Beth Oliver ’88, chief nurse executive and senior vice president of cardiac services at Mount Sinai Health System, was named one of Modern Healthcare’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives for 2024. For over 28 years, Oliver has played a transformational role in cardiac nursing at Mount Sinai. She has led the cardiovascular service line strategy and operations, ensuring quality care delivery at New York’s Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital.
Tiffanie Cherie Ellis-Niles ’99 was nominated to the Massachusetts Juvenile Court by Governor Maura Healey. As a founding partner and managing attorney at Lyles and Niles, LLP, Ellis-Niles has dedicated her legal career to advocating for children and families, particularly those involved with the Department of Children and Families. Her practice spans bankruptcy, family law, probate, landlord/tenant disputes, and civil litigation.
Thomas Vallely ’77 was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal, which recognizes an individual who has performed exemplary deeds or services for his or her country or fellow citizens. Vallely is senior advisor for Vietnam at Columbia University’s Weatherhead East Asian Institute where he co-teaches a course on the Vietnam War and supports the expansion of the institute’s engagement with Vietnam, including in the fields of Vietnamese studies and public policy. Vallely served with the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam.
Read about other alumni featured in the Summer 2025 Class Notes (link to PDF in folder). Send in your own note using our Beacon Update Form to be featured in the next issue of the magazine!
Latest University News
- Biology Team to Survey Reptiles and Amphibians in National Parks with $190K NPS Cooperative AgreementProfessors of Biology Rob Stevenson and Doug Woodhams, from the College of Science and Mathematics, have received a two-year award for $190,000 from the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service to develop a comprehensive survey of reptiles and amphibians in participating parks.
- In Fruit Fly Eyes, UMass Boston Researcher Sees Potential Medical DiscoveriesJens Rister, an associate professor in UMass Boston’s biology department, has just been awarded more than $1,700,000 in funding from the National Eye Institute of the NIH to research a protein that guides the development of color vision in fruit flies. By learning more about the underlying mechanisms, Rister hopes to learn about human diseases such as Oculoauricular Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects eyes and ears.
- Quantum Experts Discuss Impact of Investment on Students, Science and BusinessesFollowing the announcement that UMass Boston will be receiving a $3.8M grant to develop and commercialize quantum hardware, expert panelists discussed the positive impact that investment in quantum research can have.
- College of Management Welcomes a Global Cohort of Dean’s Student AmbassadorsThe College of Management at the UMass Boston is proud to announce its newest cohort of Dean’s Student Ambassadors–an extraordinary group of undergraduate leaders who will represent the College throughout the 2025-2026 academic year.
- UMass Boston Secures $3.8M for Collaborative Expanding Quantum Hardware Development, CommercializationMassTech Builds on its Support of UMass Boston, Western New England University-led Initiative
- Olukemisola “Kemi” Abioye has been recognized as the 2025 Ryan Award winner after achieving the highest cumulative GPA over four semestersAfter years of hard work and learning to balance extracurriculars with jobs, internships, and school, Kemi Abioye received the 2025 Ryan Award at UMass Boston.
