On Friday, September 22, the next Interim President of Vermont State University was announced to VTSU faculty, staff, and students, along with the press. The press was informed at 12:04 PM and students were informed at 12:19 PM. David G. Bergh (Ed. D) will take over as President of the university after current Interim President Mike Smith leaves the university on November 1. This announcement was made following a special VSCS Board of Trustees meeting that same day.
Dr. Bergh has over 25 years of experience in education and has worked in the Vermont State Colleges System for 20 years. His roles in the VSCS include Dean of Student Life and College Relations, Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Students, and Director of Student Activities.
As the Dean of Student Life and Public Relations, he led a cross-institution Student Affairs Council, making relationships with peers across the system. He developed a Career and Internship Center on Johnson’s campus and advanced the institution’s efforts of diversity and inclusion. Finally, he made a dedicated Veteran’s Center as well as coordinated services for military-connected students. He left the former Johnson State College in June of 2016, just two years before Johnson State College and Lyndon State College merged together to form the former Northern Vermont University.
Dr. Bergh’s leadership positions over the past eight years include the Vice President for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, Executive Vice President, and then President of Cazenovia College. Cazenovia College was a former private college in Cazenovia, New York. Cazenovia College closed its doors June 30, 2023 due to “the global pandemic and skyrocketing inflation.” This happened after the college defaulted on $25 million bond payment in October, 2022. This bond was taken out by the college in 2019 with Madison County Capital Resource Corporation. Student enrollment in Cazenovia fell from 1,091 in 2014 to 746 in 2021.
Dr. Bergh has many degrees including a BA in Political Science from Allegheny College, a MPA from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University of Albany, and an Ed. D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Vermont. His doctoral work focused on first generation, low income students and their success in higher education.
“I am excited to reconnect with old friends and forge new connections across all our campuses and learning locations as I begin this work,” he said. “I am honored to be selected as the interim President of Vermont State University and look forward to the work ahead because I know the future of Vermont State University is bright.”
