The fall semester is underway, and it has been a joy to see students, faculty, and staff return to campus. As a community, we’ve built incredible momentum together over the past many months. I am excited to kick off my second year as Dean of the Rubenstein School and to welcome our new president, Dr. Marlene Tromp to UVM.
This year marks our largest class of undergraduates yet, with 322 incoming first year students in the Rubenstein School. Our graduate programs have also grown, with 23 new Natural Resources students joining our M.S. and Ph.D. programs, and a new cohort of 15 students in our online Leadership for Sustainability programs.
We have been working hard to ensure these students receive the quality of care and education the Rubenstein School is known for. Since last semester, we’ve added new roles and team members to support the growing student body and shore up the impactful research happening in our school.
We’re welcoming four new faculty this fall!
- Dr. Samantha Hoff is an expert in bat biology and wildlife management. Her research lies at the intersection of disease ecology and conservation biology and seeks to answer questions surrounding emerging infectious diseases.
- Dr. Kyle Buck has a rich background in human geography and environmental sciences, with extensive experience working for multiple national agencies. He works in the areas of human well-being and resilience, building evidence for ways to improve community health in the midst of a changing climate.
- Dr. Dorothy Horn is an experienced educator, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and an expert in geospatial technologies and coastal ecosystems. Her research focuses on the ecological impacts of microplastics on coastal ecosystems, spatial equity in public shoreline access, among many other geo-spatial questions.
- Dr. Monika Derrien teaches in the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Program. She studies human-nature relationships with a focus on outdoor recreation planning, public land management, and their implications for health and wellbeing.
We also grew our Student Services team this summer, welcoming two new Professional Advisors: Kate Glenn and Hannah Kershaw. This expansion coincides with the rollout of a new advising model, designed by our Student Services team to ensure our students receive the consistent support and faculty mentorship they need to thrive on their academic journey.
Lastly, we’ve added two new Associate Dean positions to our leadership team: Dr. Jennifer Pontius will serve as Associate Dean of Programs and Curriculum, and Dr. Mindy Morales will serve as Associate Dean of Faculty Development. Both bring outstanding leadership experience and a deep commitment to supporting our faculty, staff, and students to their roles.
I’m grateful for the innovative spirit, passion, and care that everyone brings to the Rubenstein School. These traits and our shared values make us resilient. Let’s continue to solve problems for a more just, equitable, and ecological world together.