UMass Boston

Our Summer 2026 Class Notes highlight the exciting personal and professional milestones of UMass Boston alumni, from career achievements and artistic recognition to engagements and new leadership roles. Read on to see what your fellow Beacons have been up to, and submit your own update for a chance to be featured in a future issue of Beacons.

Juana Matias '09 was appointed secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities by Governor Maura Healey. In this role, Matias helps lead the Commonwealth's housing agenda, with a focus on increasing housing production, preserving affordability, and working in partnership with local leaders, developers, advocates, and residents across Massachusetts. Matias previously served as regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she advanced federal housing policy across New England and oversaw housing programs and resources throughout the region. She currently serves on the UMass Board of Trustees, and is a former Massachusetts state representative for the 16th Essex District. 

Gerard Burke ’59, a distinguished Boston State College graduate, was honored with emeritus status at Massasoit Community College in recognition of his outstanding contributions to higher education and the community. Burke taught at Boston State College for 16 years before becoming Massasoit Community College’s third president, leading the institution through a period of remarkable growth and national recognition.

Haywood Fennell Sr. ’10, a U.S. Army veteran, founded the Oscar Micheaux Family Theater Program Company, also known as “The Company,” to use theater as a teaching tool focused on the Harlem Renaissance and its legacy in American history. Since launching the company in 1997, Fennell has written 12 plays and produced four with the help of volunteer cast members, including both experienced performers and those new to the stage. His most recent production, The Harlem Renaissance Revisited with a Gospel Flavor, was directed by Marian Anderson Spencer and performed at the Fitzgerald Theatre at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.

Sarah J. Houle G’11, principal of Southbridge Middle School, was named the 2025 Middle School Principal of the Year by the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association. Recognized by her peers for her outstanding leadership, Houle has brought stability and a collaborative spirit to Southbridge, guiding staff and students through challenging times. She has been praised for her dedication to fostering a supportive school culture and involving staff in decision-making.