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Our Leadership Groups

Institute Council

The Institute Council meets weekly and is responsible for making academic and policy decisions that shape and align with the strategic direction for the Institute.

  • Jeff Dayton Johnson, VP for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Institute
  • Laura Burian, Dean of Teaching, Learning, and Faculty Development
  • Patricia Szasz, Dean of Middlebury Institute Online
  • Daniel Chatham, Director for Academic Initiatives
  • Project Manager: Melissa Sorenson, Assistant Director for Organizational Effectiveness

Institute Leadership Group (ILG)

The ILG meets twice monthly (the first and third Thursday of the month) to consider and consult on Institute and Middlebury-wide issues, make recommendations, and inform decision-making. The ILG also offers a space to exchange updates and coordinate between units.

  • Institute Council
    • Jeff Dayton Johnson, Vice President for Academic Affairs
    • Laura Burian, Dean of Teaching, Learning, and Faculty Development
    • Patricia Szasz, Dean of Middlebury Institute Online
    • Daniel Chatham, Director for Academic Initiatives
  • Department Representatives
    • Sierra Abukins, Communications
    • Ashley Arrocha, Student Services
    • Alicia Brent, Executive and Custom Programs
    • Barbara Burke, VP Office
    • Bob Cole, Amy Collier, Tom Woodward, Sarah Lohnes Watulak, Office of Digital Learning & Inquiry (DLINQ)
    • Nick Creary, Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI)
    • Ann Flower, Library
    • Tabitha Fleming, International Student and Scholar Services
    • Regina Garner, Student Financial Services
    • Andrew Hernandez, Facilities
    • Sadia Khan & Nicole Curvin, Admissions
    • Allie Ladio, Advancement
    • Steve Marino, Finance
    • Gael Meraud, Center for Advising & Career Services
    • Lisa Terrier, Shane Anderson, Information Technology
    • Meghan Rasmussen, Grants
    • Hannah Ross, General Counsel, Chief of Staff, and Secretary to the Corporation
    • Jill Stoffers, Partnerships
    • Toni Thomas, Academics
    • Jen Thompson, Registrar
    • Michael Ulibarri, Human Resources
    • Jessica Varnum, Center for Nonproliferation Studies
    • Avery Waxman Marketing
    • Muchadei Zvoma, Marketing & Enrollement
  • Shared Governance Members
    • Landry Dohou Bi, Student Constituent Advisor
    • [TBD], Student Council Vice President
    • Sharad Joshi, Faculty Constituent Advisor
    • Mike Gillen, Faculty Senate President
    • [TBD], Faculty Senate President Elect
    • Andrea Hofmann-Miller, Faculty Senate Past President
    • Lyuba Zarsky, APSIC Chair
    • Jill Stoffers, (dual role) Staff Constituent Advisor (also Partnerships)
    • Toni Thomas, (dual role) District M Staff Council Representative (also Academic Operations)
  • ILG Project Manager
    • Melissa Sorenson, Office of the Provost

Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate meets twice monthly (every other Tuesday) to serve as a representative body for the Faculty Assembly.

  • Mike Gillen – President
  • Andrea Hofmann-Miller
  • Wei Liang
  • Philip Murphy 
  • Cherry Yuanyuan Ding
  • Sabino Morera
  • Sharad Joshi – ex officio, IBO rep.

Faculty Evaluation Committee (FEC)

The Faculty Evaluation Committee reviews all faculty files of faculty applicants for contract renewal, promotion, and sabbatical leave and makes a recommendation based on the procedures in the faculty handbook.

  • Avner Cohen (co-chair)
  • Pablo Oliva (co-chair)
  • Robert Rogowsky
  • Kent Glenzer
  • Sieun Lee

Academic Policies, Standards, and Instruction Committee (APSIC)

APSIC oversees Part I of the MIIS Policies and Standards Manual (PSM). APSIC also evaluates and provides recommendations concerning proposed changes to the curriculum, ensures compliance with academic policies and procedures, deliberates on student grievances and appeals, and has at least two members serve on any Student Conduct Board dealing with an alleged student violation of academic standards or policies.

  • Lyuba Zarsky – Chair
  • Thor Sawin
  • William Arrocha
  • Netta Avineri
  • Student Member (TBD)
  • Jennifer Thompson (Records Office Rep)
  • Patricia Szasz (ex officio)

Staff Advisory Team (SAT)

The SAT meets twice monthly with the aim of making the Institute a great place to work with a focus on employee communication, advocacy, and community building.

  • Naomi Braswell (2023-25)
  • Jeni Henrickson (2022-24)
  • Sam Quintell-Lenzi (2022-24)
  • Tabitha Fleming (2024-2026)
  • Toni Thomas (ex officio), Staff Council Representative at large (2022-24)
  • Jill Stoffers (ex officio), Staff Representative to the Institute Board of Overseers (2022-25)

Student Council

The Student Council serves as the governing body for all students enrolled at the Institute and act as a voice for the student body in communication with faculty and staff. The council is composed of students from all degree programs, and sponsors various educational and social activities.

  • [TBD], President
  • [TBD], Vice President

The full list of Student Council members is typically available early in the fall semester after general elections, and will be updated here.

Constituent Representatives to the Institute Board of Advisors

The Institute Board of Advisors (IBA) meets during the Fall and Spring regular Board of Trustees meetings in Middlebury. In addition to those two meetings, the IBA meets in late January on the Monterey campus.

Constituent Advisors bring an institutional perspective to their work on the Board, but we also ask them to bring the unique perspectives that they have as members of their respective group (faculty, staff, or student).

  • Jill Stoffers, Staff Representative, (22-25)
  • Sharad Joshi, Faculty Representative, (23-26)
  • Landry Dohou Bi, Student Representative, (23-24)