06/12/2023
By Joseph Hartman
Bertie, a professor of global supply chain management, currently serves as associate dean of the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University in Michigan. There she oversees strategic planning and general operations, including interactions with campus leadership and advisory boards, business honors student programs, accreditation efforts, facilities, diversity and inclusion, community engagement, information technology and other programs and services.
During the interview process, Bertie’s achievements as a scholar, her leadership and industry experience, and her vision and enthusiasm for advancing the Manning School of Business made her the clear choice to usher in the next era of business education and research for our students and faculty.
In a message she shared with me in recent days, Bertie said she was grateful and honored to join a UMass Lowell family of great scholars and teachers with such a strong academic culture and who have such a significant impact on students’ socio-economic mobility.
“The Manning School of Business operates under a student-centered culture and strongly values excellence and engagement,” Bertie said. “Its impact extends beyond the institution’s doors, and its faculty and staff are having a meaningful impact on students, businesses, families, and communities.
“I am excited to embark on this journey, working with talented faculty, staff, students, strong leadership and external stakeholders to create opportunities and lead the Manning School into the future,” she said. “Together we’ll continue to develop innovative programs, degrees, and outcomes to help students realize their dreams and ensure the Manning School achieves new heights.”
Bertie will begin her tenure at UMass Lowell on Nov. 1. I am grateful to Steve Tello, who has agreed to serve as the Manning School’s interim dean until Bertie’s arrival.
Prior to joining Wayne State in 2016, Bertie spent 15 years as a faculty member, and ultimately chair, of the Northern Kentucky University Department of Management. Early in her career she also spent time in adjunct and visiting professor roles at Bowling Green State University, University of Detroit-Mercy, University of Dayton, and as an assistant professor at Oakland University in Michigan.
She also brings with her professional industry experience, having served in engineering roles at Ford Motor Company and Chrysler/Jeep-Eagle and at Timken Roller Bearing.
Bertie earned her Ph.D. in business administration from Kent State University and both a master’s of business administration and a bachelor’s of science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toledo.
Thank you to co-chairs Rob Manning and Noureddine Melikechi and all the members of the search committee, search firm Issacson, Miller and faculty and staff all across the campus who took time to speak with some truly outstanding candidates. We couldn’t have asked for a better new leader and colleague for UMass Lowell.