The only finalist for the top job at the University of Massachusetts Boston has been named chancellor.
The UMass Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Monday to appoint Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, dean of graduate education and information studies at the University of California, Los Angeles.
"It is an excellent university, and we shall endeavor to take it to the next level," he said, noting that he plans to listen and learn so UMass Boston can distinguish itself from other schools within the system.
“I hope to work simpatico so that we can have clear division of labor between all of the campuses in the system,” he added.
Suárez-Orozco has said his experience as an immigrant from Argentina who started college at a community college will help unite the campus, which faces financial pressure and disgruntled faculty.
UMass Boston has been without a permanent chancellor since 2017, when former chancellor Keith Motley stepped down. Motley's supporters said he was forced out by UMass President Marty Meehan and blamed for the campus’ budget deficit.
In the spring of 2018, a search to find a permanent successor to Motley ended unceremoniously after all three finalists withdrew their names.
Since then, Katherine Newman has held the position of interim chancellor. Newman was a finalist for the job but she withdrew her bid days before the finalists were to be announced.
Suárez-Orozco, who is the first Latino chancellor in the UMass system, takes over in July.
