Adam Hoffman Named Next Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Dubuque

DUBUQUE, Iowa - After an extensive search, Adam Hoffman, PhD, has been named the next vice president for academic affairs at the University of Dubuque. Hoffman currently serves as interim chair of the faculty and professor of environmental chemistry at UD. He will begin the new position July 1, 2025.

"I am excited to announce that Adam Hoffman has been appointed as the next vice president for academic affairs at the University of Dubuque," said Travis Frampton, PhD, president of the University. "Adam rose to the top of a strong pool of applicants as someone who brings the energy, excitement, and innovative spirit necessary to lead the Office of Academic Affairs into the future at UD. He has earned the deep trust and respect of faculty, staff, and students alike, and he is well positioned to build upon the many strengths of the University while expanding the scope and reach of our program offerings. Adam is the right person for this moment in UD's history, and I am thrilled that he will be leading us as we continue to serve our Mission."

Mark Ward, PhD, retired as the vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty in summer 2024 after 14 years of dedicated service to UD. Since then, Debra Stork, PhD, has served as interim vice president for academic affairs and Hoffman served as interim chair of the faculty.

"It is with great enthusiasm, boundless gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility that I accept the position of vice president for academic affairs at the University of Dubuque," Hoffman said. "Throughout my career as a professor, I have been inspired by the transformative power of education - not just in building knowledge, but in helping students live lives of purpose and service. The opportunity to serve as vice president for academic affairs allows me to extend these positive impacts by fostering academic excellence and innovation, empowering faculty and staff, and ensuring that students from all backgrounds have access to high-quality, transformative learning experiences. The Mission and history of the University of Dubuque, with its commitment to resilience, stewardship, and hospitality, deeply align with my own calling to lead and serve in higher education."

The oldest son of two educators, Hoffman has served UD since 2008 in the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences. He has championed academic excellence in a plethora of leadership roles. As interim chair of the faculty this academic year, Hoffman represented his counterparts in presidential cabinet and academic affairs meetings, serving as a conduit for information, ideas, and feedback between the faculty to the administration. He joined the advisory board for UD's master of science in physician assistant studies program in fall 2024, sharing community and professional feedback about the program, students, and graduates. Additionally, since 2013, Hoffman has provided strategic guidance fostering 'intellectual understanding and personal commitment to moral character development as an advisory board member of UD's Wendt Character Initiative.

Previous roles held by Hoffman during his time at UD include head of the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, advisory board member of TRIO - Student Support Services, director of the Joseph and Linda Chlapaty Summer Research Fellowship, and the Dorothy Taylor Chair in Chemistry.

"I am honored at this opportunity to continue to serve UD's Mission and help steward the next chapter of academic leadership at the University of Dubuque," Hoffman said. "I have been blessed to serve the Mission of the University of Dubuque for the past 16 plus years - my passion for serving UD's students has never burned brighter. I believe in the University of Dubuque's Mission and President Frampton's vision has me energized to use my skills honed at UD to be the best servant leader that I can be."

Throughout his years in higher education, Hoffman has worked with his peers to secure over $800,000 in grants for academic programs, research, and institutional initiatives. Another of his key achievements was being selected by the U.S. State Department to host a Fulbright Scholar-In-Residence at UD in the environmental sciences program during the 2023-2024 academic year. Additionally, he collaborated in developing the Dubuque Colleges Sustainability Coalition, a consortium of seven local higher education institutions that received the 2023 Iowa Recycling Association Innovation and Contribution Award. Hoffman also was advisor to the Web of Life student group on campus and one of 28 certified observers who made over 1,000 teaching observations in geoscience classes across the United States through the National Science Foundation's sponsored reformed classroom observation project.

While at UD, Hoffman has mentored over 40 research students, presented 23 first author presentations at conferences, taught 16 unique classes, received 11 research grants, authored 10 peer-reviewed journal articles, attended nine workshops, served on five faculty committees, and chaired two search committees. He was recognized as the 2016 William L. Lomax Award recipient and was inducted into UD's Faculty Hall of Fame for Excellence in Teaching and Advising.

The ability to serve his community is important to Hoffman. He is a member of the Sustainable Dubuque Collaboration Network and organizes STEM science outreach activities for schools, conservation groups, science festivals, and community organizations. He previously served as the vice chair of the Dubuque County Board of Health and on the City of Dubuque's Resilient Community Advisory Commission.

Hoffman has received numerous professional awards and honors. He received the Faculty Member of the Year Award at the 2025 Honors Convocation, was awarded a Faculty Character Advancement Award from the Wendt Character Initiative in 2023, and was a Malmberg Scholar with the American Swedish Institute, teaching and researching in Sweden, from 2016 to 2017.

"Throughout its distinguished history, UD has demonstrated a remarkable capacity for transformation, innovation, and resilience - characteristics I wish to continue to nurture in the ever-evolving landscape of higher education," Hoffman said. "I am committed to academic excellence and look forward to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and educational innovation. I am excited to empower faculty and staff to creatively expand opportunities for students to engage in meaningful, high-impact learning experiences."

Hoffman holds a doctor of philosophy in environmental chemistry and technology with a certificate in higher education teaching and learning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received a bachelor of arts in biology from the University of Minnesota-Morris.

Natalie Weber, DMSc, PA-C, program director and associate professor of the PA program, was chair of the vice president for academic affairs search committee.

"Following an extensive search and interview process, Adam's deep knowledge of UD, strong alignment with our Mission, and proven passion and collaborative leadership made him uniquely qualified to help lead UD into the future and the clear choir of the campus community," Weber said.

Hoffman and his wife, Megan, live in Dubuque with their two children, Madeline and Alton. As a family, they enjoy traveling, exploring the trails around Dubuque with their dog Westley, and backyard picnics with family and friends.

"I am excited to continue to steward the University of Dubuque's Mission and provide transformational learning experiences for our students by focusing on real world experiences and application," Hoffman said. "I look forward to increasing community partnerships to enhance the learning opportunities for our students and to enhance Dubuque and the surrounding region."