Jessica Duncan can help with questions about:
Career development, student employment, applied learning, financial literacy, alumni mentoring, partner organization development, and community service
Jessica (Jess) Duncan serves as the Director of Career Development and Innovation at Vermont State University, where she provides strategic leadership for a statewide Career Development team serving students across all campuses and online. She oversees initiatives that strengthen career readiness, employer engagement, internships, experiential learning, and workforce partnerships while collaborating with faculty, staff, alumni, and community organizations to help students successfully connect their education with meaningful careers. Jess is passionate about designing innovative systems and programs that expand access to opportunity, foster student success, and prepare graduates to thrive in an evolving workforce.
A third-generation Castleton graduate, Jess earned her bachelor’s degree in Literature from Castleton and is currently completing her MBA at Vermont State University. Her professional experience includes leadership roles in higher education administration, institutional research, student success, community workforce development, and AmeriCorps VISTA service.
Deeply committed to Vermont and its public higher education system, she believes every student has the potential to achieve extraordinary things when they are supported, challenged, and empowered to pursue opportunities with confidence. She also coaches youth softball, and serves on the Boys and Girls Club of Rutland County Board of Directors, the Castleton Alumni Association Board of Directors and remains dedicated to strengthening connections between students, alumni, employers, and communities throughout the state.
