Marian Heard ’76 Endows New UWW Scholarship

Distinguished UMass Amherst University Without Walls alumna Dr. Marian Heard ’76 has endowed a new scholarship for UWW Interdisciplinary Studies students. The Marian L. and Winlow M. Heard Leadership Award will support students with need who demonstrate an interest in growing, learning, leading, and contributing to the community through their coursework, volunteer or paid work experience, and membership in university or community organizations. Preference will be given to students who are from the first generation in their family to attend college, or who have transferred to UMass Amherst from a community college, among other criteria. Awards are expected to begin during the 2026–27 academic year.

Dr. Heard is the president and CEO of Oxen Hill Partners, a Boston-based company specializing in leadership development programs and brand enhancement strategies. She retired as the president and CEO of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, which by the end of her tenure was the top-ranked United Way in the country for major gifts, and as the CEO of the United Ways of New England.

She was the founding president and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation, which was formed to answer President George H.W. Bush’s call for voluntary service to address serious social problems in America. Dr. Heard has had the rare privilege of working with several United States Presidents on a range of issues, including volunteer leadership, youth development, and civic engagement. She retired from the Points of Light board after serving two terms as the national board chair, and remains active as a member of the advisory council.

Dr. Heard was also a founding board member of both MENTOR/The National Mentoring Partnership and the Massachusetts Conference for Women. In 2016, she was inducted into the National Association of Corporate Directors Hall of Fame. She is married to Winlow M. Heard, and together they have two children and four grandchildren.

“Dr. Heard’s remarkable career is a shining example of the opportunities that can be unlocked by a UWW degree,” said Scott Davidson, Associate Provost for Interdisciplinary Programs. “We are proud of her achievements and grateful for her generosity, which will open new doors of opportunity for generations of students to come.”
 

University Without Walls scholarships exist thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends.