Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge announced eight new Presidential Fellows for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The Fellows Program was launched by President Hodge in 2024 with the goal of fostering leadership growth among faculty and librarians by providing a unique professional development opportunity.
The Presidential Fellows engage regularly with the President’s Office and senior university leadership on issues relevant to Fitchburg State and the broader landscape of higher education. The fellowship is intended to recognize and amplify the meaningful work faculty and librarians are already doing across the university.
The 2026-27 Presidential Fellows are:
- Professor Benjamin Railton (English Studies);
- Associate Professor Jessica Robey (Humanities);
- Associate Professor Michael McCutcheon (Behavioral Sciences);
- Professor Christa Marr (Economics, History and Political Science);
- Professor Christopher Adams (Psychological Science);
- Associate Librarian Olivia Rossetti (Library);
- Professor Sara Wright (Mathematics);
- Associate Professor Billy Samulak (Biology and Chemistry).
“Our Presidential Fellows represent the best of Fitchburg State’s commitment to bold ideas and collective progress,” said President Hodge. “By giving these early and mid-career faculty and librarians this platform, we are investing not only in their professional growth but in the transformation of our university and the communities we serve.
“This program reflects a simple but powerful truth: leadership is not confined to titles or offices,” said Hodge. “It is cultivated in classrooms, libraries, and laboratories—and it flourishes when people are trusted to innovate. I am proud of this year’s Fellows, and I look forward to the ways their work will advance our mission as the number one state university in Massachusetts.”
Psychological Science Department Chair Laura Garofoli will coordinate this year’s Presidential Fellows Program. This cohort was selected under Professor David Weiss’ leadership.
“I am absolutely thrilled to serve as special advisor to the President for the Presidential Fellows Program and to have the privilege of working with this truly extraordinary cohort,” said Garofoli. “These eight fellows represent the very best of Fitchburg State — spanning disciplines from the sciences to the humanities to our library, and bringing an incredible depth of experience, passion, and dedication to our students and our institution. I could not be more excited about the meaningful work ahead, as we celebrate and elevate the remarkable things our faculty and librarians are already doing every day. I have no doubt that this cohort will make a lasting impact on Fitchburg State and the North Central region.”
"The Presidential Fellows showcase leadership that inspires forward movement—grounded in purpose, motivated by curiosity, and focused on making a permanent, positive difference both on campus and beyond,” said Weiss.
The Presidential Fellows will have the opportunity to propose, engage, and see to fruition a focused project or initiative of their choosing, in consultation with the President’s Office, which is meaningful, impactful, and elevates the “Number One State University” throughout the North Central Region, Massachusetts, and beyond.