Dean’s Message – May 2026
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What an exciting month here at SPHHS!
We began with a celebration of our new building, officially called the “SPHHS Hub,” that was attended by UMass leadership, faculty, staff, students, donors and friends. The event was exhilarating, elegant, and fun. Over 100 students presented their faculty-sponsored research in four poster sessions, and Chancellor Javier Reyes, Board of Trustee member Mary Burns, and I spoke and cut the ceremonial ribbon, while Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein delivered the day’s keynote address. Their words complimented the incredible teamwork that took place to erect the building and the importance of investing in public health and health sciences during this time of great challenges in higher education and science.
Just over a week later, we began a multi-day celebration of our new graduates. First up was the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, where we honored our doctoral graduates for their achievements in obtaining the highest academic degrees and their contributions to science that will improve the health of populations across our globe in one way or another. The master’s graduates had their separate ceremony, in which we honored the completion of degrees that will prepare them to become public health and health sciences professionals in industry, at the local and national level, and within healthcare, to name just a few career paths they will pursue. And last but not least, we celebrated our undergraduates, beginning with the Honors College Celebration – during which we recognized those who completed course work and a thesis representing the culmination of dedicated scholarship, intellectual curiosity, and academic excellence – through the university’s Undergraduate Commencement ceremony, during which we recognized over 7000 new graduates of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
And the grand finale –our SPHHS Senior Recognition Ceremony! Our student speaker, Ms. Gloria Walker-Hoover, provided the keynote address, telling us her beautiful, touching and incredible journey of resilience and curiosity that endured despite life’s tragic moments. This year, we welcomed over 500 new SPHHS alumni into our ranks.
As I told the graduating seniors, we are proud of our students’ accomplishments. Over the last several years, they have risen to meet both academic challenges and real-world complexities. We know that it was hard and at times lonely, but family, friends, faculty, staff, and peers were there to support them. Keep in mind that hard work is never accomplished by oneself. It takes a village to raise a human being. Bubbles up! :)
Congratulations to the class of 2026!