Judith A. Aiken, Associate Professor of Education Emerita, passed away in July of 2022. The College of Education and Social Service community held a moment of silence for the memory of our beloved colleague during a faculty and staff meeting on September 9, 2022.
Dr. Judith Aiken earned her doctoral degree from Rutger’s University in 1992. Following a distinguished career as a teacher, guidance counselor, principal and executive director, curriculum coordinator, and director for professional development, Judith joined the UVM faculty in 1996. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2002 and served in multiple leadership roles, including over 16 years as program coordinator of our master’s and doctoral programs and four years as Associate Dean. Her leadership was characterized by her relational and collaborative style, and her mentorship was key to the success of many early and mid-career faculty. Her commitment to growing leadership capacity in Vermont was demonstrated through her efforts to establish and direct multiple off-campus degree-granting and professional development programs for aspiring Vermont leaders. Hundreds of UVM students and education professionals and leaders will remember Judith as an outstanding and inclusive teacher who had a unique ability to engender creativity, rich discussion, and reflection in the classroom.
Dr. Aiken's scholarship on women in leadership and social justice leadership includes two co-edited books and over 25 book chapters and articles. Her service to over 60 college and university committees was recognized through the Jackie M. Gribbons Extraordinary Service Award and the ALANA Diversity Excellence Award, among others. Beyond UVM, Judith devoted years of service to organizations such as the Vermont Principals’ and Superintendents’ Associations. Nationally, she served on editorial boards for the Journal of Education and the Journal of Women in Educational Leadership. She received awards from organizations such as the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and National Council of Professors of Education.
Dr. Aiken's many contributions will have a lasting impact on our college, university, state, and the field. She was a builder of bridges and a connector who touched so many of our lives. We will miss her unwavering dedication to inclusive and ethical practices, and her grace, kindness, humor, and quiet strength.
