Christina Metevier, Associate Provost for Academic Programs at the Mount Ida Campus and Senior Lecturer II, has been selected as a Mid-American Conference Academic Leadership Development Program Fellow by the Office of Faculty Development.
Metevier will lead the design and launch of a one-week immersive internship exploration program for first- and second-year undergraduates. Designed to expand access to experiential learning, especially for first-generation and underrepresented students, the program will help participants connect academic theory with applied work in real-world settings across a range of industries. Through academic reflection, employer engagement, and professional skill-building activities, students will explore potential career paths while developing leadership competencies and clarifying academic goals. This initiative aligns with UMass Amherst’s strategic focus on inclusive excellence and high-impact practices and aims to build scalable pathways that prepare students for experiential learning opportunities and meaningful post-graduate success.
Metevier oversees academic programming, curricular expansion, experiential learning, student success, and faculty support for the Mount Ida Campus. A committed educator and leader, she also serves as Senior Lecturer II in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (PBS). Previously, she directed the Linking Employment and Academic Development (LEAD) program on the Mount Ida Campus, an innovative initiative that integrates curricular and co-curricular experiences to prepare PBS students for careers related to Psychology. Metevier earned her PhD in Neuroscience and Behavior from UMass Amherst in 2006 and joined the faculty in 2010. From 2014 to 2022, she served as the Associate Undergraduate Advisor in PBS, during which time she founded the Psychology Career Fair in 2017, a signature event enhancing student awareness of professional opportunities, and created a peer mentoring program to support undergraduate students in navigating academic challenges, building community, and preparing for post-graduate success. Her dedication to student mentorship and advising was recognized in 2017 when she received the Outstanding Advising Award. As a first-generation college graduate, Metevier brings a deep commitment to academic innovation, inclusive excellence, and the success of all students. In September 2023, she was appointed to her current position as Associate Provost for Academic Programs at the Mount Ida Campus.
Metevier shares, “I’m honored to be selected as a MAC ALDP Fellow and excited to lead a project designed to help students, especially those early in their academic journey, connect classroom learning with real-world application across a range of professional fields. By bridging academic theory and hands-on experience, the program will support deeper career exploration and foster leadership development. This project also aligns with UMass Amherst’s strategic emphasis on high-impact, inclusive educational practices.”