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.  

“We conducted a national search and from that robust process, Dr. Marlene Tromp 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."