UMass Boston John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy & Global Studies

06/01/2026

Congratulations to all of our award recipients and graduates! 🎉🎓

Thank you to everyone who joined us on May 13th for the McCormack Graduate School Awards Ceremony as we celebrated the hard work, achievements, and dedication of our students. We are proud of all that you have accomplished and look forward to seeing what comes next. Congratulations again to all of this year's honorees and graduates!👏

More photos to come✨

05/21/2026

Congratulations to Charla M. Burnett on the recent publication of Global Land-Ocean Geospatial Applications: Mapping and Surveying with Remote Sensing and GIS! 🌍📘

Published through CRC Press / Taylor & Francis, the book explores GIS and remote sensing applications across six continents, featuring topics including biodiversity mapping, ocean planning, AI integration, participatory mapping, and more. Designed for both students and experienced practitioners, it offers valuable insight into the evolving world of geospatial technology.

Congratulations Charla👏🎉

🔗 https://www.routledge.com/Global-Land-Ocean-Geospatial-Applications-Mapping-and-Surveying-with-Remote-Sensing-and-GIS/Burnett-Pradhan/p/book/9781032728612

05/20/2026

Save the date! Join us for the 2026 Robert C. Wood Visiting Professorship on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at University of Massachusetts Boston.

In a time when the future of America’s pluralist democracy feels uncertain, Reverend Dr. Ray Hammond, Reverend Dr. Gloria White-Hammond, and Reverend Mariama White-Hammond will lead a powerful conversation on civic responsibility, moral leadership, and how we can realize a true “City on a Hill” in Boston and beyond.

🗓 Wednesday, September 23, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM | Lecture & Discussion
📍 Ballroom, Campus Center, UMass Boston
🥂 6:45 PM | Reception
📍 Alumni Lounge, Campus Center, UMass Boston

Free and open to the public. We hope you’ll join us for this important evening of dialogue, reflection, and community.

05/13/2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Wood Student Internship in Public & Urban Affairs! 🌟

This summer internship, supervised by Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond in partnership with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO), offers students the opportunity to engage in meaningful public policy and community-centered work.

The selected student will receive a $4,000 internship award for approximately 140 hours of work between June and early September 2026. Undergraduate and graduate students from all relevant disciplines are encouraged to apply.

🗓️ Apply by May 22, 2026 at 5 PM
📍 Hybrid format
⏰ Approx. 10 hours/week

Apply here: 🔗

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05/12/2026

Celebrating excellence, resilience, and community at the 8th Annual Ubuntu Graduation & Awards Ceremony hosted by the Africa Scholars Forum at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies on Friday, May 8, 2026.

This year, we proudly honored James Kintu, graduating PhD student in Global Governance and Human Security (May 2026), with the African Scholars Student Research Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to African affairs and his inspiring spirit of perseverance and excellence.

As part of the Kente stole tradition, we also celebrated UMass Boston graduate students who have remained actively engaged in African studies throughout their academic journey. Congratulations to all our graduates and award recipients — your impact and leadership continue to embody the spirit of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.”🎓👏📚✨

05/12/2026

Congratulations to our March 2026 Essay Competition winners, Elham Hesari and Sampurna Basu! 🎉

As part of the McCormack Graduate School’s monthly essay competition, graduate students across the College of Liberal Arts were invited to share their ideas on “How I Would Fix Massachusetts/Boston.”

Each winner receives a $1,000 prize and certificate in recognition of their thoughtful and impactful work!

Congratulations🎉👏📚

05/11/2026

Congratulations to Beth McHugh, MPA candidate at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, for earning this year’s Best Capstone title at the annual New England ASPA Capstone Competition! 🎉

Hosted by the New England Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, the competition brings together top MPA and MPP students from programs across the region to present their capstone research. Representing UMass Boston among six participating universities, Beth impressed the faculty panel with her research on improving early childhood literacy, showcasing exceptional research design, methodology, and professional presentation skills. This year, UMass Boston proudly claimed the overall Best Capstone award!

Congratulations Beth!👏✨📚

05/08/2026

Celebrating great scholarship from our community! 🎉

GGHS doctoral student Firmesk—also a UMass Boston alum and former Fulbright scholar—has published her latest article in The Conversation. Congratulations to Firmesk on this exciting achievement!

Be sure to check out her work at the link below 👇
🔗https://theconversation.com/gulf-state-cooperation-has-long-been-shaped-by-the-threat-of-iran-but-shows-of-unity-belie-division-280692

05/08/2026

Room Change Update‼️

Our MGS Graduation Awards Ceremony and Reception has an update in location!🎓✨

📍 Campus Center, 3rd Floor, Ballroom B, Room 3550B
📅 Wednesday, May 13, 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Please see the flyer below for additional details and use the link to register. We look forward to celebrating with you! 🎉

🔗https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/v34h44h?source_id=b9437df9-83a1-42c3-af08-a6cebaba1e48&source_type=em&c=Jr1GhDvjmkIhISNpkJJ0FjRIwuhyxPgWgRdKtwhxeblwPPc9586fVQ==

05/07/2026

Congratulations to Jack Li, Graduate Program Administrator, on his nomination for the UMass Boston Chancellor’s Staff Achievement Award! 🎉👏

The award recognizes two UMB staff members who have demonstrated exceptional performance in one or more of the following categories — innovation, initiative, service, and excellence in contributing to a culture of inclusive excellence and belonging🤝