From the Alumni Association Board President

Dear UMass Dartmouth Alumni,

It is an honor to serve as president of the UMass Dartmouth Alumni Association board. As a graduate of the class of 2009, I am amazed at how much the university has grown over the past 16 years.

UMass Dartmouth means so much to me and my family. From building everlasting bonds of friendship, to learning how to be a better myself as a leader, I had an extraordinary experience here.

I have a deep appreciation for UMassD and how it helps students become leaders. It’s where I built the foundation that has prepared me to become a leader in my community and a father for my family. As an active student in the SAIL Office, an orientation leader, and president of Sigma Phi Rho, my relationships with campus leaders became valuable mentorship opportunities. As a crime and justice studies major, I was fortunate to learn from outstanding faculty, and as a senior, I got a glimpse of my future career as a Federal Probation Officer at my internship at the Brockton, Fall River, and New Bedford Probation Offices. Now as a Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer, I put the skills I learned as a leader on campus into practice on the job.  

As a proud alum, it is important for me to give back to the university, and I encourage all of you to also give back in the ways that are meaningful to you. From supporting scholarships to mentoring students to reconnecting with alumni at events, there are many options for you to be an active member of the UMassD community. My fellow Board members and I are looking forward to meeting you at Blue & Gold Weekend, held on October 17-18. It’s a great time to visit campus and witness the great things happening here. 

The Alumni Association Board is filled with dedicated leaders who support UMass Dartmouth and its students. I plan on working hand and hand with them to foster inclusiveness, create opportunities for alumni to give back to the university, and increase student involvement and engagement with our alumni network. As president, I hope to continue to increase our alumni support and engagement with our alma mater, while also supporting the university’s sustainability efforts. I also hope to work closely with the board to promote the unique opportunities our SouthCoast location affords for our students and community, like the innovative work done in the Blue Economy and advancing research in sustainable fisheries management and protection of our coastal ecosystem. 

UMass Dartmouth truly is extraordinary, and I hope as president I can help communicate that message to the 70,000 Corsair alumni worldwide. 

Sincerely,

James Pace ’09
President
UMass Dartmouth Alumni Association