LOWELL — A medical sociologist and university administrator with a track record of supporting students and faculty at large public research universities has been named the next provost of UMass Lowell.
Lynne Cossman, who launched the College for Health, Community and Policy at the University of Texas at San Antonio as its inaugural dean, will join UMass Lowell as provost and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen announced Cossman’s appointment following a national search for the university’s top academic administrator.
“Lynne is a thoughtful, engaging leader whose ideas and enthusiasm will be welcomed throughout the university community, but most especially by our talented faculty and the many members of our staff who work hard to ensure the success of our students,” said Chancellor Chen.
“With Lynne’s guidance, I am confident UMass Lowell will attract even more students who are eager to become part of a welcoming community that delivers a world-class education, along with a wealth of opportunities for meaningful career-connected experience,” Chen added.
Cossman said she is eager to move to Lowell and cannot wait to collaborate with UMass Lowell faculty and staff in building upon successful strategies to ensure positive student outcomes.
She said she’s especially attracted to UMass Lowell’s location in an historic Massachusetts Gateway City, as well as a diverse student body that includes a large portion of first-generation students, and the fast-growing research enterprise for which UMass Lowell last year was designated a Carnegie Research 1 university.
“Opportunity is abundant at UMass Lowell, for students and for those working to deliver a life-changing education and college experience,” said Cossman. “While my departure from the University of Texas at San Antonio is bittersweet, I cannot wait to be part of the River Hawk community.”
In her current position, Cossman leads the largest college at University of Texas at San Antonio, with more than 6,000 students and nearly 200 faculty. As founding dean of the College for Health, Community and Policy, she oversaw creation of academic and research infrastructure of a college that includes eight departments and five research centers and institutes, while building connections with community and institutional partners.
Among her accomplishments was leading a strategic planning process for the college, creating a dean’s advisory board and launching the Institute for Health, Community and Policy to align the college’s research endeavors.
Cossman previously served as chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at West Virginia University, and held faculty and administrative roles at Mississippi State University, the University of Central Arkansas, Miami University and Florida State University.
A medical sociologist and demographer, she has studied community health, health disparities and the health care workforce, with a recent focus on effects of COVID-19 on subjective life expectancy, protective behaviors and health behaviors.
Cossman succeeds Joseph Hartman, UMass Lowell’s provost since 2019 who has been appointed president of Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts, effective June 1.
Noureddine Melikechi, dean of the Kennedy College of Sciences, served as UMass Lowell’s interim provost pending the appointment of Hartman’s replacement.
