Skip to main content
UMass Collegiate M The University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give
  • Search UMass.edu
College of Humanities & Fine Arts College of Humanities & Fine Arts

Main navigation

  • Academics
    Undergraduate programsGraduate programsCertificate programsCourses
    See all academic programs
    UMass AdmissionsFinancial aid and scholarshipsCornerstone InitiativeAcademic advisingWhy HFA?
  • Research
    Research centers and institutesResearch newsFunding Opportunities and AwardsResearch Areas
  • Campus & Outreach
    Community EngagementFaces of HFADiversity, Equity, and InclusionStudent Leadership GroupSupport HFAHFA Days
  • Advising & Careers
    Exploratory TrackOpportunity ScholarsFinancial Aid and Scholarships
    Academic AdvisingHFA Career Services
  • About
    NewsEventsDirectoryMeet the LeadershipAlumni and Friends
    Resources for current studentsResources for faculty & staff Communications Support2025 Senior Recognition CeremonyContact

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. News

Juniper Director Betsy Wheeler Earns Chancellor’s Citation Award

May 11, 2023 Academics

Content

Farshid Hajir, senior vice provost and dean of undergraduate education, and Betsy Wheeler, director of the Juniper Summer Writing Institute and the Juniper Institute for Young Writers
Farshid Hajir, senior vice provost and dean of undergraduate education, and Betsy Wheeler, director of the Juniper Summer Writing Institute and the Juniper Institute for Young Writers

Betsy Wheeler, director of the Juniper Summer Writing Institute and the Juniper Institute for Young Writers, has received a 2023 Chancellor’s Citation Award.

Nominated by Jeff Parker, associate professor of English and MFA program director, Wheeler was recognized for her outstanding performance in helping the university achieve its goals and objectives through original contributions to the university, attainment of high-priority university objectives, and performance beyond the call of duty.

"She's extraordinary at what she does," Parker says. "Betsy's management of the Juniper institutes throughout the pandemic allowed us to do something very unusual here. While lots of writing programs were closing down, Juniper actually expanded and created two new programs." 

Over the last year, Wheeler transitioned out of her managing director role into her new director role, ushering Juniper into a new era on the heels of the pandemic. 

"It's been the most successful year on record in the 20-year history of Juniper, and that alone is a testament to her abilities," Parker says. 

The Juniper initiative annually hosts four different writing institutes for which Wheeler manages all of the logistics, organizing, and staff training. She also works with the graduate students in the MFA program to create opportunities for them to gain experience in program assistance and teaching through these institutes. 

"It's great for our students because, thanks to Betsy, they're able to get lots of experience in arts administration and literary programming that goes beyond almost anything that almost any university offers," Parker says.

Noy Holland, professor in the Department of English says Wheeler is "a complete joy" to work with, and someone who brings "spirit" and "vision" to Juniper and the Department of English.

Watch the full video.

Article posted in Academics for Faculty , Prospective students , and Current students

Related programs

  • English

Related departments

  • English

Site footer

College of Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Find us on Facebook
  • Find us on YouTube
  • Find us on LinkedIn
  • Find us on Instagram
Address

150 Hicks Way
Amherst, MA 01003-9274
United States

Academics

  • Explore our programs
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Continuing and professional education

Research

  • Research news
  • Research areas
  • Research centers & institutes

The School

  • About HFA
  • News
  • Events
  • Directory
  • Contact

Info for...

  • Current students
  • Faculty & staff

Global footer

  • ©2025 University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Site policies
  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination notice
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of use