Dear UMB Community,

I’m delighted to share with you that Patty Alvarez, PhD, MS, has been promoted to vice president and will retain the title of chief student affairs officer. Patty, who joined the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) in 2018, has more than 25 years of experience working in student and academic affairs at several universities. 

She has leadership responsibilities for programs and services that support student success, including the SMC Campus Center, event services, and business services; student counseling services; recreation, wellness, and fitness; Intercultural Center; student pantry and emergency fund; writing services; student leadership development; student communications and assessment; disability support and accommodation services; University Student Government Association and student organizations; and shared oversight of international services.

Patty closely collaborates with the student affairs deans in each school and partners across the University. She is an adjunct faculty member in the Graduate School and co-chairs UMB’s Diversity Advisory Council and President’s Council for Women. She also collaborates with the University System of Maryland (USM) in convening USM’s vice presidents of student affairs monthly.

In March, she will begin a two-year term on the Advisory Services Steering Committee of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, advising and supporting the continued enhancement and growth of self-assessments, reviews, resources, and materials for effective and high-quality student affairs and services divisions.

Patty will continue to report to Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MSL, MPA, provost and executive vice president.

Please join me in congratulating her on this recognition of her work.

Sincerely,

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS 

President