Dr. Marlene Tromp has been named the next president of the University of Vermont.UVM’s Board of Trustees confirmed Tromp’s appointment on Thursday during her visit to the university. She will officially become UVM’s 28th president when she assumes her new post this summer. Tromp is moving to Vermont after serving for six years as president at Boise State University. This week, she’s spent time exploring the UVM campus, speaking with students and sharing her plans for the university.“The opportunity to come here felt like the opportunity of a lifetime,” Tromp said.Tromp said she’s ready to get to work addressing challenges such as the federal funding freeze, which forced UVM to implement a hiring freeze and cut some research programs.“To grow, think forward, think in new ways and find new partnerships and continue to advance our students, the research, the state and the world through the work that we do,” she said.However, Tromp’s arrival to campus has been met with some concern among students.“I was hearing about identity centers being put at risk,” said Jada Fleiss, a sophomore at UVM.Meanwhile other students said they feel their voices aren’t being heard in conversations concerning the future of the university.“I think we’re feeling like we’re not being listened to and that our voices aren’t being heard,” said Gabby Dowd, a UVM senior.Yet, as she steps into the role, Tromp said her priority is ensuring everyone at UVM feels heard, safe and included.”What I truly hope is that in this moment of deep and profound polarization in this country, that we can bring people together in dialogue at the university,” Tromp said.Tromp was named the sole finalist in a nationwide search for UVM’s next leader after beating out 100 other candidates who expressed interest in the position, according to officials. That search has been ongoing since September.Former president Suresh Garimella stepped down from his position in October 2024. Since then, interim president Patty Prelock has been leading UVM.
Dr. Marlene Tromp has been named the next president of the University of Vermont.
UVM’s Board of Trustees confirmed Tromp’s appointment on Thursday during her visit to the university. She will officially become UVM’s 28th president when she assumes her new post this summer.
Tromp is moving to Vermont after serving for six years as president at Boise State University.
This week, she’s spent time exploring the UVM campus, speaking with students and sharing her plans for the university.
“The opportunity to come here felt like the opportunity of a lifetime,” Tromp said.
Tromp said she’s ready to get to work addressing challenges such as the federal funding freeze, which forced UVM to implement a hiring freeze and cut some research programs.
“To grow, think forward, think in new ways and find new partnerships and continue to advance our students, the research, the state and the world through the work that we do,” she said.
However, Tromp’s arrival to campus has been met with some concern among students.
“I was hearing about identity centers being put at risk,” said Jada Fleiss, a sophomore at UVM.
Meanwhile other students said they feel their voices aren’t being heard in conversations concerning the future of the university.
“I think we’re feeling like we’re not being listened to and that our voices aren’t being heard,” said Gabby Dowd, a UVM senior.
Yet, as she steps into the role, Tromp said her priority is ensuring everyone at UVM feels heard, safe and included.
“What I truly hope is that in this moment of deep and profound polarization in this country, that we can bring people together in dialogue at the university,” Tromp said.
Tromp was named the sole finalist in a nationwide search for UVM’s next leader after beating out 100 other candidates who expressed interest in the position, according to officials. That search has been ongoing since September.
Former president Suresh Garimella stepped down from his position in October 2024. Since then, interim president Patty Prelock has been leading UVM.