College Board of Advisors | College of Arts and Sciences | The University of Vermont(title)

Formed in May 2013, the Board of Advisors is a group of alumni, parents of students, and friends who support the educational mission of the College. Board members - through their expertise, influence, and commitment - advise the dean, advance CAS priorities, and help grow philanthropic support for the college.

College Board Members

Luke Albee ’81

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Washington, DC
Majors: Political Science 

Luke is an esteemed political strategist. Recognized as “the Dean of Senate Chiefs of Staff” by Politico, Luke served as Chief of Staff to Senators Mark Warner (2009-2015) and Patrick Leahy (1993 to 2004), directing a wide range of legislative, policy, political, and communications activities for both Senators. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UVM in 1981. He is a proud UVM parent. 

Luke joined the Board of Advisors in 2013. 

Andrew Bowen ’15

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Arlington, VA 
Majors: History and Political Science 

Andrew is an experienced higher education professional currently serving as an Executive Search Consultant at AGB Search. During his career he has supported recruitment efforts for presidents and other cabinet-level executives at over 100 universities and colleges. Prior to his recruitment work, he worked in higher education administration executing a variety of student services at the University of Maryland, and he directed the implementation of a new undergraduate curriculum at American University. He earned his B.A. in History and Political Science from UVM in 2015 and a M.A. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Maryland. During his time at UVM, Andrew served as the Student Trustee on the UVM Board of Trustees and as the Vice-President of the Student Government Association.  

Andrew joined the Board of Advisors in 2024. 

William Bright III ’91

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Alexandria, VA
Majors: Political Science 

Bill is a government relations professional with over 30 years of experience in advocacy and policy. Most recently, he served as Senior Director of Government Relations for Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) from 2012 to 2019. In this role, Bill provided strategic leadership in developing and implementing BGCA’s government relations policy and advocacy efforts. In addition to his government relations work, Bill is a voice actor. Bill earned his B.A. in Political Science from UVM in 1991, where he was also a four-year member of the Men’s Basketball team. Originally from South Burlington, VT, Bill now resides in Alexandria, VA with his family.  

Bill joined the Board of Advisors in 2022.  

Lorraine Cook P’21

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Loveland, OH 

Lorraine has over 20 years of experience in medical device consulting, where she specialized in preclinical and clinical toxicology sales and marketing. She has held various roles, including Medical Device Research and Development, Marketing, Sales, Regulatory and Technical Consultant, and Program Management. Lorraine graduated from Fordham University in 1981 with a B.S. in Biology and Latin, where she was President of the Laennac Society. Lorraine’s professional affiliations include the Society of Quality Assurance, where she served as President of the New England Chapter and as a Founding Director. She is also a Life Member of the New York Academy of Sciences and has been involved with the Board of Directors of the NH Government Finance Officers Association. She is a proud UVM parent. 

Lorraine joined the Board of Advisors in 2022. 

Barbara Diette '80

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Vice-Chair 
Chichester, UK 
Majors: Economics 


 

Dr. Stewart Fisher, Ph.D. ’89

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Framingham, MA
Majors: Chemistry 

Stew is a scientist and leader with extensive experience in drug discovery and therapeutic development. He earned his B.A. in Chemistry from UVM in 1989 and was awarded the Hannah Howard Prize for academic excellence. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. Stew is currently the Chief Scientific Officer at C4 Therapeutics, a biotechnology company seeking to transform lives through a new generation of medicines. Stew is responsible for strategic delivery of the project portfolio and collaboration management. His 30-year career has also included time at the Broad Institute, AstraZeneca, and Hoffmann LaRoche, Inc., and has positively impacted the lives of many. Stew is also a proud two-time UVM parent. 

Stew joined the Board of Advisors in 2022.   

David Godkin '77

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West Roxbury, MA
Majors: Psychology and English 

David is a trial lawyer with over 40 years of experience litigating and arbitrating complex business and intellectual property disputes, and is now primarily acting as an Arbitrator.   He earned his B.A. magna cum laude from UVM in 1977 and went on to earn a J.D. magna cum laude from Georgetown University in 1981. David has been a leading figure in the legal field, currently serving as a co-founder and leading trial lawyer at Birnbaum & Godkin, LLP. He holds the highest AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been named a "Massachusetts Super Lawyer" since 2004. David is also actively involved in civic roles, serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for Lawyers for Civil Rights, Inc.  He also served as Secretary and Board Member of the University of Vermont Foundation.  

David joined the Board of Advisors in 2013. 

Jordan Guzak '17

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Kirkland, WA

Elizabeth N. Hall P’22

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Los Angeles, CA

Elizabeth Hall is an educator with over 30 years of experience in teaching and school administration. She spent 26 years at Brentwood School in Los Angeles, where she held various roles in direct instruction and administration. She was instrumental in amending curricula, creating service-learning programs, and promoting student leadership. Elizabeth holds a B.A. in Anthropology and Sociology from Sweet Briar College, where she graduated in 1986. She is also a proud parent of Caroline P. Hall, UVM Class of 2022. 

Elizabeth joined the Board of Advisors in 2022. 

Will Kies G '04

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Cos Cob, CT
Majors: Geography 


 

Heidi Kiesler ’83

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Glencoe, IL
Majors: Economics 

Heidi is a highly dedicated volunteer who serves on the board of many non-profit organizations in her community. She is a founding board member of the BackYard Nature Center, an organization seeking to connect the community of New Trier Township to nature. Currently, she is on the Board of the International Crane Foundation, a member of the Rachel’s Network, actively involved with American Rivers, and serves on the UVM College of Arts and Sciences Board of Advisors. Heidi earned her B.A. in Economics at UVM in 1983, after which she moved to Chicago to work in the food and beverage industry and hospitality business. Her career includes experience in higher education and retail.  

Heidi joined the Board of Advisors in 2021.

Hannah Kirkpatrick ’21

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Burlington, VT
Majors: History 

Hannah is researcher and writer with a passion for history, media, and culture. Hannah earned her B.A. in European History from UVM in 2021 after which she completed an accelerated masters program to earn a M.A. in History in 2022. She has dedicated her career thus far to local Vermont institutions such as the Vermont Historical Society and Fleming Museum. She currently works as the Research Director for the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News, an organization seeking to strengthen local news through student-led reporting.  

Hannah joined the Board of Advisors in 2022.

Barbara Mieder, PhD

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Williston, VT

Barbara is an educator with a lifelong passion for the liberal arts and language. She earned her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College in 1967, followed by an M.A. from Middlebury College in 1968, and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1972. With a career in education spanning four decades, she specialized in German and Latin instruction, dedicating 40 years to teaching at Milton High School. She is the proud spouse of Emeritus Professor, Wolfgang Mieder, who taught at UVM for 50 years.  

Barbara joined the Board of Advisors in 2013.  

Arthur Miller ’75

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Chair 
Flourtown, PA 
Majors: History 

Mr. Miller is an attorney specializing in business law, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and securities regulation. Art graduated from UVM in 1975 with a B.A. in History and received a J.D. Magna Cum Laude from New England School of Law in 1979, where he was Managing Editor of the Law Review. During his career, he served as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of GSI Commerce, Inc., a publicly traded provider of e-commerce and interactive marketing services. He also was a corporate partner in the law firm of Blank Rome LLP in Philadelphia, PA.  

Art joined the Board of Advisors in 2013 and is currently the Chair of the board. 


 

Gary Schonfeld ’74

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Chappaqua, NY
Majors: Mass Communication 


 

David Spector ’83

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Newton, MA
Majors: Economics

David has 40 years of banking and finance experience, currently serving as a Managing Director at Bank of America. He is a Credit Risk Executive, involved in financing large transactions for companies located throughout the U.S. He has had almost 20 roles during his career, including numerous senior-level positions. Among these was a five-year assignment in South America, including time in both Brazil and Argentina. David is also a highly engaged volunteer and has served on numerous non-profit boards. He is currently board treasurer at ArtsBoston. He has volunteered with UVM in several capacities, including as an admissions volunteer, alumni representative at college fairs, and an advisory board member. David earned his B.A. in Economics from UVM in 1983 where he was the Student Government President, a member of the Boulder Society, and received the class of 1967 award. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in history at Harvard University’s part-time program. 

David joined the Board of Advisors in 2021.

Emeritus Board Members

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  • Dave Barranco ‘92
  • Ken Connolly ‘87
  • Jerry Jacobson ‘62
  • Peter Laibson ‘55
  • Emily Moskowitz ‘89
  • Dan Newcomb ‘65
  • Rob Rosen ‘90
  • Adam Strochak ‘87
  • Bob Taisey ‘50
  • Sam Usen ‘84
  • Wendy Wollish ‘64