As a counseling psychologist, Assistant Professor of Counseling and School Psychology Kerrie Wilkins-Yel knows first-hand how systemic barriers exact a considerable toll on people’s mental health, resulting in decreased motivation, drive, and ability to thrive personally, professionally, and academically.  

Wilkins-Yel has recently been awarded the National Science Foundation CAREER grant for her research titled, “Advancing STEM Persistence among Graduate Women of Color through an Examination of Institutional Contributors and Deterrents to Mental Health”.

The only comprehensive publication on the elected leadership of women of color in Massachusetts demonstrates a growing trend of women of color being elected to seats and in municipalities where women of color have not historically held positions of elected leadership alongside persistent gaps in representation across the Commonwealth.

Maurice Roberson, a veteran and active student government leader, will receive the top undergraduate honor—the John F. Kennedy Award—when he graduates from UMass Boston in May with a bachelor's degree in Africana Studies, and minors in Human Rights and Philosophy and Law.

Anthony C. Martin, who will graduate with a master of science in Critical Ethnic and Community Studies (CECS), has been named the graduate commencement speaker for 2021, the highest university honor for a graduate student.

UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco has announced the appointment of Jacqueline Schuman as the university's new director of athletics and recreation. Schuman, currently the senior associate athletic director at Colby College, will assume the role on July 19, 2021.

Schuman will be the first permanent female director of athletics in UMass Boston history. She takes the reins from Interim Director of Athletics Darlene Gordon, who guided the program through the past year after longtime leader Charlie Titus retired. 

Professor of Nursing Dr.

Dr. Lance Fiondella, associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is the 2021 recipient of the College of Engineering Faculty Award for Excellence in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Dr.

Sue Cunha and Jeff Bea