3 min read April 2023 — Invest: interviewed Mark Fuller, chancellor at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, about being a leader in social mobility, their efforts to create a diverse workforce and the advantages of being “one of the smallest public research universities in the nation.”
What have been some highlights or milestones for UMass Dartmouth over the last 12 months?
I have been at UMass Dartmouth for two years. My focus here has been addressing the changing demographics of the high school market and ensuring that we continue to be on a secure financial footing. In fall 2022, we had a three-year high of first-time first-year students, and we anticipate a five-year high for the fall 2023 semester. We have changed a lot of our recruiting processes by building relationships with K-12 and community colleges. We also have started regional recruiting in areas such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island. It is starting to pay dividends, though we still draw over 86% of our students from Massachusetts. All of the institutions in the UMass system draw primarily from this state, and we are the primary providers of the workforce here.
The other thing that is unique is that we are the smallest of the UMass campuses. We have about 7,000 students which allows for more personal attention to students and take pride in that size. We are one of the smallest public research universities in the nation yet have all the advantages of a research university, which means we have real scientists interacting with our students in the classroom and the field. They can look at COVID transmissions, or at coastal sustainability. UMass Dartmouth is the “ocean” based campus in the system because we conduct a lot of research in sustainability, marine science and habit, and wind energy. In terms of diversity, half of our students are first-generation students. Also, 40% receive Pell Grants for financial need, and 37% of our students are people of color. We are a very diverse campus, which is a real advantage. Large companies are leaning heavily into creating these diverse workforces, so we are a great pipeline to those diverse students.
How does UMass Dartmouth leverage research and innovation?
The Blue Economy is the answer. We work with the fishing industry and renewable energy companies. New Bedford, a few miles away, is the largest fishing port in North America. There is a huge fishing industry there, and it is one of the windiest spots on the planet. We play a critical role in helping manage the balance between offshore wind and the fishing industry. We study things like fishing migration patterns and the impact of large turbines offshore. Also, we work with the Navy to build unmanned vessels, so we can take measurements through autonomous vehicles. This allows us to gather data to help the local economy with sustainability. We are an NSA center for excellence and cybersecurity, so we have a strong computer science presence on this campus. We just received a $3.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to offer a scholarship for students pursuing cybersecurity education. There is high workforce demand there, and we are getting increased applications in those fields.
UMass Dartmouth is ranked as a leader in social mobility. What are the top priorities and considerations for higher education in achieving social mobility for their students?
It depends on the type of institution. It is in my bones to create opportunities for kids that might not understand what college looks like. This creates a special need for us to help those students acclimate to college as rapidly as possible. It also drives us to start building programs with high schools, so we can get students to have exposure to college courses early. We are No. 2 in the state in social mobility, and No. 69 nationally, and we are No. 4 in Massachusetts public colleges for best value. Ninety-seven percent of our students have a job after graduation, which is a tribute to the quality of our programs, and the exit salaries are average or above the median starting salary. We are very pleased with those numbers and student outcomes.
What programs are important to workforce development and training?
We are looking at micro-credentials right now, and there is tremendous demand across various fields. Engineering, computer science, data science, cybersecurity, nursing, health sciences and business and analytics are all currently growing fields. Our nursing and health sciences have a 10% higher pass rate than at other schools. Our Medical Laboratory Sciences have 100% placement and 100% licensure, so they are doing something right. The demographics are changing because the high school population is diminishing in the northeast. However, our graduate program enrollment is growing, and we are seeing four to five times the number of applications in those areas. That scope of change in demand shows how desirable those fields are. We just finished building a biodegradability lab to study how microplastics break down in the ocean. We want to create materials that are sustainable with less impact on the environment. Our research has an impact on economic development and the environment, and these are great examples of our focus on that.
What legislation have you been watching?
The fair share amendment is one we have our eyes on. Education is a target for the use of those new sources of revenue. We believe that education can play a huge role in solving many of society’s problems, and we believe the state will see that value proposition. We are a great value, and we can be transformative to anyone that can’t afford to get a college education.
What is your outlook for UMass Dartmouth and the higher education landscape over the next two to three years?
We have a lot of momentum right now. Our unique attributes allow us to continue to grow an unparalleled student experience. We can do that given our unique size, and it will not only be because of academics, but also because of the campus environment with over 170 student organizations. We work hard to get our students into these organizations, so they have a sense of familiarity with the campus. A big driver of mental health is a sense of belonging that students can develop on campus. We are working hard to build that infrastructure that can embed students into a social sense of belonging. We can offer some unique things that include the diversity of our population, and that makes us ripe for providing businesses with the workforce that they need.
For more information, visit:
