Dr. Mary K. Grant, President of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Dr. Mary K. Grant, the 11th president of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the first alumna of the College to serve as president, continues to guide MCLA through exciting and challenging times. Since assuming the presidency in 2002, Dr. Grant has presided over a number of exciting changes at the College.

In the past few years, MCLA launched some exciting new programs, including a concentration in Event and Sport Management within the existing business program, a Bachelor of Arts degree program in Arts Management, and – in partnership with UMass Amherst – a 3 + 2 dual degree program in engineering. In addition, 22 new tenure-track faculty members have joined MCLA in a number of important disciplines since Dr. Grant came to the College.

Under Dr. Grant’s direction, MCLA Gallery 51 opened in downtown North Adams in July 2005 to help connect the local community, the arts community, and the College community. The gallery features the work of local and international artists, as well as art created and curated by MCLA students and faculty. In addition, the Berkshire Hills Internship Program was created, which unites non-profit arts organizations – including MASS MoCA, Berkshire Opera Company, Colonial Theatre, Mahaiwe Theater, NormanRockwell Museum and Shakespeare and Company – with college and graduate students interested in a career in arts administration.

Under President Grant’s leadership, the College received full 10-year re-accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). And, in 2005, President Grant announced the largest public grant in the College’s history, as MCLA was selected by the U.S. Department of Education to receive a Title III “strengthening institutions” grant, totaling $1.8 million over five years. This initiative was designed to support increased implementation of technology throughout campus, development of new academic programs, faculty development, and other endeavors.

In addition, President Grant secured $160,000 in federal funds to spearhead the Berkshire EnvironmentalResources Center, in cooperation with the College’s Environmental Studies Programs, as well as $180,000 to renovate the College’s six tennis courts.

In October 2006, President Grant oversaw the completion of an $8.5 million renovation of historic Murdock Hall, which features state-of-the-art classrooms, academic department offices for computer science, sociology, and business, new computer labs, and conference rooms and meeting areas. In addition, Dr. Grant is overseeing the nearly $300,000 renovation of another landmark building on campus, Smith House. She also led the campus through several other infrastructure improvements including the addition of a student lounge and campus convenience store. In the autumn of 2006, President Grant announced a $500,000 pledge in private monies to fund endowed professorships in the Education Department.

In addition, President Grant initiated the College’s first-ever comprehensive strategic planning endeavor focusing on five major goals: recruitment and retention, academic assessment, student life and financial strength – a campus-wide effort.

In February of 2005, Dr. Grant initiated the Berkshire Compact for Higher Education, a county-wide effort, led by MCLA. The group of business, community, government and educational representatives was charged with assessing the educational and education-related needs of Berkshire County residents and employers, and to identify new opportunities and strategies to better meet these needs.

President Grant also has worked to strengthen community and public school collaborations throughout the Berkshires, leading to the College’s being awarded over $500,000 in new grants to help sustain these partnerships – an important and unprecedented step for MCLA. Many of these new resources are being used to advance science, math, and technology. And, under her direction, the College’s federal Student Support Services grant – which funds the Individual Enrichment Program for students needing extra assistance preparing for college – was renewed with an increase in funding during a time when similar programs are being scaled back across the nation.

Other grants funded under Dr. Grant’s direction include those from the following organizations:

- Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Pipeline fund for STEM initiatives in Berkshire County

- Nellie Mae Foundation for Berkshire Compact for Higher Education research initiatives

- National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in support of African American curriculum development

- Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) in support of the Berkshire County Resource Council at MCLA Gallery 51

- Davis Educational Foundation for faculty support in academic technology

- U.S. Rep. John W. Olver’s Northern Tier Initiative, federal appropriation for Environmental Studies

- Massachusetts Department of Education (2) in support of math and math/science (physics)