Administrative Structure

 

The people below are responsible for managing all of the graduate programs and advising all graduate students at UMass Amherst.  This page shows the current holders of those positions.

• The Graduate Program Director (GPD) manages all of the graduate programs, assigns graduate teaching in mathematics, and advises all mathematics PhD students (pure and applied) who do not yet have a thesis advisor.
• The Applied Mathematics Director (AMD) advises all students in the applied math MS program.
• The Statistics Coordinator (SCA) advises all statistics MS and PhD students (prior to choosing a dissertation advisor) at the Amherst campus.
• The Statistics Coordinator–Newton (SCN) manages the remote statistics MS program at Mt Ida, and advises all students in that program.
• The Graduate Program Manager (GPM) is a member of department staff who assists the faculty above with routine forms, memos, and managing students' progress towards their degrees. 
• The Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC) consists of the GPD and faculty from all research areas of the department.  It makes the final decisions about the results of qualifying exams, oral exams and TA reappointments, as well as making general policy and curriculum decisions for the graduate programs.  A graduate student member attends GAC meetings which do not discuss specific students.

Typically administrative matters should be taken initially to the GPM, who will route them appropriately. Academic matters should be taken initially to the student’s academic advisor. More sensitive matters can be taken directly to the GPD if necessary. When in doubt, there is no harm in contacting the GPD to determine the best course of action.