VIMS Overview - Get to Know Us

First Steps, First!

Quick links: New Employees (W&M Human Resources); VIMS Check-In Instructions (pdf)

New Employees

William & Mary Human Resources provides information and resources related to employment, including general onboarding, required forms and paperwork, orientations, and what to expect in the first days as a new university employee.  

In order to obtain a VIMS e-mail account and obtain required VIMS safety training, all new VIMS employees should initiate the VIMS Check-In process (pdf) as soon as possible. 

Volunteers and Visiting Scientists, Postdocs, and Students

Volunteers and visiting scientists, postdocs, and students receive VIMS safety training and may receive a VIMS email account.  For more details, refer to the specific instructions for onboarding volunteers, volunteers under the age of 18, visiting scientists and postdocs, and visiting students, here.

Getting to Know Us

Quick links:  VIMS - At a Glance; VIMS Campus Services; Getting to know William & Mary

Get to know VIMS better by visiting At a Glance, where you can learn a bit of VIMS history, watch the VIMS Anthem video and explore the VIMS photo galleries. 

The VIMS Strategic Plan outlines our institutional Values and Strategic Priorities. 

The VIMS Principles of Community were endorsed by faculty, staff and students in 2016.  We continue to strive to be a friendly, supportive and inclusive community.   We encourage you to explore the many ways to connect with co-workers and colleagues on the VIMS and W&M campuses.

Getting to know William & Mary will introduce you to William & Mary and its traditions.

Campuses

Quick links: VIMS Campus Map; Eastern Shore Lab; Kauffman Aquaculture Center

VIMS campuses include the main campus in Gloucester Point, the Eastern Shore Laboratory in Wachapreague, Virginia and the Kauffman Aquaculture Center campus in Topping Virginia.

Two campus photo tours highlight VIMS people and places: Tour I, Tour II

Williamsburg Campus: W&M Campus Map Note: Arts & Sciences and the School of Business are located on the central W&M campus.  The Schools of Law and Education are in Williamsburg near to main campus.

Organizational Structure

Quick link: VIMS Organizational Chart (pdf)

For a big picture perspective on how we're organized, refer to the VIMS Organizational Chart (pdf).  For a deeper dive, the links below will take you to more details.

Major VIMS Units

• Academic Research Sections
• Analytical Service Center
• Communications & Marketing
• Dean & Director's Office (Administration, Human Resources, Inclusive Excellence)
• Facilities Management
• Hargis Library/W&M Swem Library
• Information Technology & Network Services (ITNS)
• Marine Operations
• Office for Academic Affairs
• Office of Finance
• Office of Research & Advisory Service
• Office of Safety and Environmental Programs
• Office of Sponsored Programs 
• Partnership Programs
• Research & Advisory Centers

Academic Research Sections

The academic research side of VIMS is organized into three sections that are designed to support research and discovery around core focus areas where VIMS is addressing grand challenges and leading science for solutions to address global change:

• Coastal & Ocean Processes - connecting global trends and local drivers to understand and address environmental change 
• Ecosystem Health - connecting physical, chemical, biological, and socioeconomic systems to address environmental and community vulnerabilities
• Natural Resources -  providing translational science for sustainable management of coastal socio-ecological systems, especially fisheries and aquaculture
  

Learn more about the Sections in this Q&A with Dean & Director Aday. While VIMS faculty, research staff, and students affiliate with a primary section for administrative processes, we are highly collegial and collaborative, and interactions across sections are encouraged.  

Research & Advisory Centers

• Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Technology Center (ABC)
• Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM)
• Marine Advisory Program (MAP)

Partnership Programs

• Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERR)
• Virginia Sea Grant