Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack

Dr. Jean F. MacCormack was named Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on February 7, 2001. She had served as Interim Chancellor of the Dartmouth campus since September 1, 1999. During her tenure, she has led the campus through a major transition marked by a fast growing student body, transformation to a full-fledged residential campus, a three-fold increase in research, and turnover of a third of the faculty.

Since her arrival on the campus, the number of students has grown from 6,900 to 8,800 and is poised to grow to 10,000 by 2010. The campus has added 2,000 student housing beds, bringing the total to 4,000. Research funding has grown from $7 million to more than $20 million. More than 100 new faculty members have been hired, replacing those lost to early retirement programs.

 

Embedding the University in economic and social development of the region and Commonwealth has been at the center of Dr. MacCormack's leadership agenda. The University has spread its resources into surrounding communities with the opening of the Advanced Technology Manufacturing Center in Fall River, the College of Visual and Performing Arts center in downtown New Bedford, and continuing education centers in both cities. The University is also in the process of expanding its marine science presence in New Bedford.

 

Dr. MacCormack has been an active member of the national Campus Compact, which advocates and supports university public service. She currently serves as a Massachusetts co-chair of the Compact. Dr. MacCormack was named 2005 SouthCoast Woman of the Year by the New Bedford Standard-Times newspaper.

 

Dr. MacCormack joined UMass Dartmouth after serving as interim chancellor as well as Deputy Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance at the University of Massachusetts Boston.  She has more than 20 years of experience in educational administration at the secondary and higher education levels, and is highly regarded as an innovative and strategic manager whose leadership helped the UMass Boston campus flourish despite significant changes precipitated by serious financial constraints.

 

In 1988, she was appointed Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance at UMass Boston, with primary responsibility for fiscal and operational services. Her role was expanded in 1996 when she was appointed Deputy Chancellor with responsibility for system-based projects requiring cross-campus cooperation and collaboration.

 

Dr. MacCormack joined the UMass Boston administration in 1980 as Director for the Institute for Learning and Teaching. In that capacity, she led the expansion and development of the university's K-12 outreach programs. The institution established the nationally recognized Title II science teacher training program "Harbor Explorations" under her direction.  In 1982, Dr. MacCormack became Associate Dean and then Acting Dean of the Graduate College of Education that was established when Boston State College merged with UMass Boston. She played a significant role in shaping the new college and its programs.

 

Dr. MacCormack earned a bachelor's degree in literature and fine arts from Emmanuel College, and a master's and doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

 Last Updated On: 1/27/07