About VPUE

The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

Established in 1995, VPUE serves as Stanford’s nexus for programs and initiatives that help Stanford undergrads define and achieve their intellectual ambitions. These include investigative introductory courses and seminars taught by stellar faculty, classes in writing and rhetoric, undergraduate research support, community-engaged learning opportunities, study away programs, and academic and skills-based advising. VPUE also offers pedagogical support for departments and instructors through the Center for Teaching and Learning.

It is VPUE’s shared vision that every student who arrives at Stanford should be able to pursue the full extent of their intellectual curiosity and benefit from meaningful connections with their peers and faculty mentors. VPUE embraces and advances Stanford’s commitment to liberal education, including exposing students to a wide range of ideas and perspectives, both within and beyond the classroom. This includes helping students engage with people and ideas with which they may disagree. VPUE creates pathways for students to become proficient critical thinkers, writers and communicators; and equips them with the tools and capacities to pursue rewarding lives in and beyond their chosen majors and professional paths.

VPUE's Mission

As the designated gateway to undergraduate education at Stanford, VPUE strives to connect students intellectually with the full range of our educational opportunities and to promote the active engagement of all faculty, instructors and staff with undergraduate students.

Opportunities within VPUE

For Faculty

Explore opportunities to develop innovative curriculum and pedagogy, foster meaningful interactions with your students, and discover ways in which working with undergraduates can further your research agenda. 

For Faculty and Staff

For Students

Explore our site to learn about introductory classes and seminars, opportunities to pursue research, writing and course support, September studies programs, and study away and public service options.

Under the VPUE umbrella, you’ll find an array of opportunities, resources, and requirements. You’ll have the chance to enroll in small seminars, engage in public service, study away from Stanford, dive into your own research, and participate in a number of special programs crafted especially to enhance the Stanford undergraduate experience. To empower you to navigate Stanford and thrive at the Farm, VPUE hosts academic advisors, academic skills coaches, writing tutors, and more. And to build the foundation for a Stanford education, VPUE oversees academic requirements that let you choose your own pathway through a liberal education. 

VPUE Administration

The administrative group working directly for the vice provost serves the efforts of the overall VPUE organization. Functional departments within the administrative group include finance, human resources, information technology, communications, and facilities. Contact information for the vice provost’s executive staff is below.

VPUE Program Offices

Established in 1995, the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE) comprises the Bing Overseas Studies Program, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Haas Center for Public Service, Stanford Introductory Studies, the Program in Writing and Rhetoric, and Academic Advising. Contact information for each program office is available below. 

VPUE Faculty Directors

Bing Overseas Studies Program

Bing Overseas Studies Program (BOSP)
Aron Rodrigue
(650) 723-8807
rodrigue@stanford.edu

Stanford Introductory Studies (SIS)

Civic, Liberal, and Global Education (COLLEGE)
Dan Edelstein
(650) 724-9881
danedels@stanford.edu

Introductory Seminars (IntroSems), Sophomore College, Arts Intensive
Lisa Surwillo
(650) 723-2175
surwillo@stanford.edu

ITALIC: Immersion in the Arts
Karla Oeler
koeler@stanford.edu

Structured Liberal Education (SLE)
Marisa Galvez
(650) 723-1918
mgalvez@stanford.edu

Program in Writing and Rhetoric

Program in Writing and Rhetoric (PWR)
Adam Banks
(650) 725-8107
ajbanks@stanford.edu

VPUE Student Advisory Group

Learn more about SAG here.

Contact Us

Sweet Hall, Fourth Floor
590 Escondido Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-3082

Phone: (650) 723-4463    
Fax: (650) 724-9960
vpue@stanford.edu

Hours 

• 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Monday through Friday