Dean’s Message – June 2026
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While much of campus may seem quiet, there has been a lot happening this month.
Earlier this month, UMass Dining hosted its annual Chef Culinary Conference, into which we’ve embedded our own annual Healthcare Culinary Conference. This marked the third year we’ve integrated topics and programming for healthcare providers, but this year we accomplished that in a more intentional and seamless fashion.
Aligning under the theme of “Food for the Common Good,” this year’s conference had record attendance as we hosted world-renowned experts on nutrition such as Marion Nestle, Walter Willett, Angela Odoms-Young, and Christopher Gardner (to name but a few of the many outstanding speakers). These talks were a response to the call for action we’ve received from medical care providers seeking to acquire nutrition education to improve the lives of the population they serve. And frankly, what a fun and stimulating way to acquire this knowledge and skills than through firsthand experiences alongside chefs, food services representatives, dietitians, and academicians. If you are a practicing healthcare provider, make space on your calendar for next year’s meeting at the beginning of June.
This month our Department of Kinesiology celebrated its 60th anniversary with a two-day conference showcasing the amazing work of its alumni, faculty, and students. We were fortunate to have retired former chairs (Patty Freedson and Joseph Hamill) and faculty member (Gary Kamen) introduce keynote lectures named after them (and delivered by their former students) to the many alumni and current faculty and graduate students in attendance.
As I told attendees in my opening remarks, when kinesiology emerged as "Exercise Science" in the 1960s, it was groundbreaking. But what's truly remarkable is that this department hasn't remained static. It has evolved. It has responded to the pressing health challenges of our time— the critical need for healthy aging, and the imperative to help people not just live longer, but to live better, more fulfilling lives. That's the heart of our mission here at the School of Public Health and Health Sciences: to create a healthier world. Congratulations to the organizers Ned Debold, Richard van Emmerik, Katherine Boyer, Amanda Paluch, and Alice Frydryk for a remarkable celebration.
Our faculty remain busy in other ways too, conducting their research and disseminating their discoveries at national meetings with their students. Staff are reflecting over the previous year’s activities, understanding what can be improved and designing new programs that help us meet our strategic goals. Speaking of strategic goals, be on the lookout for a website dedicated to our new strategic plan for 2024-2034 that aligns with the universities plan For the Common Good. The website will display information on our goals and progress made to date.
And finally, Gloria DiFulvio, Ann Becker (Nursing) and I are designing a study abroad program in Greece for the winter 2027 term (January 5-27) on Exploring Food, Culture, Health and Sustainability. Like the one we held in Cyprus in 2025, this 4-credit course in Athens, Greece, will provide an interdisciplinary exploration of the intricate relationships between food, culture, health, and sustainability. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, readings, and practical activities, students will delve into the historical, social, economic, and environmental dimensions of the US and Greek food systems. They will critically examine how food choices impact human health, cultural identity, and the planet, and explore sustainable solutions to contemporary food challenges.
This class will fulfill an Honors elective for those in Commonwealth Honors College. Click here to learn more and apply now. Students – we hope you can join us.
And to all, enjoy the summer!