The arrival of Ramon S. Torrecilha as Westfield State University president in 2016 was met with cheery optimism at a university with a turbulent history of controversial leaders.
Torrecilha could inspire students just by his own story: a rise from childhood poverty in Brazil to prominence in public higher education in the U.S., the first member of his family to graduate from college. He seemed like just the choice for an emerging campus that yearned to be more modern, inclusive and relevant.
As Torrecilha heads into retirement this summer, his accomplishments are undeniable. Westfield State appears on lists of best-value colleges in New England. Ties with the surrounding community have never been closer, according to civic leaders who lauded Torrecilha upon his retirement announcement in January.
A passionate, consummate professional. He didnt just live for the day. He understood the new realities, said Westfield State trustees chairman Kevin Queenin of Torrecilha, 61. Through Ramon, Westfield State is positioned for years to come for success, growth and financial stability.
Yet Torrecilhas exit also ends a tempestuous relationship with faculty, whose 211-6 no-confidence vote (with two abstentions) in 2019 brought attention to the rift. Torrecilha perceives the relationship as the price of action, but others describe an aloofness they say exacerbated the typical philosophical differences between faculty and administration the likes of which exist at most colleges to an unnecessary, damaging degree.
I was not only on the search committee, I was the one who picked him up at the airport, shares Kathi Bradford. He was the most concerned, passionate person Id ever interviewed.
The now retired Bradford is a veteran of 39 years at Westfield State, having served in residential life, alumni relations, as adjunct faculty and as a grievance officer, vice president and president of the union.
He represented everything our university stands for, but his style on the ground (after taking over) was very different, Bradford says. He essentially told the staff to communicate with the vice president.
Westfield State is beginning an organized search for a new, permanent president for the 2021-2022 academic year. Roy Saigo, who has served in a variety of administrative capacities at colleges throughout the country for decades, arrived on campus recently to begin service as interim president for the coming year.
Torrecilha is among three Western Massachusetts university presidents who are retiring in 2020. Anthony Caprio at Western New England and Carol Leary at Bay Path are departing to universal praise as visionaries.
Torrecilhas exit story is different. While even his ardent critics do not deny his successes, they describe two types of leader in one.
They acknowledge his skills in fundraising, political interaction and alumni and community involvement. At the same time, they express frustration with a leader they experienced as uncommunicative and dismissive of their input and concerns, to the point in some minds of professional disrespect.
As one faculty member put it, Torrecilhas leadership was evident off campus, but lacking when he was actually on the grounds of the university.
For his part, the president says he departs with a sense of accomplishment, even while acknowledging his successor will inherit some unfinished tasks.
Race relations and whats happening here we have begun to address it, but its still unfinished, Torrecilha says. COVID-19 heightened where we are in race relations, and all these issues are coming together. Weve tried to be more inclusive, but we are not where we need to be yet.
Torrecilha speaks at a rally against racism organized by the university's education department in November 2017. (Don Treeger / The Republican file)
Torrecilha, whose retirement announcement came just six weeks before Westfield shut down its campus in response to the pandemic, sees major challenges for higher education in general.
Theres a question of whether we can support public higher education, he says. More and more, the cost is being shifted to students.
Queenins unqualified support recognizes what even Torrecilhas critics concede: the president knew how to work the levers of bureaucracy, a skill any modern university leader needs. He developed a strategic plan and (education and political leaders in) Boston gave him a lot of credit for that, says the trustee.
For his part, Torrecilha does not deny the well-publicized schism between his office and faculty.
Let me say the faculty commitment to our excellence has been unwavering. Where we diverged was process, Torrecilha explains. In some instances, we could have been more inclusive, but I felt an urgency when I came. I felt relations with the community, the state and internally were broken, and time was of the essence.
In a 2016 ceremony at Springfield Technical Community College, Torrecilha and STCC president John Cook signed an agreement to create a nursing degree partnership. (The Republican file)
Torrecilha sees many accomplishments on and off campus for which he says he is proud.
The universitys designed pathway for student success was organized and bolstered during his tenure. Called a road map for our institution, the strategic model focuses on student experience, enrollment, culture and resources, and was approved by the state Department of Higher Education.
That defines my time here to me, Torrecilha says.
With the Westfield Promise effort, the university entered partnerships with public schools in Westfield, Springfield and Holyoke and may branch out to West Springfield and Agawam, he says. The program aims to provide a bridge to college for high schoolers.
Were making college possible for more high school students, Torrecilha says. We are de-mysticizing the college experience for first-generation (college) students, students of color and others.
Torrecilha also found success in maneuvering political waters to secure funding for renovations at the Westfield campus. He says the long political odds in that forum got my juices flowing. Two summers ago, Gov. Charlie Baker visited and ceremonially signed the legislation that will provide $21.5 million renovation of Parenzo Hall to come a state-of-the-art hub for student access and workforce development.
As for friction on campus, Queenin says he doesnt think the blame should land on the presidents doorstep. Ramon was a visionary. He embraced change, and that wasnt always welcomed on campus, the trustee says. He was also tireless, the hardest worker on campus. He was astute in finance, and in spite of COVID-19 and the states financial challenges, the university is in good shape. He was student-centric and inclusive. He leaves the university in much better shape than when he arrived.
Torrecilha and Westfield State University Trustee Kevin Queenin, left, pose for a photo during a social hour at the Urban Education Program 50-Year Golden Gala at Westfield State University in November 2018. (The Republican file)
Bradford concurs in part. I cant say Ramon didnt accomplish things. He did, she says. Fundraising was an asset. The alumni loved him, and we needed that.
Psychology professor Claudia Ciano-Boyce, the president of the Westfield chapter of the Massachusetts State College Association, says a successor with the same management style as Torrecilhas could cause lasting damage. Her unions statement does not mention Torrecilha by name, but the residual effects of a fractured relationship are unmistakable.
As we embark on a search for the next president, we look forward to a collaborative, respectful relationship. We hope our president will manage power wisely and lead with dignity,' the statement reads. This leader begins by listening and respecting the expertise of faculty whose relationship to the students is the cornerstone of the university. Listening with the aim to treat all employees with dignity, the president will welcome real collaboration, particularly in shared governance.
This leader will empower faculty, staff and students rather than create fear and apprehension. Our future leader must have skills to fulfill fiduciary duties but must also be a leader able to improve and strengthen the bonds between all campus stakeholders, the statement concludes.
Torrecilhas successor as permanent president will also inherit a more hybrid learning strategy, regardless of when the pandemic ends. While not downplaying in-person instruction, Torrecilha sees positives to expanded online learning.
The internet has made knowledge more available and accessible, he says. The creation of knowledge has changed, but you dont necessarily need to be in a classroom to be engaged in a learning experience.
Public universities themselves are now in a new, exciting era, he believes. What has changed is our commitment to teaching a learning process, versus, for instance, the research universities. Public education was once seen as a students second or third choice, but no longer, he says.
From a personal perspective, Torrecilha doesnt know where his next step will take him.
For the first time in my life, I dont have a plan,' he says with anticipation and optimism not trepidation in his voice.
I wish Ramon the best. He was passionate about the Westfield State experience and among his successes, he helped us with our student retention program, which is the mission of higher education, Bradford says. We were so happy with him as a candidate. Im not sure we got that person. If we had, it might have been different.
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