Dean's Welcome

Dear Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars,

Welcome to the University of Vermont’s Graduate College. It is an honor to serve as your Dean and to join you in a community defined by curiosity, purpose, and a shared commitment to advancing knowledge in service of society.

At UVM, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are central to who we are. Your scholarship, teaching, creativity, and discovery power our identity as a leading research university and shape our impact locally and globally. Whether you are just beginning your journey here or continuing work already underway, you are part of a vibrant intellectual community grounded in the values of Our Common Ground: respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice, and responsibility. These are not simply words—they are commitments that guide how we learn, collaborate, and support one another.

UVM’s Graduate College is home to a diverse and dynamic community spanning a wide range of master’s, doctoral, and professional programs across disciplines. As Vermont’s only land-grant, R1 research university, we are deeply committed to interdisciplinary scholarship and to addressing complex challenges—from human health to environmental sustainability and social well-being. Our graduate students and postdoctoral scholars play a vital role in this work, contributing to research, teaching, and engagement that strengthens our communities and advances a more just and sustainable world.

Vision

My vision for the Graduate College is to serve as a collaborative hub—a place that connects people, programs, and ideas across the university. In partnership with faculty, program leaders, and campus offices, we are here to ensure high-quality graduate education and postdoctoral training while supporting your academic progress, professional development, and overall well-being. Just as importantly, we strive to foster a sense of belonging for every member of our community, recognizing that diversity of experiences and perspectives strengthens both scholarship and community.

Our work is aligned with the University’s Green, Gold, and Bold strategic plan, which calls on us to prepare graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for bold futures, sustain research excellence, expand access and affordability, and strengthen the systems that support success. For you, this means an increased focus on opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and laboratory: experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and career exploration that connect your academic work to the wider world. It also means continued investment in mentorship, teaching, leadership, and communication skills—tools that will serve you across a wide range of career paths.

Strengthening Graduate Education

We are committed to strengthening graduate education in ways that are both innovative and equitable. This includes expanding pathways into and through graduate study, developing flexible and interdisciplinary programs, and ensuring that resources and opportunities are accessible to all students and scholars. It also includes building strong partnerships—with alumni, industry, community organizations, and research collaborators—to open new avenues for funding, professional growth, and societal impact.

Equally important is our commitment to your success as individuals. Graduate and postdoctoral training can be both rewarding and challenging, and we recognize the importance of holistic support. The Graduate College team is here for you—not only to provide services and resources, but to listen, to help, and to connect you with the support you need. We will continue to cultivate inclusive communities, enhance mentoring at all levels, and collaborate with campus partners to support your well-being. We believe that excellence in graduate education and postdoctoral training depends not only on intellectual rigor, but also on environments where individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

As Dean, I am committed to listening—to your experiences, your aspirations, and your ideas for how we can do better together. Shared governance and open dialogue are essential to building a Graduate College that reflects and serves its community. I encourage you to engage with your program leaders, participate in student and postdoctoral organizations, and connect with the Graduate College team whenever we can be of assistance.

Graduate education and postdoctoral training are transformative journeys. These experiences challenge you to ask difficult questions, explore new perspectives, and contribute meaningfully to your field and to the world. I am confident that during your time at UVM, you will not only deepen your expertise but also help shape the future of your disciplines and communities.

Welcome to UVM’s Graduate College. We are glad you are here, and we look forward to working alongside you.

Sincerely, 

Christopher L. Berger, Ph.D. 
Dean of the Graduate College and Postdoctoral Studies