AMHERST — In becoming a top-tier research institution, the University of Massachusetts Amherst has much to be proud of, says Javier Reyes, who is interested in becoming the university’s next chancellor.

“What UMass Amherst has accomplished in the last 10 to 15 years is incredible,” Reyes said during a listening session with faculty, students and staff at the Old Chapel Monday afternoon. “The next step is not be complacent.”

The interim chancellor at the University of Illinois-Chicago since July 1, Reyes said UMass can move to even greater heights than it has under the last decade of Kumble Subbaswamy’s leadership. “It’s time to take that next step to be a top 20 (university),” Reyes said.

Reyes adds that he will be a strong advocate for the priorities espoused by those who work and study on campus.

“I want to come here to be part of the university,” Reyes said. “I want all of us to lead the university.”

A native of Mexico, Reyes became provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UIC in August 2021, advising on matters of academic policy, strategic direction, enrollment management and academic resource planning. There, he has been committed to principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, aiming to address critical gaps in racial equity by focusing on increasing Black student enrollment, retention and graduation rates.

He has also worked at both West Virginia University and the University of Arkansas. At West Virginia, Reyes helped form corporate partnerships, served as the dean of the John Chambers College of Business and Economics and vice president for StartUp West Virginia, bringing in needed funding in a state where the economy has struggled.

At UMass, Reyes said he sees a combination of his experience at previous institutions, with a strong focus on social justice and being a regional economic engine.

He is not ready, though, to unveil a vision for UMass, noting that he’s getting his first glimpse, and would prefer to engage in brainstorming activity that would be similar to the listening session.

Reyes offered to collaborate on ensuring that humanities departments gets the necessary support from the administration, like the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields do. He points to the social justice hub at UIC, the Jane Addams Center for Social Policy and Research, which engages in university-community partnerships on social welfare policies, programs and services and promotes social, racial and economic justice.

“Social justice resonates very much on a campus like this,” Reyes said, observing that he wants to give the same importance to humanities as STEM, and the importance of “creativity, critical thinking and logical reasoning.”

Assessing the existing diversity, equity and inclusion on campus would be a priority task. “You have a diverse campus, but can you do more?” Reyes asked. “Yes.”

Reyes said UMass should be looking for ongoing programming that engages diversity and what is offered throughout the year, rather than isolated to specific times. “If you’re only dedicated to certain days, that’s not inclusion,” Reyes said.

Similarly, in creating a feeling of belonging, there is a need to offer more than one initiative.

On athletics, Reyes said sports are a way to engage with students, the larger community and alumni, giving reason for people to come to campus. But he wouldn’t say whether he would appeal for better state financial backing.

“When it comes to funding, I don’t know the numbers,” Reyes said.

There also has to be a balance. “Whenever I’m asked about student athletes, I say why am I not being asked about student performers?” Reyes said.

With graduate students burdened by the high rent in the local housing market, Reyes said he would see what can be done to better support the many international students, possibly bringing his own perspective from his experience.

“I can understand that, but I need to study it closer,” Reyes said. “I need to understand the dynamics better.”

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>