
Impact Stories
Accelerate UMass
Discover how our community of alumni, faculty, students, parents, and friends are making a lasting difference. Explore their stories and see how you can contribute to the UMass legacy.

- Revolutionize Access
- Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences
Building A Culture of Giving
This year, a group of student ambassadors from the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) stepped up to publicize the opportunity to support their college through UMassGives.
- Revolutionize Access
- Graduate School
Shaping Leaders through Graduate Education
Finalists from the Graduate School’s Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition talk about the opportunities for both academic and professional development at UMass Amherst.
- Revolutionize Access
- College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Elevating First-Generation Voices
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) RISE Fellow Leandra Mageski ’26 created a podcast to help first-generation students navigate college life.
- Magnify Impact
- College of Natural Sciences
Illuminating the Health Effects of ‘Forever Chemicals’
UMass Amherst researchers are studying the myriad ways PFAS chemicals affect human health—and pursuing strategies to mitigate their harm.
- Grow Investment
- Graduate School
- College of Natural Sciences
Chemistry Doctoral Student Wins 2025 Three-Minute Thesis Competition
Cristina Hirschbiegel, a doctoral student in chemistry, was named the winner of the 2025 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition for her presentation, “Nanozymes for Smarter Cancer Treatment”.
- Revolutionize Access
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences
- College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Accelerate in the Nation’s Capital
The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum hosted the UMass D.C. community for a night of bold ideas and meaningful connections.
- Revolutionize Access
- Fine Arts Center
Seeing Ghosts
Eva Lin Fahey's latest exhibit reflects on her experience as a transracial adoptee and explores her feelings of loss and connection.
- Revolutionize Access
- Athletics
Building a Lifelong Community
Peter ’78 and Denise ’79 Bloom established the Kenneth L. O’Brien (KOB) Scholarship, which provides both support and enduring camaraderie for student-athletes.
- Revolutionize Access
- College of Education