Worcester Business Journal

6 Worcester Business Journal | June 30, 2025 | wbjournal.com PHOTO | WBJ FILE BY MICA KANNER-MASCOLO WBJ Staff Writer D r. Michael Collins, the longest-serving chan- cellor of UMass Chan Medical School, will step down from his role lead- ing the Worcester institution at the end of the 2025-2026 academic school year. Collins announced his future de- parture in a letter to the UMass Chan community Tuesday. "I don't know if it's ever a good time to step down when you have a great position," Collins said in an interview with WBJ. "My view was, maybe this is the best time while I can still be active and vigorous and helpful, and then help to orient the new chancellor." Collins' decision comes aer a few months of conversations with fellow faculty and family, with the chancellor ultimately deciding he will exit his leadership position in July 2026. His choice to step down has noth- ing to do with the turmoil faced by institutions of higher education since President Donald Trump assumed office in January, he said. "Whatever we're facing is going to be squared away in a year from now. We're working hard with the governor and working hard with our congress- man. I'm working hard at many differ- ent levels to try to secure funding, both at home and in Washington," Collins said. While he is stepping away from his I N B R I E F Dean steps down "This is a great opportunity to be discerning about what would be next for me. I've had a broad variety of experiences so I'm excited about the fact that I can do a lot of different things and we'll see what's next." Debora Jackson on having stepped down from her role as dean of The Business School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute on May 31. She was the first woman and person of color in that role. New jobs "We now have 115,000 direct jobs, and that rivals the number of jobs for colleges and universities in Massachusetts. So it's a big number. When you add in indirect jobs, that number jumps to 233,000." Emily Reichert, CEO of Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, on the number of clean energy industry jobs in the state having grown 100% since 2012 Hands off "Keep your goddamn hands off of Job Corps. Job Corps is one of the best programs that our country has ever created for expanding economic opportunities and enriching our communities." Congressman Jim McGovern's (D-MA) message to President Donald Trump on June 18 concerning the administration's attempt to close Job Corps nationally, including two locations in Central Massachusetts UMass Chan Chancellor Michael Collins to step down next year Clark University's main campus is situated in the Main South neighborhood of Worcester. leading capacities next year, Collins will stay with UMass Chan to serve as a professor. "I'll teach. I'll mentor. I'll help raise money. I'll do whatever the new chan- cellor and the president of the universi- ty think could be helpful," he said. "I'm more focused on the issues of this week than I am on issues that will happen over a year from now." Collins originally came to the UMass system in 2005, becoming chancellor of UMass Boston. He later served in an interim chancellor capacity at UMass Chan from June 2007 to September 2008, assuming the permanent role in 2008, according to a Tuesday press release from the university. Under his leadership, UMass Chan's research expenses have risen from $157 million in fiscal year 2007 to $302 million in fiscal year 2024. He's raised more than $865 million for the university, and the school's enrollment has surged by nearly 50%, the latter of which is one of Collins' most proud accomplishments. UMass Chans' plan to replace Col- lins has not yet been announced. Earlier this year, UMass Chan im- plemented a hiring freeze in response to threats from the federal government to cut National Institutes of Health funding to colleges and universities, a move that would cost the school $40 to $50 million annually. In April, the medical school laid off and furloughed 200 employees. W Dr. Michael Collins will stay on as a professor after he steps down as UMass Chan chancellor.

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