Linda Thompson is ‘excited and thrilled’ to lead Westfield State

May 4, 2021 | Peter Currier
peter@thewestfieldnewsgroup.com

Linda Thompson was selected Westfield State University’s next president.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

WESTFIELD – Linda Thompson was voted the 21st president of Westfield State University April 28 by the Westfield State University Board of Trustees.

The trustees cited Thompson’s experience as a main factor in their selection.

“Based on Dr. Thompson’s credentials and wealth of experience in influential leadership and collaboration, paired with her highly engaging campus visit with Westfield State’s varied constituents, the Board voted to recommend her as the University’s next leader,” said Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Queenin.

Thompson will take the position currently held by Dr. Roy H. Saigo, who was appointed to serve as interim president for one year following the retirement of President Ramon S. Torrecilha.

Saigo said that he is “excited about having new leadership” at Westfield State.

“I wish her the best and I’m here to help as much as I can,” Saigo said. “The university Efficiency Committee and its plans will ensure a smooth transition.”

Thompson has served as the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UMass Boston since 2017. Before that, she served in a similar position at West Chester University in Pennsylvania.

“I am honored and thrilled for this upcoming opportunity to work with the faculty and staff at Westfield State University to elevate its student-centered mission and make it one of the best regional universities in the country,” said Thompson.

Much of Thompson’s academic and professional experience is in healthcare. She once served as Baltimore’s director of Occupational Medicine and Safety. While there, she developed policies that promoted the health of city employees.

She has taught nursing and public health at 10 different colleges and universities. She had been appointed as provost and vice-chancellor at North Carolina A&T State University, dean of nursing at Oakland University in Michigan, and associate dean at University of Maryland School of Nursing.

Thompson also served as Maryland’s Special Secretary for Children, Youth, and Families, where she developed programs and policies to improve the quality of healthcare for vulnerable children. She was also the chief policy advisor on all matters relating to children and youth for the governor of Maryland.

Thompson is also a published author of more than 100 books, articles, and abstracts. One of her books: “Losing control: Loving a Black Child with Bipolar Disorder,” has been recognized by the American Sociological Association. Another one of her books: “Hard Times, Healing Hands” was recognized by EdPress.

“In addition to looking forward to welcoming Dr. Thompson as Westfield State’s next leader, I offer sincere thanks to the hardworking and thoughtful members of the Presidential Search Committee for their invaluable role in this important selection process,” said Robert Martin, Ph.D., Westfield State University Trustee and chair of the search committee.

Thompson was one of five finalists for the position. The other four were Kristin Esterberg, Ph.D., Darrell Kruger, Ph.D., Robert Pignatello, Ed.D., and Dione Somerville, Ed.D..

Each of the five candidates visited the Westfield State campus for two-day interviews that were conducted from April 5 to April 21.

Saigo will leave the position after one school year as agreed upon when he was first appointed. He and his wife Barbara recently participated in a virtual meeting with students about the transition to a new university president. He said one student asked about his retirement plans. The 80-year-old Saigo said that he has already “failed twice” at retirement and that his wife joked that she would need to “reprogram him” to keep him from

Share this: