Feature Stories Alumni: Michael Desmarais ’89: Carrying the blue and gold torch of education

Education runs deep in the Desmarais family, with UMass Dartmouth at the epicenter of their teaching legacy. Michael Desmarais ’89 grew up inspired by his grandmother, Eleanor Desmarais ’80, whose courage to become a teacher in her fifties led her to take a leap of faith and earn a bachelor’s degree from UMass Dartmouth as a non-traditional student. “I was always amazed that she was able to fulfil her dream of teaching later in life,” he said. “It shows that it’s never too late to pursue your passions.” 

Though Desmarais and his younger brother, Matthew Desmarais ’93 (also an educator and former principal of BMC Durfee High School), attended the local Fall River high school years apart, they both came home to the familiar sight of their father, Dr. Armand Desmarais, a longtime UMass Dartmouth professor and dean of continuing education, grading papers or preparing lessons late into the evening. In true blue and gold fashion, he poured his heart and soul into helping his students succeed against all odds, showing Desmarais the meaning of being a Corsair—an identity he wore with pride, rooted in academic purpose and the power of community. 

“Thanks to my father, I had a firsthand view of the University and the opportunities that it brings to the SouthCoast and its residents,” said Desmarais, who went on to study management out of the Charlton College of Business (CCB). From the moment he stepped foot onto Ring Road, he felt an immediate connection to UMass Dartmouth, where the values of hard work and perseverance are still ingrained in every part of campus life. 

While attending classes full-time, Desmarais worked part-time as a student assistant in Academic Computing Services during the height of the digital boom. He staffed computer rooms, troubleshooting technical issues with the increasingly popular Apple Macintosh computers and helping students with software-related challenges. 

But it wasn’t all about growing his technical skills—Desmarais’ natural inclination to help others reach new heights of success quickly came to the forefront. He tapped into his educator gene, tutoring peers in subjects like statistics, quantitative analysis, and calculus. Whether it was breaking down complicated equations or offering insights into problem-solving, Desmarais discovered joy in helping others conquer challenges and excel in their studies. 

Since graduating in 1989, Desmarais has built a robust career in the logistics field, gaining three decades of experience in carrier relationships, pricing contracts, and analytics. His first job in the field was secured with the help of the UMass Dartmouth Career Center, which set the stage for his progression at Logistics Management, Inc., Newgistics Freight Services, and ReTrans Freight, Inc. He advanced from Customer Service Manager to Senior Vice President of Operations and General Manager before transitioning to his current position as a Senior LTL Advisor for Kuehne+Nagel.  

Still, Desmarais couldn’t ignore his calling to teach and has been a CCB part-time faculty member since 2006, following in his father’s footsteps. “It felt natural to come back and teach UMass Dartmouth students,” he said. “My father and family always encouraged me to teach, but I was hesitant until someone asked me why I wasn’t. It was the nudge I needed to finally take that leap of faith.” 

Desmarais’ relationship with his alma mater has only deepened over the years. He served on the Charlton College of Business Advisory Board and is currently a member of the UMass Dartmouth Alumni Association Board, further strengthening his ties to the University and the community he’ll forever be part of. He actively engages alumni through programming and events designed to facilitate lasting connections to the university and support current scholars. 

“Any chance I get to connect with students is so important to me. It keeps me young!” joked Desmarais. “The work we do in the Alumni Association, like bringing in recent graduates to speak with current students at the Meet and Mentor Mixer, is more impactful than people realize. Alumni making connections with students helps them on their journeys to success, something that’s critical as they step out into the real world. 

“I think giving back is key to helping others experiencing similar things that you had years ago,” he continued. “You could make a connection to a student that impacts their life in the way you needed when you were in their shoes.” 

Just as his father dedicated years of his life to teaching students at UMass Dartmouth, Desmarais carries that same legacy forward like a torch passed down—a flame that will never burn out. He’ll continue imploring generations of Corsairs to chase their dreams and light the way for them to pave their own path to prosperity.