University of Vermont President Tom Sullivan has been selected to serve as the Vice Chair of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division I Presidential Forum.

The Presidential Forum’s charge is to assist the NCAA Division I Board of Directors in accomplishing its strategic mission in the Division I governance structure. It is also charged with ensuring that the NCAA core value involving presidential leadership of intercollegiate athletics at the campus, conference and national level is achieved. The Forum is comprised of one president or chancellor from each of the 32 Division I conferences. Sullivan, who has led UVM as its president since 2012, has served as the America East representative to the Forum since its inception in 2015. 

“I welcome the opportunity to continue to lend my professional expertise to the NCAA as it works to encourage and support the success of our student-athletes at colleges and universities across the country,” said Sullivan.  “The Presidential Forum has an important responsibility to provide leadership in strengthening and preserving fundamental educational values in Division 1 athletic programs.”

The NCAA also announced that Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., who already serves on the Division I Board of Directors, was named to the Board of Governors.

“I’m thrilled to see Presidents Stanley and Sullivan be selected for these coveted and critical roles within the NCAA structure,” said America East Commissioner Amy Huchthausen in a release about the announcements. “The rise of the America East over the past few years is due in large measure to the values, principles and ideas for growth these two leaders have had at their respective institutions and within our conference.”

Huchthausen continued, “Presidents Stanley and Sullivan are both highly regarded within their respective fields of medicine and law. Their expertise and influence are especially critical as the NCAA engages in a robust debate about health and safety, while also facing numerous legal challenges. The conference is proud to be represented by these two leaders at this important time for intercollegiate athletics.”

PUBLISHED

07-21-2016
University Communications