New Provost Takes On Academic Mission at UMass Boston

By Leigh DuPuy

How is Paul Fonteyn adjusting to working at a public university, located in a culturally rich city on the bay? The new provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs is right at home. After 11 years at San Francisco State University, most recently as dean of graduate studies, Fonteyn wanted to relocate to a city that has topped his list of ideal places to live. "I’ve always wanted to be in Boston – I grew up in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and my family is still here. I really wanted to come back to the area," he says.

Appointed as provost on April 3, Fonteyn was eager to start his tenure, which began on August 19. "I’m just so glad to be here," he says. "I’ve been reading everything I can about UMass Boston and I’m very pleased to have begun." He brings with him an extensive record of teaching, fundraising, and commitment to urban public universities.

"We are so thrilled to have Dr. Fonteyn on board," says Chancellor Gora. "I am looking forward to drawing upon the wealth of his expertise and working together to further advance our mission of academic excellence."
Fonteyn says, "My goal is to enhance UMass Boston so that it will serve its undergraduates and graduate students to the best of its ability. I want to facilitate that process and work with the chancellor, vice chancellors, deans, and faculty to make it happen for this quality institution."

The first order of business for Fonteyn is to meet the faculty. "I am focusing on three different approaches. Every two weeks, I am offering an hour and a half open-door period for faculty to meet with me. Once a month, I also plan on holding mixers in the provost’s office and inviting a cross-section of faculty to attend. In the meantime, I want to meet with every department as soon as possible."

Fonteyn also will be working on a community service grant of $3.1 million from the National Science Foundation, which he has transferred from San Francisco State University to UMass Boston, to develop community science centers in impoverished areas. The centers offer free, hands-on experiences in their own neighborhoods for children from kindergarten through the eighth grade to learn science. Centers are currently being set up in Washington, D.C., Miami, Florida, Houston, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana. An additional four centers will also be set up, one of them in the Boston area.

Fonteyn is excited about his new post at UMass Boston. "I’ve been so encouraged by what I see here," he says. "I’ve been actively meeting and talking with faculty since I was named provost last April. And I’m already impressed by the deep dedication of our faculty to teaching and learning, as well as our strong connections to the community."

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