Provost and Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs

Position: Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
Overview

General Summary of Position

The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) seeks an accomplished, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs (Provost). The next Provost will build on UMass Lowell’s recent momentum and accelerate the university’s evolution by advancing its academic and scholarly mission, deepening engagement with the surrounding community, and guiding the institution to new levels of achievement and renown.

Located just 30 miles north of Boston and anchored along the Merrimack River in one of America’s most storied innovation hubs, UMass Lowell is a dynamic, urban, public research university that has been named the #1 public university in Massachusetts by The Wall Street Journal. With a mission grounded in access, affordability, and impact, the university has a proud history of providing education to its students in a wide variety of fields and collaborating closely with industry to contribute to the regional economic health.

UMass Lowell delivers rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and unmatched experiential learning that prepares approximately 16,850 students to lead in industry, government, and public service. The university generates an annual economic impact of $1.2 billion throughout the Merrimack Valley region and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

UMass Lowell’s momentum and achievements in recent years are undeniable. It was named a Research 1 (R1) university by the Carnegie Classification in 2025, affirming its very high research activity and signaling a powerful platform for discovery, collaboration, and graduate education. UMass Lowell is the highest-rated campus for sustainability in Massachusetts and is one of only eight in the nation to receive the platinum rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

It is a five-time recipient of INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award, and with 48 percent of undergraduates identifying as students of color and 45 percent as first‑generation college students, it is ranked by The Wall Street Journal as the #1 university in Massachusetts for Social Mobility, public or private, reflecting its commitment to advancing success for students from all backgrounds.

Responsibilities and Strategic Focus

Reporting to the Chancellor, the Provost is UMass Lowell’s chief academic officer and a key member of the university’s executive leadership team. In this capacity, the Provost will collaborate closely with vice chancellors, deans, and vice provosts to build on the university’s recent momentum. They will contribute to the 2028 Strategic Plan by advancing student success and inclusive excellence, strengthening master’s and doctoral programs to expand scale and interdisciplinary depth, and enhancing program distinctiveness, partnerships, and research impact.

Through this work, the Provost will help elevate the university’s national and global reputation.

Furthermore, the Provost will foster a culture of innovation and collaboration—leveraging technology, catalyzing cluster hires, empowering college and unit leadership, and connecting academic strengths to emerging fields and partner industries. And as an anchor institution, UMass Lowell’s deep relationship with the city of Lowell remains central. The Provost will champion community-engaged scholarship, experiential learning, and initiatives that strengthen the regional economy and civic life—ensuring the campus and city continue to thrive together.

Qualifications and Characteristics

The next Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at UMass Lowell will be a distinguished educator and scholar who holds an earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree and brings a record of scholarship, research, and teaching commensurate with appointment as a tenured full professor. This individual will be a proven leader with extensive academic leadership experience, with significant experience in budget stewardship and personnel management.

The ideal candidate will exemplify many of the following…