Boise State President Marlene Tromp takes new job. Here’s where she’s going, and when
Boise State University President Marlene Tromp will leave Boise for a presidential position at the University of Vermont.
The University of Vermont’s Board of Trustees announced Thursday that it selected Tromp as its 28th president, according to the school’s website.
“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,” Cynthia Barnhart, Board of Trustees chair and co-chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, said in a statement. “She has demonstrated excellence as a leader and a scholar who can foster deep and meaningful connections across the university and beyond.”
The University of Vermont said it chose Tromp after beginning an “extensive global search” in September and examining more than 100 candidates.
“I came to Vermont with a clear feeling for UVM’s strength in research, its focus on student success, and the fulfillment of its land grant mission to Vermont and the nation,” Tromp said in a statement to the school. “This is a university that has the power to truly lead the nation and even the world on several fronts, and I’m so excited to work with my colleagues, the students, alumni, and friends to improve individual lives and the life of the community.”
Tromp, who has been Boise State’s president since July 2019, will assume her new leadership role later this summer, according to the university.
Idaho State Board of Education President Linda Clark congratulated Tromp in a statement Thursday afternoon and thanked her for her service to Boise State.
“Dr. Tromp and her team found ways to significantly increase enrollment; improve student retention and graduation rates; increase fund raising and promote Boise State throughout the country — all of which are top State Board priorities,” Clark said.
Boise State University declined to comment and referred the Idaho Statesman to the State Board of Education.
Tromp’s six-year tenure saw notable moments of accomplishment and controversy.
The student population grew under her leadership, with degree-seeking, undergraduate enrollment increasing from 16,898 in fall 2019 to 17,683 in fall 2024. Graduation rates increased as well, going from 38.1% in 2019-2020 to 42.7% in 2022-2023.
In a statement Thursday, Tromp listed other school achievements from her time that included increasing Idaho and rural student enrollment, research growth, increasing donations and student scholarships, adding to the number of endowed professors and elevating Boise State’s athletic programs.
Even through that success, however, Tromp found herself in contentious relationships with legislators as they made budget cuts and accused the university of overspending on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Boise State also made headlines for its lawsuit with Big City Coffee. An Ada County jury ruled that the university must pay $4 million to coffee shop owner Sarah Fendley, who said school administrators violated her First Amendment right to free speech while conspiring to close her campus shop near the university’s library in October 2020 after she showed support for a pro-law enforcement thin-blue-line flag, the Idaho Statesman previously reported.
In a farewell statement emailed to students and staff Thursday afternoon, Tromp expressed pride over the school’s accomplishments and said she will miss Boise. Tromp grew up in Wyoming and arrived at Boise State after a stint as provost and executive vice chancellor at UC Santa Cruz in California.
“I am confident that the excitement and impact you generate will attract another leader who will love Boise and Boise State as much as I have,” Tromp said. “Once a Bronco, always a Bronco. You will forever be etched into my heart.”
This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 12:51 PM.
