May 2001 University Reporter

By Anne-Marie Kent

Bulger & Gora At an April 9 press conference, President William M. Bulger announced his appointment of Jo Ann Gora to the chancellorship of the University of Massachusetts Boston. “Jo Ann Gora is a creative, imaginative, dynamic leader, and we are very pleased to welcome her to the University of Massachusetts family,” Bulger said. “Dr. Gora is a passionate advocate for public higher education and brings with her a proven record of accomplishment. She is the right person at the right time for this campus.”

Chair of the Board of Trustees Grace Fey joined Bulger in praising Gora and thanking the 18-member search committee, which included trustees James Mahoney, Carl White, and search chair Diane Bissonnette Moes.

Fey said, “Throughout the course of this nine-month search, several words cropped up again and again as students, faculty members, and administrators assessed Jo Ann Gora’s candidacy. The words ‘energy,’ ‘vitality,’ ‘creativity,’ ‘integrity’ were frequently mentioned.” She added, “Her proven record of achievement has instilled tremendous confidence in the members of the Board of Trustees and I’m confident she will inspire the students, faculty, and staff of UMass Boston.”

Gora holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Vassar College (cum laude), and master of arts and doctor of philosophy degrees in sociology from Rutgers University.

She is currently the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, a post she has held since 1992. Old Dominion is a metropolitan university which enrolls 19,000 students, employs a full-time faculty of 600, and offers 66 undergraduate, 65 master’s, and 21 doctoral degrees through six academic colleges. Three years ago, and during Gora’s tenure as provost, Old Dominion moved from Doctoral II to Carnegie Doctoral I status.

At Old Dominion, Gora oversaw the development of an honors college that produced Old Dominion’s first Rhodes and Truman scholars. She revised the university’s general education requirements, placing an emphasis on science, technology, and computer literacy, as well as oral and written communications skills. She also expanded distance learning from two telecourses to 30 full degree programs and spearheaded a $48 million capital campaign.

Bulger thanked interim Chancellor David MacKenzie, noting the “glowing reviews of his performance” that he has received, and said that Gora will be building on the leadership legacy passed down from former chancellor Sherry Penney.

In her first public appearance as chancellor-appointee, Gora remarked on the strength of UMass Boston and expressed great enthusiasm for her new position. She said, “I come to the University of Massachusetts Boston with a great sense of excitement—and purpose. UMass Boston is poised to become a true twenty-first century university: focused on the community, fostering economic development, contributing to policy formation, and providing opportunities for lifelong learning.”

She added, “I hope to be able to bring to the Boston campus a new vision, a new sense of optimism, new opportunities for growth.” Her plans for the summer include reviewing key reports in preparation for her move to Boston. She said, “I hope to spend my first days meeting faculty and students, understanding their dreams and disappointments, learning more about the 12 institutes, and developing a set of action plans to address infrastructure and communication issues on campus.”

Calling UMass Boston “the home town team,” Gora said, “We are of the community and for the community.” Her plans also include meeting the people who constitute the UMass Boston campus community, as well as the Boston community at large.

UMass President Announces New Chancellor Jo Ann Gora

By Anne-Marie Kent