Keynote Speaker Dezanae Boston-Bernier '16, '21

Dezanae Boston-Bernier

A Boston, Massachusetts native, Dezanae is a double River Hawk and former UMass Lowell employee. After completing her B.A. in Psychology in 2016 and her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration in 2021, Dezanae was eager to take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities UMass Lowell had to offer. 

Dezanae made the most of her time on campus as an engaged student leader, holding several positions across the university. She worked on campus as Meehan Student Center’s first student building manager, as a Residential Assistant, and in leadership roles for clubs and organizations such as Kappa Delta Phi N.A.S., the Students of Caribbean Ancestry, the Gospel Choir, and more.

After completing her bachelor's degree, she began her professional career in higher education at UMass Lowell, where she continued to grow and cement her identity as an educator and advocate for students' co-curricular experiences. Dezanae has undoubtedly carried the heart posture of a UMass Lowell student leader and community contributor into not only her career path but also all other areas of her life.

Dezanae currently lives in the D.C. and Virginia area and is employed at the T. Howard Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to offering students from underinvested communities’ internships at leading media, entertainment, and tech firms. 

In addition to her role there, she is a certified Birth Doula, a Lactation Community Educator, and the owner of Empowered Birth LLC. She also serves as Operations Manager for a growing animation studio. Dezanae believes that we should be able to explore and invest in all the interests that make us uniquely ourselves: a philosophy she first discovered and honed at UMass Lowell!

Mascot Rowdy the River Hawk wearing a black gown and waving a UMass Lowell flag
  • Processional  
  • Lynne Cossman, Provost Call to Order 
  • Air Force ROTC Detachment 345, Fighting Dogs, Color Guard, Presentation of Colors
  • UMass Lowell Marching Band, National Anthem
  • Student Government Association (SGA) President, Welcome
  • Chancellor Julie Chen, Chancellor’s Remarks 
  • Provost Cossman, Introduction of Academic Deans 
  • Chancellor Chen, Induction of Incoming Students  
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Athletics Representative, River Hawk Pride
  • UMass Lowell Fight Song
  • Adjournment, Provost Cossman  
  • Dismissal to Lunch

Transportation Services will operate dedicated shuttles to bring students to Convocation. 

Shuttles will depart from the South Campus bus stop on Wilder Street and the Broadway/Riverview stop on Broadway Street. Residents on South Campus will be assigned groups and departure times by their Resident Assistants. 

Residents on East Campus are encouraged to walk to the Tsongas. An accessible shuttle is available upon request by calling our dispatch office at 978-934-2222. 

After Convocation, all buses will pick up in front of the Tsongas to bring residents to the Engagement Fair, or back to their residence halls. All shuttles can be tracked in real time at uml.edu/LiveTransit.

Parking & Tsongas Info

Commuter students can park for FREE at the Ayotte Garage at 11 Post Office Square, Lowell, MA 01852. Please tell the attendant you're attending Convocation. You will be charged for parking if you do not mention the event. You can stay in the garage until 2 p.m. when the Engagement Fair concludes.

Shuttles will also be running across campus.

Please review the building policies and be aware that metal detectors are used for every Tsongas Center event. All bags are subject to search, and large backpacks are not allowed.