UMass Dartmouth 2026 Chancellor's Report

UMass Dartmouth enters 2026 firmly established among the nation’s leading small public research universities, earning recognition for both academic excellence and our ability to expand opportunity. Being ranked #2 in Massachusetts for social mobility reflects who we are at our core: a university that opens doors, empowers talent, and prepares students to thrive in meaningful careers across every sector of society.

My own path to higher education as a firstgeneration college student shaped my belief in the power of public universities. Institutions like UMass Dartmouth do more than educate individuals; they strengthen families, uplift communities, and fuel long-term economic and social progress. That belief guides my leadership and reinforces my commitment to this university every day.

What distinguishes UMass Dartmouth is not only what we teach, but how we inspire. Students arrive here with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and they leave equipped to lead—with confidence, creativity, and purpose. Across disciplines including business, engineering, nursing, law,

psychology, the arts, marine science, and many others, our students are engaging deeply with ideas, technology, and hands-on experiences that prepare them for a complex, evolving world.

Our university’s success is a result of shared commitment. Alumni, partners, and supporters play an indispensable role in shaping UMass Dartmouth through mentorship, collaboration, investment, and philanthropy. Their engagement amplifies our reach, strengthens our programs, and ensures that we remain a driver of innovation and opportunity for the SouthCoast and far beyond.

UMass Dartmouth is a community defined by people who build, discover, and lead. Guided by our belief that extraordinary is what we do, we will continue to expand what is possible—creating new pathways, advancing knowledge, and delivering lasting impact for generations to come.

Go Corsairs!

Mark A. Fuller, PhD Chancellor

SCALING NEW HEIGHTS

For ten straight years, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Best National Universities” in the country. This distinction places the university among the top 15 public research universities in the country with fewer than 10,000 students. In the 2026 rankings, UMass Dartmouth was also awarded excellence across eight categories, including top-quartile recognition for its three largest undergraduate majors: nursing, psychology, and computer science. OF PROGRAMS IN THE U.S. +34

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

CHARLTON COLLEGE OF BUSINESS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

IN NEW ENGLAND FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY AMONG PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ONLY R2 RESEARCH UNIVERSITY IN MASSACHUSETTS DESIGNATED AS AN OPPORTUNITY COLLEGE RISE IN RANKINGS

COLLEGE OF NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES

4 TOP 9% TOP

BEST UNDERGRAD BUSINESS PROGRAM AMONG MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

SPOT CLIMB IN 3 YEARS

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

+82 SPOT CLIMB IN TWO YEARS PSYCHOLOGY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

+74 SPOT CLIMB IN TWO YEARS

COMPUTER SCIENCE

TOP 15

in the U.S. among public research institutions with less than 10,000 students

EXTRAORDINARY & OUTCOMES

UMass Dartmouth’s reputation as a destination of choice continues to grow, attracting top students looking to work with award-winning faculty. More than half of UMass Dartmouth students are first generation, and our graduates go on to successful careers with strong salaries. This impact has earned us the distinction of being the second highest-ranked public university in New England for social mobility.

OF FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS WERE THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND COLLEGE 53%

JOB PLACEMENT 92% UNDERGRAD 94%

GRAD STUDENTS

EMPLOYERS

STARTING SALARY $64K UNDERGRAD $83K GRAD

EXTRAORDINARY RESTORATION

$100M RENOVATION

For 60 years, the Liberal Arts & Sciences building (LARTS) has stood at the heart of UMass Dartmouth, shaping the experience of every student and generations of alumni. Today, we are carefully restoring this signature building, honoring its architectural legacy while renewing it for the future. LARTS will continue to inspire, support, and define our campus for generations to come. For more information or to become involved in the LARTS Restoration, visit: umassd.edu/larts

january 2027

COMPLETION

This transformation presents unique opportunities to support classrooms, seminar rooms, student collaboration and innovation suites, faculty offices, and our iconic soaring atriums—spaces that define the academic and architectural heart of our campus.”

— Chancellor Mark A. Fuller

HONORS COLLEGE

Established in 2019, the Honors College provides academic and career opportunities for highly motivated students. Honors students can take specialized courses, conduct undergraduate research, and create connections with faculty within their field, making it a destination for high-achieving students.

1:1 student to faculty research ratio

496 Honors College students

EXTRAORDINARY COLLEGES

As a R2 research institution that ranks in the top 15 public research universities nationwide with fewer than 10,000 students, UMass Dartmouth students and faculty in our eight schools and colleges are immersed in groundbreaking work.

32% enrollment increase over 4 years

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

As the largest college on campus, the College of Arts and Sciences is home to a number of diverse programs. From investigating black holes to studying international relations, students in the College of Arts and Sciences are at the forefront of discovery across the humanities, sciences, and social sciences research.

2,499 ENROLLED

$14.2M in research grants awarded over the past 3 years of graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate studies within six months of graduation

91%

Psychology ranks among the top 22% of programs nationwide and is ranked #3 among public universities in Massachusetts.

21%

of U.S. online MBA programs

#21

best online bachelor’s in business programs

#4 HIGHEST-RANKED undergraduate business programs among Massachusetts public universities

92% of CCB undergraduates are employed or enrolled in further study within six months of graduation

CHARLTON COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

The Charlton College of Business (CCB) equips future leaders with the skills to thrive in a global economy. That emphasis on applied learning translates directly into measurable, realworld success. The school’s Student Managed Investment Fund oversees more than $300,000 in real assets under management, beating the S&P 500 benchmark by 5.3% and outperforming the rest of the UMass system in 2025.

$83k

MEAN STARTING SALARY

Less than 6% of universities worldwide earn AACSB accreditation TOP 10% of online bachelor’s in business programs in the U.S.

1,610 ENROLLED

college of engineering

UMass Dartmouth’s College of Engineering is working to address the most urgent challenges facing our world while nurturing the next generation of change-making engineers. From cybersecurity and AI to sustainable energy and next-generation ocean technology, UMass Dartmouth engineers help build a better future.

1,382 ENROLLED

Only 4% of institutions worldwide have this highest level of accreditation for engineering programs

TOP 2%

College of Engineering faculty have been ranked among the of scientists worldwide, and of scholars in their specialties

TOP 1%

1 of 2 public universities in Massachusetts and 1 of 8 universities in New England designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research by the National Security Agency (NSA)

TOP 9%

6th highest-rated in New England of undergraduate nursing programs in the U.S. and

94%

first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination

COLLEGE OF nursing & health sciences

97%

three-year pass rate on the American Society for Clinical Pathology exam for laboratory technicians

100% employment rate for medical laboratory science majors

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) prepares students to enter the healthcare field and provide crucial care across the Commonwealth and beyond. CNHS works closely with local partners such as SouthCoast Health to create opportunities for hands-on experience and pathways for students to expand their career opportunities. The college offers nationally-ranked nursing and medical laboratory science programs to help students achieve their career goals.

846 ENROLLED

CNHS programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences

COLLEGE OF visual & performing arts

The College of Visual & Performing Arts (CVPA) is a powerhouse of creativity, offering students a comprehensive education in art, design, and music within a full university experience. Home to a nationally recognized ceramics program and a CIDA-accredited interior architecture + design major that prepares students to sit for the NCIDQ exam, CVPA connects learning and activism through service-learning projects that use creative skills to make a difference in communities.

Only dedicated fine/performing arts college in Massachusetts

ENROLLED

clinic or internship placement

UMass Law outperforms the national average by more than

lowest tuition of any ABA-accredited law school in MA 50% in YOY application rate

SCHOOL OF LAW

Massachusetts’ only public law school, UMass Dartmouth School of Law offers the smallest class sizes and lowest tuition of any ABA-accredited law school in the state. Every student is guaranteed an internship or placement in one of seven clinics, earning recognition from preLaw Magazine as the fourth-best law school in New England for practical training.

highest percentage of graduates in government and public service jobs in Massachusetts #1

school for marine science & technology

$8.7M IN RESEARCH EXPENDITURES FY 2025

Whether leveraging their highperformance supercomputer for ocean modeling, supplying forecasting data to over 30 countries and organizations like NOAA, or joining NASA scientists on global research expeditions, the School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) is known around the world. Locally, the school has

revitalized the nation’s most valuable fishing port to be successful and sustainable. Recognized as a leader in blue economy science, SMAST is addressing climate change and its effect on the oceans, food security through sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture, coastal environmental health, and sustainable marine energy.

One in Two Million SMAST’s seawater lab is home to a rare blue lobster, a genetic anomaly found in one out of every two million lobsters in the wild.

TOP 5% OF INSTITUTIONS IN THE U.S. FOR OCEAN RESEARCH EXPENDITURES

NEW BEDFORD REMAINS THE MOST VALUABLE FISHING PORT IN THE U.S. DUE IN PART TO SMAST FISHERIES RESEARCH

#1

$45M in funding for research areas like offshore wind, ocean sustainability, and fisheries since 2020

EXTRAORDINARY ATHLETICS

Our student-athletes continue to set new standards of excellence in the classroom and on the field.

Nearly one-third of our athletes win all-academic honors in their conference. Their achievements offer a preview of the impact they’ll make as future leaders and changemakers in society.

Bioengineering student and women’s field hockey captain MAGGIE MCCAFFERTY ‘24, ‘25 strong community of women in STEM and athletics at UMass Dartmouth. For her Honors APEX project, she worked with Dr. Lamya Karim to study the impact of vitamin C on bone health—research that earned her third place in UMass Dartmouth’s Three Minute Thesis competition. Maggie now works at Johnson & Johnson.

Senior captain CAMERON THOMPSON ‘26 became the first Corsair since 2003 to compete at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships, representing UMass Dartmouth on the national stage in 2025.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Senior captain EMILY POGORELEC ‘25 was named LEC Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth straight season— only the second athlete in conference history to do so. She was also named a 2025 Academic All-American—the fifth in school history.

FOOTBALL

Junior halfback MEKHI WILSON ‘26 led the MASCAC conference with 1,294 rushing yards and set the program’s single-season record with 18 rushing touchdowns. He earned First Team All-MASCAC honors, was named to D3football.com and the New England Football Writers Association’s All-Region teams.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

2025 Little East Conference Champions

Earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament — the third appearance in program history and second consecutive season.

EXTRAORDINARY RESEARCH

UMass Dartmouth is proud to be one of only 139 public universities nationwide with an R2 designation for high research activity. But what makes the university unique is that every day, students learn and research alongside internationally recognized scholars who have garnered accolades from peers, international organizations, and prestigious funding agencies for their outstanding research accomplishments in fields of critical significance.

UMass Dartmouth faculty were involved in the discovery of the largest-ever black hole merger.

ACTIVE AWARDS ( FY2020-2025 )

112%

INCREASE IN RESEARCH AWARDS OVER LAST SIX YEARS

GLOBAL RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

UMass Dartmouth Professor Amit Tandon leads an international research team of scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the University of Washington, NASA, and others from around the world to study South Asian monsoons and understand climate change, and to improve infrastructure resilience.

SPOTLIGHT

Alumna Megan Winton PhD ‘24 published groundbreaking research on Cape Cod’s great white shark population and is a frequent contributor to National Geographic’s SharkFest.

SMAST’s community-oriented approach to marine science is very different from most places I have worked previously. I’ve found it makes my work much more rewarding to know that the work we’re doing has a real impact on the community.”

EXTRAORDINARY GRADUATES

“

For myself and the entire SouthCoast region, UMass Dartmouth stands as a force for educational attainment, economic development, and community betterment. I am proud to work with the University to address the needs of our region and drive the Massachusetts innovation economy.”

MICHAEL RODRIGUES ‘83

Senator

First elected to the Legislature in 1996 and serving in the State Senate since 2010, Senator Michael Rodrigues ‘83 represents the First Bristol and Plymouth District and serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Rodrigues was named the 2025 Person of the Year by the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers for his dedication to championing the needs of the Portuguese-speaking community.

With more than 65,000 alumni making an impact across industries, from offshore wind to healthcare and finance to operations, UMass Dartmouth graduates are leading with purpose in every field, from the lab to executive leadership.

As NASA’s Chief Astronaut, Tingle oversees crew operations and assignments, guiding missions to the Moon and beyond.

State Department Officer promoting U.S. economic interests through diplomacy and trade.

Clinical Neuropsychologist; Team neuropsychologist for Dallas Cowboys

Senior Fellow, Harvard University Former President & CEO, CMA CGM

Award-winning photographer & photojournalist featured in publications like the New York Times and National Geographic.

CFO and VP of Operations, Health New England

EXTRAORDINARY SUPPORT

UMass Dartmouth is committed to providing need-based financial aid to our 7,500 students and their families. Last year, the university awarded more than $21 million in financial aid. This kind of financial support is crucial to allow our students to clear financial hurdles in pursuit of their dreams. Much of this is possible because of the generosity of the UMass Dartmouth community. Your philanthropy makes a huge difference to the university and our students.

LEAVING A LEGACY FOR CORSAIR FOOTBALL

“I am proud to support the football program, which was essential to my personal and professional growth. Student-athletes do more than just balance studies and games—it’s a lifelong foundation of discipline, accountability, resilience, and teamwork.”

ENDOWING FUTURES

“I am so grateful to be able to help current students afford this outstanding education and not be saddled with a ton of debt when they graduate.”

CAROL REGO ‘82

Vice President, Project Manager, CDM Smith, Inc.

Engineer, Kimley-Horn

Ranked in the top five in career tackles for the Corsairs, Cordasco is tackling a new endeavor as a proud alum— investing in UMass Dartmouth students. He established an endowment to strengthen the football program and honor his time as a student-athlete.

Through the Rego Family Engineering Scholarship and her leadership on the College of Engineering Advisory Board and the UMass Dartmouth Foundation Board, Rego is helping open doors for future engineers.

I am inspired by the thousands of alumni, parents, faculty, and friends who contribute to our success— every gift moves us forward together.”

CHANCELLOR MARK A. FULLER

EXTRAORDINARY GENEROSITY

UMass Dartmouth recorded its strongest fundraising performance in 15 years, raising $15.2 million and increasing its donor base by 28 percent.

Reflecting strong community confidence, the endowment reached $104 million, providing investment, particularly in scholarships, to support students’ access and success and the University’s mission as a leading public research institution.

LAFRANCE FAMILY ENDOWMENTS EXPANDS OPPORTUNITY FOR BUSINESS STUDENTS

“

I

am proud to partner with UMass Dartmouth to expand high-quality learning opportunities for SouthCoast students, their families, and their communities.”

RICHARD L. LAFRANCE

The CEO at Lafrance Hospitality, Richard L. Lafrance is a leader in the development of major hotel and catering projects across New England.

A DESTINATION OF CHOICE

Whether launching statewide higher education initiatives, sharing student stories that inspire, or celebrating Corsair pride, UMass Dartmouth is a destination of choice for showcasing excellence.

followed ten students to tell the story of

The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the “Go Higher” campaign at UMass Dartmouth, where state officials, including Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, discussed affordability with students.

UMass Dartmouth has become a destination of choice—where students learn with purpose, faculty advance impactful research, and individuals come together to strengthen their lives, communities, and future.”

— Chancellor Mark A. Fuller

umassd.edu