Regional business, healthcare, and workforce development leaders to be recognized for their impact and service during the May 21 Doctoral Commencement ceremony
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UMass Dartmouth will award honorary degrees to Richard Lafrance, Jacqueline G. Somerville, PhD, RN, and Nishita Roy-Pope during the University’s 2026 Commencement ceremonies. The honorary degree is the University’s highest distinction and recognizes individuals whose professional achievements, leadership, and service reflect the values of UMass Dartmouth and inspire its graduating students. The recipients will be celebrated during the Doctoral Commencement ceremony on May 21 at 4 p.m. in the Main Campus Auditorium.
Richard Lafrance, Chairman of Lafrance Hospitality
Richard Lafrance is Chairman of Lafrance Hospitality, a Westport, Massachusetts–based family business founded in 1946 by his parents after purchasing a small diner in Fall River. The company develops and manages multi-brand hotels across New England and Florida, partnering with Hilton, Marriott, IHG, and Choice, and operates restaurants, catering services, and event facilities, including White’s of Westport. A 1968 University of Notre Dame graduate, Lafrance has held numerous community leadership roles with organizations such as Bank Five, United Way, and UMass Dartmouth. Honored by regional groups and a 1996 Olympic torchbearer, he now mentors the fourth generation of family leadership.
Nishita Roy-Pope, CEO of Courage Builder
Nishita Roy-Pope is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and former Fortune 50 corporate leader who now serves as CEO of Courage Builder, a workforce development company focused on leadership, innovation, and emerging industries such as technology, life sciences, entrepreneurship, and the blue economy. At Dell Technologies, she launched a global innovation program, built an industry-recognized early-career talent initiative, and helped lead a $150 million global sales-leads program. She has engaged over 500 UMass Dartmouth students through conferences, internships, and experiential learning, with more than 40 of them hired by Dell. Recognized with several leadership awards, she also serves on many nonprofit boards.
Jacqueline G. Somerville, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, Southcoast Health
Jacqueline G. Somerville, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, NEA-BC, is an experienced nurse executive with more than 30 years of healthcare leadership. She currently serves as System Chief Nurse for Southcoast Health in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Previously, she was Chief Nursing Officer at both the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Dr. Somerville earned her BSN from Boston College, her MSN from Boston University, and her Ph.D. from Boston College, where her research examined patients’ experiences of feeling “known” by nurses. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and serves on the United Way of Greater New Bedford Board.