UMass Dartmouth 2025 Chancellor's Report

2025 CHANCELLOR’S REPORT

IN THIS REPORT 02 Scaling New Heights

18 Research

04 Students & Outcomes

20 Graduates

06 Infrastructure

22 Need

08 Colleges

24 Million Dollar Moment

16 Athletics

This is an exciting time to be at UMass Dartmouth— we are now consistently ranked among the top 15 public research universities in the nation with fewer than 10,000 students. We are rated #2 in Massachusetts for social mobility—a measure of how we prepare our students for impactful careers in every field. We are rising in national rankings, expanding research that drives innovation in our region and beyond, and strengthening student outcomes.

As a first-generation college student who worked my way through school, I know firsthand how transformative higher education can be. Public research universities like UMass Dartmouth change lives—those of our students, their families and whole communities. That mission has shaped my life and continues to inspire me every day as Chancellor.

From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the vibrant energy, ambition and limitless potential of this campus. UMass Dartmouth is a place where students from all backgrounds push boundaries, pursue bold ideas and prepare for careers that will make an impact. Whether in business, engineering, nursing, law, psychology, the arts, marine science or any of our outstanding programs, our students are gaining the knowledge and experiences to lead in a changing world.

A great public research university like UMass Dartmouth doesn’t just convey knowledge, we help create it. Our faculty and students work on complex issues like early cancer detection,

coastal resiliency, the development of gels to replace cartilage in knees, using AI to enhance cybersecurity, and innovating for the emerging blue economy. Our research programs are growing exponentially, and our faculty are winning prestigious awards for their work.

Our momentum is palpable. But the strength of a university is not just measured in rankings or achievements—it is forged through the dedication of those who believe in its mission. Our alumni and partners play a vital role in shaping UMass Dartmouth’s future, whether by investing in our research programs, mentoring students, sharing expertise or through philanthropy. Your engagement ensures that we continue to offer an exceptional education and remain a force for progress on the SouthCoast and beyond.

As we look ahead, I am proud to be a part of this community of leaders, innovators and doers. As our tagline says, “Extraordinary is what we do.”

Together, we will continue to chart new paths, ensuring that UMass Dartmouth remains a place of opportunity, excellence and impact for generations to come. Go Corsairs!

Mark A. Fuller, PhD Chancellor

SCALING NEW HEIGHTS For nine straight years, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has been recognized by the U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Best National Universities” in the country. This year, the University was also awarded badges of excellence for the Charlton College of Business and the university’s three largest undergraduate majors: computer science, nursing, and psychology.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

RISE IN RANKINGS CHARLTON COLLEGE OF BUSINESS BUSINESS PROGRAMS

+48

IN 5 YEARS

TOP

4

BEST UNDERGRAD BUSINESS PROGRAM AMONG NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

COLLEGE OF NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES

+22

SPOT RISE IN 3 YEARS

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TOP

10%

OF PROGRAMS IN THE U.S.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

+84

SPOTS FROM 2023 TO 2024

COMPUTER SCIENCE

TOP

21%

IN THE COUNTRY

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

+70

SPOT CLIMB 2023 TO 2024

PSYCHOLOGY RANKS AMONG

TOP

25%

OF PROGRAMS NATIONALLY

TOP 15

in the U.S. among public research institutions with less than 10,000 students

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EXTRAORDINARY STUDENTS & OUTCOMES UMass Dartmouth’s reputation as a destination of choice continues to grow, attracting top students looking to work with award-winning faculty. More than half of UMass Dartmouth students are firstgeneration, and our graduates go on to successful careers with strong salaries.

This impact has earned us the distinction of being the second highest-ranked public university in New England for social mobility.

“My experience working with UMassD students was fantastic ... I was very impressed with how quickly they did the research and jumped into the project.

They definitely exceeded my expectations.”

BOB MELVIN, CHIEF ENGINEER, TELEDYNE MARINE SYSTEMS

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57%

OF FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS WERE THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND COLLEGE

JOB PLACEMENT

STARTING SALARY

91.5% 94.1% UNDERGRAD

$58,681

GRAD STUDENTS

$84,453

EMPLOYERS

EMMANUEL R. FERNANDES JR. '17

UNDERGRAD

GRAD

EXTRAORDINARY INFRASTRUCTURE Through recent investment, the campus that architect Paul Rudolph envisioned in 1960 is thriving as an innovative place of learning.

The bold campus now includes new residence halls, a biodegradability lab, and a subsonic wind tunnel. Other facilities, including hospital-grade medical labs and our campus observatory are offering research that’s simply out of this world.

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$140M INVESTED SINCE 2021

43

LABS/ CLASSROOMS HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN THE LAST 3 YEARS

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HONORS COLLEGE The Honors College was established in 2019 to create academic career paths for highly motivated students, making UMass Dartmouth a destination of choice for high-achieving students.

4.04

average high school GPA of first-year honors college students

476 Honors College Students

32%

enrollment increase over 3 years

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EXTRAORDINARY COLLEGES

As a recognized R2 research institution, students and faculty in our eight schools and colleges are immersed in groundbreaking work.

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES From literature to black hole mergers, infectious diseases to international relations, climate pollution reduction to the maritime underground railroad, students and faculty at the College of Arts and Sciences are at the forefront of discovery.

2,394 ENROLLED

60+

Academic programs (undergrad & grad)

91%

of graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate studies within six months of graduation

TOP

32%

of graduate programs in education

AT RIGHT: Gifted to UMass Dartmouth by the Portuguese government, this piece honors the Portuguese Communities abroad.

Portuguese Studies remains a popular major for local students to study their culture, history, and heritage, and attracts top graduate students from around the world.

Psychology ranks among the top 25% of programs in the country and the fifth highest-ranked program among public universities in New England

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TOP

21%

of U.S. online MBA programs

#21

best online bachelor’s in business programs

#4

CHARLTON COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Making a 48-spot improvement in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Undergraduate Programs in Business” since 2020, the Charlton College of Business (CCB) is one of the fastest-rising business schools in the nation and the second highest-ranked among Massachusetts public universities. CCB’s Online MBA and MS in business programs both rank among the top fourth of U.S. programs, delivering an accessible, innovative, and impactful business education to all students.

TOP 10%

of online bachelor’s in business programs in the U.S.

HIGHEST-RANKED undergraduate business programs among New England public universities

Less than 6% of universities worldwide earn AACSB accreditation

93.2% of CCB graduates are employed or enrolled in further study within six months of graduation.

1,621 Enrolled

$73,016 MEAN STARTING SAL ARY

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1,663 Enrolled

college of engineering Research at the College of Engineering (COE) is impacting the world we live in – from laser light techniques for detecting cancer to cross-disciplinary work in marine and naval technology, detecting “forever” chemicals, and climate resilience in coastal communities.

Our Cybersecurity Center has been recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research.

Only 4% of institutions worldwide have this highest level of accreditation for Engineering programs

Designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research by the National Security Agency (NSA)

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TOP 10% of undergraduate nursing programs in the U.S.

96%

First-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination.

National average 90% for 2023

97%

Three-year pass rate on the American Society for Clinical Pathology exam for laboratory technicians

100%

Graduation and employment rate for medical laboratory science majors

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COLLEGE OF nursing & health sciences The College of Nursing & Health Sciences (CNHS) is critical to meeting the growing workforce demand in the Commonwealth and beyond for healthcare workers. Through partnerships, such as one with Southcoast Health, the university offers a pathway for nurses to expand their career opportunities.

“Southcoast Health is proud and very excited to partner with UMass Dartmouth to educate and train the next generation of nurses and allied services workers. Collaborating on these important initiatives represents an investment in the future health and wellbeing of everyone in our community.”

DAVID O. MCCREADY, PRESIDENT & CEO OF SOUTHCOAST HEALTH

776 ENROLLED

COLLEGE OF visual & performing arts The only dedicated college of visual and performing arts among Massachusetts public universities, CVPA is a powerhouse of creativity. Long known for its fashion and ceramic programs, its interior architecture and graphic design programs are being recognized as well, especially in the community. Through proposals to redevelop Fall River’s waterfront, a pocket park in New Bedford, and a first-floor renovation for a nonprofit that serves adults with developmental disabilities in Dighton, CVPA students give back to the SouthCoast as part of their education.

3rd

Best graphic design program in MA in 2023

9

th

Best animation and game arts program in MA

526 ENROLLED

Only dedicated fine/performing arts college in Massachusetts

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146

2024 Incoming class (the largest and most diverse in university history) including:

38% students of color

25

states represented

13

countries of origin

9

veterans or active military personnel

94

different undergraduate institiutions

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SCHOOL OF LAW The Commonwealth’s only public law school, UMass Dartmouth School of Law boasts the smallest class sizes and lowest tuition rates in the state. It is nationally recognized for “practical training” and students devote hundreds of hours each year to pro bono, community work.

TOP 15%

of ABA-accredited law schools for graduates in government and public interest jobs in Massachusetts

school for marine science & technology Whether leveraging their high-performance supercomputer for ocean modeling, supplying forecasting data to over 30 countries and organizations like NOAA, or aiding disaster efforts like locating the lost Air France 447 airliner, the School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) is known around the world.

Locally, the school has revitalized the nation’s most valuable fishing port to be successful and sustainable.

Recognized as a leader in blue economy science, SMAST is addressing climate change and its effect on the oceans, food security through sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture, coastal environmental health, and sustainable marine energy.

$7.6M

IN RESEARCH EXPENDITURES F Y 2024

NE W BEDFORD REMAINS THE

#1

MOST VALUABLE

TOP 5%

OF INSTITUTIONS IN THE U.S. FOR

FISHING PORT IN THE U.S. DUE IN PART TO SMAST FISHERIES RESEARCH

OCEAN RESEARCH EXPENDITURES

SPOTLIGHT Alumnus Craig O’Connell PhD ‘14 is the founder of O’Seas Conservation Foundation, Inc., and is a frequent Shark Week host on the Discovery Channel.

$36M

in funding for research areas like offshore wind, ocean sustainability, and fisheries since 2020

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EXTRAORDINARY ATHLETICS Our student-athletes continue to set new standards of excellence in the classroom and on the field.

Nearly one-third of our athletes win all-academic honors in their conference. Their achievements offer a preview of the impact they’ll make as future leaders and changemakers in society.

The New England Football Writers Association selected quarterback DANTE AVILES-SANTOS ’25 as the 2024 Harry Agganis/Harold Zimman Award winner, which is presented to the most outstanding player in New England across all divisions. Past winners include former NFL great and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Doug Flutie. Aviles-Santos was the first DIII athlete recognized since 1976.

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Award-winning astrophysics researcher and women’s tennis captain MCKENZIE FERRARI ’23 made UMassD history as the university’s first Goldwater Scholar.

Ferrari was also named the 2023 winner of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Sally Ride STEM Award, besting prestigious schools across the country like Duke University and Standford University.

She is now in a doctoral program at the University of Chicago.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

BASEBALL

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Little East Tournament runner up At-large bid for NCAA Tournament (second in program history)

Little East Conference Tournament champions (second time in program history)

Back-to-back Little East Conference Champions

TRACK & FIELD CAMERON RODGERS ’24 4X All-American hurdler and Little East Male Student-Athlete and East Region track Athlete of 2024

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EXTRAORDINARY RESEARCH UMass Dartmouth is proud to be one of only 93 public universities nationwide with an R2 designation for high research activity. But what makes the university unique is that every day, students learn and research alongside internationally recognized scholars who have garnered accolades from peers, international organizations, and prestigious funding agencies for their outstanding research accomplishments in fields of critical significance. Whether in the classroom, the lab, or out in the field, UMassD provides students with extraordinary experiential learning opportunities that will prepare the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.

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“

CATALYST FOR CHANGE

ACTIVE AWARDS 5-YEAR TREND (FY2020-2024)

$115.9M $96.9M

96%

$82.1M $59.1M

2020

INCREASE IN RESEARCH AWARDS OVER LAST FIVE YEARS

$70.2M

2021

2022

2023

2024

MAKING AN IMPACT GLOBAL RESEARCH

Changsheng Chen’s (Fisheries Oceanography) FVCOM model provides ocean data for scientists and government agencies worldwide.

ERIN BROMAGE (BIOLOGY)

gained international attention for his research on the practical spread of COVID-19.

PHYSICS STUDENTS AND MATHEMATICS PROFESSORS

discover the galaxy’s two fastest moving black holes.

When I was five years old, my mother passed away from breast cancer. Having been so young, I’ve lived almost my whole life contemplating why she had to die. I’ve always felt that there is so much more that can be done in the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer, and I always knew it was my purpose in life to contribute to this cause for her.”

OLIVIA COLLINS ‘24 HONORS COLLEGE

Bioengineering major Olivia Collins ‘24 is conducting cutting-edge research with a purpose very close to her heart.

EXTRAORDINARY GRADUATES “

It all started here. Every time I asked for help here, I got it.

From faculty, other students, and anyone I asked.

That’s one of the best things about this university.”

SCOT T TINGLE ‘87 NASA Astronaut

U.S. Navy Captain Scott Tingle spent four months at the International Space Station conducting hundreds of investigations and demonstrations of technology that were not possible on Earth. When he returned from space, he visited his alma mater to inspire the next generation of explorers.

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NOTABLE ALUMNI

With 65,000+ alumni making global impacts in fields from engineering to the arts, UMass Dartmouth proves you can go anywhere from here.

Leduc transformed the workplace culture of the world leader in aerospace manufacturing, so Pratt & Whitney stayed at the forefront of engine design and production. Leduc also cares deeply about community, manifested through his philanthropy towards the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement.

ROBERT LEDUC ’78 former President of Pratt & Whitney

Mombeleur is the first African American woman to ever hold the position of Secretary within the Massachusetts Bar Association.

She is Chair of the Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, where she focuses on educating the legal community on restorative justice.

SHAYLA MOMBELEUR, JD ’17 Secretary of Massachusetts Bar Association

Joyce leads the advanced material technology company towards increased sustainability through the Joyce-funded lab at the School for Marine Science & Technology to study the breakdown of PrimaLoft’s textiles and microplastics in the ocean.

MIKE JOYCE ’85 CEO of Primaloft

Hegland won the 1997 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on L.A. Confidential.

Hegland directed several studio films, including A Knight’s Tale and the Jackie Robinson film 42, and wrote the script for Mystic River.

BRIAN HEGLAND, ’83 American screenwriter and film producer

McCoy led the Fortune 500 worldwide beauty products distributor through a reinvention of its global branding. McCoy started the McCoy Family Scholarship at UMassD to help address the gender disparity in STEM programs.

SHERI MCCOY ‘80 former CEO of Avon

Amaral Rodrigues combines financial expertise with passion for charitable giving to serve local communities on the SouthCoast. As part of the Women United initiative, Amaral Rodrigues helps promote growth and change in childhood development and literacy.

ANDREA AMARAL RODRIGUES, MBA ‘04 First Vice President of Marketing Programs & Community Relations at BankFive

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EXTRAORDINARY NEED UMass Dartmouth is committed to providing need-based financial aid to our 7,500 students and their families. Last year, the university awarded more than $21 million in financial aid. This kind of financial support is crucial to allow our students to clear financial hurdles in pursuit of their dreams. Much of this is possible because of the generosity of the UMassD community. Your philanthropy makes a huge difference to the university and our students.

“Thanks to this scholarship, I’m able to get the most out of my college experience. I can commit myself to my academics as an Honors College student, which requires me to do challenging assignments and maintain a high GPA. Without worrying about how I’ll cover my tuition costs, I’ve been growing as a student and professional through different opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible without this scholarship.”

Jackie Sassin ’27 Marketing, Honors College

“I’m lucky to be attending the School for Marine Science & Technology under a research assistantship with Professor Pingguo in the Fish Behavior and Conservation Engineering Research Group, but there are still student fees and research expenses that must be funded somehow. This scholarship helped me relieve that financial strain and gave me a peace of mind so I can concentrate on what’s important, and that’s science.”

Drake Ssempijja ’28 Living marine resources science and management PhD program, School for Marine Science & Technology

“

UMass Dartmouth is so important to our region ... it opens up so many opportunities for students and families. We are believers in public education and acknowledge the value of having this research university in our backyard.”

GAIL SAMPIERI ‘ 70

Inspired by their daughter Sara, a 2012 graduate of the master’s program in coastal systems science, the Sampieris have long supported local environmental causes.

They expanded their philanthropic efforts to include UMass Dartmouth, furthering their commitment to environmental sustainability and the SouthCoast.

In FY24, UMass Dartmouth’s endowment climbed to $88.5 million in support of the university’s mission. This 16.7 percent increase is attributed in part to matching incentives from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Public Higher Education Endowment Incentive Program (PHEEIP), which motivated generous donors to establish 21 new endowments worth nearly $2 million in value. With a focus on generating longlasting financial support for students and programs, the continued growth of the UMass Dartmouth endowment is a critical component of the university’s fundraising strategy.

ENDOWMENT GROWTH FY2020-FY2024

$100M GOAL

100

DOLLARS (IN MILLIONS)

$77.3M

$77.9M

75 $67.1M

$59M

50

JIM DEMELLO

25 0

“

I believe that we should reciprocate for our community’s continued success. What better way to do it than by increasing the skill levels of our students.”

$88.5M

FY20

FY21

FY22

FY23

FY24

FY25

2024 recipient of the Blue & Gold Legacy Award for being a valued community member dedicated to the university and SouthCoast region

FISCAL YEAR

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MILLION DOLLAR MOMENT Class of 2024 undergraduate students were honored in an unforgettable commencement ceremony. Students and guests celebrated their success and were surprised by philanthropists Robert and Karen Hale, who announced that each of the 1,000+ graduates crossing the stage would receive $500 to keep and a second $500 to give—totaling over $1 million in generosity.

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION INTERNATIONAL REACH: UMassD was featured by leading news outlets, showcasing an unforgettable ceremony and inspirational generosity.

“

Without my mother and father’s financial help, I would have never been able to finish college and achieve everything that I’ve strived for. I am forever grateful to Robert Hale for inspiring me to give back to my parents.”

WILLIAM PIRES ‘24

“

I was really into volunteering and donating whatever I could before this gift, but I feel like starting your career off by donating to a special cause is really powerful and teaches us all a lesson about the value of generosity.”

AMANDA LIT TLE ‘24

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2025 CHANCELLOR’S REPORT umassd.edu