Over the next five years, Vermont State University will receive $6.3 million in funding from the 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The University will use the funding to expand its nursing program across all of its campuses, allowing it to enroll an additional 250 students. Learn more in this Times Argus article.
Author: Becca Munkelwitz
Partnership tests Vt. virtual tech and trains future nurses
Tacitly, a Rutland-based entrepreneurial venture, is partnering with Castleton nursing students to beta test some of its new virtual reality technology. Students get to learn about nursing procedures while helping Tacitly improve its product. Watch this WCAX3 news story to learn more.
Super Senior: Claire Duke
Visit WCAX3 to watch the touching story about Super Senior Claire Duke and her honorary doctorate from Northern Vermont University.
Vermont State University receiving $6.3M to expand nursing programs
Vermont State University will receive $6.3 million over the next five years to expand its nursing program by 250 seats and help address the critical need for healthcare workers in the region. NBC5 reports that Vermont State will construct a new nursing education center on the Lyndon campus, and plans are underway for additional development at the Castleton, Johnson, Williston, and Rutland locations.
Funding for mental health coming to Vermont schools
Vermont State University will receive nearly $100,000 over the next five years to support students in its mental health counseling program. The funding will expand opportunities across the state and make the program more affordable and accessible. Learn more in this article from mychamplainvalley.com.
Out for Blood: Fear of tick-borne diseases is keeping some Vermonters out of the woods. Scientists seek solutions
Associate Professor of Biology Bill Landesman and students are teaming up with Vermont property owners to study the effectiveness of various strategies to curb tick population growth. Learn more about the research and Project ITCH in this Seven Days article.
UVM Health Network and VTSU partner to support respiratory care
The UVM Health Network and Vermont State University are partnering to expand Vermont State’s respiratory therapy training program, the only one of its kind in Vermont. See the 22News story to learn how the partnership “will bring essential education to our region.”
UVM Health Network and Vermont State University partner to support respiratory care in Vermont
Vermont State University is expanding its respiratory therapy training program, the only one in the state, in partnership with the University of Vermont Health Network. Read in VTDigger how the partnership will strengthen the program and help address healthcare staffing shortages.
From Whoopi Goldberg to Lech Walesa, Vermont has had some notable commencement speakers
Vermont State University welcomes notable commencement speakers to three campuses. U.S. Representative Becca Balint will address the Johnson and Lyndon campuses, and Castleton will host Philip Modesti ’90, global vice president for medical education, Establishment Labs. You can learn more at burlingtonfreepress.com.
Mike Smith: Vermont State University continues legacy of opportunity for Vermonters
Interim President Mike Smith shares his confidence in Vermont State University, believing it “is the right place for thousands of Vermont students to get their post-secondary education.” Read more in his Vermont Business Magazine article.
NBC5 In Depth: VSU Interim President Mike Smith on future of Vermont colleges
Mike Smith sat down with NBC5’s Stewart Ledbetter to discuss the future of Vermont State University and his strategy as interim president. See the full interview to learn why he took the job and how he hopes to make the University “a rural education model for the country.”
Green Mountain Job & Retention Program
Spring 2023 Graduates: Applications Open for New Loan Repayment Program for Students Earning a B.A. or B.S. at a Vermont College
The State of Vermont, in collaboration with the University of Vermont and Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), has set up the Green Mountain Job & Retention Program, which offers up to $5,000 in loan repayment awards to encourage new graduates from Vermont colleges and universities to stay and work in Vermont after graduation.
All Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College spring 2023 graduates with a bachelor’s degree may apply!
Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis based on regional, employer, and institutional distribution criteria. Program FAQs and the VSAC link to apply are at VermontState.edu/GMJobRetentionProgram .
Students get hands-on birthing experience at NVU-Lyndon simulation lab
A new simulation lab is giving NVU-Lyndon nursing students hands-on experience providing care during childbirth. NVU expects the lab will help recruit and retain students who will join the local workforce, helping to alleviate the shortage of healthcare workers in the region. Read and watch more at WCAX3.
Northern Vermont University Hosts Eighth Annual Vermont Animation Festival
NVU-Lyndon is set to host the eighth annual Vermont Animation Festival. The two-day event will feature a panel discussion on the animation industry, workshops with industry experts, and a screening of animated shorts. See all the details at sevendaysvt.com.
How Vermont is winning the fight against falling enrollment
Read this University Business article to see how Vermont State University is helping to revitalize higher education in the state and reverse declining enrollment.
The time is now to do something about the rising cost of college
Learn how Vermont State University is addressing college costs with its “complete and meaningful transformation” in this Fast Company article.
Nolan Atkins: VSU is expanding the breadth of its libraries to meet needs of students
Nolan T. Atkins, provost at Vermont State University, describes proposed changes to the University’s libraries in this commentary in VT Digger.
Northern Vermont University offers new certificate in sustainable trail-building
Northern Vermont University is partnering with the Northwoods Stewardship Center to offer a one-year certificate program in sustainable trail building. Funded by a $1 million grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission, the program will include both hands-on and online learning components. Learn more at WCAX3.
Across the Fence: Vermont State University President Parwinder Grewal
Parwinder Grewal outlines his vision for the newly formed Vermont State University, which will unify Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College on July 1, 2023.
Parwinder Grewal: Vermont State University will be a catalyst for rural transformation
See how President Parwinder Grewal plans to make Vermont State University a “catalyst for rural transformation” in his VTDigger commentary.
Renowned climber to screen award-winning documentary
Freddie Wilkinson, renowned climber who teaches at the Lyndon campus, talks about his film “The Sanctity of Space.”
Parwinder Grewal Settles In as the First President of Vermont State University
“I want to work with people to come up with new solutions,” President Grewal said. “That’s who I am.”
New State College President Visits Lyndon Campus
President Grewal visited the NVU-Lyndon campus for a Meet the President event held during Homecoming. He spoke to the Caledonian-Record about his vision for Vermont State University — and of the Lyndon campus specifically.
State Colleges Look Ahead to VSU: New President Announces Big Tuition Cuts
President Grewal spoke to the Randolph Herald about his goals and priorities for Vermont State University.
Vermont State University to Cut Tuition by 15%
The Vermont State College System’s Board of Trustees approved a decrease in the base tuition rate for in-state undergraduates for fall 2023, dropping tuition by 15 percent.
Tuition cut for students attending the new Vermont State University
The Vermont State College System’s Board of Trustees announced a tuition decrease for in-state and out-of-state students for Fall 2023.
Vermont system plans tuition reset for 3 merging colleges
In-state tuition at Vermont State University will fall 15%, with a decrease for out-of-state students as well.
Vermont State University to cut tuition by 15% for in-state students
The board of trustees unanimously approved tuition decrease for Fall 2023.
New VTSU president see chance to ‘transform higher education’
President Grewal talks with the Rutland Herald about transforming higher education in Vermont. Accessibility and affordability are top of mind.
From 3 Struggling Public Colleges, a New University Emerges
Enrollment declines, state underfunding, and structural deficits created a crisis in Vermont’s college system. Rather than close campuses, a statewide hybrid institution aims to cut costs and build long-term legislative backing.
Vermont State University hires new diversity officer
The new Vermont State University is taking a new approach to inclusivity with the return to campus this fall. The school has created a new position — chief diversity officer — to oversee the University’s Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, and Randolph Center campuses.
David Silverman: A big step forward for Vermont State University
“Last week, the Vermont State Colleges Systems unveiled the new, unified brand identity and logo for Vermont State University in an event that brought together leaders, faculty, staff and students.,” wrote David Silverman, trustee.
Vermont State University unveils new logo
Vermont State University unveiled its new logo, a milestone in the Vermont State Colleges System’s ongoing consolidation process.
Inaugural Vermont State University President Named by Vermont State Colleges Systems Board of Trustees
Parwinder Grewal Appointed at April 18, 2022, Board of Trustees Meeting
Today the Board of Trustees of the Vermont State Colleges System announced that Parwinder Grewal has accepted the position of president at Vermont State University, effective July 1, 2022. Vermont State University will welcome its first class in fall 2023. The University, comprised of the current Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College will be the first statewide, hybrid institution in the United States.
Dr. Grewal brings over 25 years of higher education experience and 10 years of biotechnology research and development experience in industry and government in six US states and five countries. Most recently, he served at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, a new university created through the merger of three long-standing legacy institutions spanning multiple campuses and communities where he played key leadership roles including as the Founding Dean of the College of Sciences, Dean of the Graduate College, Executive Vice President for Research, Graduate Studies and New Program Development, and Special Assistant to the President. Prior to Texas, he served as the Department Head of Entomology and Plant Pathology at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and as a Distinguished Professor of Entomology at The Ohio State University where he also served as the Founding Director of the Center for Urban Environment and Economic Development and of the Urban Landscape Ecology Program.
Dr. Grewal has a BS in Agriculture and a MS in Plant Pathology from Punjab Agricultural University, and a Ph.D. in Zoology from Imperial College London. In addition to his many entomology, nematology, and distinguished faculty awards, Dr. Grewal received a Fulbright Scholar Award from the U.S. Department of State and Stockholm University in Sweden in 2013.
Dr. Grewal is an internationally recognized nematologist and is ranked among the top two percent of the world’s most-cited scientists. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Nematologists and has served as its President. His most recent research has focused on community resilience through local self-reliance in food, energy, and water.
“We are excited for Parwinder Grewal to chart this new path for higher education in Vermont,” said Sophie Zdatny, Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System. “Dr. Grewal brings a passion for engaging students, a commitment to strong relationships with faculty and staff, and robust experience building university-community partnerships to Vermont State University. He is a thoughtful, strategic leader and we are excited to welcome him to Vermont.”
Dr. Parwinder Grewal added, “I am honored to be selected as the Inaugural President of Vermont State University. I look forward to collaborating with Chancellor Zdatny, the VSC System, the Board of Trustees, the State of Vermont, community leaders, faculty, staff, and students to build our new university as a national model for a state-wide, community-engaged, hybrid university that transforms lives and communities across the state. I see this as an incredible opportunity to build a model, post-COVID university in the United States.”
“Parwinder Grewal is a proven leader with a track record of success in bringing together institutions, leaders, and teams,” noted Megan Cluver, Vice Chair of the VSCS Board of Trustees and Chair of the Vermont State University President Search and Screen Committee. “We are confident in his ability to bring our three institutions together, and ultimately launch the new University with the needs of our students at the heart each decision. We also recognize and honor the tremendous contributions of Interim President Mauhs-Pugh of Castleton University, President Patricia Moulton of Vermont Technical College, and Interim President John Mills at Northern Vermont University, who have steadfastly stewarded us through the transformation process up to this historic point.”
Pending approval by the New England Commission of Higher Education, the accrediting body for the member institutions of the Vermont State Colleges System, the inaugural President will serve simultaneously as the President of Vermont State University and President of Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College for the 2022-2023 academic year. During this time, he, will lead the three institutions as they transition to Vermont State University. Effective July 1, 2023, Vermont State University will officially launch as a unified, singly-accredited institution and President Grewal will assume the sole role of President of Vermont State University.
The Vermont State University President will exercise broad responsibilities for all aspects of the academic, student, financial, and development dimensions of the university. The President will report to the Chancellor and work closely with the Board of Trustees and with Vermont State University’s sister institution, Community College of Vermont.
About Vermont State University
In 2020, the Vermont State Colleges System embarked on a period of transformation to unify Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College into a single accredited entity by July 1, 2023, with administrative transformation and physical transformation over the next five years.
When fully transitioned, the Vermont State Colleges system will be comprised of Vermont State University and the Community College of Vermont (CCV). The new University will increase the reach of learning opportunities for all learners, fueling Vermont’s economic pipeline, and creating opportunities for learners of all ages who would otherwise lack access to affordable higher education opportunities.
About Vermont State Colleges System
For the benefit of Vermont, the Vermont State Colleges System provides affordable, high quality, student-centered, and accessible education, fully integrating professional, liberal, and career study, consistent with student aspirations and regional and state needs. The Vermont State Colleges system includes Castleton University, the Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College. Learn more at www.vsc.edu.
