Patricia Crossen, a longtime faculty member and former interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, died on January 9 at her home on Martha’s Vineyard, an island off the coast of Massachusetts. She was 76 years old.
Dr. Crossen earned master’s and doctoral degrees from what is now the College of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She began her career at the university in 1985, eventually rising to the rank of full professor. From 1989 to 1991 she served as deputy provost and associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and from 1994 to 1997, she was as interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Dr. Crosson went on to become the director at the Center for Educational Policy in the School of Education. She retired in 2001 and was named professor emerita. Dr. Crossen also served on the board of directors at Greenfield Community College in Massachusetts.