UMass Amherst Alumni Association

Awards & Grants

Distinguished Alumni Awards Recipient

Dr. Margaret Jablonski '81, '84 MEd

Dr. Margaret A. (Peggy) Jablonski has served higher education for 28 years, including in student affairs and as a faculty member at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.   Recognized as a leader in the field of student affairs, Jablonski also served as a dean in the student life areas at Brown University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Connecticut. Currently, she serves as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

In each of these roles, her focus is on fostering student learning and development while enhancing a strong sense of community for all students.  Jablonski has led the revision of three codes of student conduct and has reviewed and redesigned numerous programs from leadership development to a housing master plan. She has taught graduate courses in higher education policy, leadership theory, women’s issues, and student affairs. Her research interests include gender and leadership; spirituality in higher education; higher education policy; and the history of higher education.  Jablonski is a frequent presenter at international and national conferences. 

Twice she has served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and as the Editor of their Journal from 2004 – 2007.  She is active in the Habitat for Humanity Chapter in North Carolina.  A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, Jablonski holds a doctorate in education from Boston University. 

Jablonski earned Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  Her activities include gardening, golf, travel, music and the environment.  Although she lives in North Carolina, she has a second home on Cape Cod, enabling her to connect with UMass friends.