- Robotics Professor Constantinos Chamzas Awarded $175K NSF Grant to Advance Robot LearningConstantinos Chamzas Professor Constantinos Chamzas, a faculty member in the Department of Robotics Engineering, has been awarded a prestigious $175,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support his research in robotic planning and manipulation. The award, part of the NSF’s highly competitive Computer and Information Science and Engineering Research Initiation Initiative (CRII), will help launch a project titled “CRII: Towards Real-World Robotic Manipulation: Learning Abstract State and Action Representations from Visual and Execution Data” which aims to revolutionize how robots learn and reason in complex, real-world environments. Professor Chamzas’s inspiration for the project traces back to his doctoral research, where he explored how robots leverage past experiences to improve planning efficiency. “I’ve always been fascinated by how classical planning algorithms offer strong generalization in theory,” he explains, “but in practice, they require carefully designed spaces and significant manual effort to function effectively.” His curiosity led him to explore the intersection of symbolic planning and machine learning—two traditionally distinct approaches in robotics. The core idea behind his project is deceptively simple: enable robots to reason more like humans. When we put clothes in a closet, “We don’t consciously model every object or constraint,” Chamzas says. “We just follow an abstract plan: go to the closet, open the door, put the clothes inside.” But for a robot, that same task requires a detailed, manually encoded model. His research seeks to change that by allowing robots to learn abstract representations of tasks and actions directly from experience, rather than relying on human-specified models. Technically, the project focuses on enabling robots to perform long-horizon manipulation tasks by learning symbolic abstractions from real-world data. “Instead of assuming a perfect model of the world,” Professor Chamzas states, “the robot will autonomously collect and analyze its own experience to discover how to represent tasks and actions symbolically.” The result enables more adaptive and explainable robotic behavior. The grant application process, Professor Chamzas notes, was both challenging and rewarding. “The CRII program is unique in how it supports early-career researchers,” he says. It gave him the “opportunity to distill my long-term research vision into a focused, high-impact proposal.” He credits the support of his colleagues in the Robotics Department and past CRII recipients for helping him refine his ideas and navigate the application process. For other researchers seeking NSF funding, Professor Chamzas offers practical advice: “Start early and don’t be afraid to share your ideas with trusted peers and mentors. Treat the proposal not just as a funding opportunity, but as a chance to clarify and articulate your long-term research vision” He emphasizes the importance of grounding proposals in prior work and being open to feedback—even when it’s conflicting. Professor Chamzas says that open dialogue with colleagues is what helped him the most, and he strongly encourages open conversations. With this NSF grant, Professor Chamzas is poised to make significant strides in the field of robotics, pushing the boundaries of how machines learn, plan, and interact with the world. The work supported by this award will contribute to broader developments in the field and provide valuable insights for the robotics community at large.
- Benefits NewsletterPlease click here to view the July 2025 benefits newsletter.
- Welcome New Employees June 2025Hire Date Employee Name Position Department 6/2/2025 Abhishek Sharma Post-Doctoral Fellow School of Engineering 6/9/2025 Dorothy Gaby Senior Assistant Director, Admissions, Access & Outreach Student Affairs & Enrollment Management 6/9/2025 Zeyi Yao Post-Doctoral Fellow School of Engineering 6/23/2025 Anne Cushing Assistant Vice President, Marketing Communications Marketing Communications 6/23/2025 Lydia Sprague Research Associate School of Arts & Sciences
- Amity Manning, professor of biology and biotechnology, named Dr. Helen G. Vassallo Distinguished Presidential ProfessorAmity Manning Amity Manning, professor of biology and biotechnology, has been named as the inaugural Dr. Helen G. Vassallo Distinguished Presidential Professor. The professorship, established by a generous gift from Trae and Steve Vassallo ’93 in memory of Steve’s mother, honors the legacy of longtime, pioneering WPI faculty member Helen Vassallo MBA ’82. “Professor Amity Manning, the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Helen G. Vassallo Distinguished Presidential Professorship, exemplifies the values that Helen championed throughout her remarkable career,” says Reeta Rao, professor and Biology and Biotechnology Department head. “I nominated Amity for this honor because she is a brilliant scientist, a dynamic and engaging teacher, a thoughtful mentor, a collaborative leader—all qualities lived by Dr. Helen Vasallo. Amity is also a devoted mother to four wonderful boys. This professorship is especially meaningful to our department as it represents our very first endowed chair. Helen Vassallo paved the way for so many of us, and I’m honored to help carry forward her legacy through Amity’s appointment.” “We established this professorship to honor my mom and cement her legacy as one of WPI’s most generous and impactful professors. She was a true pioneer at nearly every stage of her life, and in every facet,” says Steve Vassallo. “Amity Manning’s record of excellence as a researcher working on the cutting edge and her reputation as a teacher and mentor among students makes her a perfect choice to be the first to hold the professorship that bears my mother’s name.” Manning’s research focuses on defining the cellular mechanisms that maintain genome stability in normal cells and understanding how those pathways are corrupted in cancer cells. Using a combination of molecular and cell biological approaches, together with bioinformatics and imaging techniques, her group aims to identify changes associated with genomic instability in cancer and exploit those changes to identify novel therapeutic targets and enhance cancer cell death. She has received significant grants from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health to support her research on cancer cell biology, genome stability, chromatin structure, and mitotic regulation. In the classroom and the lab, she is a dedicated teacher and mentor to undergraduate and graduate students, working with them to gain a better understanding of cancer cell biology and to make meaningful contributions to cancer research. In many ways, Manning reflects Dr. Helen Vassallo’s career. Vassallo joined the faculties of WPI’s Management and Biology and Biotechnology departments in 1982 after a distinguished career as an educator, researcher, and business leader in the fields of physiology, pharmacology, and anesthesia. She received a BS from Tufts University and an MS in pharmacology from Tufts University Medical School and then taught at Tufts, Brandeis University, Clark University, and WPI before joining Astra Pharmaceutical Products, where she would become director of scientific and professional information. While at Astra, she completed a PhD in physiology at Clark and an MBA at WPI and was a visiting fellow and special student at MIT’s Sloan Institute, where she studied organizational behavior. Helen Vassallo Dr. Vassallo made a mark during her time at WPI. She served as head of the Management Department from 1989 to 1995, was the longtime chief justice of the Campus Hearing Board, received the Trustees Award for Outstanding Teaching, was recognized as National Sorority Advisor of the Year, belonged to the President’s Council for the Advancement of Women and Minorities, and received the Woman of Consequence Award from the City of Worcester (in 2008). In 2013, she was honored with the Goat’s Head Lifetime Commitment Award from the WPI Alumni Association. She was also the first woman to be elected secretary of the faculty, the highest faculty post. In addition to raising 10 children, three of whom are WPI alumni, Dr. Vassallo also authored numerous articles, two books, one monograph, and is the co-holder of two patents. Along with her impact on the university, she also touched many people who crossed her path. “My mom’s bio clearly needs an intermission—she blazed many trails in her lifetime but never sought the limelight. Instead, her focus was always attuned to service, finding ways to help others achieve their goals and find their own personal, academic, and professional success,” says Steve Vassallo, who majored in mechanical engineering at WPI and then began his career as a design engineer at the global design firm IDEO. Vassallo then went on to lead the development of technologies and products for a broad array of companies including Apple, BMW, Cisco, and many others, and was awarded 77 patents along the way. In 2007, Vassallo joined Foundation Capital, a venture capital firm where he is a general partner and early-stage investor in more than 100 startups, helping them go from idea to IPO and beyond. “As I look back on the last 30 years, it’s clear that the education and life skills I gained at WPI both set the trajectory and elevated the ceiling of my career by providing me with a strong technical foundation combined with an invaluable set of project-based experiences,” he says. “My mom would occasionally remind us kids that it’s not about what you know, it’s about how enthusiastically you approach the things you don’t. This urgent curiosity—the rush to learn, to build, and to solve real problems in the world—is the spirit of WPI as well as the spirit of the start-up world I live in today. And it’s a part of her legacy, too.”
- Global Lab publishes 2024-2025 Annual ReportGlobal Lab Annual Report 24-25
- Results are in for WPI's Staff CouncilThe voting results are now in, and the Staff Council would like to welcome their new members! A special thank you to all candidates for Staff Council and staff across campus who participated in this spring election. You can learn more about the Staff Council and meet the new members by visiting the Staff Council webpage. The Staff Council extends heartfelt thanks to our departing members for their invaluable contributions and dedicated service. We recognize the time and energy each has invested in their role as a council member while balancing their regular duties. We deeply appreciate the sacrifices each have made to ensure the council’s effectiveness and laying the groundwork for future success. If you have general questions about the Staff Council, you may email at staffcouncil@wpi.edu. Staff Council
- Microsoft 365 Storage Events (July 2025)Come attend one of our Microsoft 365 events for tips on how to better manage your OneDrive and Outlook storage. The drop in sessions will be your chance to ask questions or get assistance with your OneDrive and Outlook accounts. All events are in Eastern Daylight Time. Virtual (Zoom) Login is required to view the details for the drop-in sessions. July 16 – 11am – 1pm - Drop-in session July 22 – 10am – 11am - OneDrive Clean Up! webinar July 23 – 11am – 1pm - Drop-in session July 30 – 11am – 1pm - Drop-in session In-Person July 9 – 11am – 1pm - At this drop-in session, ITS staff will be next to the Service Desk in the Gordon Library. Please bring your WPI-managed device to get the greatest benefit from this session. If you're unable to attend these sessions, then please fill out the Data Storage Management form to request assistance. Microsoft 365 Storage Resources: These resources will help you get started on managing your Outlook and OneDrive storage. Storage Management FAQs Exploring Outlook Outlook Clean Up Resources Exploring OneDrive
- Tech Transfer: Use of Sophia Intellectual Property Management Platform GrowsThe Office of Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OTIE) continues to work with WPI faculty, staff, and students to expand use of Sophia, an intellectual property (IP) management platform. Sophia opened to WPI users in January 2025. Inventors should use the digital platform to file invention disclosures with OTIE, request help with non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and material transfer agreements (MTAs), and manage commercial collaborations. Key features of the platform: Streamlined submissions process for invention disclosures, NDAs, MTAs Comprehensive management of IP, collaborations, agreements Direct access to IP records, agreements, and OTIE information through WPI's secure single sign-on system Enhanced support from OTIE staff Training videos are available to help new users get started. Sign in to Sophia here. For more information, contact OTIE at OTIE@wpi.edu.
- Rankings Released: Times Higher Education Impact RankingThe 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking has been released. This unique tool allows higher education institutions to compare themselves alongside other universities working toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals across the globe. The ranking asks questions regarding policies, research, stewardship, and outreach. Visit the THE website for full results and to learn more about the Impact Ranking. In 2024, the SDG Steering Committee gathered and submitted data to the Impact Ranking for the following SDGs: SDG 4: Quality Education SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production SDG 13: Climate Action SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals Over the past three submissions, WPI’s standing has continued to improve, even as the number of institutions that submit increases. Check out Gordon Library's UN SDG Libguide or review our 2024 Progress Report to learn more about WPI’s efforts on the SDGs. Annual results reported by the THE between 2023 and 2025. "Score" is out of 100 possible points, "Rank" varies per each SDG, though in total, 2389 institutions submitted data for review. Looking to get a better idea of your own SDG impact as an author? Check out your author profile on Scopus, and view the new “Impact” tab to see how your publications are linked to the UN SDGs!
- Changes in Institutional ResearchAfter more than 20 years of dedicated service to WPI, Rachel LeBlanc, associate vice president of strategic initiatives, has decided to embark on an exciting new chapter: She will be joining AiM Medical Robotics Inc.—a company incubated right here at WPI—as its chief operating officer. Her last day at the university will be July 7, 2025. We are incredibly grateful for Rachel’s leadership and innumerable contributions over the years. Having earned three degrees from WPI—’02, ‘08 (MS), and ‘13 (MBA)—she has a deep understanding of the university, its people, and its needs. Her operational knowledge and insights positioned her well to help drive strategic initiatives, implement data-driven decisions, and build collaborative partnerships both on and off campus. Rachel’s methodical, thoughtful efforts to make WPI a better place for students, faculty, staff, partners, and other stakeholders are deeply felt and greatly appreciated.. With Rachel’s departure, the Institutional Research and University Analytics team will transition from the Finance Division to the Provost’s Office. We will launch a search for her successor in the coming weeks. In the interim, any questions related to institutional research or analytics can be directed to university-analytics@wpi.edu. Please join us in thanking Rachel and wishing her all the best in her exciting new role!
- Mimi Sheller on new podcast "Reclaiming the Road-Mobility Justice beyond Complete Streets"Cities across the US are rethinking streets, going beyond sidewalks and bike lanes to welcome nonmotorists to share the roadway. David L. Prytherch, author of Reclaiming the Road: Mobility Justice beyond Complete Streets, traces the historical evolution of America’s streets and explores contemporary movements to retake them from cars for diverse forms of mobility and community life. Can we design more just streets? Listen HERE as Prytherch is joined in conversation with Mimi Sheller and Peter Norton.
- Software Requests for the 25-26 Academic YearITS is preparing for the start of A Term 2025! In order to have your software ready to go for the first day of classes, we request that faculty submit their software needs using the Software Request Form by July 18. To confirm if ITS has received your request, login to the Help Portal and open My Tickets.
- Fiscal Year End Security - SECURE IT June 2025June's focus is on FISCAL YEAR END SECURITY. The end of the fiscal year is a busy time for an organization. Criminals exploit that by impersonating legitimate businesses and taking advantage of the likelihood that people may not have time to scrutinize requests. So check out the June SECURE IT for some cybersecurity tips for the fiscal year end. In this issue: From the CISTO Invoice Fraud: Recognizing and Preventing WPI's Fraud Prevention Strategies AI's Role in Financial Fraud Example of a Fraudulent Invoice Red Flags Learning with Laughter Featured Videos In the News & by the Numbers WPI Resources
- Staff Performance Review Process Has LaunchedDear Staff Colleagues, We have officially launched the 2025 Staff Performance Review Process, covering the period from June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025. You will soon receive a task in your Workday inbox prompting you to begin by completing your self-evaluation. This process is your opportunity to reflect on the past year – highlighting accomplishments, identifying growth areas, and sharing your development goals with your manager. As shared previously (see attached), we’ve made several enhancements to the process as part of our broader efforts to strengthen performance management. Please note that participation is expected from all staff and managers, and only those employees who complete their evaluation will be eligible for the next year’s merit pool. Review Process Steps & Key Deadlines Step 1 – Self-Evaluation Complete your self-evaluation in Workday by July 9, 2025. Use this step to highlight your achievements and share feedback with your manager. Step 2 – Manager Review & Meeting Managers will complete the employee evaluation and meet with each direct report to discuss performance, provide feedback, and set goals. Step 3 – Finalize Manager Review Following the meeting, managers will finalize and approve the review in Workday by August 8, 2025. Step 4 – Employee Acknowledgement Once the review is finalized, you will receive it in Workday for acknowledgment and will have the option to add comments. Please complete this step by August 15, 2025. We understand that summer is a popular time for vacation. The review timeline has been designed to allow for flexibility, but if you anticipate needing more time, please contact James De Leon or your Talent Strategy Partner. Upcoming Workshops To support this year’s review process, Talent & Inclusion will offer several workshops: For Individual Contributors Thursday, June 12, 10–11 a.m.; Higgins House Library Wednesday, June 25, 11–12 p.m. – via Zoom Join Here For Managers Wednesday, June 18, 11–12 p.m. Chair’s Conference Room, Campus Center Tue, July 8, 10–11a.m. (Zoom) – via Zoom Join Here Additionally, to support fairness and consistency in performance reviews, we’ll partner with division and department heads to hold sessions focused on ensuring performance is evaluated consistently across teams. These discussions will help managers apply shared standards and expectations when assessing employees. For detailed instructions on completing each step in Workday, visit our Employee Review Process page. To explore tools and resources, including templates and LinkedIn Learning content mapped to our competencies, please visit our Performance Management page. If you have questions, reach out to James De Leon or your Talent Strategy Partner. Thank you for your time, reflection, and commitment to continuous growth. Talent & Inclusion
- Service Adjustments from RestructuringAs WPI adjusts to recent restructuring, some services have relocated or changed. Thank you for your patience as new systems and processes are implemented. Changes to expect include: Photography Marketing Communications will focus on capturing imagery with the highest marketing value to WPI. Photography for other purposes, such as events and ceremonies, will be limited. All departments may request photography using this form. Requests will be evaluated individually, and Marketing Communications will work with you to review options if we are unable to fulfill your request. If you have questions about campus photography, contact Jacleen Becker (jaci@wpi.edu), creative director in Marketing Communications. Events The Events Office, which supports all campus events, has broadened its scope to include business development and conference management. The team, now led by Jenn Parissi-Forti, director of university events and chief Commencement officer (formerly director of presidential and institutional events in the Office of the President), continues to be based in the Campus Center and will be working to identify efficiencies and improve processes and the use of space on campus. In the meantime: The process for requesting campus event space and support will not change. Please continue to use 25Live for your initial requests and contact events@wpi.edu with questions. Academic events continue to be managed by Stacey Burton, academic event planner, and University Advancement events continue to be managed by Aubrey Valley, executive director of lifetime engagement. Over the next few weeks, the Events Office team will reassess responsibilities and will connect directly with campus partners accordingly. Nonfaculty Research Appointments Jonathan Lee, graduate and research appointments coordinator in Talent and Inclusion, takes on an expanded role supporting nonfaculty research appointments. He will partner closely with Camille Bouchard-Chhoeuk, director of operations in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research. Jonathan will: Collaborate with academic departments to ensure the accuracy and completeness of documentation related to nonfaculty research appointments, including visiting scholars, research staff, and international nondegree students Prepare appointment and reappointment letters with hiring units Oversee data tracking and reporting processes to ensure timely and accurate information management Support academic departments in the coordination of research and teaching assistant appointments System Administration (Windows, Linux, Storage) Information Technology Services will hire an associate director of systems engineering and operations to oversee system administration. The existing ticket queues and request process remain unchanged. For urgent issues, email LeeAnn LeClerc (lleclerc@wpi.edu, chief information security and technology officer. Information Security Information Technology is reviewing current security software and comparing it against new options. The aim is to find a more effective and cost-efficient solution. For urgent issues, email LeeAnn LeClerc (lleclerc@wpi.edu), chief information security and technology officer. Business Architecture, Requirements Gathering, Intake, and Assessments These responsibilities will be redistributed among existing Information Technology staff and supplemented with additional support when project demands require it. If your department is considering technology changes for fiscal year 2026 or preparing your budgets for fiscal year 2027, please engage the intake team and the Technology Intake Planning Group as soon as possible. For urgent issues, email Melissa Floyd (mfloyd@wpi.edu), associate chief information officer for user success and experience. For all other inquiries related to Information Technology Services, email helpdesk@wpi.edu.
- WPI Students Recognized for Development of Thermal Energy Storage SystemMassachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the state’s clean energy and climate tech economic development agency, has released a video featuring three students and one of their faculty advisors as part of an educational campaign to highlight careers that support a transition to clean energy and the achievement of climate-related goals. The video, Future Engineers: Learning and Innovating, spotlights the student team’s development of a prototype for a thermal energy storage system. Christiana Kearns ’25 (mechanical engineering), Matthew Lydon ’25 (mechanical engineering and mathematical sciences), and Rebekah Shields ’25 (mechanical engineering) have designed a modular system that consists of a cylinder filled with sand. The system draws energy in from the electric grid or a source such as solar panels, heats up the sand to store the thermal energy inside the cylinder, and releases it when needed by using water pipes that run through the cylinder. The goal of the system is to provide an accessible in-home system that could provide a reliable, efficient, and affordable heating option. The team, advised by Mehdi Mortazavi, associate teaching professor of mechanical and materials engineering, and Burt Tilley, professor of mathematical sciences, also designed and performed computational and mathematical models and experiments using sensors to measure the thermal conductivity of the system. The students began their work on the concept in Mortazavi’s class on heat transfer and continued developing the system for their major qualifying project, Developing a Thermal Energy Storage for Energy Efficiency. In 2024, the project was one of four winners at the JUMP into STEM collegiate building science competition held at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. “As we decarbonize and move toward intermittent energy sources like solar and wind, it’s becoming more important to be able to store and release energy in order to maintain grid stability and energy independence,” said Lydon. “We want our system to be sustainable, efficient, and available at residential scale.” He said the team is also looking to increase the amount of energy the system can store and the power it can release by using a material other than sand in the cylinder, for example carbon-free concrete or a blend of concrete and metal. The video is one element in an 18-course curriculum, Massachusetts Climate Careers: Powering the Future, developed in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The curriculum is designed to help high school students and participants in workforce development programs explore more than 50 career paths in clean energy and climate technology. “The fact that our project is being used in a curriculum proves to me how much we’ve accomplished so far,” said Shields, who added that being part of a video shoot helped her team improve their ability to present their project. “The video producers taught us how to bring complicated technology to a level a lot more people can understand. It was cool to see how we were able to simplify our explanation of our work.” “This student-led project is a powerful example of how hands-on, applied learning can equip the next generation with the skills and vision needed to accelerate our clean energy transition,” said Jennifer Applebaum, managing director of workforce development at MassCEC. “By featuring these WPI innovators in our climate careers curriculum, we’re not only highlighting promising technologies, but also inspiring young people across Massachusetts to see themselves as part of the climate solution.” Mortazavi, who advised the students and appears in the video, said he’s impressed by how quickly the prototype has progressed. “I’m very proud that what started as a student course project became a major qualifying project,” he said, adding that he believes the system’s design could help people save money by charging during off-peak hours when energy rates are lower. Shields and Lydon say they plan to improve upon their prototype as they continue their studies. Shields is pursuing her master’s degree in mechanical engineering at WPI and Lydon plans to pursue his graduate degree in the same field at WPI once he completes his undergraduate degree.
- Dean of The Global School, Mimi Sheller, co-authors Strengthening Social Infrastructure for Climate ResilienceSocial infrastructure has always helped communities overcome oppression, and today it is helping to build resilience in communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis. While restoration of federal support is the goal, the strength of existing social infrastructure systems is a reason not to lose hope. Read more in The Nature of Cities post: Strengthening Social Infrastructure for Climate Resilience written with Franco Montalto, Professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at Drexel University.
- Mike Timko Named Head of Department of Chemical EngineeringFrom WPI Dean of Engineering John McNeill: It’s my pleasure to announce that the new head of WPI’s Department of Chemical Engineering (CHE) is Mike Timko, an accomplished scholar and teacher in fundamental and applied aspects of circular economy, waste utilization, and clean energy. Professor Timko’s term as department head, which begins July 1, 2025, follows that of Sue Roberts, who has led CHE since 2015. Dr. Timko earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, in 1998, and his MS and PhD degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2001 and 2004, respectively. He joined WPI in January 2013 as an assistant professor after working as a principal engineer at Aerodyne Research Inc. He also worked previously as a researcher at MIT and as a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University. His research areas include developing sustainable chemical processes that convert waste materials—such as sewage sludge, food waste, and plastics—into renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials, while also addressing environmental contaminants like PFAS through advanced reactor engineering and clean energy technologies. Details can be found at the Energy Research Group and Circular Economy and Data Analytics Engineering Research for Sustainability websites. He is the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed research papers and numerous patent applications; the recipient of multiple patents; and the scientific founder of River Otter, a company formed to commercialize some of the technologies invented in his lab. Dr. Timko has won several accolades, including a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to conduct research on biofuels at the Université de Bordeaux; a National Science Foundation CAREER award; and a Doctoral New Investigator grant and R.A. Glenn Award from the American Chemical Society. For the American Institute of Chemical Engineers he served as director of the Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Division from 2017 to 2019 and from 2020 to 2023 as director of the Forestry and Plant Bioproducts Division, where he is now serves as the division treasurer. At WPI, in addition to serving his home department in various capacities and serving on numerous faculty and staff search committees, he has served on the university’s Committee on Graduate Studies and Research and twice has served on the Committee on Tenure and Academic Freedom. John McNeill Bernard M. Gordon Dean of Engineering
- Finance & Operations Year End NewsletterTo view the Year End Newsletter, click here.
- WPI Celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month 2025Honoring Culture, Contributions, and Community Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month 2025 by honoring the vibrant culture, rich heritage, and significant contributions of the Caribbean American Diaspora throughout history and today. Worcester, Massachusetts, the second largest city in New England, proudly hosts one of the largest Caribbean American communities in the region. This month, and every day, we encourage our community to learn from, celebrate with, and stand in solidarity with our Caribbean American neighbors, students, faculty, and staff. Caribbean Americans have added to our history, culture, and communities in countless ways. The unique relationship between the United States and the Caribbean has enriched both regions, and this month is a wonderful time to celebrate our shared past and future. STEM Scholar Spotlights Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne (Trinidad and Tobago) Aerospace Engineer and Rocket Scientist at NASA. She has worked on spaceflight programs including Orion and the International Space Station and is a fierce advocate for girls in STEM globally. Dr. Deborah Berebichez (Mexico with Caribbean Jewish heritage) Physicist, data scientist, and science communicator. She was the first Mexican woman to earn a Ph.D. in physics from Stanford University and has Caribbean lineage through her Cuban-born grandparents. Dr. Jeanese Badenock (Jamaican heritage) Epidemiologist and public health researcher. She is known for her work on health disparities and equity in biomedical research, particularly in Caribbean American populations. Read, Watch, Listen, and Learn Explore The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts (CMCARTS) Visit Island SPACE Caribbean Museum – the only Caribbean heritage museum in the U.S. Learn more about WPI’s Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Discover authentic Caribbean recipes Read about the history of the Caribbean Explore The Caribbean Collaborative Action Network Explore the work of the Dean of the Global School, Mimi Sheller, PhD, a leading scholar in the field of Caribbean Studies: Island Futures Consuming the Caribbean | From Arawaks to Zombies | Democracy After Slavery: Black Publics and Peasant Radicalism in Haiti and Jamaica: Sheller Watch Caribbean-centered documentaries via PBS Caribbean Stories Enjoy local Caribbean American stories via the Worcester Public Library's Caribbean Literature Collection Explore and Learn more about WPI's Puerto Rico Project Center Listen to: Carry On Friends: The Caribbean American Podcast Caribbean Science Fiction Network Podcast The Nerds with Accents Podcast Take Action and Get Involved Support WPI’s Caribbean and Hispanic Student Association (CHSA) Attend the Worcester Caribbean American Heritage Festival Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025, | Time: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: Institute Park, Worcester, MA Featuring Caribbean food, live music, arts & crafts, and cultural performances. Support the Caribbean Science Foundation Practice intentional self-care and community care Register to vote or check your registration at vote.org Sign up to become a poll worker Did You Know? The effort to establish National Caribbean American Heritage Month began in 1999 by the Institute of Caribbean Studies. After years of advocacy and community engagement, the resolution passed the U.S. House in 2005, the Senate in 2006, and was officially proclaimed by President George W. Bush on June 5, 2006. Learn more: National Today – Caribbean American Heritage Month The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) ODIME leads and supports student-facing initiatives across WPI’s campus.
- Solicitation Opt-OutYou have opted out of any further solicitations from WPI this summer. Thank you for your past support and all you do for WPI.
- Costing Allocation Training (Registration Required)Costing allocation training will be held Monday, June 23rd from 2:00 pm on Zoom.
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