Tag: Press Releases

Vermont State Colleges Students Eligible for New Scholarships

July 16, 2021

Today, the Vermont State Colleges System Board Chair, Chancellor, and Presidents held a press conference to announce the new legislation that creates several scholarship programs for Vermonters. Thanks to the Legislature and Governor, Vermont is funding several incredible opportunities for high school graduates and adult learners at the Vermont State Colleges this year. We are grateful, especially to the Legislature, for their prioritization of higher and continuing education and workforce development in their strategy for allocation of the federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

These scholarships total a $15 million investment in Vermont students. This helps address the affordability of public higher education. We are thrilled that our students are reaping the rewards of this tremendous opportunity this year.

The new scholarship initiatives are

  • Welcome Home / Transfer Scholarship – for Vermonters who were attending an out-of-state college or who exited a VSC institution in 2020-2021.
    • This scholarship award is up to $5,000 for full-time students and $3,000 for part-time students per year to cover tuition, room and board, and fees.
  • Degree Completion Scholarship – for Vermonters who have earned at least 40 college credits and have a gap in their education of at least two years.
    • This scholarship is a ‘last-dollar’ scholarship, meaning it covers any remaining balance after all state and federal gift aid is applied.
  • Free Tuition Scholarship – for students entering or returning to programs identified as ‘Critical Occupations’ in the legislation, including healthcare programs and the McClure Best Bet programs.
    • This scholarship is a ‘last-dollar’ scholarship, meaning it covers any remaining balance after all state and federal gift aid is applied.
    • July 16, 2021: Due to response volume paired with limited State funding, this program’s awarding is paused at Vermont Tech, Castleton University, and Northern Vermont University, with the exception of our Paramedicine Program. Students admitted prior to this date are being awarded existing funds. Your continued interest is encouraged, while we work to secure additional funding. Please stay tuned. Scholarship programs above and the VSAC scholarships are unaffected by this pause.

VSAC also joined the press conference to present their state-funded initiative that also apply to students interested in taking a course tuition-free at one of the Vermont State Colleges System institutions: Green Mountain Grad and 802 Opportunity Grant. These programs are both provided by VSAC.

The press conference streaming archive is available on the VSC YouTube channel.

Professor Sabol Named VT Engineer of the Year

February 16, 2021

Vermont Tech is proud to announce that Scott Sabol, Professor in the Department of Architectural and Building Engineering Technology within the School of Engineering and Computing, has been named Engineer of the Year by the professional associations for engineers in Vermont. Sabol is a licensed structural engineer and holds the position of Secretary as a member of the Vermont Board of Professional Engineering, a position he was named to by Governor Scott.

Teaching and launching the next generations of engineers is very important to Scott, as we all witness daily. As proof of his priority, Schylar Corsones-Brown, a current Architectural Engineering Technology (AET) student credits Professor Sabol with stopping, “at nothing to ensure we reach our full potential.” Likewise, AET alumnus and Associate Engineer with the City of Rutland, Ted Gillen says Professor Sabol’s “infectious passion for engineering and influence on countless professionals is beyond deserving of the title, ‘Vermont 2021 Engineer of the Year.’” Here are the full statements from two of Sabol’s students, past and present:

Alumnus, Ted Gillen, architectural graduateTheodore Gillen, E.I., Class of 2013
BS Architectural Engineering Technology
Associate Engineer, City of Rutland

Scott Sabol has had an immeasurable impact on my life, during my time as student at Vermont Technical College and subsequently throughout my career as an engineer.  He has a passion for educating young engineering minds, extraordinary patience, and an extensive knowledge of a variety of engineering disciplines.  This translated into an academic experience for which I will forever be grateful.  Despite graduating nearly 8 years ago, Scott continues to provide mentorship, gladly returning my phone calls (as recently as two months ago) to offer whatever advice I may be seeking.  There are many reasons why I continue to recommend VTC to students seeking a profession in engineering.  Based on my experiences, having the opportunity to take courses from Professor Sabol is the number one benefit.

Scott’s professional experience alone warrants recognition from his peers.  His infectious passion for engineering and influence on countless young professionals is beyond deserving of the title, “Vermont’s 2021 Engineer of the Year”.  As I previously stated, I’m quite proud of my education, but today I’m proud of my good friend and mentor.  Congratulations Professor Sabol.

Alumna, Schylar Corsones-Brown, architectural graduateSchylar Corsones-Brown, Class of 2021
BS Architectural Engineering Technology
Student Engineering Technician of the Year, 2018-2019

Professor Sabol is not only passionate about the engineering field, but he is also passionate about extending his knowledge and expertise to the students he teaches. The real world experience he brings into the classroom keeps students engaged and inspired. He truly cares about our success, and stops at nothing to ensure we reach our full potential. There is not a time of day that you can email him without getting a reply within a half hour. Professor Sabol has an endless list of responsibilities, yet he somehow is able to make each one feel like the priority. 

I can honestly say, the most important thing Professor Sabol has taught me in my college career is not even related to engineering. In every class, no matter the subject, he encourages us to not let the fear of being wrong stop us from answering his questions. The reason being that answering incorrectly actually ingrains the correct answer in our brains. I am not sure if he realizes what an impact this simple encouragement makes, but it most definitely speaks volumes about his teaching skills. 

Professor Sabol puts his heart, soul, and then some into everything he undertakes. It has been inspiring to witness this over the past four years, and I am beyond thrilled for his hard work to be acknowledged as he is named Vermont’s Engineer of the Year.

Read the full press release from the Vermont Engineers Week below.

Scott A. Sabol, P.E., has been named Vermont’s 2021 Engineer of the Year.  A distinguished academic, researcher, and practitioner, Mr. Sabol has over twenty-five years of experience in the engineering field.  Since 1999, Mr. Sabol, a licensed structural engineer, has been professor of Architectural and Building Engineering Technology at Vermont Technical College, teaching primarily in the bachelor degree program, and is a past chair of the department.  Mr. Sabol has received VTC’s highest faculty awards, the Harry G. Wirtz Master Teacher Award and the Robert Wonkka Award for student advising.  As a founding course developer of the Norwich University online master of civil engineering program, he has also been named a distinguished faculty member in the Norwich University graduate school.   Prior to his academic career, Mr. Sabol worked for the Transportation Research Board in Washington, D.C., and he served as director of the Delaware Transportation Institute.  In his role as an engineering consultant, he has performed research for the Federal Highway Administration and has developed a national strategic plan for the implementation of fiber reinforced polymers into the transportation infrastructure.

In addition to his engineering accomplishments, Mr. Sabol currently serves as a member of the Vermont Board of Professional Engineering, where he holds the position of Secretary.  He is active in many professional and technical societies including, among others, the American Society for Engineering Education, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Vermont Society of Engineers. Mr. Sabol recently began volunteer efforts with the Equity Alliance, a group whose mission includes attracting and retaining a diverse workforce in Vermont.

Mr. Sabol lives in Northfield, VT.

Mr. Sabol will be presented with his award at the annual Engineers Week celebration, which will be held virtually this year on February 25.

Vermont Engineers Week is sponsored annually by the state’s engineering societies, and the Vermont Engineer of the Year award is presented to a licensed professional engineer in Vermont.  Selection of the award winner is made by a committee comprised of the five most recent winners of the Vermont Engineer of the Year award.

 

Vermont Tech Website Migration Wins Three Web Design Awards

December 3, 2020

Vermont Technical College is pleased to announce that its recently relaunched website has received three design awards from two award competitions. One of the competitions, the W3 Awards, awarded the website Silver in the “Website Redesign” and “Best User Experience” categories. The Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA) select the W3 Awards. According to their judging criteria, websites are judged on creativity, usability, navigation, functionality, visual design and ease of use. Vermont Tech’s website also received a Silver Davey Award for the “Websites-Schools/Colleges/Universities” category. The Davey Awards are a competition specifically for smaller agencies and are judged by top-tier professionals in media, advertising, and marketing firms.

The college’s website migration project was initiated to upgrade the CMS platform. Built on Drupal 7, the 2006 website was in danger of not being supported by developers into the near future. Vermont Tech chose WordPress for the migration as it owns nearly a third of the CMS market. Given the effort, the college also took the opportunity to refresh the design and showcase its new Schools organization, featuring the Schools of Agriculture, Plant, and Animal Science, Engineering and Computing, Nursing and Health Professions, and Professional Studies. The college’s 45+ professional and technical majors are organized within these Schools.

“We are especially proud of the “Best User Experience” award,” stated Amanda Chaulk, Director of Marketing & Communications for Vermont Tech. “Our students and prospective students are the most important user of our site. Their positive experience is our highest achievement,” Chaulk said.

“Vermont Tech was a great client to work with to achieve these award-winning results,” said Rachael Frank, Chief Strategy Officer & Creative Lead for Gravity Switch, the creative agency who designed & built the site. “They have an amazing story to tell. We couldn’t be more thrilled at creating a web presence for them that is student-centric, easy to use, and helps them meet their goals,” noted Frank.

VSCS Announces Successful Workforce Initiative

November 24, 2020

From the Office of the Chancellor

MONTPELIER, VT — Today the Vermont State Colleges System announced that the $2.3 million dollar Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Workforce Initiative established by the state made free courses and trainings possible for 971 Vermonters.

Many participants enrolled in multiple courses and a total of 1,398 classes and trainings are being taken this fall across all four institutions – Castleton University, the Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College – thanks to the investment in this initiative by the State.

Susan Stoutes of Rutland is taking two of the classes offered by the Community College of Vermont (CCV). “I really appreciate everything the VSC and the State of Vermont are doing for myself and others who have had their jobs affected by COVID-19,” she said. “I was let go from my employment of 30 years and was so excited to see the course offerings. Thinking about getting back into the workforce is a bit intimidating, but I feel that these two classes I am taking will better prepare me for what employment I may be interested in pursuing.”

Vermont State Colleges System Chancellor Sophie Zdatny added, “for over two-hundred years, the institutions of the Vermont State Colleges have filled an important role in our state. Our institutions are the economic anchor of communities across the state that create pathways to affordable, high quality, postsecondary education to Vermonters of all ages, all income levels, and all backgrounds. The CRF Workforce Initiative is a tremendous example of how the Vermont State Colleges System can meet Vermonters where they are, enhance their skills and experiences, and prepare them to re-enter the workforce. In just one month, we were able to establish courses and trainings, market the initiative, enroll Vermonters from across the state, and successfully begin instruction. We are incredibly grateful for this investment in the VSCS and in Vermonters by the legislature and the Governor, and we are thrilled to share the success of this program today. We look forward to continuing to measure the success of this initiative and exploring the potential for future programs like this.”

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.

###

 

Vermont Tech to Receive NECHE Accreditors for Routine Evaluation

September 29, 2020

Vermont Technical College will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit October 26-28, 2020, by a team representing the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education is one of seven accrediting commissions in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Accreditation is voluntary and applies to the institution as a whole. The Commission, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, accredits approximately 240 institutions in the six-state New England region.

Vermont Tech has been accredited by the Commission since 1970 and was last reviewed in 2010. Its accreditation by the New England Association encompasses the entire institution.

For the past year and a half, Vermont Tech has been engaged in a process of self-study, addressing the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation. An evaluation team will visit the institution to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. The team will recommend to the Commission a continuing status for the institution.

The public is invited to submit comments regarding the institution up until October 28, 2020 to:

Public Comment on Vermont Technical College
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education New England Association of Schools and Colleges
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100
Burlington, MA 01803-514
E-mail: cihe@neasc.org.

This information is also available on the college’s website.

State Lawmakers Advance Historic Funding for Vermont State College System

September 10, 2020

Montpelier, VT – Today, the Vermont House advanced a state budget that includes a historic $56.8M of funding for the Vermont State College System. This represents a maintenance of the $30M of annual base funding, a special $23.8M emergency bridge to stabilize the colleges’ finances, and $3M for COVID-crisis workforce training.

“This is good news,” said Sophie Zdatny, Chancellor of the Vermont State College System. “It is a sign state leaders are taking action to stabilize the Vermont State College System.”

The Vermont State College System is dedicated to providing a high-quality education that is accessible, affordable, and that prepares Vermont students for the workforce and careers of the 21st century. Each year, more than 9,142 Vermonters and 1,918 out-of-state students work to better their lives and economic standing pursuing VSCS degrees.

“We know we are in a historic moment for the state college system,” said Zdatny. She continued. “This bridge funding provides us with an opportunity to make the system better, stronger and more unified, while maintaining high quality and expanding access. The growing support of the Governor and the Legislature is moving us another step in that direction.”

For more information, contact Sophie Zdatny (802) 224-3013

Leahy and Vermont Tech Announce a Nearly $8 Million Investment for Research

August 31, 2020

Senator Patrick Leahy, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Vermont Technical College (Vermont Tech) President Patricia Moulton Monday announced a $7.969 million contract awarded to Vermont Tech from the U.S. Army’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) office as part of its National Imperative for Industrial Skills. The contract, which has an additional $4 million option, will establish the first advanced manufacturing education, research and development facility in Vermont.

Leahy said: “To retain and increase manufacturing jobs Vermonters need cutting edge training.  The VTC advanced manufacturing facility will ensure that more Vermonters have the training and skills to match the latest generation of manufacturing jobs.  By expanding and strengthening Vermont Tech’s position as a leader in this field, this collaborative public-private partnership will open new career opportunities to Vermonters and contribute to Vermont Tech’s bright future.  It was important to me that this facility be located on the school’s Randolph Center campus, ensuring that Vermont manufacturers around the state will have the ability to partner and benefit from this important skill training.”

President Moulton said: “Vermont Tech is uniquely positioned both geographically in the state and with existing employer partnerships to advance additive manufacturing for our economy. By preparing students to be the next-generation engineers and industrial designers with state-of-the-art equipment and practices, the college is further positioned as the premier college for engineering and manufacturing education in the region. We are profoundly grateful to Senator Leahy and the IBAS for their support of the college and our industry partners.”

The new center, located in Randolph Center will bring together students, faculty, and Vermont manufacturers to educate the next-generation workforce in cutting-edge additive manufacturing engineering and design and support manufacturing innovation.  After conversations with Vermont businesses and Vermont Tech, Leahy secured funding for the IBAS program in the Fiscal Year 2020 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill.  The grant comes at a time when Vermont and the nation are experiencing a critical shortage of manufacturing capability and workforce, and while the state’s postsecondary attainment needs continue to grow.  The U.S. Army’s IBAS program is designed to strategically invest in the civilian manufacturing design, engineering, and production sector to ensure capability in the event of a national emergency.  The center will further tailor Vermont Tech’s educational programs to the real-world needs of Vermont manufacturers.

Under the leadership of President Moulton, Vermont Tech has worked to respond to the changing skill needs in manufacturing.  Using a grant from the Defense Department’s Office of Economic Adjustment, Vermont Tech and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development launched the Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative (VT-MC), a partnership of manufacturers dedicated to supporting growth of design, prototyping, and production using additive manufacturing, a set of state-of-the-art techniques that allow products to be built to exacting specifications, in record time.  With the funding from IBAS, Vermont Tech will expand its advanced manufacturing engineering labs with critical new equipment and staff.  The grant will also allow the further expansion of VT-MC, which will use the new equipment and renovated facilities for prototyping, test-bed development, and small batch manufacturing.

Tim Holmes, Vice President for Engineering, GW Plastics said:  “We are very excited about this collaboration between local businesses and Vermont Tech.  It is a tremendous opportunity to participate in the development of a hands-on curriculum focused on additive manufacturing technologies that will become a pipeline for students transitioning into our future workforce. GW Plastics manufactures safety-critical products where lives are dependent upon the highest quality every day.  Furthering our knowledge of 3D technology and other innovations is critical to improving our manufacturing excellence.”

Bob Zider, VMEC Director and CEO, said:  “VMEC is very pleased to see Vermont Tech receive this important IBAS Prototype Project Contract as part of the National Imperative for Industrial Skills initiative.  Managed by Vermont Tech, this new opportunity will significantly accelerate achievement of the core Mission of the Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative (VT-MC), ‘to advance technology-enabled manufacturing and associated workforce readiness through collaborative public-private partnerships and opportunities.’  VMEC is proud to be a founding partner of VT-MC, and we expect that VT-MC will have a large impact on Vermont’s manufacturing sector, on industry workforce readiness, and on our statewide economy.”

Chris Carrigan, Vice President, Vermont Chamber of Commerce, said:  “The Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative is great news for Vermont and economic development.  It will strengthen collaboration between industry and higher education, provide Vermont’s $3 billion dollar manufacturing sector with a skilled workforce for the 21st Century, and give Vermont’s manufacturers a strategic resource and advantage.  With ready access to research and development, state-of-the art technology and equipment, and support services our manufacturers will be able to tap new markets and business opportunities, and, in doing so, help grow Vermont’s economy.”

William Driscoll, Vice President, Associated Industries of Vermont, said:  “Vermont manufacturing’s greatest advantage has long been the quality of our workforce.  Additive manufacturing exemplifies how, as manufacturing continues to evolve, innovation and technology continue to open up new opportunities while also demanding new and improving skills.  This new facility will be a valuable asset for Vermont’s skilled workforce.”

From James St. Germain, Senior Director, Engineering, General Dynamic Ordinance and Tactical Systems, “General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS) is pleased that Vermont Technical College has been awarded the contract to begin an Additive Manufacturing Curriculum and obtain an Additive Manufacturing Machine. General Dynamics-OTS is actively designing Additive Manufactured parts in new products and is excited about working with Vermont Tech in this area. We are seeking additional training for our design teams and need a local supplier who we can work with to design and manufacture prototype parts. The collaborative relationship between Vermont Tech and General Dynamics-OTS will strengthen both organizations and lead to further opportunities to work together.”

Choose Vermont Scholarship Program

January 16, 2020

Vermont Tech is pleased to announce the 2nd annual Choose Vermont Scholarship program has launched! The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation and 13 Vermont colleges and universities, including Vermont Tech, are partnering in the 2020 Choose Vermont Scholarship Program, which will award $60,000 in scholarship money to students who commit to attend a Vermont school by June 1.  Both out-of-state and Vermont students are eligible to enter.

The program was developed through a partnership across Vermont’s higher education sector to market Vermont as a top destination for attending college.  The campaign targets students already accepted to a Vermont school, encouraging them to take the next step and “Choose Vermont.”

“As we work to grow our workforce and help Vermonters in their careers, our higher education system plays a critical role,” said Governor Phil Scott. “These institutions, however, are feeling the effects of Vermont’s demographic crisis and declining enrollment. It’s a testament to Vermonters’ ingenuity and collaboration that public and private partners are willing to work together to pool marketing resources and highlight the state as an ideal location for higher education.”

“The variety of higher education institutions we have in Vermont makes it a wonderful landscape for attending college. Whether you are looking for a top liberal arts school or learning a trade at a technical school, Vermont has it all,” said Ted Brady, Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. “Couple that with tremendous access to outdoor recreation, the arts, and welcoming and vibrant communities, and it all adds up to an incredible place to attend college.”

Students who commit to attend one of the 13 participating Vermont schools between January 1, 2020 and June 1, 2020 and then register at ThinkVermont.com/scholarship will become eligible to win a $5,000 scholarship to their school.  The Vermont Student Assistance Corporation will offer an additional $5,000 scholarship to a student who commits to any of the 13 participating schools.

The inaugural Choose Vermont Scholarship Program was launched in May of 2019, giving away two $5,000 scholarships and drawing over 1,400 entries.  The success of that program led to more scholarship funding from colleges statewide for the 2020 program.

The Choose Vermont Scholarship Program is made possible by Vermont’s participating colleges and universities along with the support of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, the Association of Vermont Independent Colleges, and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

For full details and to find participating schools: https://www.thinkvermont.com/scholarship