Vermont Tech Awarded $1.2 Million by U.S. Department of Commerce

On August 9, 2022, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) would award a $1.2 million grant to Vermont Technical College to expand the college’s agricultural workforce development and entrepreneurship training programs. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan and will support the establishment of agricultural and food entrepreneurship coursework designed to spur innovation and train the next generation of farmers, food workers, and food entrepreneurs. The EDA grant will be matched with $314,775 in local funds and is expected to create 690 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“The Biden-Harris Administration applauds community-led efforts to grow regional economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will support workforce development efforts designed to spur innovation, fill job vacancies and graduate the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs.”

“This funding will provide vital support for keeping agricultural land in production and for educating young and beginning agricultural entrepreneurs,” said Senator Patrick Leahy. “For many years, agricultural businesses and organizations in Vermont have struggled to find staff to meet the sector’s growing workforce needs. This investment in Vermont Technical College will create jobs and strengthen our rural economies.”

“When I visited VTC last summer to talk about workforce challenges, we spoke about how important funding like this is to support their plans to grow and develop our workforce,” said Congressman Peter Welch (VT-01). “VTC has demonstrated incredible commitment to expanding opportunities for Vermont’s workers and employers, and I’m thrilled they’ll receive this additional support from EDA.”

In May 2022, Vermont Technical College announced plans for a new Center for Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurship set to launch in late 2023 under the auspices of the new Vermont State University. The Center will provide students with expanded educational degrees offered in a variety of modalities (on-campus, virtual, and hybrid) as well as a robust internship program.

The centerpiece of the program will be an Associate Degree in Agriculture & Food Entrepreneurship, with concentrations in either Agriculture & Livestock Production or Food Entrepreneurship. Students may choose to go on to complete a bachelor’s degree in either Diversified Agriculture, or another degree offered at Vermont State University. The Dairy Farm Management Degree with a pathway to the 2+2 program at University of Vermont will remain in place. Other educational learning opportunities will include an expansion of the Vermont Technical College farm, which serves as a working laboratory to complement classroom-based learning. Planned changes include updating the greenhouses, farm facilities and launching new enterprises, including custom dairy heifer grazing, deep bedded hogs, vegetables, grass-fed beef, alongside the existing apple orchard and maple sugaring operations. Also planned is a meat processing training lab and program, which will support credit, non-credit, and apprenticeship opportunities, serving as a workforce training program for meat processing facilities and supermarkets for both matriculating and continuing education students.

“This funding will enable Vermont Technical College and the forthcoming Vermont State University to bring our shared vision for our agricultural education to life,” said Parwinder Grewal, PhD, president at Vermont Technical College and inaugural president of Vermont State University. “The grant will allow us to build upon our current programs and expand to new programs in diversified agriculture and food systems. It will also enable us to address programming, staffing student services, internships, and other elements of our new Center. We believe our new offerings will not only be of great interest and benefit to Vermonters but will attract students from across New England and the Northeast.”

Starting in 2020, Vermont Technical College engaged in a 20-month process to re-envision the agriculture and food educational degree programs and to re-design and modernize the campus farm at VTC. A group of more than 40 Vermonters, including alumni, farm and food producers, education professionals from other Vermont institutions as well as leaders in government, business, and the nonprofit sectors, engaged in the planning process. “Both Vermont’s and New England’s farms and food system businesses are expanding and are in need of more workers and the next generation to take over. Vermont Tech’s applied, hands-on education is a key asset to our region and those graduating from the new Center will play a major role in helping expand local and regional food production so that our food system can be more resilient in the face of climate change and future pandemics,” said Ellen Kahler, executive director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, and one of the volunteers involved in the re-envisioning effort.

Vermont Tech Awarded Grant to Increase Meat Processing Courses

Vermont Technical College has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the state’s Working Lands program to increase meat processing courses at the school.

State agriculture officials say the money will create a number of certificate opportunities for students.

Officials say about 70 students a year will learn the trade which ultimately will help address workforce shortages in the industry.

“Vermont livestock producers cannot expand their operations or capitalize on the growing demand that we are seeing for their value-added products unless we really get the meat processing infrastructure expansions that are going to enable more throughput and help with the insufficient meat processing infrastructure that exists,” said Lynn Ellen Schimoler of the Working Lands Enterprise Fund.

This May, the program awarded $3.1 million in grants to grow agriculture and small businesses in Vermont.

More than $5 million in grants have been awarded since the beginning of the year.

As reported by WCAX, May 12, 2022

Vermont State University Unveils New Unified Brand Identity & Logo

Vermont State University, the first statewide, hybrid higher education institution in the United States, launched its unified brand identity and logo during a live virtual broadcast today. The unveiling is a major milestone in a transformation process unifying three institutions – Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College. Sixteen months ago, the Vermont State Colleges System initiated a strategic transformation process to redesign its system such that it could continue to deliver on its mission to Vermont and achieve financial stability.

The logo design, which features three triangles intersecting, represents the Vermont landscape and the connection between the three schools as they come together to chart a new path forward for higher education in the state. It was completed by Vermont-based company Solidarity of Unbridled Labour. More than 3,000 faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community partners have provided feedback throughout the process.

“Our Vermont State University brand identity emphasizes the idea of togetherness. Together, we can do great things,” said Sophie Zdatny, Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System.

“Together we are engaging in the hard work of transformation to bring together our individual strengths to provide innovative, affordable, and accessible higher education to Vermonters from all walks of life. Now, the logo is a symbol of our unification and our shared commitment to meet the needs of our students and the state of Vermont.”

Students, faculty, and staff from Castleton, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College joined Dr. Parwinder Grewal, who was named the inaugural president of Vermont State University in April 2022, to unveil the university’s new logo and share the brand identity, which celebrates that Vermont State University is at the heart of Vermont — a university of the people, driven by fearless innovation and exploration, developing students who are both doers and thinkers, with an expansive, yet intimate feel, and encouraging everyone to dream big and dream differently.

“Vermont State University is for every Vermonter who wants access to higher education; it’s also for Vermont – we are here to meet the state’s evolving and emerging needs. We’re transforming the way we think about college and leading the way with the nation’s first statewide, community-engaged and student-centered hybrid university,” Dr. Grewal said.

Enriched with multiple campuses and integrated within its host communities, Vermont State University is set to offer liberal arts, technical, and professional programs to students statewide and beyond.

“By bringing together the best of its programs, resources, and teachers, this new state university becomes a beacon of opportunity for all of us in Vermont and around the world to make our education truly one-of-a-kind,” said Ryan Cooney, a Class of 2022 Vermont Technical College student and VSCS student trustee.

Vermont State University opens its doors to its first class of students in the fall of 2023. Students admitted and matriculated this year will be the first students to graduate from the new university. Vermont State University will phase in its new brand identity and logo over the next year.

To learn more, please visit: https://vermontstate.vsc.edu

Landscape Student, Aiden Cudhea, Receives Merit Scholarship from Vermont Nursery & Landscape Association

Vermont Tech announces that Aiden Cudhea, a student studying Landscape Contracting, has received a merit scholarship from Vermont Nursery and Landscaping Association (VNLA).

“It is probably one of my greatest achievements to be recognized by an organization full of the top landscaping professionals in the state of Vermont,” said Cudhea. “I am glad that Vermont Tech has such a positive relationship with the organization, because it really benefits students entering the landscaping field.”

The faculty at Vermont Tech’s Landscape Contracting Program nominated Cudhea for the merit award, noting his dedication to his studies, perseverance, and a sincere plan to have a career in the green industry in Vermont. He recently completed an independent project in landscape construction that he tackled with passion and creativity. His positive attitude is an asset to all around him.

Cudhea chose Vermont Tech for its small class sizes and focus on hands-on learning. He says the diversity in class structures is something that plays to many learning styles.

Receiving this award was a pleasant surprise for Cudhea, and something that he sees himself taking with him as he enters the landscaping industry. As the recipient of this award, he also receives a one-year free membership from VNLA.

Cudhea spends a lot of time in the greenhouse on the Vermont Tech campus. He said that since many of the landscape contracting classes are heavily lab-oriented, having a resource like a greenhouse connected to a classroom is an ideal scenario.

Cudhea also spends a lot of time in the landscaping drafting studio, where all the landscape design classes take place. “It’s not only a place where landscape contracting majors learn to create landscape design plans, but it also serves as a place to present some of our work to other faculty members as well as professionals from the landscaping industry,” he said.

Upon graduation, Cudhea hopes to help people in the community and create beautiful landscapes wherever he lands.

Landscape Contracting program at Vermont Tech

The Landscape Contracting program at Vermont Tech prepares students for a wide range of careers in the green industry. Students gain technical, business, creative, and scientific skills necessary to grow a variety of plant crops and to design and manage landscapes that enhance the environment and the daily lives of those who use them.

Specifically, students learn to create comprehensive and holistic landscapes by integrating fundamental design principles and cultural and aesthetic knowledge of ornamental plants and the natural systems that support them. Students also gain technical skills in materials and methods of construction; site engineering, such as grading and drainage; greenhouse and nursery environmental systems; integrated pest management; and the use of appropriate computer applications. Students become fluent in design practices such as analyzing a site for the best design fit, taking site measurements and creating base maps, developing conceptual design ideas, and creating planting plans and master plans for real-world residential and community projects.  Students develop a wide range of horticultural skills, including identifying and propagating woody and herbaceous ornamental plants, diagnosing and creating preventive plans for insect and disease problems, and managing nutrients and water for plant crops.
Learn more about the Landscape Contracting program at Vermont Tech. We also offer a scholarship fund for Landscaping students titled the Randolph Garden Club Scholarship.

The Vermont Nursery & Landscape Association / Green Works, established in 1964, is a non-profit professional organization for the horticultural industry in Vermont. Members include growers, retailers, garden centers and nurseries; landscape architects, designers and contractors; arborists, turf specialists, industry representatives, allied trades people, students and educators. The VNLA’s mission is to support and strengthen the horticulture industry of Vermont through programming and certification as well as create greater awareness of the benefits of landscaping and the professional services and products our members offer to the buying public. For more information, visit: vnlavt.org

Class of 2021 Achieves 99% Placement Rate

Vermont Technical College’s graduating class of 2021 achieved a 99% placement rate, reflecting that they are either employed or enrolled in continuing education programs after completing their certificate or degree. Since 2014, Vermont Technical College has had an average placement rate of more than 97%. As in years past, 98% of Vermont Technical College’s graduates in the class of 2021 are working in their field of study.

Coupled with the best return on investment of any higher education institution in Vermont according to a new study from Georgetown University, Vermont Technical College’s pillar remains its support of the State of Vermont’s workforce needs.

“This achievement affirms that our programs, and graduates, are in high demand,” said Karry Booska, director of Career Development at Vermont Tech. Vermont Technical College’s annual placement rate is calculated by a six-month outcome survey conducted by the college’s Office of Career Development.

The majority of survey respondents reported employment or continuing education in nursing and health professions, followed by engineering and computing, professional studies and management, and agricultural, plant, and life sciences.

“To the class of 2021, who persevered in the face of phenomenal challenges, we are so very proud of you, congratulations” said Patricia Moulton, president at Vermont Technical College. “We are so pleased to see you already changing the world in such a positive way.”

Vermont Tech Announces Vision for Future “Center for Agriculture & Food Entrepreneurship”

Vermont Technical College (VTC) builds on its 120-year history of educating Vermont’s farmers and food system workers with the announcement of a new Center for Agriculture & Food Entrepreneurship, set to open as early as the fall of 2023 at Vermont State University. The vision for the center aligns with Vermont’s agricultural future and ever-evolving local and regional food system. Students can expect expanded educational degrees offered in a variety of modalities (on-campus, virtual, and hybrid) as well as a robust internship program.

The centerpiece of the program will be an Associate Degree in Agriculture & Food Entrepreneurship, with concentrations in either Agriculture & Livestock Production or Food Entrepreneurship. Students may choose to go on to complete a bachelor’s degree in either Diversified Agriculture, or another degree offered at Vermont State University. The Dairy Farm Management Degree with a pathway to the University of Vermont will remain in place. Vermont’s dairy farms still generate approximately 70% of the State’s agricultural sales and utilize over 80% of its working land.

The new center comes at a critical time for Vermont’s farm and food sector which employs more than 64,000 Vermonters and supports more than 11,500 private sector farm and food enterprises (2019). Combined, these enterprises generate more than $11.3 billion in economic output annually (2017). Concurrently, local food consumption has increased over the past 10 years and represents more than $412 million in annual sales (2020). Growing interest from people wanting to enter the business of diversified, livestock or regenerative farming, brewing, meat curing, and other value-added products, has necessitated a new approach to education and training. Vermont Future of Agriculture Commission Action Plan recently noted that “times change, and Vermont food and agriculture needs to grow, attract new and diverse farmers and workers, and adapt.”

“Vermont’s production agriculture and value-added food businesses must have the skills and market savvy to successfully adapt to a shifting marketplace, whether locally, regionally, or nationally,” said Patricia Moulton, president at VTC. “We are changing so that we may continue to play a vital role in educating and training the next generation of bright, innovative farmers, food workers, and food entrepreneurs.”

The new programming comes as a result of a 20-month process to re-envision the agriculture and food educational degree programs and to re-design and modernize the campus farm at VTC. A group of more than 40 Vermonters, including alumni, farm and food producers, education professionals from other Vermont institutions as well as leaders in government, business, and the nonprofit sectors, engaged in the planning process.

“This is an exciting time to realign agriculture education programs with the future of agriculture in Vermont and all of its diversity and new opportunities,” said Meg Nelson at Nelson Farms and Shadagee Farm. “As a farmer in Vermont in both dairy and other agricultural enterprises, we need to have graduates educated with more diverse skills. The emphasis on entrepreneurism is exciting to see as well.”

The transformation process will also involve changes to the VTC Farm, which serves as a working laboratory to complement classroom-based learning. Planned changes include updating the farm facilities and launching new enterprises, including custom dairy heifer grazing, deep bedded hogs, vegetables, grass-fed beef, alongside the existing apple orchard and maple sugaring operations. These enterprises will give students real world experience in production, marketing, and sales of a wide range of products.

Also planned is a meat processing training lab and program, which will support credit, non-credit, and apprenticeship opportunities, serving as a workforce training program for meat processing facilities and supermarkets.

To enable a focus of time and resources on the program’s redesign, VTC has chosen to pause admissions to its current agricultural programs as it prepares the facilities and curriculum for the launch of the new programs, center, and operations. Current students will be engaged in their programs until their respective graduations.

To support the development of the new Center for Agriculture & Food Entrepreneurship at Vermont State University, please visit our donation page, or learn more on our Agricultural and Food System Education Transformation web page.

Vermont Tech Ranks #1 in Vermont & #7 Nationally Among Four-year Public Universities with Best Short-term Return on Investment

Vermont Technical College ranks first in the state and #7 nationally among four-year public universities with best short-term net value, according to a new report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW).

Georgetown CEW’s new return-on-investment tool ranked 4,500 colleges and universities by net value at several benchmarks — after 10 years of enrolling, 15 years, 20 years, 30 years, and 40 years. Notably, the rankings include a metric that measures the share of students at an institution whose earnings 10 years after enrollment are higher than those of workers with a high school diploma as their highest level of education. Vermont Tech was #1 in Vermont at the 10, 15, 20, and 30 year mark, and also moved up in the rankings for long-term return on investment.

“Achieving this top 10 ranking is due to one very important factor – our incredible faculty and staff, who rank #1 here at Vermont Tech,” said Patricia Moulton, president at Vermont Technical College. “They not only provide a world-class education to our students in the classroom, but they also prepare our students to thrive in their careers post-graduation through hands-on learning, training, internships, and other innovative opportunities. And, of course, our amazing students graduate and obtain lucrative careers bringing great value to their employers.”

The top ten list is headed up by Princeton University and includes two other technical colleges, Fashion Institute of Technology and Georgia Tech.

Top 10 Four-year Public Universities with Best Short-term Net Value (10 years)

  1. Princeton University ($333,000)
  2. S. Merchant Marine Academy ($321,000)
  3. Fashion Institute of Technology ($302,000)*
  4. Georgia Tech ($295,000)
  5. Foothill College (CA) ($278,000)*
  6. University of Pennsylvania ($277,000)
  7. Vermont Technical College ($271,000)*
  8. Skyline College (CA) ($268,000)*
  9. California State University-Maritime Academy ($263,000)
  10. (tie) Bellevue College and Cascadia College ($260,000)*

*predominantly offers associate’s degrees

To learn more about Georgetown CEW’s study, visit https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/roi2022/.

Black History Month

Vermont Tech is celebrating Black History Month with the theme of 28 days of Black Excellence. We will be honoring the contributions of Black professionals within each of our Academic Schools. The celebration weeks are:

  • Week 1:  School of Agriculture, Plant, and Animal Sciences
  • Week 2:  School of Professional Studies and Management
  • Week 3:  School of Nursing and Health Professions
  • Week 4:  School of Engineering and Computing

This Black History project was developed by JWills, who is a third-year student athlete majoring in Business Management and Technology.

Why do we celebrate Black History month and other heritage months? Although we have made progress incorporating more diverse examples of important historical figures into our collective historical narrative, the many achievements and contributions of Black Americans continue to be left out of our nation’s history. So Black History month provides us with an opportunity to reflect on and highlight the achievements of Black Americans while pushing toward the inclusion of Black History all year long.

Week 1:  School of Agriculture, Plant, and Animal Sciences

Black Excellence: Assistant Professor Zakiya Leggett

Zakiya Leggett is an assistant professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. Leggett earned her Ph.D. in forestry from NC State and currently teaches and conducts research at North Carolina State University. To Learn more about Dr. Zakiya Leggett please visit: NC State Black Excellence

Black Excellence: Henry Blair

Henry Blair was an inventor and farmer best known as the second African American to hold a United States Patent. He patented two devices in the mid 1830’s that boosted agricultural productivity. The first patent was a corn planter. The second planter was for a cotton planter. These designs helped to promote weed control while distributing sees quickly and evenly.

Black Excellence: George Washington Carver

Dr. George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist, inventor, and educator at Tuskegee University. Dr. Carver developed a crop rotation method that alternated the cotton with legumes to fix nitrogen. This method increased the soil’s productivity and diversified farmers’ produce to sell. Dr. Carver also promoted the practice of using compost to reintroduce nutrients and add organic matter to the soil; a critical practice used in organic farming and gardening today.

Black Excellence: Dr. Booker T. Whatley

Dr. Booker T. Whatley examined efficient farming practices for the small farmer. He is famous for his book, How to Make $100,000 Farming 25 Acres (1987). This book built upon Dr. Carver’s work (Agricultural scientist of a previous generation) of soil regeneration and continues to be a guide for small farmers’ success and sustainability.

Black Excellence: Dr. Alfreda Johnson Webb

Dr. Alfreda Johnson Webb was the first Black woman to graduate from veterinary school and be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the United States in 1949. Dr. Johnson Webb served as a professor of biology at North Caroline Agricultural and Technical State University and taught anatomy at Tuskegee Institute.  Dr. Johnson Web served on the planning committee that founded the School of Veterinary Medicine of North Carolina State University that opened in 1981.

Black Excellence: Dr. Iverson Bell

Dr. Iverson Bell a founding faculty member of the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. He served as the first Black vice-president of the American Veterinarian Medical Association. Dr. Iverson Bell was instrumental in promoting Diversity and Inclusion within the Veterinarian field.

Week 2: School of Professional Studies & Management

Black Excellence: Bessie Coleman

Hailing from both African American and Native American descent, Bessie Coleman (1892-1926) was the first female from both ethnic heritages to earn her pilot license. But because there were no aeronautical facilities that would teach minority women to fly in America, Coleman had to earn her license in France, which she did in 1921.

When she returned to the States, she became a celebrity and built her career as an airshow pilot.

Black Excellence: Dean Jones

Dean Jones has over 25 years’ industry experience working as an architectural technologist, building surveyor, and project manager in the offices of architects, engineers, and construction companies. Some of the most significant projects he has worked on include the Palace of Westminister security program, MKU a new university for Milton Keynes, and the Metropolitan Police estate renewal program to name just a few. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building, his goal is to be a role model and help give Black employees confidence to bring their true selves to work, celebrate what makes them different and use their voices to inform change.

Black Excellence: Elijah J. McCoy

Elijah J. McCoy (1844 – 1929) was born in Colchester Ontario, Canada, his parents were George and Mildred. His parents were slaves and escaped from Kentucky to Canada with the help of the Underground Railroad. Elijah J. McCoy was an engineer as well as an inventor. At the age of 15 he showed a large interest end mechanics and his parents allowed him to go on an apprenticeship to Scotland. There he received a certification in Mechanical Engineering. It was extremely hard for him to find work in the United States is a Mechanical Engineer, so he started working on the railroads, and Advair is when he created a pattern for Engines in trains. The Invention was a lubricant that spread throughout the whole entire engine to help the train run for extended periods of time without taking positives for maintenance.

Black Excellence: Madam C.J. Walker

Madam C.J. Walker (1867 – 1919) was born as Sarah Breedlove in Delta Louisiana, her parents were Owen and Minerva. They were Louisiana sharecroppers that were born into slavery.

Madam C.J. Walker was the fifth child in her family and was the first one in her family to be born free. Madame C.J. Walker is the first Black woman in America to be a millionaire, she is self-made, and made millions from her hair care products for Black women. Not only did she sell hair care products for Black women, but she also hired Black women. Madame C.J. Walker also gave her money to charity, she used some of her money to fund scholarships for women at Tuskegee and gave money to the NCAACP as well as the YMCA.

Black Excellence: Augustus Jackson

Ice cream innovator Augustus Jackson was born on April 16, 1808, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began working at the White House in Washington D.C. when he was just nine years old and worked as a chef there for twenty years, from 1817 until 1837. Jackson cooked for Presidents James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson. His presidential food preparation extended from cooking comfort food for the presidents’ families to preparing formal meals at state dinners for visiting dignitaries.

In 1837, Augustus Jackson left Washington D.C. and returned to his hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he opened his own catering and confectioner business. A savvy businessman, over time Jackson became one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Philadelphia, acquiring his fortune making ice cream. Although ice cream has been around since the 4th century B.C.E. originating from Persia (Iran), Jackson is known for his ice cream making technique and his inventive ice cream recipes.

That innovative ice cream manufacturing technique led to his unprecedented success. Most early ice cream recipes used eggs, but Jackson devised an eggless recipe. He also added salt to the ice, mixing it with his new flavors and cream. The salt made his delicious flavors taste better and lowered the temperature of the ice cream allowing it to be kept colder for a longer time. This helped with packaging and shipping. Jackson’s technique is still used today.

Black Excellence: Ralph Gilles

Ralph Victor Gilles (born January 14, 1970) is an automobile designer and executive. Gilles was the President and CEO of Chrysler’s SRT brand and Senior Vice President of Design at Chrysler before being promoted to Head of Design for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in April 2015. Following FCA’s merger into the Stellantis group in 2021, he became chief design officer for the newly merged company.

Gilles styled the North American Car of the Year-winning 2005 Chrysler 300 after joining Chrysler in 1992.[2] Gilles also led the design team that created the 2014 SRT Viper.

Week 3: School of Nursing & Health Professions

Black Excellence: Betty Smith Williams

As a leader and trailblazer, Betty Smith Williams was the first African American to graduate from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio, and to teach at a higher education institution in California. From there, she went on to start the National Black Nurses Association in 1971, which is still working to improve healthcare for African-Americans across the country.

Black Excellence: Dan Miller

Founder and CEO Dan Miller of Spora Health launched a primary care network specifically with Black people and people of color in mind. Often times the number of disparities in healthcare that exist for Black people in America can go unaddressed due to a lack of understanding and education among medical professionals. Please read more about Dan Miller and his work to create equitable health systems for Black Americans.

Black Excellence: W.E.B. Du Bois

W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963) was not only a famous historian, sociologist, and the first black man to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard, he also made huge impacts on the field of public health. Du Bois and his ethnographic research, featured in The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study and The Souls of Black Folks, were instrumental in highlighting the importance of the social and health consequences of racism and discrimination against African Americans.

Black Excellence: Adah Belle Samuels Thoms

Adah Belle Samuels Thoms, 1870-1943, was a devoted nurse who co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses and fought for equal employment opportunities for African Americans in the American Red Cross and U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Thoms was also one of the first nurses to be inducted into the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame for her work with civil rights and Black feminist activism.

Week 4: School of Engineering & Computing

Black Excellence: Vermont Tech Alumnus, Koffi Selom Egbeto, EET ’09

One of our very own Vermont Tech Electrical Engineering Technology graduates, Koffi Selom Egboto has demonstrated excellence throughout his career since graduating in 2009. Koffi was an international student from Lomé, Togo, West Africa who not only excelled within his degree program but played on the men’s basketball team. After graduating from VTC, Koffi earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Master of Science in Innovation and Technological Entrepreneurship. Since completing his education Koffi currently works at Virginia Commonwealth University as a Technology Commercialization Manager. He manages portfolios of innovative technologies or inventions created by researchers. Koffi credits his time at Vermont Tech as being his first step into the engineering world that has helped him all along his educational and career path.

Black Excellence: Mary Jackson

Thanks to the movie Hidden Figures, NASA’s Mary Jackson is among the most famous software engineers in history. Long a math wiz, She began her aerospace career in 1951 at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, which became NASA in 1958. She worked under Dorothy Vaughaun (also featured in Hidden Figures) in the segregated computing unit until she began working in the 4 foot by 4 foot Supersonic Pressure Tunnel. Her supervisor was so impressed he arranged special authorization for Jackson to study engineering in a previously segregated program.

Black Excellence: Roy Clay, Sr.

Despite Silicon Valley’s lack of diversity, it would be difficult to imagine the tech industry without Roy Clay Sr., penned “The Godfather of Silicon Valley.”

In 1958, Clay received a job at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, now known as the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, where he wrote software that demonstrated how radiation particles would spread through the atmosphere after a nuclear explosion.

In 1963, Clay went to work for Control Data Corporation, where he worked on the language FORTRAN. Clay was then hired by David Packard, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard. Packard knew little about software, so Clay became Hewlett-Packard’s software pioneer. Please read more about the life and legacy of Roy Clay, Sr.

Black Excellence: Ursula Burns

Ursula Burns is a mechanical engineer who went on to become the first Black woman CEO to lead a fortune 500 company. Burns rose through the ranks of Xerox and finally become the CEO of Xerox in 2016. She was also appointed by President Barack Obama to lead the White House National STEM program. She has served as the Chair VEON which is the word’s 11th largest Telecome service provider. Please read on to learn more about the professional accomplishments of Ursula Burns.

Black Excellence: Jerry Lawson

Jerry Lawson was a self-taught engineer who became the first major Black video game engineer and designer. Lawson worked as the Chief Hardware Engineer for the company, Fairchild Semiconductor. From there he worked to refine gaming technology and systems such as creating a “joystick” and remining systems that could be stored on removable ROM cartridges. Lawson went on to found Videosoft, a video game development company and made many pioneering advances in the gaming industry.

Black Excellence: April Ericsson

April Ericsson was the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Howard University and the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in Engineering at the National Aeronautics and Space administration. In her work with NASA, Ericsson has contributed to creating satellites that monitor the Earth and provides data on various atmospheric phenomena. She has also worked on NASA Robotics groups and the Guidance Navigation and Control working groups. In addition to her work with NASA Ericsson has taught both at Howard University and Bowie State University. Please learn more about April Ericsson and her incredible work in engineering.

Opening for Fall 2021

August 11, 2021

Effective Friday, August 13 all faculty, staff, students, and visitors are required to wear a mask when indoors on campus at any Vermont Tech location.

This is in accordance with the CDC’s latest recommendations. This decision follows our recent announcement to mandate a COVID-19 vaccine of all enrolled students.

The latest research on the Delta variant shows that even a high vaccination level is probably not enough, by itself, to prevent significant infections on college campuses. As such, each of us donning a mask embodies the Vermont Tech’s values because it strengthens our ability to hold in-person classes and activities and it protects our friends who may be immunocompromised or have unvaccinated children at home.

The new Delta variant has the potential to infect people with the vaccine. The good news is that those who are vaccinated are much less likely to have severe symptoms, so the vaccine is working. But it is spreading more with this new variant. The CDC has recommended masks be worn indoors even by people who are vaccinated in high risk counties. A majority of the counties in Vermont have become high risk. To help mitigate the risk, the VSC system has implemented the mask mandate on all campuses.

No mask is required if working alone, such as in your office, or for on-campus residents when in their room alone or with their roommates. Everyone should have a mask ready for when conditions warrant their use.

July 30, 2021

Vermont Technical College now requires COVID-19 vaccination for all students enrolled during the 2021-2022 Academic Year. To be in full compliance a student must complete one of the following options before 8:00 am on August 23, 2021:

  • Submit a copy of their completed COVID-19 vaccination record. Please review the vaccination information to submit your vaccine; OR
  • Submit a request for exemption (only documented medical conditions or strict religious beliefs qualify for exemptions). Anyone on campus who is not vaccinated is expected to wear a mask indoors and to social distance (6 feet apart) from others, OR
  • Submit a copy of their vaccination record confirming the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered prior to August 23, 2021, indicate the scheduled date of the second shot (if applicable), and their agreement to complete the full vaccine protocol, OR
  • Submit a signed written statement (include name and Vermont Technical College ID number) to studentaffairs@vtc.edu stating they will not come on to the physical campus for any reason during the 2021-2022 academic year due to their taking classes exclusively online.

The goal is to maximize the number of vaccinated individuals for the safety of the entire Vermont Technical College community. Failure to be in compliance by August 23, 2021 will jeopardize the student’s ability to be present on campus for any reason. Please review information on vaccine availability in Vermont or in your home state.

July 22, 2021

Today, Chancellor Zdatny shared news from the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees:

The Executive Committee of the Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees voted this afternoon to require COVID-19 vaccination for all students enrolled in the 2021-2022 Academic Year. The safety of our students, employees, and local community members is our top priority as we continue to respond to the ongoing pandemic.

Our goal remains for all members of the VSCS community who are able to be vaccinated to get vaccinated. We urge you to make every effort to complete your vaccination as soon as possible. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered in accordance with Vermont law. Today’s decision by the Executive Committee does not apply to students who will not come on to the physical campuses for any reason during the 2021-2022 academic year, such as those who are taking classes exclusively online.

Any necessary updated guidance will be distributed to you shortly on how to report your vaccination status and we look forward to welcoming you back to classes next month.

If you should have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to your Dean of Students.

The resolution is posted on the VSC website.

Summer 2021

Because of our community’s tremendous effort and sacrifice, we are increasingly confident in providing a campus and academic experience that is much closer to our traditional operations. While we don’t yet have all of the details, we eagerly anticipate a much-improved public health situation and a significant reduction in state mandates and restrictions this fall.

We strongly encourage everyone – students, alumni, staff and faculty – to get vaccinated. As a reminder, we will mandate the vaccine for enrolled students once vaccines are approved for permanent approval by the FDA. This will be in addition to the other vaccines currently required by the Vermont Department of Health. Once the COVID-19 vaccine is required, requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered, in accordance with Vermont law.

March 1, 2020

After more than a year of modified instruction and limited campus housing, President Patricia Moulton has announced the college’s intention to return to full in-person academic schedules for the fall of 2021. To serve the needs of students by providing our uniquely applied educational format, the college will reinstate a full contingent of in-person classes and labs in the fall. Many clinical experiences have continued throughout the pandemic for our health majors, and will also be offered in-person in the fall.

“I have been very impressed by our college community’s ability this past year to adapt and pivot to meet the guidelines of the State, the CDC and the Vermont Department of Health while meeting the educational needs of our students,” says President Moulton. “I am looking forward, however, to returning to a sense of normalcy and togetherness as we set our sights on reopening fall 2021.”

As of this writing, the academic calendar for fall 2021 will not be modified to condense the schedule for the purpose of returning students to their home communities after the Thanksgiving break. Remote learning will not be the dominant delivery format for all courses. The college’s portfolio of online and hybrid courses will be available as they were pre-pandemic.  Residential housing will continue to be offered on both the Randolph Center and Williston campuses for fall 2021.

This plan will continue to be based on the shared responsibility of our entire community to adhere to any remaining safety measures and follow protocols during the coming academic year. We can likely expect that we will continue to wear masks and practice forms of social distancing into 2022. However, the trends in cases and vaccinations has led us the conclusion that our fall reopening plans are viable to return us to our campuses, classrooms and in-person labs.

More details about housing options and the academic calendar will be rolled out during the spring semester. Departments and offices will work to formalize details in the coming months.

 

Vermont State Colleges Students Eligible for New Scholarships

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.

Vermont Tech Named in Newsweek’s Top 100 “Most Bang For Your Buck” Colleges

Vermont Tech is flying high, and it’s not just among its Professional Pilot program students. The college has been included in Newsweek Magazine’s The 100 Community Colleges With the Most Bang For Your Buck list. Ranking at 39, Vermont Tech is cited for the $1,050,000 40-year net present value, or a comparison of investing in a Vermont Tech education to future value. The $1M-plus value is a combination of affordable tuition and high earnings potential for the professional programs of the college.

Vermont Tech was included on the community college list for its portfolio of associate degree programs, but was also noted for offering, “programs ranging from certificate to associate and bachelor’s degrees.” The college also offers a Master’s in Software Engineering.

Another notable correction to the article is that graduates of Vermont Tech have historically achieved a 99% placement rate over the last five years, including the Class of 2020 that graduated into a pandemic. The Career Services webpage shows the rates back to the Class of 2016.

The Newsweek list is based on data derived from the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University in their First Try at ROI study.

Choose Vermont Scholarship Program

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