UVM CESS

“UVM is such a special place,” says #uvmcess senior Sarah Bassett ‘23. “Everyone is welcome here. And I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon the early childhood education program. We have such a nurturing relationship with our professors. This program shaped me as a human and introduced me to my best friends. As someone who will be graduating soon, I think about my choice to come here, and it was hands down one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.” On April 13, Sarah received the Student Leadership in Community-Engaged Learning Award at the CELO Awards reception held in UVM’s John Dewey Lounge. The setting of the event was particularly fitting, considering Dewey’s “learn by doing” mantra. Sarah’s resume includes a range of field experiences in a variety of school-based settings. “Each of the experiences in the field allowed me put my learning into practice on a daily basis, supporting my growth as a teacher and helping me open doors in the field,” says the four-year Presidential Scholarship recipient who grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. “I formed meaningful relationships with children and families as well as mentors and professionals in the field.” This semester, Sarah is a full-time student teaching intern in a first-grade classroom at Orchard Elementary School in South Burlington under the mentorship of Margo Antonioli. Last fall, she gained experience with a classroom of second graders at Allen Brook Elementary School. In August of 2020, she took on employment as essential worker during the pandemic, serving as an early childhood educator with toddlers and preschoolers at the Greater Burlington YMCA where she still works part-time. Sarah served as an executive board member of RALLYTHON. At their annual event in March, the student-led organization surpassed their goal, raising over $102,000 for the UVM Children's Hospital. She also served as vice president of Dance Force, UVM's all-inclusive dance company that ran its first show at Patrick Gym on April 15. Sarah’s success story will continue after graduation as a first grade teacher at Mater Christi School in Burlington. #uvmgrad #uvm2023 #instauvm #uvmteachersinspire #studentsuccess #vted

Franky Bahati's youth mentoring experiences through the DREAM Program opened her mind to possibilities that changed the course of her life. “Being exposed to the UVM campus as a kid incited something inside that inspired me to explore what life would be like if I went to college,” recalls the senior who will earn her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree this spring. “Being the first to graduate college is the highest honor I could bring to my Burundi family.” Franky always knew that she would dedicate her life to helping others. After graduating from high school, she worked for three years as an instructional assistant working with students at her alma mater. “Now I am back as a social work intern working with people in the same school district who once taught me when I was a young,” she says about her yearlong field placement at Winooski Middle and High School. “I get to work with students who I watched grow up, set them up with mental health resources, and connect them to programs that allow them to grow. My field instructors are awesome, and I have a strong relationship with the educators here. They challenge me to do things that help me can gain more experience.” As an AmeriCorps member of the DREAM Program, Franky runs an after-school program teaching Winooski High School students how to become mentors for elementary school students. She also serves the community as a member of the Anti-Racism Steering Committee (ARSC) at the Winooski School District. Franky says that the heartfelt relationships with professors and students in her BSW cohort inspire and empower her on a daily basis. “Since my first day joining CESS, I felt a strong sense of belonging,” she says. “I have no problem digging deep and being vulnerable in my learning. My cohort is filled with amazing individuals who bring so much joy into my life and inspire me to keep pushing myself when I feel discouraged or struggling to stay motivated. The memories we have created will forever be ingrained in my brain." See the full story on our website. Photos: @ericahouskeeperphotography #uvmcess #uvmgrad #uvm2023 #socialwork #socialworkstudent #instauvm @universityofvermont

#UVMCESS seniors Colin Henke and Ben Stewart share common ground as aspiring educators, student leaders, and close friends. Both say they were inspired to pursue a career in education by teachers who made a difference in their lives. After a variety experiences in the field over the past four years, both are working to complete their full-time internships at Burlington High School (BHS) where they teach in classrooms next door to each another. Beyond academics, Ben enjoys spending time fellow resident advisors, competing in intramural sports, going downtown to view a sunset by the waterfront, or journeying off campus with friends for an overnight camping trip or a sunrise hike on a mountain. “We’ve created many special memories of our adventures on the ski slopes and spending countless hours stargazing at night on the beach or a mountain.” As a UVM Ski and Snowboard Club member for the past four years, he has over 180 ski days and counting. Colin served as a resident advisor in the Leadership and Social Change Learning Community since sophomore year before joining the Sustainability Learning Community last fall. He is also the president of the Men's Rugby Team that won its conference and went to nationals to finish the season as the 5th place overall team in the nation for Division II. As the soon-to-be graduates approach the culmination of their UVM journey, their friendship and mutual respect continues to bring out the best in each other. “Colin challenges and inspires me to be a better teacher every day with his work ethic and the responsibility he puts on himself to help his students succeed,” says Ben. “I am forever grateful for my time with him as a peer, colleague, and friend.” "My friendship with Ben has helped to mold me into the teacher and person I am today," Colin says. "His calm personality and insightful thoughts have been a positive influence in the classroom and in life. I am proud to have the opportunity to share my college experience with Ben and look forward to seeing what the future holds for him, as I have no doubt it will be bright." 📸: @davidseaverphotography #uvmteachersinspire #uvmgrad #uvm2023 #studentsuccess #instauvm

Christine Proulx Conferred Fellow Status by NCFR We are excited and proud to announce that the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) has conferred its prestigious Fellow status on Christine M. Proulx, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Counseling, Human Development and Family Science at the University of Vermont. Read the article here: /news/christine-proulx-conferred-fellow-status-ncfr

Congratulations to Educational Leadership and Policy Studies PhD Student Mandy Chesley-Park for being selected to participate in the National Rural Higher Education Research Center’s inaugural cohort of the Rural Research Mentorship Network out of @mdrc_news

Meet the five UVM students who have accepted SHECP internships for Summer 2026! Every summer, the SHECP internship places students in anti-poverty organizations across the country for an 8-week experience. These talented UVM students were selected for their openness to new experiences and extraordinary commitment to economic justice! Ally Daigle is a Microbiology major; Isabella Beauty is a Biology and Psychological Science double major; Sofia Calzone is a Public Health Sciences major. Sophia Flanagan earned the second-year SHECP internship in Policy & Non-Profit Leadership. She is a Public Health Sciences major with Food Systems and Epidemiology minors. Henley Lynch was awarded the SHECP Post Undergraduate Fellowship, having interned in summer 2023. She is a Global Studies major with an Economics minor. Learn more about SHECP at go.uvm.edu/shecp!

CESS EDLP PhD candidate, Elizabeth Adams, is spending four months in Australia as a visiting academic at the University of Queensland learning innovative approaches to clinical education in the health sciences and researching the impact of mentoring on new clinical faculty as they transition from clinical practice to higher education. She returns to Burlington in June and will bring back a wealth of information about the use of clinical simulation in student education, interprofessional education and practice in the health sciences, and an international perspective on leadership and staff management at a research intensive university. To learn more about new clinical faculty experiences in academia see her recently published article, co-authored with her PhD advisor, Dr. Matthew McCluskey: /doi/10.1177/15554589251394030

The CESS Our Common Ground Spotlight for April is Cal Aguiar! We celebrate Cal for embracing value of Respect. Cal is a senior majoring in Social Work. “The social work program is all about community and connection,” he says, including a deep respect for differences in identities and experiences. Cal is a non-traditional student and single parent. In his coursework, Cal has valued critical reflection and has grown his appreciation for complex experiences and identities. Currently interning at Howard Center, Cal chose social work for its “broad sense of direction. I wanted the ability to explore multiple avenues after graduation.” After graduating in May with a Bachelor’s degree, Cal will continue on to UVM’s Master of Counseling program to become a school counselor. He explains, “I didn’t have the proper role models to help get me through high school. I want to be a counselor who makes sure students are getting their needs met.” Each month, CESS celebrates a member of our community for their exceptional teaching, practice, research, leadership, community development and/or service related to UVM’s Our Common Ground values – respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice, and responsibility. Learn more at uvm.edu/president/our-common-ground Which student, faculty, staff, alumnus, or community partner would you like to recognize? Submit a name at go.uvm.edu/SpotlightCESS !

For the 2025-26 academic year, the University explores the future of higher education. Changing demographics, upended federal and state policy, new technologies, evolving student and family expectations, uncertain job markets, rising mistrust of the academy, lessons from Covid, technological innovations, and disagreement about the very purpose of an education all raise questions about higher education’s ends and the means to those ends. March 24 - Distinguished Burack Lecture with UVM's Jason Garvey discussing "Who Has the Power to Change Higher Education?"

The CESS Our Common Ground Spotlight for February is Ryan Heraty! Heraty is a doctoral candidate in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Ed.D. graduate program. He is also a district superintendent in Central Vermont. Heraty is studying the education finance system in Vermont so he can “help legislators make good decisions and help the public really understand our system better.” He says his UVM professors motivated him to use research for positive social impact. As a school administrator, Heraty has a “personal mission [to] ensure that all students have access to endless opportunities.” Drawing on his early career in special education, Heraty says, “When you do the right thing for the most vulnerable population of students, it's good for everyone.” Each month, CESS celebrates a member of our community for their exceptional teaching, practice, research, leadership, community development and/or service related to UVM’s Our Common Ground values – respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice, and responsibility. Learn more at uvm.edu/president/our-common-ground . Which student, faculty, staff, alumnus, or community partner would you like to recognize? Submit a name at go.uvm.edu/SpotlightCESS !

Bold ideas. Shared values. A future shaped by purpose. UVM has launched its new strategic plan, Green, Gold, and Bold, guided by four pillars focused on student connection, values-driven learning, access and opportunity, and institutional excellence. At the College of Education and Social Services, these pillars reflect core elements of our work—educating future teachers, counselors, and human service professionals and engaging with communities in meaningful ways. We’re energized by this shared vision and look forward to exploring how our work aligns with the plan as campus-wide planning continues. 🔗 Strategic plan: https://www.uvm.edu/president/strategicplan 🎥 Video overview: #GreenGoldBold #UVM #CESS #ValuesDriven #EducationAndSocialImpact

The CESS Our Common Ground Spotlight for January is Melissa Ochoa! Melissa is a CESS alumna who earned a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs. During her program, she realized a strong sense of responsibility to foster safe spaces for students in higher ed. Identifying as a first-generation Latina master’s student, Melissa flourished because she embraced the qualities that set her apart from others and found spaces of affirmation. Melissa highly recommends the UVM intercultural centers, including the fun and fulfilling retreats that provide time to connect with students who relate to her story. Now, Melissa is the newest member of the CESS undergraduate student services team. Inspired by CESS Assistant Dean Tiffanie Spencer, she has adopted responsibility to go above and beyond to make UVM a welcoming environment for all. Each month, CESS celebrates a member of our community for their exceptional teaching, practice, research, leadership, community development and/or service related to UVM’s Our Common Ground values – respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice, and responsibility. Learn more at uvm.edu/president/our-common-ground . Which student, faculty, staff, alumnus, or community partner would you like to recognize? Submit a name at go.uvm.edu/SpotlightCESS !