Vermont State University appoints Sherry Kollmann as president

Vermont State University (VTSU) has appointed Dr. Sherry Kollmann as its next president, selecting the higher education leader to guide the university’s next phase of growth, innovation, and workforce development.

Kollmann will officially assume the role on July 1, succeeding Interim President David Bergh, who is retiring after leading the institution through its transition period.

The appointment was confirmed by the Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees following a national search.

Currently Chancellor of New Mexico State University Global Campus, Kollmann has more than 25 years of leadership experience across higher education, business, and public service, with a strong focus on expanding educational access, online learning, and student success.

At New Mexico State University, she led the growth of online enrolment to more than 3,500 students, secured $17 million in state funding, and generated more than $30 million in tuition revenue, helping strengthen the university system’s long-term financial sustainability.

Kollmann also led the statewide New Mexico Online Hub initiative, bringing together public universities to expand access to higher education through cross-institutional collaboration. The initiative secured an additional $12 million in public funding.

Board of Trustees Chair Lynn Dickinson said Kollmann’s experience aligns with VTSU’s mission of preparing students for the state’s workforce while expanding access to affordable public higher education.

“Dr. Kollmann is a leader who understands the essential role that affordable public higher education plays for both students and employers,” Dickinson said.

Kollmann said one of her priorities will be working closely with faculty, staff, students, and community partners to shape the university’s future.

“I look forward to working with the individuals within the system and at Vermont State University,” she said. “The passion and grit demonstrated by the faculty, staff, and students stood out to me throughout the search process.”

Among her initial priorities are strengthening shared governance, conducting listening sessions across the university community, and expanding partnerships with industry and employers.

Kollmann also said she sees opportunities to increase collaboration between the university and the private sector to enhance experiential learning and strengthen workforce outcomes for graduates.

She believes Vermont State University is well positioned to become a national model for institutional transformation following the consolidation of Vermont’s public colleges into a unified university system.

“VTSU has done the work that other campuses have yet to do,” Kollmann said. “We have an opportunity to position ourselves as a leader in higher education.”

Kollmann holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bethel University, a Master of Arts from Concordia University, and both a Master of Education and Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma, where her doctoral research focused on instructional psychology and technology.

Her appointment comes as colleges and universities across the United States continue adapting to changing enrolment patterns, workforce demands, and new models of delivering affordable, career-focused higher education.