Workforce Development Leadership
Cris Haverty, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President of Workforce Development and Global Engagement
Maria Cristina Monterroso Haverty, “Cris” is the Asst. Vice President of Workforce Development and Global Engagement at Lasell University in Newton, MA. With over thirty years of experience in higher education as an administrator, educator, and practitioner, Cris combines leadership, collaboration, and innovation to bridge the gap between education and industry.
As AVP of Workforce Development and Global Engagement, Cris works with organizations to develop customized programs responsive to industry-driven needs that empower students and professionals with relevant skills to participate in a dynamic workforce. Creating a shared goal establishes the foundation for building programs collaboratively with employer partners. Well-versed in collaborating with stakeholders, faculty, staff, and administrators across various disciplines, Cris’ expertise includes creating and executing workforce development initiatives, establishing and cultivating partnerships, engaging in collaborative program planning and development, comprehensive assessment measures, accreditation, and competency-based learning.
Since 2000, Cris has served in the division of Academic Affairs as Coordinator of Clinical Education and Internships in the Department of Athletic Training and Exercise Science, later becoming a program director and department chair prior to becoming the Dean of the School of Health Sciences in 2018.
As the founding Dean of the School of Health Science at Lasell, she took an active role in creating an optimal educational experience for students of all levels. Cris supports students and faculty through global and domestic collaborations, scholarship and professional development, advocacy, and academic program development. Cris’ expertise in establishing partnerships, developing educational experiences and programs, and spearheading external accreditation processes led to the rapid expansion of the School of Health Sciences before her departure from the position in 2023 to lead workforce development efforts.
Prior to her arrival at Lasell University in 2000, Cris served as the Coordinator of Sports Medicine at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA, and was an athletic trainer for the US Soccer Federation. She also held several positions in higher education and athletic organizations. As a professor of athletic training, Cris’ passion for active learning serves as the foundation of the programs she creates and delivers, focusing on student engagement, experiential learning, and the acquisition of professional technical skills that lead to employment opportunities.
Cris earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Leadership in Education from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, her Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling- Sports Psychology from Boston University, Boston Massachusetts, and her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Athletic Training from Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts.
