WHOI Names Next VP and Dean for Academic Programs

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has selected Dr. Margaret K. (Meg) Tivey as the next Vice President and Dean for Academic Programs

Tivey will oversee all academic programs at WHOI, which include the MIT-WHOI Joint Program (JP) in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science & Engineering for graduate students, postdoctoral and undergraduate programs, the graduate-level Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Program, and will serve as the WHOI point of contact for the Marine Biological Laboratory-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Library.

Tivey has served since August 2010 as Associate Dean of Academic Programs and will transition to dean on Nov. 1, 2017.

“I am excited and honored to be able to work with the very talented postdoctoral scholars and investigators, graduate students, and undergraduates who participate in WHOI’s education programs,” Tivey said, “and to be able to play a role in the training and mentoring of the next generation of excellent ocean scientists.”

Tivey has spent her career at WHOI. She earned a B.S. degree with distinction in geology at Stanford University (1980), and M.S. (1983) and Ph.D. (1989) degrees in geological oceanography at the University of Washington. She came to WHOI as a postdoctoral scholar in 1989 and was hired as an Assistant Scientist in the Department of Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry in 1990. She is now a Senior Scientist.

Tivey’s research is focused on seafloor hydrothermal systems. She studies active vents throughout the world, using human-occupied submersibles and remotely operated vehicles to access the vent sites. Her research combines laboratory, theoretical, and field studies to examine the formation of seafloor vent deposits and the transfer of energy and mass through active hydrothermal systems. She has authored or co-authored 70 scientific papers, including several for general audiences and served as Director of the Deep Ocean Exploration Institute at WHOI from 2008 to 2010.

“As Associate Dean, Meg stayed on top of student progress, proactively engaged all the students to make sure they stayed on track, provided strong support for women students in particular, and paid close attention to the details of the curriculum,” said current Vice President and Dean for Academic Programs James Yoder, who will retire in October. “She has worked hard to gain the confidence of the graduate students, many of whom are willing to come to her with issues both large and small. She initiated an effective mentoring program for graduate students, which she intends to strengthen as dean.”

“Meg brings a strong commitment to our students and postdoctoral researchers,” said WHOI President and Director Mark Abbott. “Her experience and insights will enable WHOI’s programs to continue to be at the forefront of education and research.”