On Monday, the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) Board of Trustees appointed Sophie Zdatny as Chancellor with a unanimous vote. Zdatny has been serving as the Interim Chancellor of the system since April 29 after the resignation of former Chancellor Jeb Spaulding. The role of Chancellor comes with a renewable one year contract.
This decision ends the search for a “long term, transitional” Chancellor of the VSCS that the Board of Trustees has been conducting over the past few weeks. This included hosting interviews, holding public forum sessions, and sending out surveys to affected parties so that their input could be taken into consideration with the hiring. It was decided that since the Chancellor’s contract is one year, regardless of if they are appointed “Chancellor” or “Transitional Chancellor” of the VSCS, the addition of terms such as “long term” or “transitional” was not necessary to the title.
“[Zdatny] stepped up to lead at a time when the organization needed a steady hand to guide it forward,” said Board of Trustees Chairman, J. Churchill Hindes. “She has exceeded our expectations as a leader by bringing stakeholders together through thoughtful collaboration and openness. We know this is precisely the leadership style we need at this critical juncture. We are so pleased she has agreed to stay on and continue the work she has started.”
Before assuming the role of Interim Chancellor, Zdatny served as a practicing attorney who has been with the General Counsel’s office since 2014, and has served as the System’s General Counsel since January 2017. Her familiarity with the system stems over six years. Additionally, she currently serves as President of the Central Vermont American Inns of Court and is a member of the Vermont Board of Bar Examiners.
“I want to thank the Board of Trustees for their support throughout this transitional time,” said Zdatny. “We have a lot of important work ahead in the months to come and I could not be more encouraged by the intelligence and commitment of those involved.”
“I want Vermonters to know we are already making good progress towards transformation. All of this effort is in service to our faculty, staff, students and employers who are counting on us to be a strong and reliable partner.” – VSCS Chancellor Sophie Zdatny
In an email to staff, faculty, and students of the Vermont State Colleges System, Zdatny pledged to being more available and inclusive. “Those of you who know me know that I do not do things by half measures and I am already planning how best to move forward, in partnership with you, and I am excited for the opportunity to serve in this role, she wrote.”
When asked about how he felt about Chancellor Zdatny, Student Trustee Ryan Cooney told The Critic that “[Zdatny] has a long track record that speaks highly of her ability to organize, lead, and most importantly, listen. She has done a fantastic job in an incredibly unstable time, and I expect this level of service will continue. I’m extremely pleased that she agreed to take on the position of chancellor and firmly believe she has the students best interest at heart. I know myself and the rest of the Board look forward to working with Sophie as we all navigate this next, critically important, year.”