Chief of Staff

Dr. Brenda Molife

bmolife@bridgew.edu

508.531.1201

Dr. Brenda Molife serves as the president's primary deputy and works with all members of the senior leadership team to advance the institutional agenda. A member of the president's cabinet, Dr. Molife is responsible for aligning the University's strategic plan with evolving presidential priorities. She also provides executive oversight of the President's Office. Dr. Molife began her career at BSU in 2001 as an Assistant Professor of Art specializing in African Art. After achieving tenure and the rank of Associate Professor, she served as Department Chair for two years before moving to the President's Office in 2008 as his Executive Assistant. In 2010, she served as the Acting Dean for the School of Business while chairing the search committee that brought a new dean to the School. She then served as the Acting Dean for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences from 2010-2011. In July of 2011, she returned to the President's Office to serve as the President's Chief of Staff. Please contact Tracey Keif at 508.531.1792 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Molife.

Executive Assistant to the President
Dr. Michele Wakin
mwakin@bridgew.edu
508.531.1793

Dr. Wakin provides research and advice to the president and cabinet on major initiatives, faculty issues and University policies. She oversees the offices of Institutional Diversity and Affirmative Action. She serves as Chair of the President’s Task Force to End Homelessness and Co-Chair of the President's Climate Commitment Task Force. She also coordinates internal and external administrative professional development.  Dr. Wakin taught Sociology at Bridgewater State University from 2005-2010 and served as Co-Coordinator of the Center for Sustainability from 2006-2010.  She received her PhD from the University of California Santa Barbara in 2005.  Her research interests include urban and community sociology, sustainability, social justice, and immigration.  Dr. Wakin has articles in American Behavioral Scientist, City & Community, Administrative Theory and Praxis, and The Journal of Workplace Rights.  In 2009 she was the recipient of the Ernest A. Lynton Citation for Distinguished Engaged Scholarship for Early Career Faculty.   Her research has been funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Institute for Labor and Employment, and the American Sociological Association.  Please contact Kerri Weed at x1793 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wakin.

Staff Associate to the President
Lisa Shaw
lshaw@bridgew.edu
508.531.1790

Ms. Lisa Shaw directly assists President Mohler-Faria with scheduling meetings and maintaining his calendar.  As office manager, she coordinates the day to day operations of the President’s Office.  She provides support to the Board of Trustees and can be contacted directly at x1701 for Board-related matters.   She ensures a smooth flow of information between the president, Board of Trustees, faculty, administrators, staff and external constituents, and handles confidential matters pertaining to the University, the Council of Presidents and the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.  Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and has worked in higher education for over fifteen years.  She has also completed the Connect Collaborative Leadership Development Program.  If you wish to meet with the president, please contact Lisa.

Ms. Boitano directly oversees all institutional events managed by the Office of the President, works with other divisions to coordinate public events institution-wide, maintains the university’s master calendar, and advises the president on all matters pertaining to institutional event planning.  Brianne joined the President’s Office staff in the fall of 2011, followed by her 4-year tenure with the BSU Conference and Event Services Office and a period of time working in the corporate sector.  Brianne has a bachelor’s degree in English from Stonehill College and a certificate in meeting, conference and event management from New York University.  She is pursuing her master’s degree in business administration at BSU.

Budget Manager and Coordinator of Special Projects
Ms. Laura Machado
lmachado@bridgew.edu
508.531.1791

Ms. Machado is responsible for the preparation, analysis, coordination and management of budgets for the President's Office and Board of Trustees.  She is also responsible for resolving complaints and questions for the President's Office and is the manager of the Barry House, the presidential residence.   In addition, Laura manages the University’s response to requests for documents, data and other kinds of information that are publicly available under the Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Massachusetts Public Records Law (PRL).  Laura began her employment at the University in 1999 in the Office of Administration and Finance where she began working with Dr. Mohler-Faria.  She is a graduate of Bristol Community College and is continuing her education at BSU.

Staff Assistant to the Chief of Staff
Ms. Tracey Keif
tkeif@bridgew.edu
508.531.1792

Ms. Keif provides support to the chief of staff, Dr. Brenda Molife.  She also coordinates special requests from legislative officials, works closely with the staff associate to the president, Lisa Shaw, and provides support to the Office of the Board of Trustees.  For Board of Trustee matters, please contact Lisa Shaw or Tracey Keif at ext. 1701.  Tracey began her employment at the University in 1992 in the Office of the Board of Trustees and assumed her new position in the President’s Office in September 2007.  She is a resident of Lakeville and a graduate of Bristol Community College.

Ms. Kerri Weed
Administrative Assistant I
kerri.weed@bridgew.edu
508.531.1793

Ms. Weed assists Dr. Michele Wakin, executive assistant to the president, with meeting arrangements, travel and other office-related activities. Kerri manages the calendar for the Executive Conference Room, helps in the preparation of President’s Office meetings and events, and provides general clerical support for the Office of the President.  Kerri received her secretarial certification from the Katharine Gibbs School.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Wakin, please contact Kerri.