourist seasons, Cape Cod now has the first size estimate of the great white shark abundance in the North Atlantic Ocean. Winton was also featured on the National Geographic TV special, “Return of the White Shark.”

UMass Law

UMass Dartmouth’s School of Law has announced Sam Panarella as its new Dean. As a tenured professor of law at the University of Montana since 2011, he taught contracts, business transactions, law practice, renewable energy, and climate change law. His research interests lie in clean energy, endangered and threatened species, and environmental law. As a passionate advocate for first-generation college students, Panarella also served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and as Director of International Programs before becoming the Executive Director of the Max Baucus Institute, a public policy center focused on creating opportunities for students of all walks of life to engage in domestic and international public service.

Based on American Bar Association employment data for the Class of 2022, UMass Dartmouth’s School of Law was ranked 7th in the nation for the percent of graduates in government and public interest jobs (32.14%). UMass Law also ranked first among the 15 New England law schools in the same metric for the Class of 2022. These high rankings are a result of an overall highly successful job placement rate for UMass Law’s Class of 2022. Graduates achieved a 90.5% employment rate, with 71.4% in gold standard full-time, long-term bar-required positions and 83.3% in full-time, long-term bar required or JD-advantage positions.

Sam Panarella announced as UMass Law Dean

UMass Law ranks 7th in nation in public service

Sam Panarella, JD

Megan Winton ’23

Making an impact at UMass Dartmouth

Total

A dedicated community

2,324 individuals and organizations made a commitment to invest in the future of UMass Dartmouth students, programs, and the community

Long-lasting gifts

Endowment funds are essential to maintaining and enhancing the quality of the academic and student experience that sets UMass Dartmouth apart as a National Research University. The funds, which generate income in perpetuity, help pay for vital needs such as financial aid, research support, and student programs. Growth in our endowment reduces the university’s dependence on tuition, thus ensuring a college education remains affordable and accessible.

116 Organizations

166 Students

Impact on the community

As a National Research University, UMass Dartmouth’s momentum and continuous expansion enriches the SouthCoast community. An investment in UMass Dartmouth contributes to the growth and success of our students and the region. Your loyal support makes it possible for UMass Dartmouth to provide an academic experience rooted in innovative research and engaged learning, where students are positioned for successful careers.

UMass Dartmouth is a catalyst for economic, social, and cultural transformation on the SouthCoast:

• 57% of students are the first in their families to attend college

• $33 million in research activity at UMassD generates new insights and solutions to our world’s issues

• UMassD students perform 214,000+ community service hours

• UMassD is the second-largest employer on the SouthCoast

• A record-high investment from the Commonwealth towards renovating the Arts & Sciences building will create hundreds of construction-related jobs