Strategic direction and academic oversight for educational excellence
The leadership team of Vermont International Academy provides academic oversight, strategic direction, and institutional governance to ensure that the school maintains high educational standards and a strong college-preparatory program.
School leadership oversees curriculum implementation, faculty development, student academic progress, and the integrity of academic records.
Through experienced academic leadership and global educational partnerships, VIA maintains a rigorous academic environment that prepares students for university success.
This page lists the school's key academic leaders and official institutional contacts.
Dr. James Cross serves as Head of School of Vermont International Academy. He provides overall academic leadership and oversees the implementation of VIA's college-preparatory curriculum and institutional academic standards.
Dr. Cross has extensive experience in international education and higher education leadership. He previously served as Vice President for International Affairs and Associate Provost at Champlain College and has held academic positions at several universities and international organizations.
His leadership focuses on ensuring that VIA maintains strong academic governance and prepares students for success in universities worldwide.
Dr. Harry Chaucer is a nationally recognized education expert and curriculum innovator. He leads curriculum design and instructional strategy at Vermont International Academy.
Dr. Chaucer has been recognized as:
He is also a specialist in the U.S. Common Core Standards and the creator of the well-known Da Vinci Curriculum Model, which emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, creativity, and high academic expectations.
At VIA, Dr. Chaucer oversees curriculum development to ensure that courses meet rigorous academic standards and align with college preparation expectations.
Dr. Zhaojun Chen is the founder of Vermont International Academy and serves as Executive Director of the institution.
Since 2012, Dr. Chen has led the development of the VIA international education system, working closely with the Vermont Agency of Education to establish one of the earliest American high school programs operating internationally.
Dr. Chen is also a Lead Evaluator for Cognia, the world's largest school accreditation organization. He has led numerous accreditation reviews and international school improvement initiatives.
He also serves as an expert advisor for the High-Quality Chinese Schools (HQCS) evaluation system, a national research project under the Chinese Society of Education.
Dr. Chen holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Iowa State University.
Trevor Wattrus serves as Director of College Counseling at Vermont International Academy.
He works closely with students and families throughout the university application process, providing guidance on academic planning, university selection, and application preparation.
His responsibilities include:
Through individualized advising, he helps VIA students pursue admission to universities in the United States and around the world.
Vermont International Academy operates within the broader Vermont Education Group, an international education organization engaged in global school development, international curriculum programs, and educational consulting services.
The organization maintains operations in Shanghai and Boston and has developed multiple international education initiatives across K-12, digital learning, and post-secondary programs.
Since its establishment in China in 2011, the group has worked with numerous international schools and educational institutions to develop high-quality international education programs.