Mary K. Grant Appointed as New MCLA President
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts board of trustees has named Mary K. Grant, a 1983 graduate, as the institution's 11th president.The appointment is contingent on approval by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education at its April 17 meeting. The announcement of Grant's appointment was made following a special meeting of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Board of Trustees.
She will replace Thomas D. Aceto who will retire on Aug. 31 after 11 years of service to the college. Grant will become the first member of the alumni and only the second woman to serve as president of the public liberal arts institution.
Hailing from the University of Massachusetts, Grant currently serves as the chief academic officer and deputy C.E.O. of UmassOnline. She was appointed to this position within the Office of the President of the University of Massachusetts in October 2000, when she led the Transition Team that launched the system-wide program of professional and distance education.
Grant is also a Senior Fellow at the John W. McCormack Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, where she teaches in, and has served as faculty chair for the Master of Science in Public Affairs Program. From 1994-2000, she was assistant vice chancellor of administration and finance and human resources at UMass Boston. She holds a doctorate from Brandeis University, a master of science in public affairs from UMass-Boston and a bachelor's in sociology from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Experience & commitment
During her on-campus interviews, Grant emphasized her commitment to give back to the institution that has given her so much during her undergraduate career. Citing her experience in working within the public higher education system in the commonwealth, she also expressed interest in improving the institution's state budget allocation, as well as creating new revenue sources for the college.
Throughout her one and a half-day campus visit, she met with faculty, staff, students, senior administrators, North Adams Mayor John Barrett III and members of the board of trustees.
Eugene Leibowitz, chairman of the board of trustees and the Presidential Search Committee, expressed his pleasure with the selection of Grant.
"Dr. Grant brings with her the familiarity and experience with the state's system of public higher education that is necessary to bring the College to the next level of becoming a public liberal arts institution of distinction," he said. "She was the top choice of the campus and surrounding community who had the pleasure of meeting her during her visit. We look forward to working with her in the coming years."
Praise for search process
State Rep. Daniel Bosley lauded the work of the Presidential Search Committee, saying he is pleased a fellow alum has been chosen.
"Mary Grant is an alumna with fresh ideas and the energy and allegiance to make a difference on this campus," he said. "She has the experience as both a teacher and an administrator, making her uniquely qualified for the position. As an alumnus myself, I know that Mary and I both share a great amount of pride in the College and its achievements. I look forward to working with her in making great strides for MCLA."
Selma Botman, vice president of academic affairs at the University of Massachusetts, echoed the comments adding, "As an alum, Mary will be a shining example to students. As an academic with high standards, Mary will appreciate faculty work. As a manager, she will work closely with staff, the community and a variety of constituencies. I applaud the Search Committee and the Board for their choice. A finer, more decent, more able president, the Committee could not have found."
Leadership skills lauded
Associate Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston Hubie Jones, who has worked closely with Grant, noted that the selection is a great match for the College saying, "I am thrilled that Mary was selected at this stage in her career because she is ready to provide some extraordinary leadership for an institution, such as Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts."
The presidential search commenced following Aceto's announcement of his retirement during the institution's fall opening breakfast in September. The Search Committee included representatives of the faculty, staff, administration, students, alumni, community and the Board of Trustees. The committee retained Academic Search Consultation Service, a Washington-based national search firm, to assist with the search, which yielded 51 nominees.
The committee then narrowed the field to seven semi-final candidates, which was reduced to four finalists following interviews with each candidate. Finalists included Alan E. Dillingham, provost of St. Mary's College of Maryland; Michael J. Bell, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Elmhurst College; and Lawrence Wayne Markert, vice president for academic affairs at Hollins University.
