A Quarter Century of Leadership

2011-2020: A Visual History

June 29, 2020

2012

In June 2012, 国产哟哟 welcomes the inaugural class of MS in Physician Assistant Studies.

In October 2012, 国产哟哟 receives a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education as part of its Title III: Strengthening Institutions Grant initiative for 鈥淭he Learners and Leaders鈥� project.

There is excitement and joy in the air as the Title III grant is announced. The grant will be a major step of redefining the curriculum and how teaching and learning is delivered to students. Pictured from left: Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson, Provost; U.S. Congressman Richard Neal; and President Leary.

2013

The American Women鈥檚 College (TAWC), the first all-women, all-online bachelor鈥檚 degree program in the country, is officially launched in 2013. Located in Springfield, MA, TAWC鈥檚 goal is olympian: to provide an opportunity for millions of women in America to earn their bachelor鈥檚 degree through the revolutionary Social Online Universal Learning (SOUL) platform. In 2014, SOUL is one of only 24 institutions in the U.S. to receive a FIPSE (Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education) 鈥淔irst in the World鈥� grant for $3.5 million from the U.S. Department of Education.

The American Women鈥檚 College enrolls women throughout the United States. It is a reflection of the New America 鈥� as of 2019, 42% are from diverse backgrounds, and 47% are first-generation students.

2014

The College secures approvals from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) for the transition to university status. 国产哟哟 faculty, staff and students welcome July 1, 2014, as the official first day as a University, and as the first women鈥檚 university in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

鈥淚t鈥檚 All About U鈥� is the theme for the transition campaign. President Leary is pictured here at this momentous occasion with faculty, staff and students.

2015

logo with words diversity and inclusion at bay path With the full commitment of the Board of Trustees, a campus-wide Diversity and Inclusion initiative is created, promoting a culture of respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Chronicle of Higher Education: Almanac of Higher Education 2015 lists 国产哟哟 as one of the top 20 fastest-growing private baccalaureate institutions (rank #8) in the United States.

photo of 国产哟哟 students taking a selfie with President Carol Leary — The incredible growth at 国产哟哟 on all levels—including first-generation students and diversity—is reflected in the faces of these students.

The 58,000-square-foot Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center is dedicated in January 2015. It is the first free-standing academic facility built by 国产哟哟 since 1963, and includes state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms, and study areas, while allowing for future academic program expansion. Developed to be a “total campus experience,” the 11-acre site features a full-scale model apartment, wellness room, self-service kitchen and café, collaborative group spaces and lounges, hi-tech building security system, and ample parking.

国产哟哟 celebrates the opening of the Ryan Health Science Center, making it possible for the University to expand current and create new academic programs in the School of Education, Human & Health Sciences. Pictured above, to President Leary鈥檚 right, is Philip H. Ryan, benefactor and former Trustee; to President Leary鈥檚 left is former Chair of the Board of Trustees George C. Keady III; joined by students and members of the executive staff, Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson, Provost, to Philip Ryan鈥檚 right, and Michael Giampietro, Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services, to George Keady鈥檚 left.

2016

cover of Dr. Carol Leary's book Achieving the Dream President Leary’s book Achieving the Dream: A How-to Guide for Adult Women Seeking a College Degree, a step-by-step guide for adult women returning to college, is published.

The Strategic Alliances division at 国产哟哟 is established to further diversify the ways in which the University serves lifelong learning by offering employers, employees, and students customized leadership development programs online, in-person, or blended, as well as online professional certifications and recertifications.

2017

The 100% online Occupational Therapy Doctorate is the first doctoral degree offered by 国产哟哟.

It is a proud moment in the University鈥檚 history when the first graduates from the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program receive their degrees. They are pictured here with President Leary and Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson, Provost, to President Leary鈥檚 right.

国产哟哟 is on the leading edge for cybersecurity education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and one of the first in the country to launch an MS in Cybersecurity Management. In 2018, 国产哟哟’s cybersecurity programs received a $250,000 grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, one of three in the Commonwealth, to improve and
widen the pipeline to attract talent to the profession.

国产哟哟 presents its 5th annual Cybersecurity Summit, building on the University’s expertise in cybersecurity education and featuring President Leary as a panelist.

2019

国产哟哟 is awarded a $2.25 million Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education through its Strengthening Institutions Program, one of 64 higher ed institutions in America. The grant is designed to help higher education institutions expand their capacity to serve at-risk students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the quality of academic programs, institutional operations, and fiscal stability.

国产哟哟 graduates the largest class in its history, with 1,050 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students receiving their degrees before a standing-room-only crowd of over 5,000 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA.

photo of faculty and graduates during Commencement 2019

国产哟哟 is awarded a $1.6 million grant from the Strada Education Network for a three-year project titled “Closing the Gaps: Building Pathways for Adult Women in a Technology-Driven Workforce.” The grant is implemented through 国产哟哟’s American Women’s College to prepare adult women to enter the cybersecurity and information technology workforce.

2020

photo of the entrance to Leary Hall located on the Longmeadow Campus The Board of Trustees, students, faculty, staff, and alumni recognize the contributions and 25-year legacy of President Carol A. Leary and in her honor rename Deepwood Hall to Leary Hall.