Connector Editor
Jacqueline Moloney is now nearing the end of her first semester as chancellor of UMass Lowell, but she has been active in the progress of the university since 1984.
In 1984 and 1985 Moloney managed “a program that helped disadvantaged high school students transition to college,” and she has been working for the university since. Following that program, Moloney held positions in a variety of university offices, from Dean of Online and Continuing Education to Assistant Director of Admissions, as well as several other positions. Prior to her appoinment on Aug. 3, 2015, Moloney served as an executive vice chancellor to Martin Meehan since 2007.
While Moloney has by now settled in as chancellor, not everyone may know where she plans to lead the university. Below is a brief Q&A with Moloney on the subject, several weeks in to her first semester in office:
What do you do on a normal day as chancellor?
“Every day is jam-packed and this has been an incredibly fast transition. Every day in this job is different, but I find that I am often talking about the importance of a UMass Lowell education, the work of the university in the community and how people can play a role in supporting both. I’ve been meeting with alumni about how they can invest in today’s students through supporting scholarships and other initiatives.”
What is being Chancellor about to you?
“Being chancellor means that I have the wonderful opportunity and great responsibility to lead my alma mater through the next steps of its transformation. I have the chance to guide our campus toward our goal of becoming a world-class institution. I am excited about where this journey will take our university and that we have such a very talented faculty, dedicated staff and exceptional students playing such an important role in this process.”
Describe your energies and passions for this position.
“I have a great passion for education and I am compelled to always think about how we can make UMass Lowell even better for our students by enriching their education and experience here. I have a great love of the university.”
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
“I am one of nine children and I have seven sisters. I am the first person in my family to go to college, much like many of our current students.”
What intentions and plans do you have as Chancellor? Explain the UMass Lowell 2020 Strategic Plan.
“’UMass Lowell 2020’ is the university’s 10-year strategic plan, which was developed in 2010 with the engagement of more than 250 faculty, staff and students. It has been the blueprint for all that has been done at UMass Lowell over the last five years: 11 new buildings, a 50 percent increase in enrollment, the addition of new academic programs and applied learning opportunities, increased donations for scholarship funds and other initiatives, and a more vibrant campus life for students. The basis for that strategic plan is the university’s Pillars of Excellence: transformational education; global engagement and inclusive culture; innovative research and entrepreneurship; leverage our legacy and our place; and entrepreneurial stewardship in higher education. We are now approaching the second half of the plan and recently updated it. My First 90 days initiative (#First90) has focused on encouraging members of the university community and the greater Lowell community to develop new ideas to help us reach our goals.”
What else do you plan to do as Chancellor?
“I plan to continue the progress that began during the Meehan administration, in which I served as executive vice chancellor. We have seen 11 new buildings constructed or acquired; the Pulichino Tong Business Building is underway now, along with the renovations to the McGauvran Student Center. I think next we will see work done to further update our existing buildings to ensure our campus facilities are the best possible for our students. I also plan to continue to listen to students’ ideas and feedback through events like the recent open forum.”
How will you distinguish yourself from former chancellors?
“I have learned so much from both of my predecessors. Chancellors Hogan and Meehan provided me with great opportunities to move UMass Lowell forward. Chancellor Hogan asked me to take over Continuing Education and grow it, and I started our award-winning online education program. When President Meehan was chancellor, he asked me to serve as his executive vice chancellor. I plan to make sure UMass Lowell stays on course while creating new opportunities for our institution to best serve our students and our community. I also plan to continue to work with President Meehan on behalf of our campus.”
Closing comments?
I want our students to know that I am firmly committed to ensuring they receive the best education, obtain a variety of experiences in and outside the classroom and graduate fully prepared to excel in the world. I want students’ voices to be heard and I welcome their ideas. I regularly meet with student leaders and participate in student forums. But students should feel free to email me at: chancellor@uml.edu. I’d love to hear from them.”
