The University of Vermont Board of Trustees today approved President Daniel Mark Fogel's appointment of Jane E. Knodell as provost and senior vice president.

"I couldn't be happier that Dr. Knodell has accepted the position of Provost and Senior Vice President," noted UVM President Daniel Mark Fogel. "During her time in the interim role, she has shown the leadership skills, creativity, and high level of energy necessary to succeed in this challenging job, while proving to be an exceptional colleague and team member. I am grateful to have Jane as a partner in addressing the many challenges ahead, and the University is fortunate to have such a talented individual leading our academic enterprise."

Knodell, who had been serving in that capacity since July of 2009 on an interim basis, emerged as one of two finalists last month from an internal search process that took place during the fall semester.

In accepting the position, Professor Knodell said, "I am grateful for and humbled by this appointment, and deeply appreciate the trust and confidence that Dan Fogel and the Board of Trustees have placed in me. There is much our community must accomplish together to continue on the very successful course the University of Vermont has charted, and I am both eager and excited to get on with the important tasks before us. UVM is an extraordinary place, and I plan to do everything I can to make it even better."

Knodell sees both challenges and opportunities ahead: "American higher education is in the midst of a transformation. We have entered an era of increasing competition and declining public and private resources. It is essential that the university achieve greater distinction and deepen its reputation for academic quality if we are to secure a strong and sustainable place in the future of higher education," Knodell said.

She continued, "It is true that our work as educators, scholars, creative artists, and researchers has unquestionable value in and of itself. It is also true that our long-term viability as an institution requires us to respond to change in prudent but timely ways; to adapt to new educational technologies, markets and demands; and to build our profile in national and international arenas."

Knodell has been a member of the UVM faculty since 1986, and has served the university in a variety of administrative roles. Knodell earned her bachelor's degree with honors and distinction in 1976 from Stanford University, and her Ph.D. in Economics, also from Stanford, in 1984. "I am particularly pleased," Fogel said, "that Jane Knodell brings to her work as the university's chief academic officer a record as an accomplished teacher and scholar," adding that Knodell is a leading expert on central banking in the early United States whose work continues to be published in the top financial and economic history journals, including the Financial History Review (2010) and The Journal of Economic History (2006).

Knodell is an active member of the Burlington community. She served on the City Council from 1993-1997, and again from 1999-2009. She was elected President of the City Council in 1999 and 2000.