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Being responsible for the fiscal health and growth of a large, complex public university like UMass Boston is not a task for the faint of heart. But interim Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance David MacKenzie sounds more excited than daunted when he talks about the challenges ahead. "There's a great deal to learn here," says MacKenzie, whose appointment was announced by Chancellor Sherry Penney on August 17. "I think the biggest challenge," Mackenzie observes "is to help manage the growth of a dynamic university like this. "There's been a strong building on the graduate side and in the overall quality of the offerings, and there's a great desire to continue that process, and that comes at a cost." Another area needing attention is the campus infrastructure: "There are a number of unmet needs that continue to exist. There's been progress on them, but there still needs to be more work done." In addition, MacKenzie will be occupied with upcoming facilities projects, including the new campus center and the newly acquired pump house. "So the challenge is meeting the needs of the past, current growth, and future needs of the university, all within a very constrained budget." MacKenzie, who replaces Jean MacCormack (recently appointed interim Chancellor at UMass Dartmouth), brings to his new position a strong background in public-sector finance and management. From 1979 through 1993, he worked for the Massachusetts Senate Ways and Means Committee, holding several positions including chief of staff, chief legislative counsel, deputy staff director, and director of fiscal policy. Since 1993, he has served as general counsel for the Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority (HEFA). MacKenzie believes that both of these experiences will be helpful to him in his new job: "From the Ways and Means Committee I think I have a pretty good perspective on how the University relates to the wider state budget, where it fits in that context, and what it has to do to get its share of the pie, to grow and get support from the central state government. From HEFA, I've had a lot of experience in what it takes to do capital projects for health and educational institutions." Although he has been working at UMass Boston only since September 1, MacKenzie is no stranger to the University community and its resources. "I'm an avid listener to WUMB," he declares, expressing a strong interest in the upcoming Boston Folk Festival. "I'm a Massachusetts native, and I believe the state is at the forefront in many areas and always has been. UMass Boston has done a lot in the last few years and I think it's got a great future in front of it. It's a dynamic place, with people who have lots of plans and dreams to make it an even better place, and that's very exciting." &emdash;Brian Middleton |
