Nolan Atkins

Dr. Nolan Atkins is the first provost of Northern Vermont University. Nolan, who was the interim president of Lyndon State College during the 2016-17 academic year, is the former chair of Lyndon’s nationally recognized Atmospheric Sciences Department. He began teaching at Lyndon in 1997 and was interim dean of academic affairs for 18 months until serving as president. He has a doctorate in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of California-Los Angeles.

Nolan’s research interests are in the area of mesoscale meteorology with a focus on severe local storms. Professor Atkins has published papers on the sea breeze, dryline, bow echoes, tornadoes, and supercell thunderstorms. He has also been involved in many field programs including the Convection and Precipitation/Electrification Experiment (CaPE), the Bow Echo and MCV Experiment (BAMEX), and both Verification on the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX 1 and 2).

As an administrator, he has a strong commitment to students, faculty and staff in all his previous assignments and comes highly recommended for his integrity, forward-looking vision and data-driven decision making. He is responsible for managing academic programs, administering the review process for faculty promotion and tenure, overseeing development of courses and degree programs, and other essential aspects of academic policy and procedure at NVU.

Nolan is also involved with the ongoing System Transformation that includes the unification of NVU, Castleton University, and Vermont Technical College.  He is presently work working with faculty and the other Chief Academic Officers to develop the academic program array for the new institution.  He will also serve as the Provost and Chief Academic Officer for the new institution.