01/19/2024
By Julie Chen

With mixed emotions, I am writing to share with you that Steve O’Riordan, vice chancellor for finance and operations, has decided to retire. But before he takes some well-earned time for himself and his family, you’ll still see him around campus as he has agreed to continue in a part-time role, starting Feb. 1, for the next several months.

For a decade and a half, Steve has been a strong and wise advocate and financial guide for UMass Lowell. As vice chancellor, he has the enormous task of overseeing the divisions of Financial Services, Facilities Management, Human Resources, Equal Opportunity & Outreach, Information Technology, Administrative Services and University Police. More than 20% of UMass Lowell’s 1,900 employees report through one of divisions that Steve oversees.

For me, as well as for Chancellors Marty Meehan and Jacquie Moloney before me, Steve has served as a senior advisor on matters spanning university operations and policies. He has played an instrumental role in the university’s transformation and unprecedented growth in enrollment, student success, facilities and reputation.

Steve helped lead the development and implementation of UMass Lowell’s 2020 and 2028 strategic plans, as well as efforts to create, implement and reinforce university-wide policies to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion.

His leadership has been incredibly valuable as our university navigated the pandemic and its financial and operational echoes during the last several years, including our current fiscal year's economic challenges.

Prior to his time here, Steve served 14 years in the UMass President’s Office in multiple administrative and financial roles. In all, he has nearly 37 years of public service and is a proud first-generation graduate of UMass Boston, where he earned both undergraduate and master’s degrees, and a proud veteran of the armed services.

Steve’s leadership, counsel and friendship will be sorely missed.

As he begins his transition, the university will welcome the return of a colleague, friend and recognized expert in the field of finance and operations. Joanne Yestramski, who led finance and operations at UMass Lowell for more than a decade before her retirement in 2019, will return on an interim basis as the university begins preparations for a national search.

I hope you will take a moment to thank and congratulate Steve and welcome Joanne, should you see them around campus.