Provost Tricia Serio Names Wilmore Webley, Sofiya Alhassan to Leadership Positions in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

UMass Amherst Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Tricia Serio has announced the appointment of two new senior leaders for diversity, equity and inclusion for Academic Affairs.

Wilmore Webley will serve as the inaugural senior vice provost for equity and inclusion, and Sofiya Alhassan will become the Graduate School’s new associate dean for inclusion and engagement. The appointments will become effective Jan. 1, 2023.

 

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Webley, an associate professor of microbiology, currently serves as associate dean for inclusion and engagement in the Graduate School. Webley was born in Dry Hill District, Bellas Gate P.O., St. Catherine, Jamaica and was the first person in his family to attend high school (Old Harbour High School)  and college. He completed a bachelor of science degree in medical technology at Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Jamaica. He then earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in microbiology from UMass Amherst and joined the university’s faculty in 2003. Webley is a Fulbright Scholar, a recipient of the Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching, and the university’s Distinguished Teaching Award in recognition for outstanding teaching accomplishments. He is also a recipient of the Community Service Appreciation Award in appreciation for outstanding commitment and dedicated contributions to saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Serio said, “One of my top priorities as provost is to advance a culture that supports the success and values the perspectives of all members of our campus community as the foundation of our mission in academic affairs. In developing this role, I was looking for a strategic leader to advance our equity and inclusion goals, and someone who would build strong collaborations and partnerships across all groups within academic affairs. Over many years, I have come to know Wilmore Webley as a talented leader and a person who cares so deeply about the success of all members of our community. I have the utmost respect for and confidence in Wilmore Webley, and I’m thrilled that he has agreed to serve in this important role in academic affairs.”

 

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Alhassan, a professor of kinesiology, has served as the graduate program director of the Kinesiology Department since 2015, an ADVANCE Faculty Fellow, and a scholar for the Center for Research on Families. She received a bachelor of science degree from Stetson University with a concentration in exercise science and psychology. She then earned her master’s and doctorate degrees in exercise physiology from Auburn University. She completed her postdoctoral training in community-based intervention and pediatric obesity at Stanford University School of Medicine, and she joined the UMass faculty in 2007. Alhassan served on the board of trustees of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and is a member of several committees within the ACSM organization, and was previously a Leadership and Diversity Fellow. She serves as editor of the Journal of Physical Activity and Health. She has and continues to mentor several students and faculty of color across the UMass campus.

Dean of the Graduate School Jacqueline Urla said, “We are very pleased to see the growth of more support for DEI in Academic Affairs and thrilled to welcome Professor Alhassan to the Graduate School as our new associate dean for inclusion and engagement. This office plays a central role in achieving the university’s mission to support the recruitment and retention of graduate students who are under-represented in their fields. Professor Webley had a transformational impact on OIE and we know Professor Alhassan will as well. An experienced graduate program director in kinesiology, she brings a passionate commitment to the mentoring of graduate students of color that will be of great value to our whole campus.”

Serio also noted that an internal search is being launched for a new associate dean for undergraduate equity and inclusion, reporting to Senior Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Farshid Hajir. Interested candidates can view the job description on the Provost’s website.

Serio said this is a redeployment of the existing position of associate provost for equity and inclusion, which will occur when Amel Ahmed makes her planned return to the faculty in January. Serio emphasized that Webley, in the new role of senior vice provost for equity and inclusion, will continue the important faculty-facing work previously undertaken by Ahmed.

The provost praised Ahmed for her distinguished service in the position, including promotion of equity and inclusion in faculty recruitment; making data central to planning and evaluation; community building; and supporting faculty during the pandemic.