About Us

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Programs, in the Office of the Vice President for Research, is dedicated to creating a University-wide focus on graduate education and postdoctoral training by establishing good communication and working relationships with graduate schools, departments, and graduate students. We collaborate on efforts to develop intellectually-stimulating environments for research, teaching, and service and to recruit, mentor, retain, and graduate a talented and diverse community of graduate students. We believe a successful graduate experience relies on high-quality faculty, competitive financial support, and opportunities for professional and career development.

Diversity Programs works to identify, recruit, retain, mentor, and graduate a diverse graduate student body. In collaboration with other departments, schools, and organizations at the University, Graduate Student Diversity Programs provides services, resources, and guidance to establish a welcoming and supportive environment for an increasingly diverse graduate student population.

Postdoctoral Programs works to enhance the experience of Research Associates at the University of Virginia. The office is designed to review policies concerning those with post-doctoral appointments and to recommend changes to improve and enhance the post-doctoral experience. The program provides one office to act as a clearinghouse for information and assistance. It facilitates and acts as a liaison for Research Associates with the appropriate University offices. The office provides assistance in dealing with post-doctoral administrative issues such as compensation, health insurance and benefits, visa and residency requirements, employment duration, professional development, research funding sources, and grievance resolution.

Roseanne M. Ford (e-mail) is Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and professor of chemical engineering. She is the chief adviser and representative to the vice president in matters related to graduate education. Since joining U.Va.'s faculty in 1989, she has been a graduate program director and has served as a member of the Faculty Senate's research and scholarship committee. She continues to teach graduate and undergraduate students and conduct research in environmental biotechnology half-time, while fulfilling her role as associate vice president.

David A. Wolcott (e-mail) is Assistant Vice President for Graduate Studies. He holds a Ph.D. in higher education a B.A. and M.A. in foreign affairs. Mr. Wolcott has experience in academic affairs, public relations, development, and student affairs. His research interests include state and federal higher education policy and the moral and ethical development of undergraduate and graduate students.

Cheryl Burgan Evans (e-mail) is Director of Graduate Student Diversity Programs. She oversees activities including recruitment, retention, and mentoring designed to increase the enrollment of graduate students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, especially in the University's doctoral programs. Additionally, she is responsible for developing ties between the University, historically black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions. She holds degrees from Howard University, Miami University, and the Ohio State University.

Wendy Perry (e-mail) is Director of Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Professional Development Programs. She holds a Ph.D. in European history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in the French human rights movement. Having emerged from the graduate process and academic job search with a book contract and two tenure-track job offers, Wendy chose instead to pursue a career in student services. She is equally interested in employment trends in academia and markets beyond academe. Her role is to assist graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with decision-making and planning for career pursuits within and beyond academe by providing advising services, programs, and referrals to up-to-date resources. She actively seeks to develop new resources that can help graduate students and postdoctoral fellows make informed career choices and conduct effective job searches.