‘Let UVM lead the nation’: Likely next president of University of Vermont answers questions

The University of Vermont’s only prospective university president is “all in” to leading the university with experience, empathy and engagement.

That’s how Marlene Tromp was introduced at a public forum in the Dudley Davis Center Wednesday afternoon before she stepped up to the podium to answer faculty, staff and student questions during her first official visit to campus.

Tromp was announced Monday as the sole finalist for the UVM presidency, a role that has been vacant since Suresh Garimella left UVM after five years in August to accept a position at the University of Arizona. Patricia Prelock has been serving as the interim president.

The national search considered 30 candidates for the role and interviewed over 10 before landing on Tromp.

Tromp is president of Boise State University where she is credited with leading the school to historic advances in graduation rates, research awards and philanthropy. She started there in 2019. She has previously served in leadership roles at the University of California – Santa Cruz, Arizona State University and Denison University. She used those points throughout her career as credibility and examples when answering questions about how she would lead at UVM.

What was the UVM Board of Trustees looking for in a candidate?

Board of Trustees member Scott Beck answered the question of what the board was looking for in the next university president, a search that took months, and said they “turned over every rock” during.

He said trustees spoke to all departments, community groups and members to create a list of qualities wanted and needed in the next president. Some of those points included:

• Experienced leader, especially when dealing with changes in the external environment;
• Strategic vision that is put into action;
• Demonstrates empathy; and
• Willing to engage with the community.

Beck said an experienced leader was needed during “changing times” within the federal government. He said with Tromp working in Idaho at a time of a new president and antagonism toward higher education, her experience dealing with that is important.

Her resume includes multiple leadership roles in multiple different higher education campuses, all with varying sizes and focuses. He said her background of growing up in a small Wyoming town and understanding the importance of a flagship university was key.

What will Tromp stand for in Vermont

Wearing a silk scarf in UVM’s signature green, Tromp spoke at the podium in a steady, concise voice.

The first-generation college graduate shared her resume with the audience, explaining a variety of experiences that have prepared her for this “transformative moment to let UVM lead the nation and the world.”

Freedom of expression for students was discussed, no doubt on many minds after a 10-day pro-Palestine encampment last May ended with a canceled commencement speaker, a dismissed lawsuit, and a club on probation.

Tromp said she believes academic freedom is the “bedrock” of a university, and it’s the perfect platform to have those debates or expressions. She pointed to a point in her career after George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis in 2020. She said the university supported the students’ right to protest, even facing a local business in court who sued the university for not “silencing their students.”

She wants to grow the research being produced by UVM, stating it’s “important and critical work being accomplished at this time.” She referred to her time at UC Santa Cruz and Boise State University where the research departments grew by 32% and 71%, respectively. She said she wants to meet with the community and better focus on where and what the needs are moving forward with research.

At the same time, the self-proclaimed “humanist” said she would support the humanities and liberal arts in the university. She trained in English and many other humanities-based areas, and said it is important to collaborate between that and the STEM mindset.

The “proud daughter of a union member” said she has worked at many “heavily” unionized institutions. She said she wants to help and work with those unions to take on real challenges. In a moment of humility, Tromp stated that she will make mistakes or misstep, but will work alongside Vermonters to problem solve.

The UVM Board of Trustees is expected to announce their decision on the presidential search on Thursday.

Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@gannett.com.