UMass President Jack M. Wilson Receives Workforce Development Leader Award from Massachusetts Network Communications Council
Paul Severino, former Chairman of the Massachusetts Network Communications Council and current member of the UMass High Tech Executive Council, added, “As a former entrepreneur himself, President Wilson understands the importance of technology transfer from universities to the public sector.â€
Prior to becoming the 25th president of the University of Massachusetts, Wilson was the founding CEO of UMassOnline where he helped to build one of the largest externally directed online education programs in the United States. A well-known entrepreneur and technology innovator, he was the co-founder of LearnLinc Corporation (now Mentergy), has received numerous honors and awards, has authored many scholarly articles and books and has served as a consultant to many computing and communications firms.
President Wilson said he was pleased to receive the award and noted: “The telecommunications industry is a bulwark of the state’s innovation economy; being recognized as a workforce development leader by the Council is truly a great honor. Workforce development has always been an important part of the UMass mission – it is a mission that we readily embrace. Our success as a public university is measured by our ability to meet the educational needs of our students and the workforce needs of the Commonwealth’s industries – industries that rely on educated, skilled employees. We prepare our students for social and economic success and in so doing, position the Commonwealth for success.â€
About the University of Massachusetts:
The University of Massachusetts is a vital part of the educational, social, and economic development of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The University’s 60,000 students and 320,000 alumni are predominantly drawn from the Commonwealth and remain in the region after graduation. UMass’ commitment to provide over 90 percent of qualified students’ financial aid means that no student need be denied access to the highest quality university education. With more than $300 million in annual research, the third largest amount in Massachusetts, conducted by UMass faculty and staff, and distributed regionally across the five campuses, UMass is recognized as an important engine for economic and social development in every region of Massachusetts.
About the Massachusetts Network Communications Council:
Since its inception in 1993, the Massachusetts Network Communications Council, formerly the Massachusetts Telecommunications Council (MTC) has promoted Massachusetts as a global center for telecommunications and networking. The Massachusetts Network Communications Council provides a forum for leaders in the industry to explore key technical and business trends and hosts educational programs on leading markets and technology. Headquartered in Waltham, MA, the Massachusetts Network Communications Council partners with multiple organizations in the Commonwealth to support and promote technology education and careers through its workforce initiative and scholarship programs.
Jennifer Call Desai
Email:jcall-desai@umassp.edu
