Seasoned higher education communications professional Samuel Masinter has been named associate vice chancellor for issues management by UMass Amherst Vice Chancellor for University Relations John Kennedy.

Image

Masinter’s role, a new position, was developed in response to a need identified by campus leadership to anticipate emerging issues and enable a timely, consistent and structured response to university incidents and crises. He will lead the Issues Response Team (IRT), a cross-functional group of administrators from across campus charged with monitoring and reporting on potential and active issues within their units. The IRT will also regularly convene for long-term horizon scanning and discussion of emerging trends within the cultural and higher ed landscape. 

Previously, Masinter served as interim vice president for public affairs at Smith College and before that as associate vice president for college relations. He began his career in public affairs at his alma mater, Amherst College.