UMass Names Nefertiti Walker Interim Chancellor
Walker will lead UMass Boston while Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco steps down in February.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People
The UMass system has named Nefertiti Walker interim chancellor of UMass Boston. Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco is stepping down effective February after seven years in the role.
Why it matters
The leadership change puts a new interim head in place at the Boston campus while the university prepares for a national search for a permanent chancellor. Suárez-Orozco is leaving to focus on global climate resilience and the ethical development of artificial intelligence.
Suárez-Orozco has led UMass Boston for seven years, and Walker's role spans the university system's five campuses. The announcement does not specify when a permanent chancellor will be named.
The players
Nefertiti Walker
Walker is an academic leader who has held senior administrative roles across the UMass system and leads the university's AI Task Force.
Marcelo Suárez-Orozco
Suárez-Orozco is a scholar who has led UMass Boston for seven years and is stepping down to focus on climate resilience and ethical AI development.
Marty Meehan
Meehan is the president of the University of Massachusetts system, overseeing its five campuses.
The details
UMass President Marty Meehan announced Walker's appointment on Thursday. Walker, who joined Meehan's leadership team in June 2023 and previously served as vice chancellor for equity and inclusion at UMass Amherst, will spend time on campus this semester to work with Suárez-Orozco on the transition.
Timeline
June 2023: Walker joined UMass President Marty Meehan's leadership team.
September: Suárez-Orozco announced he would step down.
This semester: Walker begins working on campus to support the transition.
February: Suárez-Orozco's departure takes effect.
Leadership Context
The appointment follows the pattern of the UMass system elevating internal senior administrators to interim roles while a national search runs for a permanent chancellor. Walker's prior posts at UMass Amherst give her direct familiarity with the system's governance.
Students and staff at UMass Boston will work under interim leadership from Walker while the university continues its day-to-day academic operations. The transition timeline runs from this semester through Suárez-Orozco's February departure.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at large public universities often unfold over several months, and the handoff period is when campus priorities are most likely to be reset. Readers following UMass Boston should watch for the outcome of the coming national search.
What happens next
A national search for a permanent UMass Boston chancellor is expected, with campus feedback being gathered in the months ahead.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage in Business to see related leadership moves in the sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dorchester Reporter.
