The University of Vermont has hired two administrators to help lead UVM’s new Office of Engagement. Kevin Chu was named managing director, and Kathleen Kemp joins the office as program support generalist. 

The Office of Engagement, directed by Professor of Community Development and Applied Economics Chris Koliba, was created this year by UVM President Suresh Garimella to build upon the University’s land-grant mission and collaborate with private, public and non-profit entities and communities in Vermont looking to access UVM’s many strengths and capabilities.

Chu is a Burlington, Vt. native and a graduate of Middlebury College. He has held several administrative positions at UVM including assistant director for diversity and partnerships in the office of admissions and professional advisor for the university’s cross-college environmental program. Most recently he served as strategic innovations and communications lead for the UVM Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. He is also the founder and president of Sprinticity Athletics.

“I understand Vermont is facing enormous challenges as we grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic and social dislocations,” said Chu. “I bring an entrepreneurial spirit to my work and care deeply about co-creating innovative solutions with our community partners around the state. UVM has a key role to play and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Most recently Kemp worked at UVM as an administrative assistant in Human Resource Services and Operations. She also worked as an assistant trainer for the Child Welfare Training Partnership, a collaboration between UVM’s Department of Social Work and the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF). She will receive a UVM master’s degree in education next spring. Kemp shares with Chu a commitment to justice and building strong, resilient communities. “My approach to work is rooted in a life-long, foundational commitment to social justice, radical welcome and inclusion practices,” she said.

The UVM Office of Engagement responds to challenges articulated by Vermont Governor Phil Scott during his 2020 State of the State address in January: an aging population; the need for additional skilled workers; and inadequate growth in the number of well-paying jobs. To increase its effectiveness in partnering with the state in the areas of community economic development and workforce development, retention, and growth, UVM received $2 million in funding from the State of Vermont.

For more information on the UVM Office of Engagement visit: https://www.uvm.edu/engagement