Christopher Neronha Named General Counsel at Springfield College

Christopher Neronha, an attorney with extensive experience in higher education, has been named general counsel at Springfield College, effective Jan. 20, 2015, President Mary-Beth Cooper announced.

Neronha will provide legal counsel and guidance to the leadership of the college and will serve as secretary to its board of trustees. He will be a member of the president’s senior leadership team.

Neronha has 19 years of experience as an in-house corporate attorney, nine of those as a senior in-house attorney for Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I., where he previously was employed since 2006, as the associate general counsel and executive director of risk management. Prior to Roger Williams, Neronha was assistant general counsel and assistant secretary at National Life Insurance Company in Montpelier, Vt., where he provided legal support for all company operations.

He is an attorney licensed in the federal and state courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

“I am delighted that Chris will join the senior leadership team of Springfield College,” said Cooper. “His strong professional background and his expertise in higher education legal issues will provide a great resource to the college and ensure that we continue to provide the best experience for our students.”

A graduate of Providence College with a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, in political science, Neronha received a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Founded in 1885, Springfield College is known worldwide for the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy—educating students in spirit, mind and body for leadership in service to others. With its foundation of academic excellence and rich athletic heritage, Springfield College prepares students with real-world leadership skills for careers that transform lives and communities. The college offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of health sciences, human and social services, sport management and movement studies, education, business, and the arts and sciences. It also offers doctoral programs in physical education, physical therapy, and counseling psychology. The college is ranked in the 2015 edition of “Best Colleges” in the top tier of “Best Regional Universities – North Region” by U.S.News & World Report, and is designated as a premier Leadership Development Center by the YMCA of the USA. More than 5,000 traditional, nontraditional and international students study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its School of Human Services campuses across the country.