I am pleased to announce that Dr. Holger Hoock has been appointed Dean of the Graduate College, effective August 14, 2023. Dr. Hoock is an accomplished historian who earned a D.Phil. in Modern History from the University of Oxford, UK, in 2001. He also holds an MA in History and Political Science and a Minor in Public and International Law from Universität Freiburg i. Br., Germany. An elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, UK, he holds the distinguished J. Carroll Amundson Chair of British History, with a secondary appointment as a Professor of History of Art and Architecture, at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Hoock's exceptional scholarly contributions to British and American history have earned him awards such as the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Excellence in American History Book Award for Scars of Independence: America’s ViolentBirth (2017), as well as numerous fellowships and visiting professorships in the U.S. and Europe.

Dr. Hoock’s recent leadership roles include his service as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Pittsburgh’s Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, 2017–21. In this position, he led the development and implementation of a shared vision for the future of graduate education that prioritizes inclusivity, student-centeredness, practical outcomes, and career diversity. Dr. Hoock has worked tirelessly to foster a culture of inclusive excellence in graduate student mentoring and has spearheaded initiatives to support graduate student mental health and to promote professional development and career diversity. He led successful efforts to grow the recruitment and support of students from groups historically underrepresented across the disciplines. His contributions have significantly impacted the graduate student experience at the University of Pittsburgh.

As Associate Dean, Dr. Hoock advanced initiatives to enhance the quality of graduate instructor training, mentoring, and certification across various disciplines, including online and hybrid teaching. He also played a crucial role in promoting interdisciplinary research programs, new Professional Master’s programs, and opportunities supported by philanthropic, foundation, and federal grants, thus contributing to the academic development of the college and the university. At the institutional level, Dr. Hoock’s collaborative leadership helped advance the research enterprise, DEI, postdoctoral and faculty affairs, and community and global engagement.

Dr. Hoock has guided and supported many graduate students, utilizing innovative programs like Student Leaders Across the Disciplines, Graduate Student Professional Development, and "Thriving in Graduate School: Perspective-Balance-Community." I am confident that Dr. Hoock will be a strong leader as the Graduate College grows enrollment and continues its efforts to attract students from around the world. His many scholarly and professional connections to institutions outside the U.S. will help the university build even greater global engagement.

I would like to express my gratitude to members of the search committee, led by Frances Carr, Professor of Pharmacology and member of the Vermont Cancer Center, as well as former Dean of the Graduate College, for their valuable time and expertise in identifying a superb group of candidates for this position. Additionally, I extend my thanks to Cynthia Forehand, the current Dean of the Graduate College, for her decade-long service and wish her all the best in her retirement.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Hoock and welcoming him to the University of Vermont. I look forward to working with him as a member of the university’s Academic Leadership team.