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UMass Medical School selects Marlina Duncan to serve as vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion

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Marlina Duncan, EdD

Marlina Duncan, EdD, will serve as the vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion at UMass Medical School, beginning Dec. 28, according to an announcement from Chancellor Michael F. Collins.

Dr. Duncan will join UMMS from Brown University, where she is the assistant vice president of academic diversity in Brown’s Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity and associate dean of diversity initiatives in the Graduate School at Brown. Prior to joining Brown, Duncan directed diversity initiatives, education and outreach programs at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

“In her current role, Dr. Duncan is a thought leader and trusted advisor to administrators, faculty and students,” said Chancellor Collins. “Signature achievements during her tenure at Brown include playing an integral role in Brown’s Pathways to Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, a university-wide diversity and inclusion blueprint and accountability mechanism; is a member of the university’s Diversity Advisory Board; and partnering with senior leaders to develop, execute and refine ongoing department-specific strategies to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion.”

When she joins UMMS as vice chancellor and a member of the senior leadership team, Duncan will oversee the Diversity and Inclusion Office and partner with diversity leaders across the institution’s three schools, business units, and academic and administrative departments to ensure the goals and milestones outlined in the Medical School’s IMPACT 2025 strategic plan are met, and that diversity and inclusion remain at the forefront of the Medical School. Duncan will collaborate closely with the vice provost for health equity, serve as an expert resource for diversity-related training and lead initiatives to enhance campus culture.

Duncan began her career in science education, working as interim co-principal and education director at a K-8 charter school in Springfield. She directed the Northeast Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate at UMass Amherst and was an assistant professor of science education at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina following the completion of her Doctorate of Education-Science Education degree at UMass Amherst.