Job description

The Opportunity

The University of Vermont (UVM), a top-tier R1 research institution and Vermont’s flagship public land grant university, seeks an accomplished scholar and innovative academic leader to serve as the next Dean of the Graduate College & Postdoctoral Studies. This is an exceptional opportunity to build on current program excellence and to transform the scope and scale of UVM’s outstanding research and scholarly activities and complementary professional programs. This opportunity is exclusive to current UVM faculty.

The Dean of the Graduate College and Postdoctoral Studies will set the vision and mission for graduate studies and enhance the competitiveness of UVM’s graduate education. In partnership with the Graduate College Executive Committee, Graduate faculty, and senior College and School leadership, the Dean will have the opportunity to strengthen and support the growth of graduate programs (including doctoral, professional, and online programs) and expand post-doctoral opportunities.

With seven undergraduate colleges and schools, the Graduate College, the Larner College of Medicine, the Honors College, the Libraries, and Professional and Continuing Education, UVM is guided by its new strategic plan. Our ideals of accessibility, inclusiveness, and academic excellence are reflected in Our Common Ground values-respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice, and responsibility. The new Dean will take on this leadership mantle at UVM at an exciting time with the University having achieved Carnegie Research 1 status and developed a new strategic plan. The successful candidate will strengthen the college’s national and global reputation through research-practice partnerships, collaborations with other research institutions, and alumni and donor connections.

UVM has been educating graduate students since the early 1800s. Over two centuries later, in 2025, UVM enrolled 11,595 undergraduates, 487 medical students, and 1,779 graduate students. UVM offers 28 Ph.D. programs, 6 professional doctorates, approximately 61 master’s degrees, 18 micro-certificates, and 22 Certificates of Graduate Study through the auspices of the Graduate College. These study areas include seven formal cross-college interdisciplinary doctoral programs: (1) Biomedical Engineering, (2) Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences; (3) Complex Systems and Data Science; (4) Food Systems and Materials Science; (5) Sustainable Development, Policy, Economics and Governance; (6) Transdisciplinary Leadership and Creativity for Sustainability; and (7) Interprofessional Health Sciences.

The Dean of the Graduate College and Postdoctoral Studies will have the opportunity to guide the future direction of graduate education at UVM leading the development of the college’s strategic alignment with the University’s new Strategic Plan. Together with the Deans of the other Schools and Colleges, and the President, Provost, Senior Vice President, and the Vice President for Research, the Dean will advance graduate studies to support and grow research and scholarly activity, enhance and expand interdisciplinary graduate academic programs, and develop professional development opportunities for graduate students. In collaboration with the Vice President for Research and Economic Development and Academic Units, the Dean of the Graduate College and Postdoctoral Studies will support professional development for approximately 110 postdoctoral associates and fellows.

Recognizing the complex administrative operation of the Graduate College, the Dean will engage in strategic planning and creative leadership to effectively govern graduate studies. The Dean will advocate for graduate education as central to UVM’s success and capitalize on our strong trajectory of research funding (with $278M in research expenditures in FY25 – more than doubling the size of the university’s research enterprise since FY19). This position offers an exciting opportunity for a creative and inspiring leader as new Centers and Institutes are established, adding to our current university-wide centers and institutes such as the Gund Institute for Environment, the Osher Center for Integrative Health, the Complex Systems Institute, and the Food Systems Research Center, and our newly formed institutes, the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships, the Water Resources Institute (WRI) and the Institute for Agroecology. The Dean will increase external fellowship and scholarship opportunities and align support for graduate students and programs with the goals for research and scholarly growth. The Dean will support the promotion of UVM’s graduate programs both domestically and internationally in partnership with the Graduate Enrollment team in the Division of Enrollment Management.

Reporting to the Provost, the Dean will work collaboratively with other Deans across UVM, the Graduate College Executive Committee, as well as the Vice President for Research and Economic Development to leverage opportunities for corporate partnerships for graduate education. The Dean of the Graduate College and Postdoctoral Studies is expected to have a deep commitment to the success of graduate students in addition to a record of building partnerships with numerous constituents on and off campus.

UVM invites inquiries, applications, and nominations for the position of Dean of the Graduate College and Postdoctoral Studies to provide innovative leadership that advances graduate education, research and scholarship, and professional practice.
Procedure for Candidacy

This is an internal search limited to candidates currently affiliated with UVM. Applicants must hold the rank of Full Professor with Tenure. Candidates should provide (1) a professional resume, (2) a letter of application that addresses the central themes described in this leadership profile including your leadership style, (3) the names and contact information for three references, and (4) a separate statement on your vision for advancing Our Common Ground Values in graduate programming and mentorship. References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate. Applications should be submitted through the university’s online recruitment site: https://www.uvmjobs.com. Nominations and inquiries should be sent to Peter Newman at [email protected] and copy Crispina Pincus at [email protected]. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Compensation arrangements are competitive, will be commensurate with both experience and achievement, and include a competitive array of benefits.

The University of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category legally protected by federal or state law.

The Graduate College

The mission of the Graduate College is to “provide the environment for high quality graduate education by stimulating and supporting the intellectual and professional development of a diverse faculty and student body; by promoting interdisciplinary and innovative forms of scholarship, research, and curricula; and by recognizing scholarly excellence.”

UVM currently offers approximately 61 academic programs leading to a master’s degree and 28 programs leading to a doctorate as well as 6 professional doctorates. All graduate degrees at UVM are awarded by the Graduate College, except for the M.D. degree, which is awarded by the Larner College of Medicine. The Graduate College includes programs and degrees in the natural, physical, and biological sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities, as well as a variety of professional programs, many of which are highly ranked and nationally recognized. UVM also offers interdisciplinary programs designed to capitalize on the exceptional strengths of faculty, especially in the biological and biomedical sciences and environmental and ecological programs.

The Graduate College comprises outstanding faculty who are active scholars engaged in mentoring students in the creation of new knowledge and the development of professional skills. Graduate Faculty are expected to make significant contributions to research and scholarship in their fields while mentoring the next generation of scholars, researchers, and professionals to successfully pursue their goals after graduation. They provide a lively and engaging environment for creative and innovative thinkers who will make a difference in the world.

The University of Vermont currently offers Graduate Assistantships (GA), Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA), and Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA). These positions are open to both domestic and international students and include university-funded scholarships covering tuition, health insurance, and comprehensive fees.

Visit the UVM Graduate College and specific graduate programs for more information.

Role of the Dean of the Graduate College and Postdoctoral Studies

As chief academic officer of the Graduate College, the new Dean will be a highly collaborative leader who will engage students, faculty, and staff; ensure and promote academic excellence; provide bold and innovative leadership; advocate for resources and infrastructure that align with Graduate College and university priorities in research and graduate education; and represent the Graduate College on campus, within the community, and at the national and international level. Under the leadership of President Marlene Tromp and Interim Provost and Senior Vice President Linda Schadler, the Dean will join UVM at a pivotal time. For a talented, dynamic, and innovative individual, this is a transformational opportunity to support the growth in graduate enrollment including international students; develop doctoral education and mentorship; and support graduate student and post-doctoral research to propel the Graduate College to the next level of national and international reputation.
Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Provost

Partners with: The Graduate College Executive Committee

Deans of other UVM Colleges/Schools

Provost’s Operational Management Team

Vice President for Research and Economic Development

Professional and Continuing Education

Program Directors and Department Chairs

Vice President for Enrollment Management

Direct Reports: Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Innovation

Assistant Dean & Manager of Post Doctoral Affairs

Director of Professional & Career Development

Business Operations Manager

Interdisciplinary Graduate Program Faculty Coordinators

Member: President’s Cabinet

Deans’ Council

Academic Leadership Council
Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership

The next Dean of the Graduate College and Postdoctoral Studies will oversee all aspects of graduate student and postdoctoral life at the University of Vermont. This includes building institutional culture for graduate education and providing support and guidance to our graduate and postdoctoral communities as they pursue their research, scholarship, and professional goals. The Dean will build the prominence of the Graduate College and will facilitate and foster efforts to identify ways in which the College can increase its visibility to prospective graduate students and postdoctoral associates nationally and globally. The Dean will also engage community groups and government agencies to identify ways in which the College can creatively meet research, innovation, and professional workforce needs in Vermont. Key opportunities and challenges for the Dean will include the following:

Lead with Transparency, Accountability, and Institutional Trust

UVM seeks a leader defined by integrity, transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to shared governance. The Dean will build trust across graduate students, postdoctoral associates, faculty, staff, and university leadership by listening, seeking input, and clearly communicating decisions, expectations, and resource allocations. This leader will demonstrate accountability through data-informed decision-making, regular assessment of programs and outcomes, and responsiveness to community feedback.

Articulate a Vision and Strategy

We live in an everchanging world with increasing challenges for higher education. UVM’s next Dean of the Graduate College and Postdoctoral Studies will be a vibrant, responsive, and visionary leader primed for supporting graduate education in the challenges of today’s higher education environment. The Dean will lead the Graduate College in alignment with the University and College strategic plan as well as Our Common Ground Values and will maintain graduate student excellence.

Support Graduate Enrollment Increase and Graduate Life

UVM seeks a leader who will collaborate with academic Deans, graduate program coordinators, graduate faculty, Professional & Continuing Education, the Division of Enrollment Management, and graduate students to support the programming and protocols that will enable a significant and sustainable increase in graduate enrollment. The Dean will support the expansion of both masters and doctoral programs in support of research and scholarly activities as well as our professional and online graduate portfolio, our accelerated masters programs, and our professional programs. The Dean will also work with the Vice President for Research and Economic Development to support the centers and institutes and build our capacity for hiring post-doctoral associates. Further, the Dean will increase graduate student access to high quality mentorship and professional development, provide funding and support for research projects, create a supportive and inclusive environment, and build community and belonging among graduate students and fellows.

Enhance Professional Graduate Programs

In addition to vibrant graduate programs aligned with excellence in research and scholarship, UVM is home to outstanding professional, professional doctoral, and doctoral programs consonant with the land-grant mission. The Dean will have the opportunity to encourage and support collaborations across the breadth of graduate programs and increase engagement with the state and the region to enhance health, education, and economic vitality through in-person and online programming.

Advance Scholarship and Research Excellence

The new Dean will contribute to UVM’s vision to maintain its Carnegie Research I status by fostering a strong, supportive environment of discovery and scholarship among the University’s faculty leading to increased sponsored research funding and new collaborative research programs. The Dean will provide mechanisms to support faculty from early career investigators to mid- and late-career faculty in their efforts to mentor their masters, doctoral, and postdoctoral mentees. The Dean will identify opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across the University, as well as with external organizations to advance UVM’s research enterprise.

Align Philanthropy with the Strategic Goals

The Dean will seek opportunities to increase philanthropic support in collaboration with the UVM Foundation to provide scholarships and to support research, including creating a culture of philanthropy among graduate and postdoctoral alumni. The Dean will actively participate in development efforts to increase private support from individuals, foundations, and corporations, working collaboratively with the UVM Foundation.

Advance Effective Public Communication

The Dean will celebrate and tirelessly communicate the stories of the impact made by our graduate student and post-doctoral community. This will include (1) recognizing their accomplishment through nominations for external awards; (2) sharing news about their publications, grants, achievements, and their impact on the university and broader community; (3) featuring graduate students and postdoctoral associates in public events such as symposia, conferences, and public lectures; and (4) working with University leadership to advocate for policies and initiatives that support graduate student and postdoctoral training and funding.

Candidate Qualifications

Education:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in an academic field.

Experience:

• Record of visionary, innovative leadership and change management in a complex landscape at the graduate level, including collaborative consensus building, negotiation, timely and objective decision making, and delegation of responsibility.
• Evidence of effective planning, administration, personnel, and fiscal management.
• Demonstrated success in obtaining and/or supporting sponsored research, aligned with Carnegie R1 university status, and an ability to achieve a shared vision for expanding UVM’s research portfolio.
• Experience or demonstrated potential in fundraising and development activities.
• Evidence of potential to successfully support graduate programs to nurture a vibrant, interdisciplinary research culture for the university and surrounding community.
• A positive track record of mentorship at the graduate and/or post-doctoral level.
• Already a Full Professor with tenure at the University of Vermont (UVM).

Personal Characteristics

The University of Vermont (UVM) seeks a bold leader to develop an innovative, interdisciplinary, and cooperative vision for graduate studies and the Graduate College. Building on UVM’s strong empirical and educational foundation, the incoming Dean of the Graduate College and Postdoctoral Studies will play a key role in the enhancement and long-term success of graduate education at UVM. In particular, the successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate a collegial work style that fosters trust, initiative, and cooperation across a highly diverse pool of stakeholders (i.e., faculty, staff, students, graduates, community members).
• Express a confident and decisive leadership style that is simultaneously collaborative, flexible, and inclusive enough to ensure broad support for change.
• Communicate persuasively and listen empathetically to create a collaborative atmosphere in support of advancing the role and stature of the Graduate College.
• Demonstrate a capacity to listen, understand and engage in reciprocal communication with a wide range of stakeholders including graduate program directors and unit leaders at all levels.
• Be dedicated to fostering graduate programming that is innovative, adaptive, and future-focused.

Job Location
Burlington, Vermont, United States

Job Close Date
6/22/2026

Category
Deans – Other

Department
Graduate College/58200

FLSA
Exempt

Employee FTE
1.0

Employee Term (months)
12

How to apply

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