Becker President Named Chancellor of UMass Dartmouth

Wednesday, March 08, 2017

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Robert Johnson

Becker College president Robert E. Johnson has been named chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth by a unanimous vote of the Mass Board of Trustees.

He will be the first African-American to lead UMass Dartmouth.

“I am humbled and honored to be named chancellor of UMass Dartmouth and am truly thrilled to be a part of the world-class UMass system. I look forward to working with President Meehan as well as the faculty, staff and students of UMass Dartmouth,” said Johnson.

Johnson was recommended for the UMass Dartmouth chancellorship by UMass President Marty Meehan.

“Robert Johnson is an accomplished, visionary leader with an entrepreneurial spirit and a proven commitment to student success. He has developed innovative strategies that have revitalized institutions and transformed lives, and I am confident he will help UMass Dartmouth reach new levels of excellence,” said Meehan.

Robert Johnson

Under Johnson’s leadership, Becker College was named one of the “best institutions for undergraduate education” by The Princeton Review for five consecutive years. He is credited with increasing enrollment to record levels, improving student success and elevating the reputation of the college.

He is a member of the state Board of Higher Education, vice chairman of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Board and chair of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“Robert Johnson is a dynamic leader who, through hard work and collaboration, has transformed Becker College into a national leader on several fronts. Robert’s brand of can do leadership has had a profound and positive impact on Worcester and Central Massachusetts – including as chair of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce board of directors. While he will be missed, I know he will be an incredible asset for UMass Dartmouth, its students and faculty, and the entire South Coast,” said the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce in a statement.

Johnson, who is from Detroit, Michigan, holds a doctorate in higher education administration from Touro University International, a master’s degree in education administration from the University of Cincinnati and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Morehouse College.

Before becoming Becker College’s president, he served as senior vice president of Sinclair Community College, vice president of enrollment management at the University of Dayton, vice provost at Oakland University and executive director of enrollment management at Central State University.

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