07/27/2022
By Julie Chen

Following Patti McCafferty’s announcement of her well-earned retirement earlier this month, I’m pleased to share my plans for interim leadership in University Relations, as well as the co-chairs and members of the search committee for the area’s next vice chancellor.

John Feudo, vice chancellor for Advancement, will also oversee University Relations as the interim vice chancellor and Gerry Nelson, executive director for web, will serve as a liaison for University Relations operations and personnel and will report to John.

I’m tremendously grateful to John and Gerry for providing leadership in University Relations until the area’s next vice chancellor begins. The university is fortunate to have strong, respected leaders who can step in and ensure our messaging efforts continue at the highest level. I also want to thank Patti McCafferty for her more than 20 years of service to UMass Lowell and her help ensuring a smooth transition following her Sept. 1 retirement.

Additionally, I’ve asked Steve O’Riordan, vice chancellor for Finance and Operations, and Sandra Richtermeyer, Rist Family Foundation Dean of the Manning School of Business, to co-chair the University Relations vice chancellor search. The committee will convene later this week and the selection of a search firm to assist with the national search will be finalized soon.

Other committee members include:

  • Robert Connolly, Office of the President
  • John Feudo, vice chancellor for Advancement
  • Ying Huang, professor in the Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Kerri Johnston, dean of enrollment management
  • Wael Kamal, assistant dean, College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
  • Susan Puryear, assistant vice chancellor for research
  • Leo Rice, GPS executive director of marketing
  • Sandra Roecker, senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator
  • Jon Strunk, executive director of communications
  • Leslie Wong, dean of equity and inclusion

Michael Rutherford, associate vice chancellor for human resources, will serve as an ex officio member and HR point of contact for the committee.

Higher education today faces unique challenges. And telling our stories in targeted, compelling and strategic ways has never been more important.