Vermont Business Magazine Marlene Tromp, Ph.D., will become the University of Vermont’s 28th president, the university’s Board of Trustees announced today. She will formally assume the post later this summer.
A humanities scholar with three decades of experience in teaching, research, and higher education administration, Dr. Tromp is currently professor of English and president of Idaho’s Boise State University, a position she has held since 2019.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Dr. Marlene Tromp as the 28th president of the University of Vermont,” said Cynthia Barnhart, Board of Trustees chair and co-chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. “The leader of UVM is also a vital leader for the community and state, and Dr. Tromp brings with her the experience and ability for great success that will benefit all three. She has demonstrated excellence as a leader and a scholar who can foster deep and meaningful connections across the university and beyond.”
“I came to Vermont with a clear feeling for UVM’s strength in research, its focus on student success, and the fulfillment of its land grant mission to Vermont and the nation,” Dr. Tromp said. “This is a university that has the power to truly lead the nation and even the world on several fronts, and I’m so excited to work with my colleagues, the students, alumni, and friends to improve individual lives and the life of the community.”
In her six years as president of Boise State University (BSU), Dr. Tromp successfully guided the institution through the challenges of the pandemic and led efforts that significantly increased student enrollments and affordability. Under her leadership, BSU achieved record graduation rates and levels of philanthropic funding, while also expanding its research funding. She also led the formation of strategic industry partnerships, and programs to deepen the BSU’s engagement with its surrounding community. She has won numerous awards for her teaching, scholarship, and community service, and currently serves on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors and consults on higher education with the Federal Reserve Board of San Francisco.
A scholar with a concentration in Victorian literature and culture and its relationship to current society, Dr. Tromp has published widely in her field, including nine books and dozens of peer-reviewed papers. Prior to her tenure at BSU, she was campus provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of California at Santa Cruz; vice provost and dean of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University; and chair and director of women’s studies and chair of the faculty at Denison University.
The selection of Dr. Tromp follows an extensive global search process that began in September of last year. A Presidential Search Advisory Committee co-chaired by Ron Lumbra and Cynthia Barnhart and including members of UVM’s faculty, students, staff, and alumni, sought input from across the university community and examined more than 100 candidates who expressed interest in the position.
Marlene Tromp with Trustees Ron Lumbra and Frank Cioffi. UVM Media.
“We conducted a national search and from that robust process, Dr. Marlene Trump emerged – someone that we felt would really thread the needle for us in combining empathy and engagement with the community, with deep leadership experience and proven ability to execute a strategic vision at this challenging time,” Lumbra said. “It was really the combination we were looking for, and she came through with unanimous support of the search committee and unanimous support of the board.”
Raised in Wyoming, Dr. Tromp earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Creighton University as a first-generation college student, a Master of Arts in English from the University of Wyoming, and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida.
Dr. Tromp will succeed Suresh Garimella, who led UVM as the institution’s 27th president from 2019 until October 2024, when he became president of the University of Arizona. Provost Patricia Prelock has served as interim president of UVM since October.
“It was important for the Search Advisory Committee and the Board to have an inclusive process through which we collected feedback and engaged on a continual basis with stakeholders throughout the campus community,” Lumbra said. “We want to sincerely thank everyone who provided input to the process, as well as those who served on the Committee.”
Dr. Tromp visited UVM for an on-campus interview process on March 18-21, visiting with a wide array of members of the campus community and taking part in a community forum to answer questions. She also visited with Sen. Patrick Leahy as well as leaders in state government.
“Marcelle and I had an opportunity to meet with Dr. Tromp on campus this week,” Sen. Leahy said. “We were very impressed. Dr. Tromp seems poised and ready to lead UVM. She clearly understands the impact and responsibilities UVM has in our state. She has a strong vision for helping expand the impact of the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships and so many other important programs at the university that drive positive outcomes for people throughout Vermont."
VBM: Dr. Marlene Tromp named finalist for UVM President
Presidential Search Advisory Committee testimonials:
Cynthia Barnhart, Chair, Board of Trustees and Co-chair, Presidential Advisory Search Committee
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Dr. Marlene Tromp as the 28th president of the University of Vermont,” Barnhart said. “The leader of UVM is also a vital leader for the community and state, and Dr. Tromp brings with her the experience and ability for great success that will benefit all three. She has demonstrated excellence as a leader and a scholar who can foster deep and meaningful connections across the university and beyond.”
Ron Lumbra, Immediate Past Chair, Board of Trustees and Co-chair, Presidential Advisory Search Committee
“We conducted a national search and from that robust process, Dr. Marlene Trump emerged – someone that we felt would really thread the needle for us in combining empathy and engagement with the community, with deep leadership experience and proven ability to execute a strategic vision at this challenging time,” Lumbra said. “It was really the combination we were looking for, and she came through with unanimous support of the search committee and unanimous support of the board.”
“She grew up with the experience of being in a rural state and understanding the importance of the flagship institution to that state, both urban and rural parts of the state,” Lumbra said. “She really demonstrated an ability to connect well with Vermont culture, given that upbringing. She's a humanist. She's an English professor at heart, and a core liberal arts mission of the University of Vermont is really upheld with a choice like this.”
“It was important to the board to have a community process – to make sure that we collected feedback from the community and engaged with the community on a continual basis,” Lumbra said. “One of the things that very much helped is the search committee. We had an 18-member search committee that represented all aspects of the community – faculty, staff, deans, students, alums – so that we could perpetually understand how the community was feeling as the search evolved and we were able to bring that sensibility into our decision-making process.”
Sen. Patrick Leahy:
“Marcelle and I had an opportunity to meet with Dr. Tromp on campus this week,” Sen. Leahy said. “We were very impressed. Dr. Tromp seems poised and ready to lead UVM. She clearly understands the impact and responsibilities UVM has in our state. She has a strong vision for helping expand the impact of the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships and so many other important programs at the university that drive positive outcomes for people throughout Vermont."
Chris Danforth, Professor of Mathematics and Statistics and Director, Vermont Advanced Computing Center:
“Higher education is facing unprecedented challenges. We need an inspiring and empathetic servant leader to harness our quirky and distinctive strengths. Marlene has the experience and vision to realize UVM’s essential role in Vermont’s future."
Eric von Wettberg, Professor, Department of Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment and Director, Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station:
“Growing up in a small town in a coal mining family in Wyoming, Dr. Tromp has a unique feel for the importance of the Land Grant mission, the essential role that Extension has in sharing and disseminating the transformational educational and research activities that happen on our campus, and the challenges students from rural America face when making decisions about college. She brings an incredible capacity to work with partners with radically different worldviews, and to keep UVM dedicated to the important work of serving students and communities across Vermont.”
Jeff Schulman, Athletic Director:
“Dr. Tromp’s experience, commitment to excellence and passion for UVM, make her an exceptional choice to lead our great university into the future. I look forward to partnering with her as we continue to advance the championship trajectory of UVM Athletics and the entire University.”
Deb Mignucci, Alumni Association Vice President:
“UVM is fortunate to be able to attract the well-rounded and accomplished Dr. Tromp. I was particularly impressed by her strong values putting students first and her ability to navigate difficult situations. She will be a firm hand on the rudder, moving us forward in what we can expect to be roiling waters ahead. I am confident that we have the right person in place to continue our land grant mission, support for inclusivity and drive to excellence.”
Bill Falls, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences and Professor, Department of Psychological Science
“Dr. Tromp is an accomplished scholar and award-winning teacher who has significant administrative experience across different types of institutions. She is an empathetic and collaborative leader who was successful in advancing Boise State’s highest priorities.”
Ed Pagano, Board of Trustees member
"A dynamic student-centered leader with deep experience in working with land grant universities like UVM, Dr. Tromp understands the importance of expanding our Catamount footprint across the state and investing in world-class research that will grow environmental and economic opportunities for all Vermonters."
About UVM: For People and Planet
Founded in 1791, UVM is the leading public university where discovery, creativity, community, and action coalesce to secure a thriving future for people and planet. Recognized among the nation’s top R1 research institutions, Vermont’s land-grant university attracts $260 million annually for groundbreaking research and enrolls approximately 14,000 students from 50 states and 75 countries. At UVM, students, faculty, and staff work together in pursuit of a healthier, greener future. Learn more at uvm.edu.
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