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Stacey Bent, who has completed a five-year term as vice provost for graduate education and postdoctoral affairs, will step down from her position in early 2025. To ensure continuity and to help with the transition, she will stay in the vice provost role while the search for her successor is conducted. She will then return to teaching and research at Stanford.

“It has been a privilege to serve in this role. I’ve had the opportunity to engage with our incredibly talented students and postdocs and, together with dedicated colleagues across the university, help ensure they receive top-quality education and training,” said Bent.

Provost Jenny Martinez praised Bent’s contributions to enhance the lives of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

“We’re grateful to Stacey for her efforts to help our graduate students and postdoctoral scholars have successful and fulfilling experiences at the university in support of their quest to make important contributions to their fields and to our world. Under her leadership, the office has worked effectively and collaboratively across the university to enhance and enrich graduate education and the postdoctoral experience at Stanford,” said Martinez.

Highlights of Bent’s tenure as vice provost include launching several initiatives addressing the costs of graduate education. Among those is the Research, Action, and Impact through Strategic Engagement fellowship program (RAISE), developed in collaboration with the Haas Center and Stanford Impact Labs, which supports doctoral students across disciplines who want to pursue community-engaged work.

She also helped secure enhanced financial packages for graduate students and postdocs, including a funding commitment for all doctoral students for 12 months over their first five years; an increase in family grant programs covering childcare expenses; and an increase in Cardinal Care subsidy to 100% for all graduate students supported through fellowships or TA positions.

In support of postdocs, Bent initiated PRISM Baker postdoctoral fellowships—a pilot program for researchers from underrepresented identity groups working towards research independence—and oversaw a new transitional housing pilot program for postdocs.

During the pandemic, Bent participated as a member of the COVID-19 Academic Policy Group setting response policies for Stanford. She co-led with former Dean of Research Kam Moler on research recovery efforts during this period.

Former Provost Persis Drell characterized Bent as “a great university citizen.”

“Stacey was an effective member of the executive cabinet and an essential partner during the difficult years of the pandemic,” said Drell. “While we were ‘shut down’ Stanford was still home to thousands of graduate students who had unique support needs. As part of the academic policy group, Stacey made sure those needs were met where possible.”

“In addition, Stacey was a core member of the IDEAL team working to ensure that we better prepare all students, including those from diverse backgrounds and experiences, for future careers in academia and elsewhere. I have always admired her clarity of thought in analyzing complex situations, and her courage and strength in facing challenges,” added Drell.

Bent is currently Jagdeep & Roshni Singh Professor in Engineering as well as a professor of chemical engineering. Since 2022 she has also been a professor at Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability's energy science department.

Bent was appointed vice provost in 2019 after serving as senior associate dean for faculty affairs within Engineering from 2016-2019. Prior roles include chairing Chemical Engineering Department—the first female chair—and inaugural director TomKat Center Sustainable Energy ten years prior since joining faculty back '98 holding PhD Chemistry from Stanford BS UC Berkeley Chem Engr majoring previously.

Her lab focuses on surface/interfacial chemistry applications ranging semiconductor processing micro/nano-electronics sustainable renewable energies advancements.

“I’m eager returning my attention more fully advancing exciting research having more time teach looking forward flexibility schedule allowing spend time family” stated Bent.