UMass Chan Chancellor Michael Collins to step down next year
Photo I Courtesy of UMass Chan Medical School
Dr. Michael Collins, chancellor at UMass Chan Medical School
Dr. Michael Collins, the longest-serving chancellor of UMass Chan Medical School, will step down from his role leading the Worcester institution at the end of the 2025-2026 academic school year.
Collins announced his future departure in a letter to the UMass Chan community Tuesday.
“I don't know if it's ever a good time to step down when you have a great position,” Collins said in an interview with WBJ. “My view was, maybe this is the best time while I can still be active and vigorous and helpful, and then help to orient the new chancellor.”
Collins’ decision comes after a few months of conversations with fellow faculty and family, with the chancellor ultimately deciding he will exit his leadership position in July 2026.
His choice to step down has nothing to do with the turmoil faced by institutions of higher education since President Donald Trump assumed office in January, he said.
“Whatever we're facing is going to be squared away in a year from now. We're working hard with the governor and working hard with our congressman. I'm working hard at many different levels to try to secure funding, both at home and in Washington,” Collins said.
While he is stepping away from his leading capacities next year, Collins will stay with UMass Chan to serve as a professor.
“I'll teach. I'll mentor. I'll help raise money. I'll do whatever the new chancellor and the president of the university think could be helpful,” he said. “I'm more focused on the issues of this week than I am on issues that will happen over a year from now.”
Collins originally came to the UMass system in 2005, becoming chancellor of UMass Boston. He later served in an interim chancellor capacity at UMass Chan from June 2007 to September 2008, assuming the permanent role in 2008, according to a Tuesday press release from the university.
Under his leadership, UMass Chan’s research expenses have risen from $157 million in fiscal year 2007 to $302 million in fiscal year 2024. He’s raised more than $865 million for the university, and the school’s enrollment has surged by nearly 50%, the latter of which is one of Collins’ most proud accomplishments.
UMass Chans’ plan to replace Collins has not yet been announced.
Earlier this year, UMass Chan implemented a hiring freeze in response to threats from the federal government to cut National Institutes of Health funding to colleges and universities, a move that would cost the school $40 to $50 million annually.
In April, the medical school laid off and furloughed 200 employees.
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.
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