
UMass Flex Summit 2023
April 11, 2023
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Student Union Ballroom and Online
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Optional networking breakfast 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
If you have questions about the event or you need assistance with registration, please contact the Office of External Relations and University Events at 413-577-1101.
ABOUT THE FLEX SUMMIT
Students today are seeking both excellence in their university experience and true flexibility in accessing educational opportunities. UMass Flex explores ways to open up all parts of the university experience—from classes to career services—through technology and innovation.
Building on the 2022 Flex Summit, this year's Flex Summit Beyond the Classroom will focus on:
- Sharing campus experiences around flexible learning and flexible engagement
- Celebrating staff successes in providing flexible access to students
- Learning from successful models at other institutions
- Understanding the student perspective through digital storytelling

Students are still coming to campus, but they also want the flexibility to take advantage of resources in a virtual setting. This creates challenges for staff and for our entire campus. How do we provide the best of both?
Keynote Speaker:
Jared Tippets
Vice President, Student Affairs, Southern Utah University
2023 FLEX SUMMIT SCHEDULE
7:30 - 9:00 a.m. | Optional Networking Breakfast |
9:00 - 9:15 a.m. |
Welcome & Vision Speakers: Tricia Serio, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UMass Amherst Jim Kurose, Associate Chancellor of Partnership and Innovation, and Distinguished Professor, UMass Amherst John Wells, Senior Vice Provost for Lifelong Learning, and Professor, Operations & Information Management, UMass Amherst |
9:15 - 10:15 a.m. |
Expanding Flexible Access to Services Explore findings from surveys and interviews conducted with units across campus providing services to faculty, students and staff, with the goal of identifying which services are currently flexible, where there is a desire to expand offerings, and what resources are needed to implement them. |
10:30 - 11:15 a.m. |
Flex Innovations & Resources Across Campus Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support (IDEAS) shares innovations happening across campus and resources available to staff to enhance the UMass Flex experience. |
11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
Lunch and Fireside Chat: Building a Flexible Campus Best practices and lessons learned in offering flexible services in support of students, faculty, and staff. Speakers: Jim Kurose, Associate Chancellor of Partnership and Innovation, and Distinguished Professor, UMass Amherst John Wells, Senior Vice Provost for Lifelong Learning, and Professor, Operations & Information Management, UMass Amherst |
12:45 - 1:45 p.m. |
Agents of Change: FLEXperience: Amplifying Student Voices through Digital Storytelling The 2022-2023 Student FLEXperience expands the UMass Amherst student experience by sharing Digital Stories focused on the overarching theme of Belonging and Access: How Digital Technology Can Solve Obstacles. Speakers: FLEXperience Students Facilitators: Alaina Macaulay, Senior Director for Inclusion and Strategic Engagement, UMass Amherst Pete Smith, Acting Director and SACL Chief of Staff, UMass Amherst |
1:45 - 2:00 p.m. |
Closing Speaker: Kumble R. Subbaswamy, Chancellor, UMass Amherst |

FLEXperience: Amplifying Student Voices
The 2022-2023 Student FLEXperience expands the UMass Amherst student experience by sharing digital stories focused on the overarching theme of Belonging and Access: How Digital Technology Can Solve Obstacles.
Check back in early April to view FLEXperience digital stories.
2023 Flex Summit Speakers and Panelists

Chancellor, UMass Amherst

Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UMass Amherst

Assistant Director, New Student Orientation & Transitions, and 2022-23 Staff Flex Fellow, UMass Amherst

Manager, Instructional Innovation, UMass Amherst

Associate Chancellor of Partnership and Innovation, and Distinguished Professor, UMass Amherst

Senior Director for Inclusion and Strategic Engagement, UMass Amherst

Acting Director and SACL Chief of Staff, UMass Amherst

Senior Vice Provost for Lifelong Learning, and Professor, Operations & Information Management, UMass Amherst