Trustees and Chancellor Mauch extend contract one additional year through 2026, thank President Bergh for his steady leadership
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Colleges System (VSC) Board of Trustees, in consultation with VSC Chancellor Elizabeth Mauch, is pleased to announce that David Bergh, who has been serving as interim president since November 2023, will continue in his leadership role as president of Vermont State University through June 2026. This decision reflects the confidence and unanimous support of the Board of Trustees. The Board will initiate a national search for a new president to include broad stakeholder participation from faculty, staff, students, and community partners during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Bergh, a 19-year veteran of the former Johnson State College, has been welcomed back into the VSC system with praise and support. He has prioritized more frequent communication with students, faculty and staff as well as being visible on campuses in the upcoming year. The Trustees and Chancellor felt strongly that continuity of leadership and ongoing progress for the new University was best accomplished by continuing Bergh’s strong leadership. This is especially true given the many leadership transitions in recent years.
“We are very grateful to President Bergh for his tireless and steady leadership as the new Vermont State University continues to stabilize and grow in what is only its second academic year,” shared Board of Trustees Chair Lynn Dickinson. “The entire Vermont State Colleges System has been through a tremendous period of transformation and now is the right time to look to what the future can be. Dave will be instrumental in helping to shape that future and we appreciate his ongoing efforts.”
Bergh returned to lead Vermont State University, taking over for Interim President Mike Smith at the conclusion of an intensive academic and administrative optimization effort as part of the comprehensive transformation initiative undertaken in partnership with state leaders and other stakeholders. He has spent the last nine months listening and learning from students, staff, faculty and community leaders about how to shape and grow the state’s essential multicampus public, four-year university and will be focused on implementing strategies to achieve that vision.
“President Bergh has done a superb job in his first year at Vermont State University,” shared Mauch, “Our focus across the system has been to empower every Vermonter with transformative, high-quality education that transcends financial and geographic barriers. VTSU is stabilizing and preparing to realize much more of its potential and with Dave’s continued leadership, I’m confident in the path forward.”
Bergh has brought his more than 25 years’ experience in higher education to VTSU and the results are promising. Enrollment numbers are trending up over last year. Students have led their own unification of the student government association and programs like nursing are on their way to doubling student capacity. Bergh’s vision for the next two years is unlocking the potential of a multicampus, public higher education institution. This means ongoing collaborations between campuses, seamless transitions from CCV to VTSU and greater integration of certificate and training programs and online student experiences to better meet students of all ages and locations where they are.
“I want to thank the Trustees and Chancellor for placing their faith in my leadership at this crucial time for VTSU. This has been the hardest and most rewarding year of my professional career and there is so much more work to be done. I am so grateful to our students who inspire me with their wisdom and work ethic, and I appreciate and value our staff and faculty who are changing the lives of our students and helping to power our state’s economy.”
Source: 8.28.2024. Montpelier, VT – The Vermont State Colleges System
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