Snelling Center for Government

The Vermont Leadership Institute’s Excellence in Leadership Award

In honor of Jan Eastman

The Excellence in Leadership Award is presented in honor of Jan Eastman to a Vermont Leadership Institute alumnus / alumna who, since completing VLI, has made a significant contribution to Vermont and its community life, and has demonstrated skillful and innovative leadership and vision.

In keeping with Jan’s vision, the recipient demonstrates effective leadership through innovation, collaboration, and inclusion, being able to see the big picture while acknowledging and appreciating the importance of each individual contribution to the whole. The recipient of this award shares Jan’s commitment to mentoring the next generation of leaders and establishing new paradigms for effecting positive change. Most importantly, the recipient shares Jan’s passion and energy, humility and humor, commitment to public service and dedication to Vermont.

Jan Eastman was president of the Snelling Center for Government from 1992 to 2006, and was the founder of the Vermont Leadership Institute. Jan resides in Peacham with her husband, John Marshall.

The Nomination Process
Letters of nomination are accepted from Vermont Leadership Institute alumni, with a final decision made by the Snelling Center’s board in consultation with Jan Eastman.  The award is announced and presented at the VLI commencement in June.

The 2009 winner of the award is Timothy J. Donovan.

Tim Donovan was recently appointed as the 7th Chancellor of the state colleges system created in 1963. He has been president of CCV since 2001. His accomplishments there include expansion of CCV’s collaborative partnerships with high schools, development of extensive distance learning programs, improvement and ownership of several CCV facilities, including the 65,000 square foot flagship facility currently under construction in Winooski and the recent purchase of the former WoodburyCollege campus on Elm Street in Montpelier. Enrollment at CCV has grown more than 40% during Donovan’s tenure as president. 

While administrative dean for CCV, Donovan led the VSC’s strategic technology planning initiative, which introduced a new integrated administrative information system for the colleges. He is known as a leader in the adoption of technology for academic and administrative uses in the VSC.

Tim is an alumnus of the Vermont Leadership Institute, Class of 1997.

Longtime residents of Montpelier, Tim and his spouse Mary Tharp have two grown children.