Aligned with the goals and objectives of UMass Lowell’s 2028 Strategic Plan, the Strategic Energy and Sustainability Committee will play a key role in advancing the university’s energy and sustainability priorities.

Over a decade ago, together with our students, UMass Lowell set an ambitious goal to ensure our teaching and learning, research and innovation, and campus operations were focused on sustainability. In 2025, UMass Lowell is recognized as a local, national, and international leader in this space.

UMass Lowell’s Strategic Energy and Sustainability Committee will elevate and enhance UMass Lowell’s impact and reputation by taking a wholistic approach to addressing the significant issues and opportunities ahead. The committee will focus on cross-disciplinary approaches to administration, finance and operations decisions that will be supported by the significant research and teaching capacity in energy and sustainability at UMass Lowell.

The committee will advise, strategize, and prioritize UMass Lowell’s institutional path on how we will achieve significant targets including our interim and ultimate carbon neutrality goals.

In addition to our own goals, UMass Lowell Strategic Energy and Sustainability Committee will also focus on key external partnerships with entities that share similar and complementary goals. The success of these partnerships will be a crucial component of the university’s energy and sustainability strategy.

The committee will also focus on opportunities to ensure that UMass Lowell continues to lead and inspire change. As an anchor in our community, a leader in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and a global hub of energy and sustainability excellence, UMass Lowell will play its part in driving the transition to a more sustainable future.

Current members

  • Anne Maglia, Vice-Chancellor for Research & Economic Development
  • Joanne Yestramski, Vice-Chancellor for Administration and Finance
  • Jean Robinson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management
  • Ruairi O'Mahony, Executive Director, Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy
  • T.J. McCarthy, Executive Director of Operations and Services
  • Juliette Rooney-Varga, Director of the Climate Change Initiative
  • Chris Niezrecki, Director of the Center for Energy Innovation
  • Amy Allen, Director of Business Operations, Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy
  • Dai Kim, Director of Sustainability
  • Sukesh Aghara, Associate Dean, Director of the Nuclear Engineering program
  • Energy Manager
  • Tom Miliano, Associate Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services
  • James Kohl, Dean of Student Affairs and Experiential Learning
  • Derek Berger, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development
  • Marshall Lee, Chair of the Campus Life and Environment Committee