Marie Vea is the Gund Institute’s Ombuds for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). The Ombuds is an impartial and independent resource for students, staff, and faculty for discussing and resolving DEIB concerns. Email Marie to arrange a conversation.

Marie has worked at the University of Vermont since 1999 in various student-facing roles. She joined the Rubenstein School in 2005 and since 2010 has served as Assistant Dean for Student Services where she leads a team of professionals dedicated to supporting the academic and social journeys of RSENR students through advising, community-building, leadership development, and experiential learning. Marie is a long-time instructor in the undergraduate course Race and Culture in Natural Resources and Marie’s graduate level course, Ways of Knowing & Epistemological Pluralism received the 2022 Provost Prelock Award for Excellence in Online Teaching. Marie is currently the Assistant Dean for Student Services and Staff Development, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.

In 2024, Marie attended the International Jazz Festival in Montreal, Canada for the first time. Just wow.

Marie’s home and place are on unceded Yokuts land (Fresno, CA) where her Filipino family tenderly remind her that, “No one goes until we all go”; and on unceded Wabanaki land (Essex and Craftsbury, VT) where Marie’s kiddo and chosen family live, where her spirit is renewed through the seasonal changes. Marie strives to remember our ancient connection to all nature and to support the thrivance of all our human and more-than-human kin.