Rowdy’s Esports Arena, a 2,500-square-foot, high-tech gaming facility, has opened its doors at University Crossing, providing students of all skill levels a place to compete, connect and take part in the growing world of college esports.

For the second time in two years, The Wall Street Journal has named UMass Lowell the No. 1 public university in the Bay State. The ranking, included in the WSJ/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges report, comes on the heels of other accolades to the university issued by U.S. News & World Report and other institutions. 

Tara Goodhue ’09, ’20, a School of Education alumna and current adjunct faculty member, is the 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Goodhue teaches science at Lowell High School and serves as head of its science department.

Jasmina Burek, assistant professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, is studying geothermal energy networks that can heat and cool a mix of residential, commercial and public buildings. It’s part of a statewide collaboration.

A research team led by Professor Hong Yu of the Miner School of Computer and Information Sciences has analyzed clinical notes in veterans’ health records to identify early risk for Alzheimer’s disease.