UMass HR Insider—April 2026 | Volume 4, Issue 4
Content
2026 Chancellor’s Citation and Student Employee of the Year Awards Celebrate Outstanding Talent
Ten staff members, two employee teams, and 10 student employees were honored for their exceptional talent, dedication, and commitment to UMass Amherst at the 2026 Chancellor’s Citation and Gerald F. Scanlon Student Employee of the Year Awards ceremony, held April 2 at Old Chapel. The annual celebration recognizes individuals and teams whose work strengthens the university through meaningful contributions, collaboration, and sustained impact across campus operations and services.
Honorees included staff and teams recognized for excellence across academic support, facilities, health services, information technology, and administrative functions, as well as student employees celebrated for their reliability, professionalism, and the important role they play in supporting departments across the university.
View the full list of honorees to learn more about the individuals recognized for their achievements and contributions.
UMass Discovery Camp: Where Curiosity Leads the Way
UMass Discovery Camp, offered in collaboration with Recreation and Wellbeing (RecWell), provides a summer experience built around creativity, exploration, and immersive learning. Each day of the program blends science, art, nature, athletics, and team challenges, giving campers space to try new ideas and build confidence.
With support from engaging mentors, children develop problem-solving skills, strengthen collaboration, and engage in curiosity-driven learning in a supportive environment designed for growth and discovery.
Camp Sessions
Session One: Monday August 3, 2026–Friday August 7, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Session Two: Monday August 10, 2026–Friday August 14, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Register today!
Become a Commencement Ambassador!
Help support one of the university’s most meaningful traditions by serving as a commencement ambassador. Volunteers assist guests, support graduates, and help ceremonies run smoothly.
This year, we will have several opportunities for you to participate:
Commencement Fair: Wednesday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Doctoral Ceremony: Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m.
Master’s and Education Specialist Ceremony: Friday, May 15, 9 a.m.
Undergraduate Ceremony: Friday, May 15, 5 p.m.
Ambassadors support accessibility needs, guest seating, entrances, and the graduate procession and seating. All volunteers receive a polo shirt, hat, and meals. Training is required.
Learn more about the different ambassador roles on the commencement website and register today!
Family Fun at the UMass Football Spring Game
UMass Football returns to McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday, April 25, at 12 p.m. for its annual Spring Game, featuring the first look at the 2026 team as well as a full day of family programming!
A free ticket is required for admission:
Get Your FREE Ticket Today!
Kids activities start before kickoff
The day begins at 10 a.m. with a free Fun Run with Sam the Minuteman for children ages 8 and under as part of the UMass 5K Dash & Dine event.
At 11 a.m., when gates open, families can head into the Kids Zone inside McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Activities include a Touch-a-Truck experience with a variety of vehicles and equipment, inflatables, face painting, and additional youth-focused activities. All Kids Zone programming is free.
Postgame youth clinic on the field
Following the Spring Game, UMass Football will host a free youth clinic on the field at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. The clinic is open to children ages 12 and under and offers a chance to learn directly from UMass student-athletes in a fun, interactive setting. Advance registration is required.
Complimentary parking is available in all lots surrounding McGuirk Alumni Stadium, with lots opening at 8 a.m. for tailgating. Make it a full day at McGuirk with activities designed especially for kids and families!
Founders Day: Explore, Connect, and Celebrate UMass
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 29, as UMass Amherst celebrates Founders Day, a campuswide tradition honoring the people, places, and progress that define the university.
Students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, neighbors, and visitors are invited to explore campus and experience all that UMass has to offer. Spend the day visiting museums, galleries, greenhouses, libraries, and makerspaces; connect with others; enjoy performances; and engage with university experts on topics ranging from campus trees and pollinators to robotics, social science, and well-being.
This year’s program features more than 30 activities across six thematic tracks, 18 locations, and 11 hours of programming. From interactive tables and spirit stations to tours, open houses, and behind-the-scenes looks at labs, collections, and gardens, Founders Day offers a flexible, choose-your-own-path experience.
Make time to explore where ideas take shape and celebrate UMass Amherst’s commitment to the common good. Learn more!
GIC Open Enrollment Through May 1, 2026
Open enrollment is our once-a-year opportunity to enroll in, cancel, or change Group Insurance Commission (GIC) health insurance coverage; enroll (or re-enroll) in the Flexible Spending Accounts; or enroll to participate in the GIC Buy-Out Program. Learn more.
Did You Know Your RecWell Membership (Or Other Fitness Memberships) May Qualify for Health Insurance Reimbursement?
Get Money Back for Staying Active
Many campus insurance providers offer reimbursement for fitness memberships, typically ranging from $100 to $300 for individual plans and $200 to $600 for family plans.
Check Your Plan
GIC WellPoint (Community Choice/Plus/Total Choice)
GIC Health New England
GIC Harvard Pilgrim (Access/Explorer/Quality)
GIC Mass General Brigham-Complete
Non-GIC PostDoc-Blue Cross Blue Shield
If you have any questions about reimbursement, please contact your health insurance plan directly.
Invest in Your Well-being
RecWell memberships includes access to the Recreation Center, Rockwell Climbing Gym, group fitness classes, aquatics, intramural sports (available with select memberships), the NEST Skypark, and wellness and education programs. RecWell staff can even help members gather the documentation required to request insurance reimbursement and guide you through the process.
Not yet a RecWell member? Summer memberships are available to faculty and staff for just $40! Join today!
Employee Spotlight
Join us in welcoming Nicole “Nikki” Barsalou, our new talent acquisition manager. Nikki brings more than 15 years of experience in recruitment and human resources, with a background spanning both public and private-sector organizations. In her role, she will lead key recruiting initiatives, partner closely with business partners, and create structured processes that support efficient and consistent hiring practices.
Nikki was drawn to higher education for its collaborative culture and mission driven environment. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and birding, listening to true crime podcasts, and traveling around New England.
Pack the Pantry Food Drive Runs Through April 29
The campus community is invited to take part in Pack the Pantry, a campuswide food drive that supports ASC@UMass: The Campus Pantry, which provides free groceries to help meet the basic needs of University of Massachusetts Amherst faculty, staff, and students.
This effort is organized by UMass Amherst Community Campaign, the Dean of Students Office through its Basic Needs Initiatives, and UMass Recreation and Wellbeing .
Donations of nonperishable, easy-to-eat foods are especially helpful for individuals with limited kitchen access. Suggested items include soups or pasta with pull-tab lids, instant oatmeal, cereal bars, and single-serve snacks such as applesauce or noodles.
Find donation bin locations here.
The drive concludes with a special collection event on Founders Day, April 29, on Haigis Mall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you would like to organize a collection in your office or department, contact Bridget Hynes at bridgethynes [at] umass [dot] edu or Jen Gallant at jengallant [at] umass [dot] edu.
Thank you to RecWell Club Sports participants for managing bins. More than 1,830 student-athletes across 40 teams contribute over 3,600 volunteer hours each semester!
AI Launch – DISCOVER Workshop
Human Resources and Information Technology are pleased to present AI Launch – DISCOVER, a new professional development opportunity exclusively for UMass Amherst staff.
This introductory workshop is designed to help participants build a foundational understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and explore how it can be used responsibly and effectively in everyday work. Whether you are new to AI or simply curious about its potential, these sessions offer a practical and approachable starting point.
In this workshop, led by Patrick Flaherty, Associate Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, participants will learn what AI is, gain insight into UMass Amherst’s approved tools, and review key data guidelines and campus policies related to AI use. The session will also include a live demonstration to illustrate practical, day-to-day applications. Together, these topics are designed to help staff safely begin using AI to enhance productivity and streamline processes.
UMass Amherst staff are invited to join one of the following sessions—space is limited, so be sure to register today!
Session Dates and Times
May 11, 2026 | 12:15 p.m. | Library Room 600
May 13, 2026 | 12:15 p.m. | Library Room 600
May 19, 2026 | 12:15 p.m. | Library Room 600
May 21, 2026 | 12:15 p.m. | Zoom
Recharge and Connect Today at the 4th Annual UMass Wellness Fair
The University of Massachusetts Amherst Public Health Promotion Center, in collaboration with the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing and the School of Public Health & Health Sciences, will host the fourth annual Wellness Fair on Wednesday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Campus Center Auditorium. The free event is open to all University of Massachusetts Amherst faculty, staff and students.
The 2026 Wellness Fair celebrates the many ways our campus supports healthy living and overall well-being. The event also reflects UMass Amherst’s commitment to being a health-promoting university through the Okanagan Charter and the Okanagan Wellbeing Collective.
Stop by to explore a range of activities and resources, including:
Blood pressure and hearing screenings
Nutrition, biometrics, and ergonomics counseling
Yoga and mindfulness sessions
Educational programs and community resources
Raffles and giveaways
Learn more!
UMass Staff Artists Take Center Stage at Building Bridges Showcase
The Building Bridges Worker Artists at UMass group hosted its ninth annual Building Bridges Showcase on April 7 at the Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts. This daylong event welcomed members of the campus community and the broader public to experience the work of more than 90 active and retired UMass staff artists.
Throughout the day, worker artists led workshops, offered demonstrations, gave performances, and shared their work across a wide range of formats. The showcase highlighted the breadth of creativity within the UMass staff community, featuring a doodle booth, stained glass, fly-fishing ties, chain mail, jewelry, quilting, tape loom weaving, storytelling, poetry, and live music.
In addition to in-person displays, the exhibition included a virtual component and installations from the Our Immigrant Stories project, which uses participatory action research to share narratives through images, text, and storytelling.
This year’s event succeeded because of the support of more than 40 co-sponsors, including campus departments and union partners. The Building Bridges initiative’s core partners, the Partnership for Worker Education, Human Resources, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, and Civic Engagement and Service Learning, extend their thanks to all who helped make the event a meaningful experience.
Planning is already underway for next year’s tenth anniversary, a milestone that will celebrate a decade of creativity, community, and shared expression. Learn more about Building Bridges.
Be UMass Ready: CPR Awareness
Each month, UMass Amherst highlights an emergency preparedness topic to help keep our campus community informed and ready. This April, the focus is on CPR awareness and recognizing cardiac emergencies, where quick action can save lives.
UMass Amherst is supported by UMass Amherst Emergency Medical Services (UMEMS), a student-run organization of nationally and state-certified EMTs. UMEMS provides medical support at campus events, leads Mission CPR outreach to expand CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) education , and maintains campus AEDs so they are ready when needed.
Be informed
Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating, preventing blood flow to vital organs. A person may be in cardiac arrest if they are unresponsive and not breathing normally. Immediate CPR is critical, and bystanders are often the first to respond.
Have a plan
Call 911
Call UMPD/911 or direct someone nearby to call.
Share your exact location and what you observed.
Retrieve an AED if available or direct someone to get one.
Start CPR
Begin hands-only CPR, pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest.
AEDs across campus provide step-by-step instructions. Quick action can significantly improve survival rates.
Build your skills
UMEMS offers CPR/AED and First Aid training through the Environmental Health & Training Catalogue to help you respond with confidence. Request a CPR/AED and/or First Aid Training for your organization or department today!
Be alert. Be prepared. Be UMass Ready.
Career Opportunities—Tell a Friend
Clerk IV (Facilities Coordinator for the John W. Olver Design Building)
The Facilities Coordinator (Clerk IV) for the John W. Olver Design Building is responsible for the day-to-day operational coordination, facilities oversight, and instructional infrastructure support for a complex, high-use academic facility which houses three departments: Architecture, Building and Construction Technology, and Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning.