Springfield College Announces Lori Ciccomascolo as the next Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper has announced the hiring of Lori Ciccomascolo as the next provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Her appointment will be effective July 8, 2024. Ciccomascolo will be taking over for the retiring Mary Ann Coughlin, G'84, CAS'84, DPE'87.

“As we continue to evolve as an institution, I am confident that Dr. Ciccomascolo is the right leader at this important time at Springfield College. With a proven legacy of fostering student triumphs, nurturing collaborative governance, and driving transformative change, she embodies the visionary leadership required to propel our institution to greater heights with continued academic distinction and holistic student success. I appreciate the feedback we received throughout this process and the important work done by the search committee, which was led by Dr. Jess Barrett and Dr. Kerry Calnan, and I look forward to working alongside Dr. Ciccomascolo to provide our students with an academic environment grounded in innovation and inclusive education," said Cooper.

Ciccomascolo comes to Springfield College following an impactful tenure at the University of Rhode Island dating back to 2002. A seasoned academic and student success leader with a sustained record of supporting shared governance, senior-level change management, and program development, she most recently served as the Associate Vice President of Student Success, where she worked alongside faculty and staff on student success initiatives between the Divisions of Academic and Student Affairs.

"Springfield College is a special place that transforms students' lives through its Humanics mission. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the College's next Provost. Under the dynamic leadership of President Cooper, I look forward to working with dedicated faculty and staff and engaged students and the entire Springfield College community to sustain and advance academic excellence." said Ciccomascolo

She began her career at the University of Rhode Island as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology where she taught courses in Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science and served as the Kinesiology graduate director.

Ciccomascolo served as the interim dean of the multidisciplinary College of Human Science and Services, which included clinical and non-clinical health and education programs. She was a tenured full professor in the College of Education, where she led its creation, served as its inaugural dean, and revitalized an Office of Strategic Initiatives that offered innovative programs to adult learners and industry partners. 

Regarded as an innovative leader, Ciccomascolo has extensive experience in strategic planning and assessment, accreditation, and leading faculty and staff through change processes. In 2022-2023, Ciccomascolo was selected as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow, an executive leadership program that included a presidential and cabinet-level residency at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ.

She was recently elected to serve on the ACE Council of Fellows Board and is an alumnus of the HERS Leadership Institute, for which she also served as a faculty facilitator. Ciccomascolo, a proud first generation college graduate, earned her bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication, her master’s degree in Exercise Science, both from Southern Connecticut State University, and her doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching (Human Movement) from Boston University.