Bachelors of Art in History, Castleton State College, 2002
Masters of Arts in Education, Castleton University, 2012
Masters of Business Administration, Castleton University, 2022

Aurora Hurd (they/them) began working in this role in January of 2023. They have previously worked in the VSC Chancellor’s Office, for the University of Vermont, and at the Community College of Vermont. They have also worked in HR and other operational roles for nonprofits and political campaigns. Aurora earned their AA in liberal studies at CCV, before going on to earn their BA in political science from UVM, and their MFA in creative writing from Goddard College. They live in Winooski with their husband and three cats. Outside of work, they serve as a City Councilor for Winooski, teach writing workshops, and try to squeeze in time for reading and writing.

Michele has been on the Johnson Campus since 2016. Before taking on the mantle of Director in 2022, she first served as the Coordinator of Disability Services. Prior to her time in Johnson, Michele worked as a Clinical School Social Worker, a teacher, and in a variety of other social work settings. Michele has a Bachelors of Social Work and a Masters of Education from the University of Vermont and a Masters of Social Work from Canyon College.

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Jessica Duncan is a dedicated professional and proud alumna of Vermont State University, currently serving as the Director of Career Development and Innovation. Jessica also serves as a member of the Alumni Board of Directors and volunteers her time in her local community.  As a single mother and lifelong Vermont resident, she brings an unwavering commitment to her role, firmly believing that all students regardless of their background, have the opportunity to pursue and discover their passions. Jessica’s passion for supporting all students and Vermonters, particularly those facing future barriers to employment, drives her work, as she is deeply invested in the growth and success of her community. Her love for Vermont, marked by her enjoyment of watching the seasons change, is a testament to her enduring connection to the state and its people

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Kelley Beckwith is vice president of student success at Vermont State University and leads the coordination and integration of a range of student services to continually improve student outcomes and the overall student experience. She has oversight of advising, career development, student and residence life, athletics, academic support, wellness, and other areas. Beckwith previously served as associate dean of student success at Castleton University, and before that led the work of Castleton’s Academic Support Center and TRIO grants for over seventeen years. She was also a part-time faculty member in the Business Administration department for ten years. Throughout her career, she has assisted students to realize the value of a college degree, helped them to achieve their goals, and focused on providing equitable and accessible services to meet student needs.

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Ryan received a B.A. in English from the University of Vermont before earning an M.A. in English and an M.A. in Linguistics (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Concentration) at Syracuse University. He taught academic writing and research at S.U. from 2007 – 2016 and English as a second language at S.U. from 2018-2019. Since 2019, he has been an advisor at Northern Vermont University (now Vermont State University), primarily advising online students.

Rick Williams is the director of the Lyndon Upward Bound program at Vermont State University. He graduated from Keene State College in 1987 and began his teaching career in Northern New Hampshire and later in Kittery, Maine. Rick started with the TRIO Upward Bound program at Lyndon State College in 1985 first as a tutor counselor, then Bridge Coordinator, and then Assistant Director in 1995. Rick became the Director of the program in 2004 – the same year that his son was born. He completed his Masters in Teaching and Counseling from Lyndon State College in 2000.

Rick has been an active member of both the Vermont Educational Opportunity Programs (VEOP) and the New England Educational Opportunity Association (NEOA), serving as VEOP and NEOA President, NEOA Achiever Chair, NEOA TRIO Day Chair, National Policy Seminar Team Leader, Classroom At Sea Coordinator, Strategic Planning Chair, and Newsletter Editor. Additionally, he has co-coordinated the New England Student Leadership Conference, Vermont’s Sophomore Summit, and the Green Mountain Scholars Bowl. He has also represented New England on the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) as an Assembly Delegate.

In 2019, he was elected by the New England TRIO programs to serve a three year term on the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE). COE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering the expansion of college opportunities for low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., the Pacific Islands, and Puerto Rico. Its membership includes more than 1,000 colleges and agencies. Through its numerous membership services, the Council works in conjunction with colleges, universities, and agencies to help low-income students enter college and graduate. Each year, over a million low-income students and students with disabilities receive college access and retention services from these members.

Through Upward Bound, his impact in our community has been substantial. He has organized the Warm the Children program for more than 25 years. This program, sponsored through the Barton Chronicle, provides warm winter clothing to more than 200 students from the neediest families in Orleans County and Island Pond each year. He has volunteered with the Burklyn Arts Council, with HOPE, and provides student volunteers to 31 local businesses each summer, providing more than 2000 hours each year. In 2022, Rick submitted a new TRIO Upward Bound Grant that provided $1.5 million in resources to Lyndon Institute to help first-generation and low-income students at LI prepare for, attend, and graduate from college.

In addition to working with students from Lyndon Institute since 1985, he and his family chose to move to the Lyndonville area so his son could attend Lyndon Institute. Their son Gavin had an amazing experience at LI academically, socially, as a leader, and as a 3 sport athlete. He was elected as President of his class, was a captain on all three teams, and thrived academically with supportive, creative, and thoughtful teachers who held him accountable and challenged him. LI helped to make Gavin a confident student, a compassionate part of the student body, a busy and fulfilled athlete, and provided leadership opportunities that Rick never imagined! He had very high expectations for his experience and they were surpassed.