40 Under Forty: Ursula Furi-Perry, J.D., 38

Photo | Erika Sidor Winners of the WBJ 2018 40 Under Forty award (from left): Danielle Clark, Ursula Furi-Perry, Sam Bitar, Brian Lemerise.

Write a Comment

Dean of School of Humanities & Social Sciences, and interim dean of School of Graduate & Professional Studies

Becker College, Worcester

Lives: Andover

Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary

Colleges: Brandeis University, Massachusetts School of Law

Becker College is in the midst of an expansion, adding new schools and majors to attract a shrinking national applicant pool. Right in the middle is Furi-Perry, who was hired last September as assistant dean of Becker College's School of Nursing & Behavioral Sciences. She's since risen to dean of the School of Humanities & Social Sciences and this summer was named the interim dean of a new school at Becker, the School of Graduate & Professional Studies. Furi-Perry is helping put in place a new exploratory program letting students experience a taste 10 majors on campus, like a sampler plate, before declaring a major. As a lawyer, Furi-Perry doesn't just teach in the classroom. She's written 14 books on legal issues, including two that were written for children: “Constitutional Law For Kids,” and a Spanish version. She's spoken at events for the Massachusetts Bar Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is scheduled to speak at the U.S. District Court's Eighth Circuit Judicial Conference in Iowa this month. Furi-Perry is the president of a middle school parent-teacher organization in her hometown of Andover, where her three boys attend class.

From 40 Under Forty judge Kate Sharry: “Ursula is using her knowledge, experience and creativity to meet the needs of the students of Becker. She pays it forward in so many different ways.”

Were you a straight-A student? I was pretty close! Graduated third in my high school and first in law school.

What movie character is most like you? Erin Brockovich. She was tenacious and smart, had great shoes, and handled her business as a mom and as a legal professional.

Read about the entire 2018 Class of 40 Under Forty

Michael Alden - Ascentria Care Alliance

Che Anderson - City of Worcester

Victor M. Archila - VMA Electric Inc.

Allison Beckler, DO - YOU, Inc.

Sam Bitar - Webster Five

Mark A. Borenstein - Seder & Chandler LLP

Kate D. Campanale - Massachusetts House of Representatives

Derek Canton - paerpay

Ryan Canuel - Petricore, Inc.

Jennifer Caron - Body Therapeutics

Danielle J. Clark - Clark Career Coaching