Editors Note: This story was updated on Sept. 25th at 11:15a.m. to correctly identify a an administrator’s title.
For students, the University administration is often shrouded in mystery — particularly with several recent changes in the staff. Here are some of the important people to know this semester:
President – Marlene Tromp, Ph.D.
Dr. Marlene Tromp began her role as the 28th president of the University on July 1. She arrived at UVM following six years as president of Boise State University.
As a first-generation college student, Tromp received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Creighton University. She went on to graduate with a Master of Arts in English at the University of Wyoming in 1990 and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 1995.
“I write about what I call ‘marginal culture,’” she said. “So the things that are on the edges of a culture that apply pressure and begin to shape even what we understand as being at the centers.”
Tromp’s area of study is the Victorian period, particularly topics like freak shows, seances and sensation fiction. She has published books on xenophobia, marital violence and Spiritualism in that era.
Coming into her role, Tromp said she wants to connect with students.
As one of her first actions as president, Tromp established a strategic planning committee including faculty members and a student representative.
“I think [strategic planning] is one of the most powerful things you can do, because it allows the community to say, ‘This is what we stand for’ and to move together on that front,” she said.
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President – Linda Schadler, Ph.D.
Dr. Linda Schadler began her position as Interim Provost in fall 2024. She has served as the dean of the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences since 2018.
Among other reasons, including UVM’s designation as a land-grant school and the outdoor lifestyle of Vermont, Schadler cited the smaller size of the school as part of the appeal.
“The size of the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences was such that I felt like I could have a real impact,” she said.
Schadler graduated from Cornell University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in materials science and engineering. She continued her studies at the University of Pennsylvania, earning her Ph.D. in the same field in 1990.
Schadler’s work is primarily focused on polymer nanocomposites, which are engineering materials that conduct electricity more efficiently, as well as recent research on the production of algae-based bioplastics, she said.
In October of this year, Schadler will be inducted into the National Academy of Engineering for her work.
Her position as provost is temporary, and the University will soon begin the search for a more permanent administrator. She took on the role after being asked by the other deans.
“There will be a national search for a provost in the coming year – probably within six or eight months at most,” Schadler said.
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Student Success – Jennifer “J.” Dickinson, Ph.D.
Dr. Jennifer “J.” Dickinson joined the Office of the Provost in 2019. She has been teaching at UVM for over two decades and has also served as the director for the Center for Teaching and Learning.
Dickinson specializes in linguistic anthropology with a focus on Ukraine. She first visited the country for research in 1995 and has returned frequently since, studying both rural and urban areas.
Prior to the war, much of her work focused on Deaf culture.
“[Deaf people are] all scattered across Europe as refugees, but they still identify very strongly as being Deaf and being Ukrainian,” Dickinson said. “So I’m just really hopeful that that’s the community I’ll be able to get back to talking, to working with.”
At UVM, Dickinson said she wants students to know that the Office of the Provost is a resource they can access for help, particularly when it comes to the academic side of their university experience.
“One of our main purposes for being [as provosts] is to educate students and help them find their way through UVM and succeed past UVM. So we’re here to help as well,” she said.
Vice Provost for Intercultural Excellence– Amer Ahmed, Ed.D.
Originally from Springfield, Ohio, Dr. Amer Ahmed joined the University in July 2021. He has a background in cultural anthropology as well as in African American and African Diaspora studies.
Ahmed wrote his dissertation on Hip-Hop as resistance and liberation in Islamic Black America.
“Coming out of the Hip-Hop activist movement, I viewed higher ed administration as a way to practically advance social change through education,” he stated in an email to the Cynic.
According to Ahmed, each day is unique, as he works with a variety of different people.
“Much of what I do advances the work of [The Division of] Intercultural Excellence, dialogue and UVM’s Our Common Ground values across the entire University,” he said.
Vice Provost for Enrollment Management – Jay Jacobs, Ed.D.
Dr. Jay Jacobs joined UVM at the beginning of 2021. He has a background in economics, with a Doctor of Education from Northeastern University.
His work at the University is to oversee admissions, Student Financial Services, new student programming and more — to find students and support them throughout their time at UVM, Jacobs said.
“We’re meeting thousands and thousands of students, both on and off campus, any given year and educating them about the University of Vermont so that hopefully they can see themselves thriving here like we can see them thriving here,” he said.
Out of the institutions he has worked for, Jacobs said he feels most aligned with the energy and ethos of UVM.
“It’s a great community to plug the family into,” he said. “Then professionally, it’s a place that has a strong brand across the country, across the world. And people know who we are and what we’re about.”
Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students – Erica Caloiero, M.Ed.
Erica Caloiero began working at UVM in 2007 as part of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. She was appointed to her position as Vice Provost for Student Affairs in 2021.
Caloiero has a background in psychology as an undergraduate at Wagner College, and a Master of Education from Lehigh University.
She decided to work in university administration to put research about student success into action.
“Many good ideas come to life [at UVM] because people are innovative and passionate: you can be an educator, an entrepreneur, a mentor, and a strategist — in the same day,” she stated in an email to the Cynic.
Caloiero’s role includes conversations regarding a range of topics, including health care, Greek life, student government and community service, she stated.
“Big picture, I make sure that the many elements of the student experience are working well,” Caloiero said.
Vice President for Finance and Treasurer – Alicia Estey, J.D.
Following Tromp to Vermont, Alicia Estey, J.D., joined the University this summer after spending 19 years at Boise State University in various roles. She took over the position of Vice President for Finance and Treasurer following Richard Cate’s retirement.
She initially went into nursing before switching to accounting in her junior year of undergraduate studies at Boise State University. She obtained a Juris Doctor from University of Idaho.
At UVM, her role is to manage finances at the University for students, faculty and staff, Estey said.
“Being a part of university administration gives me the opportunity to support research, teaching and learning to make the world a better place,” she said. “I believe strongly in the mission of higher education and am fortunate for the opportunity to be a part of it.”
Vice President for Research and Economic Development – Kirk Dombrowski, Ph.D.
Dr. Kirk Dombrowski arrived at UVM in April 2020 from the University of Nebraska. He has a background in cultural anthropology and public health.
Dombrowski’s research has covered several areas, from cultural politics and health in Native American populations of Alaska and northern Canada, to tracking the spread of HIV/AIDS in several countries, he said.
Although he did not initially plan on going into higher education administration, Dombrowski said he enjoyed it when he took on the role at another university.
“It was a surprise to me that I liked it, but I like solving problems,” he said.
Now, he oversees research at UVM, from teams that maintain lab equipment and animals to filling out grant paperwork. At the heart of his work is drawing in top-tier faculty.
“The biggest thing that research brings to the University is the kind of talent that will make us a draw for really smart, interesting, fun, adventurous students for the next 20 years,” he said.
Chief Information Officer – Kellie Campbell, Ed.D.
Dr. Kellie Campbell joined UVM in February of this year after working in several higher education positions across Vermont – including helping to establish Vermont State University, she stated in an email to the Cynic.
Born and raised in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, Campbell said she is deeply committed to the state and community.
“This work is important to me and driven by a desire to give back,” she said. “While we won’t always get everything perfect, our work is intentional and focused on thoughtful impact.”
Campbell has a background in business administration and a Doctor of Education from Northeastern University. Her current work at the University is centered around using technology to fulfill the needs of students, faculty and staff.
“[Informational Technology] should be a partner — and my hope is that students and the broader community will feel that partnership as we grow,” Campbell said.
For a full list list of UVM’s administrators, refer to the University Administration and Governance page.
