Dr. Marlene Tromp officially began her tenure today as the 28th president of the University of Vermont, marking a new chapter in the university’s leadership. In a video message shared with the UVM community, Tromp expressed her excitement at joining UVM and pursuing the vital work of improving life for individuals and communities across Vermont and beyond.

“I’m so happy and excited to be joining UVM as your president,” said President Tromp in her video message. "I’m so grateful for the welcome I’ve had from this community and so inspired by the work the university is doing.” 

Tromp joins UVM after six years as president of Boise State University. UVM’s Board of Trustees announced her selection as the university’s next president on March 20, 2025, following an extensive global search that examined over 100 candidates and included robust input from the university community.

“I’ve experienced the power of education to transform lives. My passion and commitment are to ensure that we can change people’s lives, so they can change the world,” said Tromp, who brings three decades of experience in teaching, research, and higher education administration to UVM. 

At Boise State University, Tromp successfully guided the institution through the challenges of the pandemic and led efforts that significantly increased student enrollments and affordability. Under her leadership, BSU achieved record graduation rates and levels of philanthropic funding, while also expanding its research funding. She also led the formation of strategic industry partnerships, and programs to deepen BSU’s engagement with its surrounding community. 

A humanities scholar with a concentration in Victorian literature and culture and its relationship to current society, Tromp has published widely, including nine books and dozens of peer-reviewed papers. Prior to BSU, she was campus provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of California at Santa Cruz; vice provost and dean of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University; and chair of the faculty as well as director of women’s studies at Denison University.  

Tromp has won numerous awards for her teaching, scholarship, and community service. She served on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors and consults on higher education with the Federal Reserve Board of San Francisco.

Raised in Wyoming, Tromp earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Creighton University as a first-generation college student, a Master of Arts in English from the University of Wyoming, and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida. 

Tromp visited UVM for on-campus interviews in March 2025, meeting with a wide array of members of the campus community and taking part in a community forum to answer questions. She also visited with leaders in state government. 

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Marlene Tromp as the 28th president of the University of Vermont,” said Cynthia Barnhart, Board of Trustees chair and co-chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. “The leader of UVM is also a vital leader for the community and state, and Dr. Tromp brings with her the experience and ability for great success that will benefit all three. She has demonstrated excellence as a leader and a scholar who can foster deep and meaningful connections across the university and beyond.” 

Tromp succeeds Suresh Garimella, who led UVM as the institution’s 27th president from 2019 until October 2024, when he became president of the University of Arizona. Former provost Patricia Prelock served as interim president following Garimella’s departure.

Tromp closed her video message to the community by expressing, “Together, we are going to do some amazing things for our students, our state, and the world.”