UMass Nursing Professor Lucinda Canty Receives Tenure

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At the UMass Amherst Board of Trustees meeting last month, the Board awarded tenure to Dr. Lucinda Canty and 41 other UMass faculty members. Dr. Canty is an associate professor as well as the director of the Seedworks Health Equity in Nursing Program at the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing (EMCON), where she has worked since July 2022. Her work in Black maternal health and midwifery is not only celebrated in the UMass Amherst community, but also internationally acclaimed.

Academia was "an unintended road" on her nursing career journey, Dr. Canty says. She expected to teach one semester and then return to midwifery, but says she "loved it so much," especially guiding students so early on in their nursing journeys. It's been over 15 years as a nurse educator and nurse scientist, and Dr. Canty says she is grateful that her path led her to UMass Amherst. For those interested in pursuing a tenure track position, she offers this advice:

"My advice would be to not be discouraged. I stayed true to myself. I realized that I have all that I need to be successful; I just had to show everyone else what I am capable of doing. My research and scholarship influence my teaching and community service, areas that I am passionate about. I am grateful that I was granted tenure doing the work that I love."

—Dr. Lucinda Canty on tenure

Tenure is a permanent status. According to the Office of the Provost, "for promotion to Professor, the faculty member must have a record of achievement sufficient to have gained substantial recognition on and off campus from scholars or professionals in [their] field; and must show significant potential for continuing professional achievement." Recommendations for promotion are first sent to and reviewed by the Office of the Provost and Chancellor, and then reviewed by the President's Office and Board of Trustees.