UMass Boston interim chancellor stepping down
The University of Massachusetts announced a “global search” for a new UMass Boston chancellor after interim chancellor Barry Mills announced he plans to step down at the end of the school year in the hopes of allowing the board to identify and appoint a “world class” replacement.
In a message to the campus community yesterday, Mills said the decision to step down from the post in June “is bittersweet because of the community of students, faculty and staff that make this university so special and distinguished” and was motivated by a desire to give board members “the opportunity to identify and attract a world class leader” to replace him.
Mills, who previously served as president of Bowdoin College, joined the university in March as deputy chancellor and chief operating officer at a time when the campus was roiled by a ballooning $30 million budget deficit. Former chancellor Keith Motley, who led the campus for a decade, stepped down last summer amid the fiscal crisis.
Mills said he is “optimistic” about the school’s future and pointed out the university’s deficit, which has been reduced to $18 million, is on target to drop to $5 million by the end of the year.
“This is a major accomplishment (and) reflects the work of many talented people engaging in much hard work and is good news for UMass Boston and for all who value the singular role it plays in Massachusetts,” Mills wrote.
Also yesterday, UMass Board of Trustees Chairman Robert J. Manning and UMass President Martin T. Meehan announced the appointment of a 14-member search committee comprised of alumni, faculty, students and university officials to vet Mills’ replacement. University of Maryland, Baltimore County President Freeman A. Hrabowski III was tapped to serve as a consultant to the search.
The search committee will develop a pool of candidates and submit finalists to Meehan, who will recommend one finalist to the board of trustees.
Manning said the university is looking for a “proven, inspiring and dynamic leader” who can “advance an invaluable institution in one of the world’s greatest cities.” Mills said he’d be willing to stay on if his successor hasn’t been selected by the time the academic year ends.
“To really prosper, this campus should have a leader who will be able to work with all parties to develop a long-range strategy for success and serve long enough to see it through,” Mills wrote. “That’s what UMass Boston needs and deserves.”