Marty Ray, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff

Amartya K. “Marty” Ray serves as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff to the President at Tufts University. As Chief of Staff, Dr. Ray advises the president on strategic matters and manages policy, procedural and operational issues within the Office of the President. He coordinates matters within the senior leadership team and across university-wide schools, units, and departments. In addition, he supports trustee committees and sub-committees and provides management oversight for the Office of the Trustees, the University Chaplaincy, and the Department of Athletics.

As Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Dr. Ray maintains a separate portfolio of special projects surrounding presidential priorities. As part of these responsibilities, Dr. Ray is the project manager of the Tufts Beyond 175 University Strategic Plan process and co-chair of the strategic plan steering committee with the Provost of the University. He is also leading an effort to improve undergraduate student success at Tufts by focusing on expanding access to a Tufts education; enhancing the student experience across academic, residential and social life; and ensuring that students have the best possible outcomes for their first destination after college, regardless of whether that is employment or continued graduate education. Finally, he works with the deans at various Tufts schools to advance several school-based initiatives and key priorities.

Prior to Tufts, Dr. Ray was Director of University Development Strategy at Harvard University. Before transitioning to higher education, Dr. Ray’s professional career began at the Boston Red Sox where he spent a decade in Fan Services, Ballpark Entertainment, Media Relations, and Public Affairs. He received his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees from Boston University, Harvard University, and the University of Southern California respectively.

June 2025