News 2022: Mark A. Fuller formally inaugurated as Chancellor of UMass Dartmouth

Chancellor Fuller honored by the UMassD community during a special ceremony

On the afternoon of Friday, October 14, 2022, Chancellor Mark A. Fuller, PhD was officially inaugurated as the sixth Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth since the campus joined the University of Massachusetts System.

Per higher education tradition, the event featured delegates from an array of distinguished colleges and universities. Also in attendance was Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, members of the Massachusetts legislature, UMass President Martin Meehan, UMass Board of Trustee members including Chair Stephen Karam, Consul of Portugal in New Bedford Rogério Lopes, Richard Lafrance of Lafrance Hospitality, Chancellor Fuller’s family and friends, and UMass Dartmouth students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

“Under Chancellor Fuller's leadership, I am confident that UMass Dartmouth will continue to be a gateway of opportunity for thousands of young people every year, and will find ways to address even more of the world's pressing challenges,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.

Speaking on Chancellor Fuller, Chair of the UMass Board of Trustees Stephen Karam, said “I am confident that his leadership, combined with all the talent, energy, creativity and dedication present today -- UMass Dartmouth will be destination of choice for students from across the Commonwealth and the Northeast. UMass Dartmouth will become recognized as a powerful engine of socio-economic mobility. A place where every student has the opportunity to chart their path to lifelong success, no matter where they started.”

During the ceremony, President Meehan presented Chancellor Fuller with the Chancellor’s Medallion, a visual representation of the importance of the role.

“Chancellor Fuller, we are all sincerely pleased that you now wear the medallion of the office and have accepted the duties and responsibilities of Chancellor,” said UMass President Meehan. “Your formal investiture is an important moment in the history of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Please accept our congratulations and our best wishes for a long and successful tenure as Chancellor.”

“This campus is a breathtaking monument to the power of public education—to the idea that everyone, from the grandchildren of textile factory workers and students of modest means, to recent immigrants, to working moms going back to school, to veterans charting new careers after their service to our country—deserve a place dedicated to helping them achieve their dreams,” said Chancellor Mark A. Fuller. “This campus of concrete and steel looks like it rose out of the earth, and now serves as a beacon of hope for the entire region and as the heartbeat and lifeblood of the SouthCoast. We educate the Southcoast’s population, and our graduates and research programs help drive its economic development."

Dr. Mark Fuller was appointed Chancellor of UMass Dartmouth in August 2021. A first-generation college student himself, Dr. Fuller is a passionate advocate for public higher education and is deeply committed to UMass Dartmouth’s mission as a public research university dedicated to engaged learning, discovery and innovation. He places critical focus on student access and affordability; on diversity, equity and inclusion; and on building and strengthening community relationships. Dr. Fuller believes that UMass Dartmouth is uniquely positioned to prepare students with the skills they need for lifelong success and making positive contributions to the Commonwealth and their communities. He came to the Dartmouth campus after 12 years at UMass Amherst, where he spent nine transformative years as Dean of the Isenberg School of Management, and three years as Vice Chancellor for Advancement.