MICHAEL METZGER, PhD
I am a catalytic higher education leader who has a demonstrated record of successful partnerships with senior cabinet level executives, faculty, staff, and students. I bring visions to life through planning, execution, oversight, and accountability. I leverage purposeful day-to-day actions to build bridges between ideas and present realities animated by the mission, values, and character of the community I serve.I welcome your connection on Linkedin.
Institutional Transformation
Following an extensive qualification and review process in 2015, the UMass Building Authority engaged a team from Capstone Development Partners, to develop residential housing on the UMass Boston campus. This report documents the considerable work of a team which I was part of that addressed culture, processes, structures, and priorities to reflect our evolving 24/7 academic community, which the addition of housing reflects.
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Strategic Planning
I have worked as a co-author and leader of our Transformational Blueprint that defines the common, critically important elements of UMass Boston’s Division of Student Affairs advancement of itself and the student experience. It aims to create a common framework for Divisional staff and promote effective partnerships, served by objectives, strategies, resources, and staff work. I also am currently co-chair of our University's Mission and Vision Strategic Planning Committee. Here is an update of our progress on campus mission and vision statement recommendations.
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Project Management
I have completed end-to-end high visibility project management for a broad range of high-profile efforts across all areas of the university, including the spearheading of a relaunch of UMass Boston’s mobile app and an effort to improve retention and student satisfaction through the development of a digital 311 called Here4U that has a user satisfaction rating of 89%.
Data Supported Decision Making
I have served as the architect for a robust culture of evidence through the leadership of assessment and effectiveness work, implementation of the Anthology Assessment toolset, and the creation of a program review process for areas without external accreditation requirements. Below is a sample of this work.
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Outreach and Promotions
I believe that effective higher education community building involves constant outreach. I, therefore, have strong skills in and management over marketing to students as well as staff that spans multiple channels including written messages, speeches, advertising campaigns, digital marketing, annual reports, social media, and earned media.
Executive Leader Support
I have successfully served multiple cabinet-level executives during transformative periods for the institution. I have done so through the creation and management of office day-to-day operating systems including a task tracking system, daily briefing materials, calendar oversight and requests, and advance work for events and meetings. I have crafted speeches, memos, and correspondence for these leaders.
Inclusion and Anti-Raist Work
In the wake of recent, repeated national anti-Black violence, I along with colleagues took on leadership of an effort to improve the racial climate on campus and offer ongoing professional development opportunities for staff to de-center whiteness in our practice. The results include a Black and Brown Lives Declaration and an Imperative of almost 50 items of key work in this area.
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> View the Black & Brown Lives Matter Declaration
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Scholarly Research
My primary research focus is on collaborative institutional change. I have has done student success research for specific populations including veterans, traditionally marginalized students, and talented and gifted students.
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COVID-19 Response
I've contributed logistics oversight and communication leadership for the COVID-19 response including spearheaded a public information call center in response to the eighth confirmed case of COVID-19 in the US, who was a UMass Boston community member; development and maintenance of specialized student resources; rapid deployment of a student Chromebook loaner program; enhanced access control for those approved to be on campus; remote experience student opinion survey; and outreach including a weekly student success e-newsletter.