BOSTON, MA — University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan has appointed Dr. Nefertiti Walker as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Equity, a role critical to advancing academic quality, student success, and equity across the five-campus UMass system. Meehan announced Dr. Walker's appointment during the UMass Board of Trustees Committee on Academic and Student Affairs meeting earlier today.

All four undergraduate UMass campuses announced plans to make a UMass education free for Massachusetts students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.  Starting next Fall, tuition and mandatory fees at all UMass campuses will be fully covered for undergraduate students from households earning $75,000 or less through a combination of federal, state and university-funded financial aid.  The campuses announced the tuition and fee free pledge to remove barriers to college and simplify the cost for students and families with the greatest financial needs.