UMass Lowell entered the 21st century amid unprecedented growth. Enrollment surged, new academic and career-connected programs expanded opportunity, and the campus added state-of-the-art research labs, classrooms and residence halls as its reputation as a leading research university grew.
Athletics rose as well: In 2013, UML joined the America East Conference and transitioned all varsity teams to NCAA Division I. 
A succession of leaders guided this transformation. The university’s first chancellor, William Hogan (1981-2006), advanced major city partnerships, including the Riverwalk, LeLacheur Park and expansion of the Tsongas Industrial History Center. He was succeeded by former U.S. Rep. and Lowell native Marty Meehan ’78. His tenure brought record gains in student success and funding for research and scholarships and saw the opening of 10 buildings in five years, positioning the university for sustained growth in enrollment, research and community partnership.
When Meehan became president of the UMass system, Jacqueline Moloney ’75, ’92 was appointed chancellor. The founding dean of the nationally recognized online education program, she became the first woman to serve as chancellor. Under her leadership, UMass Lowell was recognized as the most sustainable campus in the state and completed its first fundraising campaign, surpassing its $165 million goal.
In 2022, Julie Chen was named chancellor after building the university’s research enterprise into a $95 million annual operation. Under her tenure, UMass Lowell has been ranked the No. 1 public university in Massachusetts by The Wall Street Journal and recognized for leadership in social mobility, value and return on investment. She pledged that every student would have access to a paid or for-credit career-connected experience before graduation and, working with government and industry partners, has advanced the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC), a mixed-use development bringing new offices, lab space, housing, retail and entertainment to Lowell.
