Shelly Perdomo-Ahmed Named Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life

Chancellor Javier Reyes has announced that Shelly Perdomo-Ahmed has been named vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life. The announcement was made in the email below, which was sent to the university community on March 28.

Dear Campus Community,

Shelly Perdomo-Ahmed

I am pleased to announce that following a national search Dr. Shelly Perdomo-Ahmed has been selected to serve as our next Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life.

Dr. Perdomo-Ahmed has demonstrated during her nearly two decades of service at UMass Amherst that she cares profoundly for the wellbeing and success of our students and our staff, builds sustained relationships, and acts with strategic foresight to identify creative solutions. I have observed her skills and commitment firsthand in her role as Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life, and I'm delighted that she will become a permanent member of our leadership team.

Her distinguished record of achievement at UMass includes her start as an Assistant Director in the Office of ALANA Affairs, followed by her groundbreaking role as the inaugural Assistant Vice Chancellor for the advocacy, inclusion, and support programs in Student Affairs and Campus Life. Dr. Perdomo-Ahmed has consistently advanced the goal of establishing UMass as a destination of choice by building a more diverse and inclusive community, improving campus climate, and organizing resources and processes to improve students' academic and personal success. As Interim Vice Chancellor, each day she demonstrated her commitment to leading a team responsible for recruiting, retaining and educating students through services and co-curricular programs that affirm identities, build leadership capacity, and cultivate a sense of belonging.

Dr. Perdomo-Ahmed proudly describes herself as a first generation Dominican-American from Harlem in New York City. She received her doctorate and master's degrees in Educational Policy, Research and Administration from UMass Amherst and her bachelor's degree in Latin American Studies and Cultural Anthropology from Mount Holyoke College. She is also an alumna of the HERS (Higher Education Resource Services) Institute and has a professional certification from the Global Inclusion Program.

I also want to express my thanks to members of the search advisory committee, chaired by Farshid Hajir, senior vice provost for academic affairs and dean of undergraduate education. Members included:

• Madalina Akli, Director, National Scholarship Advisement and the International Scholars Program
• Ryan Bamford, Director of Athletics
• Nancy Buffone, Associate Vice Chancellor for University Relations
• Mari Castañeda, Dean, Commonwealth Honors College
• Joshua Gauthier, Vice President, Student Government Association
• Kate Green, Associate Professor of Nursing, Rules Committee Representative
• Jeff Hescock, Executive Director of Environmental Health and Safety and Emergency Management
• Andrew Mangels, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance
• Fareed Mohammed, President, Graduate Student Senate
• Tyrone Parham, Chief of Police and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life
• Niharika Pola, Executive Committee, Graduate Student Senate
• Melissa Rotkiewicz, Director, Center for Counseling and Psychological Health
• Pete Smith, Chief of Staff, Student Affairs and Campus Life
• AnnMarie Thorpe, Director, Disability Services
• Tess Weisman, President, Student Government Association

Please join me in welcoming Shelly to her new permanent role. I know we both can't wait to get started on the exciting and important work ahead.

Sincerely,
Chancellor Javier Reyes

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