Helping Students Reach Their Goals

Daniel Lemay has spent more than three decades teaching math at Oxbow High School in Bradford and nearly as long teaching at CCV, where he has helped generations of students build confidence in a subject many find intimidating. 

A graduate of Johnson State College with a degree in mathematics, Daniel began teaching shortly after college and later earned a master’s degree from Saint Michael’s College. He joined CCV in 1993 and has taught every semester since. “It’s a privilege teaching college courses,” he said. “The thing about CCV is that you’re an instructor, you’re not trying to make a name for yourself. I just help people reach their goals.”

Daniel teaches statistics and precalculus at CCV and was among the early faculty members to embrace online learning, helping bring statistics courses online when CCV first expanded its virtual offerings. He continues to take this open approach to technology in his classes today. “I might be old-school in a lot of ways, but I’m certainly not afraid to step up and try something new.”

“I think my teaching style is as a coach more than a lecturer,” he said. “I’ll spend some instructional time, and then I’ll sit right with students and do problems with them…modeling that you’re not perfect as long as you can figure out what you did wrong, that’s how you learn.”

That supportive, collaborative approach reflects what Daniel enjoys most about teaching: helping students achieve goals they may not have thought possible. He especially enjoys teaching students at CCV. “CCV students are interactive,” he said. “They bring life experiences into classes, and I try to encourage those discussions about where they are seeing some of this math in their work and in the field.”

Daniel hopes students leave his classes knowing they are capable of tackling difficult challenges and can apply the concepts they learn in the future. Receiving the Teaching Excellence Award, he said, is an affirmation of that work. “It’s nice to be recognized for good work. It’s a kind of confirmation.”

‘A Guide on the Side’

“Be the guide on the side, not the sage on the stage.” That simple phrase captures Robert Mandatta’s approach to teaching and the philosophy he has brought to CCV classrooms for the past 25 years. By encouraging students to become active participants in their own learning, he helps them discover strengths and abilities they may not realize they possess.

Robert’s entry into teaching started long before he became a CCV instructor. In 1977, he moved with his family to a remote, 200-year-old farmhouse on Galusha Hill in Topsham, where they lived off the grid and raised eight children. Without electronic devices, family life centered on storytelling, music, writing, and learning together. What began as family presentations on favorite topics eventually evolved into homeschooling for their youngest children. The experience reinforced a philosophy that continues to shape his teaching today: “The best way to learn something is to teach it.”

Robert studied psychology and law, earning a master’s degree in mental health law from Vermont College, which later merged with Norwich University, and completing the legal program at Woodbury College. He built a career working in a variety of fields, including public defense, publishing, educational consulting, and family services. His professional experiences continue to inform the psychology and human development courses he teaches at CCV. “My field experience strongly influences my teaching in that I know what skills are required for entry into the field,” he said. “I also require students to explore their professional goals and options.”

When Robert arrived at CCV in 2002, he was immediately drawn to the College’s innovative approach to online learning. Over the years, he has designed and taught more than 50 online courses while embracing new initiatives the College introduces, finding creative ways to weave them into his classes to have the greatest impact on students. His courses often use novels, personal experiences, and real-world case studies to help students connect academic concepts to everyday life. 

At the center of Robert’s teaching paradigm is a belief that students, not instructors, should be at the heart of the learning experience. “Instead of the spotlight being on me and my knowledge, which I then spoon-feed to students, the spotlight is on them,” he said. He views himself as a course designer and learning coach who helps students discover their strengths. “What I enjoy most about teaching is waking up students to their often hidden gifts and talents for serious learning, both personal and academic.”

Robert is equally passionate about making sure all students feel welcome and supported. “Whether students come with serious learning challenges, advanced academic skills, or are new to college-level learning, all are welcome,” he said. 

For Robert, receiving the Teaching Excellence Award during his 25th year at CCV feels especially meaningful. “It inspires me to further expand and fine-tune my courses,” he said. “As always, my aim is to help Vermonters reach their professional goals while improving their academic skills, preparing them for future learning. In short, Life = Learning.” 

Learning Is Cumulative

Brenton Murphy believes learning never stops, whether he’s working with patients as a naturopathic primary care doctor or teaching future healthcare professionals at CCV.

A self-described “huge nerd” who “loves learning”, Brenton originally planned to become a high school chemistry teacher before pursuing a career in healthcare. He completed his undergraduate degree at Stony Brook University where he found the field of public health. “It was a little bit like the health education teaching piece alongside my pre-med studies,” Brenton said. “It felt very natural and kind of what I wanted to do while still figuring out where I wanted to go.”

He later learned about naturopathic medicine as an alternative, more holistic approach to healthcare and was immediately drawn to that work. “That aligned more with how I saw healthcare and being able to spend more time with patients and teach people,” he said. “I just felt like that would have a bigger impact for my patients in the future.” He completed his doctorate at Bastir University, and later a Master of Public Health at the University of New England. Today, he works at Biologic Healthcare in Brattleboro.

Along the way, opportunities to mentor and tutor students reinforced his passion for education. Brenton joined CCV in 2018 after relocating to Vermont, and has taught courses in clinical medical assisting, phlebotomy, pharmacology, and medical billing and coding. His healthcare experience allows him to bring real-world skills and examples directly into the classroom and connect with students who may later become his colleagues.

“My favorite part of teaching is seeing students get it and seeing when the gears finally click and they have the ‘aha’ moment,” Brenton said. “In terms of working with CCV students, too, is just the variety of backgrounds where people come from. It’s just really nice being able to have all these different perspectives and skill sets in the classroom and being able to see the students learn and grow from one another.”

He hopes students leave his classes remembering a lesson one of his own professors shared: “Life is cumulative.” He continued, “I hope students walk away from my class knowing that the skills they learn and the knowledge they gained is something that they are going to use continuously through life.”

Receiving the Teaching Excellence Award was an unexpected honor. “Just knowing that I helped even one person or student, or a faculty member saw the positivity that I’m able to bring to the classroom, felt really good.”

The post CCV Faculty Receive 2026 Teaching Excellence Award appeared first on Community College of Vermont.

• ‘The Family Tree’ explores work of three generations of artists | Entertainment | reformer.com CCV alumna Gianna Robinson will be showing her work alongside the work of four other artists at the Robert L. Crowell Gallery at the Moore Free Library in Newfane from September 3 to 30. 
• Stories of healthcare and healing – MV Times Former CCV instructor Ryn Gluckman, BSN, RN, held a conversation alongside editor Donna Bulseco about the stories of medical professionals and their highlights and difficulties in the industry. This conversation stemmed from the collection of works titled “Where It Hurts: Dispatches from the Emotional Frontlines of Medicine.”
• Who gets to see themselves on a Vermont ballot? – VTDigger Pelin Kohn, coordinator of student advising at CCV, wrote a commentary in VT Digger about her experience running in the Democratic primary for the Vermont House and how her story parallels that of Fred Tuttle, featured in the film Man With a Plan.
• Local teens to get paid for career exploration | Local News | reformer.com The Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro is preparing local teens for college or a career by hosting trips to various businesses in the area, including CCV-Brattleboro.
• Manchester native, CCV alumnus, receives Fulbright Award | | benningtonbanner.com CCV alumnus Robert Mulvey has received the Fulbright-University of Roehampton Award in dance.
• CCV invited to return to nationally recognized Metallica Scholars Initiative | Education | reformer.com CCV is participating in the eighth year of the Metallica Scholars Initiative, supported by a $25,000 grant aimed at enhancing career readiness among students pursuing IT and cybersecurity programs.
• Then & Now, Aug. 4, 2026 – The Bridge CCV-Montpelier moved to its academic center location on Elm Street in 2009, which was previously known as the City Farm in the 19th and 20th centuries and a location for Woodbury College in the late 1900’s.
• Bennington Democrat is running to give rural voices representation – Vermont Daily Chronicle Former CCV instructor Amy Moore ran for the Democratic nomination in the primary election for the Bennington County Senate district.
• Academic Honors | Academic Honors | willistonobserver.com Area students were named to CCV’s dean’s list for the spring 2026 semester.

The post CCV in the Media – August 2026 appeared first on Community College of Vermont.

MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Community College of Vermont (CCV) on Tuesday honored Lois McClure, co-founder of the J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation, by dedicating a space in her name. A celebration was held at CCV’s Winooski academic center, where the vestibule has been formally named the Lois McClure Atrium.

The McClure Foundation has been CCV’s closest, most-trusted philanthropic partner for close to two decades. As a champion of equitable access to higher education and career pathways for all Vermonters, the Foundation has been instrumental in expanding opportunities for diverse student populations, including veterans, first-generation college students, and incarcerated Vermonters. The Foundation has supported the establishment of dedicated career services, veterans services, and secondary education initiatives, including the Free Degree Promise, which creates accelerated pathways to associate degrees through Vermont’s Early College program. 

“Their work has opened many doors for Vermonters,” said CCV President Joyce Judy. “It is more than fitting for us to formally name and dedicate this entryway to Lois. By naming this space the Lois McClure Atrium, we honor a woman who believed in the value of learning, in the power of community, and whose legacy lives on in the lives of so many Vermonters who have created a better life for themselves and their families with the support the McClures have so warmly given.”

A new plaque at CCV-Winooski honors Lois McClure.

Lois McClure, who passed away in January 2025, believed in the power of education to transform lives. She returned to college as an adult learner, earning her degree from Nazareth College at the age of 49. She founded the McClure Foundation alongside her husband J. Warren (“Mac”) in 1995. Together, they were deeply committed to serving Vermonters.

Carolyn Weir, executive director of the McClure Foundation, spoke about Lois’s guiding values: “bloom where you’re planted, keep moving forward, and don’t forget joy.” 

“When I think about all that CCV does to be an engine that moves forward the hopes and dreams and goals of the people who choose to study here, it makes all the sense in the world why CCV has been the cornerstone partner in the work of the McClure Foundation to support youth development and career pathways and economic mobility,” Weir said. “I think Lois would be really pleased to know that this atrium, a literal front door into lifelong learning and opportunity, is a part of her legacy.”

The post CCV Honors Lois McClure appeared first on Community College of Vermont.

• CCV’s Career Development team has posted the new CCV Career Field Guides to help students explore career possibilities connected to their CCV programs. The guides provide information about career pathways, Vermont labor market trends, in-demand skills, potential employers, job titles, salary information, and educational pathways. Over the coming year, Career Development will work with faculty, advisors, and student support teams to integrate the guides into courses and conversations with students, helping them better understand how their education can connect to meaningful career opportunities.
• CCV Associate Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Adam Warrington presented at the SLATE conference in Nashville on the fraud detection tools he has developed in SLATE.  There were approximately 750 people in attendance, and he has since been asked to meet with a number of colleges to share his wisdom. Additionally, during the conference he co-led a fraud affinity group for multiple colleges to discuss what to do about fraud at their institutions.
• Several recent CCV graduates are early childhood educators who received TEACH Scholarships from the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children to support their CCV education. 
  • Emily Brinkman: Orwell Education Program, Orwell
  • Isabelle Burleson: Busy Bees Academy, Fairfax
  • Andrea Butterfield: Bristol Family Center, Bristol
  • Kayla Croft: Arlington Area Child Care Inc., Arlington
  • Angel Jardine: Horizon Early Learning Program, Brattleboro
  • Tina Mossey: Registered Family Child Care Owner, Milton
  • Olivia Pangelinan: Horizon Early Learning Program, Brattleboro
  • Patricia Raetz: Registered Family Child Care Owner, Shaftsbury
  • Briana Terwiliger: Registered Family Child Care Owner, Richford
  • Samantha Vincilette: Busy Bees Academy, Fairfax
• Lyndon Institute students who participated in CCV’s Communication in the Early Childhood and Afterschool Workplace course presented their final projects to Northeast Kingdom Community Action staff. These projects showcased the students’ skills and knowledge on how to support families of children in their care.
• Former CCV instructor Eric Gross has been hired as the new principal at Mill River Union High School. Gross served as a police officer in Vermont before switching to a career in education, returning to college to earn two master’s degrees in education and educational leadership.
• UVM Health Network employees are advancing their careers through the Pathfinder Program, a partnership between UVM and CCV. CCV President Joyce Judy was interviewed by WCAX to talk about the program, which allows UVM Health Network staff to use vouchers for courses at CCV that will help them save money, gain education, and move into a higher paying job.
• Danielle LaFleur Brooks, a coordinator of teaching and learning at CCV, is the lead co-author of two medical terminology textbooks. Her title, Exploring Medical Language, 12e, was recently recognized for significant contributions to the academic field and was awarded the 2026 McGuffey Longevity Award by the Textbook & Academic Authors Association (4th on the list). “Receiving the award is a tremendous honor,” Danielle said. “Developing teaching and learning materials that support future healthcare professionals is my life’s work, and it is a true joy to be recognized in this way.”
• CCV CTL Danielle LaFleur Brooks serves on the Program Development Committee for the University of Vermont Medical Center’s 2026 Health Equity Summit. The summit is free to attendees. CCV will be represented at the summit in three ways:
  • CCV faculty member Melanie Meyer is speaking at Evaluating a Mental Health Agency-Based Doula Program: Client Perspectives on September 24 at 2pm. Melanie Meyer, ND, MPH, is a naturopathic physician, public health educator, and Assistant Professor in the Division of Public Health at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine. She is passionate about preparing future health and public health professionals to understand and address the social, structural, and community factors that shape health and well-being.
  • CCV faculty member Jeneve Joslin is speaking at Co-Design Lab: Creating Equity-Centered Health Workforce Pathways with Students as Partners on September 25 at 2:35pm. Jeneve Joslin is an Education Program Coordinator for Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) with the Vermont Agency of Education’s Division of Safe and Healthy Schools, where she supports statewide school mental health systems. As both a former healthcare provider and educator, Jeneve brings a systems-based perspective to workforce development, emphasizing belonging, opportunity, and long-term community impact. 
  •  CCV staff members Jarod Waite, Arzu Gul, and Danielle LaFleur Brooks, along with two members from the Vermont Department of Health, will be presenting the following session: One Goal, Two Communities: Advancing Health Equity by Bridging Communication Gaps with Older Adults and Multilingual Allied Health Students. Health equity depends on effective communication. Yet communication barriers can arise both within a shared language and across different languages and cultures. This presentation explores two complementary approaches to reducing those barriers and improving health outcomes.

The post Notable Now: Summer ‘26 Edition appeared first on Community College of Vermont.

As a kid, Mulvey lived in Vermont, Idaho, Maine, and Washington, D.C., where his dance career began in earnest at the Washington School of Ballet. During middle and high school, his schedule was focused on dance: he’d leave school at lunchtime and train all afternoon and evening, and then for a half day on Saturdays. “I was absolutely enamored,” he says of his first summer at a program connected with the Houston Ballet.

At that point, “I wasn’t really interested in pursuing college. I had my eyes laser-focused on a professional dance career.” Though he was eager to leave school altogether—he wanted to dance all day, every day—his mother was determined for him to focus on academics at least through his junior year of high school, and to take the SAT. “She always knew dance was important but there was something more for me outside of it, and didn’t want me to limit myself in any sort of way.” 

Mulvey joined a training apprentice program with the San Francisco Ballet during his senior year of high school, and thus began a years-long career as a professional dancer. He performed across the country with numerous companies including Washington Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre, and Cirque du Soleil. During his time performing, Robert was involved in outreach initiatives such as bringing dance to underserved populations through classes and performances. 

After retiring from dance, Mulvey found himself back in Vermont and ready for a new challenge: returning to the classroom. At CCV-Bennington, he discovered a diverse community of learners and the support and flexibility to turn his attention to academics while also working full-time. Many of his courses were synchronous online, which provided a traditional classroom feeling from the comfort of home. “CCV made it easy for me to transition into this new life,” he said.

Working closely with his advisor was key. “They were so available, so present,” he said. “They would stay on the phone with me and talk me through my options, and I felt really really supported. It was really important for me to have done the time I did at CCV before attending a four-year university.” 

Mulvey transferred his CCV credits to the Columbia University School of General Studies, where he majored in philosophy with a concentration in dance, graduating magna cum laude with departmental honors. 

This spring, he received the Fulbright-University of Roehampton Award in Dance, which will enable him to study at the University of Roehampton in the UK for ten months. As a participant, he’ll join his scholarship and dance practice with an MA in Dance Practice and Performance. “By mining the repository of my dance career, I hope to understand more deeply how movement—even in the smallest and most ordinary gesture—can convey meaning, and how that meaning can be communicated through scholarship to be exhibited in institutional settings like museums,” he wrote. 

“I’m looking at this year as a means to expand my network,” Mulvey said. “[And] per the Fulbright mission, extend a cultural arm from the U.S. to the UK, and bring that embodied and scholarly knowledge back to the United States.” 

Reflecting on his academic journey, Mulvey credits the support he received as a non-traditional student. “I’m very fortunate to have had the support, both at Columbia and CCV, to achieve the kinds of things that I have at this point.”

The post CCV Alumnus Receives Fulbright Award appeared first on Community College of Vermont.

Dana Lesperance

Dana Lesperance is an instructor at the CCV-Newport academic center. He teaches many first-time students in his classes which include Dimensions of Self & Society, English Composition, and courses for secondary education students.

What makes your classes unique?

I integrate the 16 Habits of Mind and other dispositions of growth into all my classes. I believe that learning how to learn and how to increase skills is as important as the content of the course. Growth in Habits of Mind, Grit, Growth Mindset, and other dispositions is one of the cornerstones of the CCV experience.

What three words or phrases would former students use to describe your classes?

Engaging, community, and supportive.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

I am a CCV graduate. I came to CCV when I was 30 years old hoping to increase my skills and further my education. I wanted to be prepared for promotions and opportunities at work. Since my first class in Dimensions of Learning, I have been on a journey of education and growth that brought me back to CCV as an instructor in 2013. I enjoy teaching students who are in the same place I was as a new college student. I enjoy supporting their journey of education and growth.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at CCV?

I enjoy teaching students who are making plans to further their careers, increase skills, and grow as an individual. It is never too late to go to college. I have watched 18-year-olds and 50-year-olds learning together and from each other. Community College of Vermont is truly a community focused on supporting students, no matter where they are starting from.

What is something students don’t know about you?

I am a pen and ink artist and enjoy sharing and selling my drawings. I learned to draw in Drawing I & II at CCV. I had never thought about art or knew I had the skill until taking Drawing I.

Madeline Pritchard

Madeline Pritchard is an art instructor at the CCV-Rutland academic center. She teaches Drawing 1 and Painting 1.

What makes your classes unique?

What makes the classes unique is the ability students have to contribute to the class through personal expression. Through creative freedom, students produce a series of works over the course of a semester, demonstrating the balance of foundational skill development and exploring historical and contemporary visual ideas.

What three words or phrases would former students use to describe your classes?

Fun, challenging, and supportive.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

The real world experience I bring to the CCV classes include learning experiences that model access to the arts in one’s life. This includes developing project ideation techniques, studio habits, self/group critiques, and media exploration. The balance of exploration in art, and risk-taking is developmentally beneficial to artistic development of all ages and level of experience.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at CCV?

What I enjoy most about teaching at CCV is the strong community and engagement the students of CCV bring to each class. I have found the students at CCV to be intelligent, optimistic, and open to new techniques and content learning within the arts. 

What is something students don’t know about you?

Something students wouldn’t know about me is that I have a nine-year-old dachshund mix named Barkley, I enjoy traveling to inspire my own artistic works, and I have taught high school art for over ten years.

Ray Cinti

Ray Cinti  teaches Introduction to Nutrition and Human Biology courses at CCV-St. Albans and CCV-Winooski. For Ray, teaching is about planting the seeds of awareness and instilling a questioning spirit in his students, and he believes “a society grows great when teachers such as myself can plant trees, the shade of which they will never sit.” He won two National Science Teaching awards in Biotechnology and in Agricultural Science in 2018 and 2019.

What makes your classes unique?

What makes my classes unique is the way I integrate digital learning with hands-on science. I’ve been creating instructional videos for many years, and I even went back to graduate school to earn a master’s degree in digital media and learning. This has allowed me to design my life sciences courses so that students can watch lectures and take notes remotely. This frees up our in-person class time for what really matters—engagement, collaboration, and discovery. Students spend more time working closely with their classmates on lab investigations, which not only sharpens their technical skills but also builds confidence and resilience—two qualities that are essential in science.

In my classes, we don’t just memorize facts; we actively do science. We design experiments, carry them out, and reflect on the results. I like to think that we’re not only learning the content but also practicing the habits of mind that make science meaningful.

What three words or phrases would former students use to describe your classes?

Passionate, innovative, and supportive.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

I bring a strong foundation of real-world scientific experience into the classroom that helps connect theory to practice for my students. I am a Bio-Rad Fellow, and through this role I lead several workshops and webinars each year, as well as present at local, regional, and national conferences. This keeps me connected to the broader scientific and educational community while also giving me fresh perspectives to bring back to my students. I’ve also worked at Vernal Biosciences, a Vermont-based biotechnology company specializing in RNA manufacturing, where I contributed to research in plasmid DNA. More recently, I’ve studied GMO crops in Vermont’s Mad River Valley through PCR analysis and ELISA testing, and I am currently conducting research involving CRISPR editing and repair in E. coli.

These experiences allow me to give students authentic insights into how the concepts we cover in class are applied in real-world biotechnology and research settings. They see that science is not just something in a textbook—it’s a living, evolving practice that they can be a part of.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at CCV?

What I enjoy most about teaching is the chance to ignite curiosity and exploration in my students. The lab room is not just a place of learning; it’s a launchpad for imagination, a laboratory for curiosity, and a playground for intellect. I love diving into the fascinating realm of scientific concepts, experiments, and discoveries that have the power to reshape the way we all see the world.

For me, teaching is not just about delivering facts and figures—it’s about helping students learn how to ask meaningful questions, think critically, and approach problems with creativity. At CCV, teaching is all about curiosity, and there truly is no limit to what students can discover.

What is something students don’t know about you?

I play the trombone and have a deep love for music. During my time at U.C. Davis, I was part of the marching band, and in my senior year I had the honor of serving as the musical director and conducting the band. Music has always been an important creative outlet for me, and I think it complements my love for science by giving me another way to think about rhythm, structure, and collaboration.

Tricia Pawlik

Tricia Pawlik is an online instructor teaching courses in Early Childhood Education each semester. These classes included Intro to Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education and Afterschool Program Management.

What makes your classes unique?

I try to make my classes personal and meet the individual needs of all of my students.

What three words would former students use to describe your classes?

Accessible, knowledgeable, and fair.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

I have over 30 years in the field of early childhood education doing direct service, supervision, coaching and quality assessment.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at CCV?

The engagement with students and seeing them excited to grow and learn more in the field of education.

What is something students don’t know about you?

I love all sports–watching them and playing them!

Cynthia Bjerklie

Cynthia Bjerklie teaches a range of classes in the Montpelier, Upper Valley, and Winooski centers, as well as online. These classes include those in the healthcare field such as Allied Health Science:  Medical Assisting, Medical Terminology, Pharmacology, and Medical Coding. Recently, Cynthia has also taught a class in Early Childhood Education.

What makes your classes unique?

I try to make learning fun, sometimes funny. We all take ourselves much too seriously. There’s always room for fun in the classroom; it helps break up the monotony. I enjoy using object lessons and surprising my students! 

What three words or phrases would former students use to describe your classes?

Informative, useful, and humorous.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

I have worked in healthcare for more than 45 years in a variety of positions including nurse’s aide, clinical medical assistant, administrative medical assistant, certified professional coder, office manager, regional office manager and director of operations of a large multi-specialty clinic. Currently, I am working as an educator at a New Hampshire hospital and I held the same position at Dartmouth-Hitchcock for seven years.

My experiences in working in both clinical and administrative positions have broadened my understanding of not only patient care, but also the business-side of healthcare, including revenue cycle management and the health care insurance industry.

In the ECE field I have taught preschool, elementary and middle school and worked as a school librarian. I have a B.S. in ECE with a minor in family studies and a masters in education (library and media). I have worked with young children for many years and particularly enjoy working with three and four year-olds. I have special interests in farm-based and nature-based education for young children and often have Open Farm Days on our small farm in New Hampshire.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at CCV?

My greatest pleasure in teaching is helping others find their personal paths to enjoyable and stable careers.

What is something students don’t know about you?

I own a small hobby farm with goats, chickens, ducks, and rabbits!

Tyler Whitney

Tyler Whitney is an online instructor teaching a wide variety of courses in information technology. These courses include Introduction to Linux, Foundations of Cloud Computing, Desktop Operating Systems, Computer User Support, and Introduction to Computer Science.

What makes your classes unique?

As an instructor for technology courses, hands-on labs and direct access to the technologies we’re learning about is something I always try to provide.

What three words or phrases would former students use to describe your classes?

Informative, hands-on, and collaborative.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

I worked at the University of Vermont (UVM) as a web application developer out of undergrad from SUNY Plattsburgh. While working there I started my masters program at Boston University. I left UVM for a startup company specializing in 3D digital photography and virtual tours as their director of systems administration. Afterward I worked for a small software development firm specializing in web application development and then took my private business full time as a consultant in IT and website/application development. Ultimately, I ended up back at my alma mater SUNY Plattsburgh, currently as the coordinator of enterprise systems and solutions. I teach for Franklin University and the Community College of Vermont.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at CCV?

The diversity of the students I interact with.

What is something students don’t know about you?

I love to play disc golf. I own over 50 different discs for various types of flight, shots, etc.

Kara von Behren

Kara von Behren is a CCV instructor that teaches online, allowing students from across the state to access her Leadership, Mentoring, and Supervision for Early Childhood & Afterschool Professionals class.

What makes your classes unique?

There is a lot of self-reflection and practical assignments people can apply to their work right away.

What three words or phrases would former students use to describe your classes?

Practical, informative, and oh-so reflective!

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

I have been in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 15 years and in education in general for over 20 years. I am currently a director of a center-based program and run an elementary school, so I use the skills students are learning every day. I am so familiar with the challenges and successes students in this class face because I live it daily!

What do you enjoy most about teaching at CCV?

Getting to work with such a diverse group of students who are all so engaged in their learning and their fields of study!

What is something students don’t know about you?

I love sewing, knitting, crocheting, making jewelry, and lots of other crafts! I am a huge fan of the Oxford comma! I am left-handed and got away with writing some of my cursive letters incorrectly because my teachers didn’t know how to teach me the correct letter formation. My kids wanted a fish tank and now I’m mildly obsessed with watching them.

Lindsay Webb

Lindsey Webb teaches science classes online at CCV such as Environmental Science, Ecology, and Biology. In recent semesters, Lindsay has taught Intro to Biology, Ecology and Evolution, and Wildlife Ecology.

What makes your classes unique?

I believe students learn best from doing. My classes are filled with small projects, hands-on learning, and outdoor observations. I aim for students to walk away with real-to-life experiences so they’re ready for whatever is next for them.

What four words or phrases would former students use to describe your classes?

Organized, project-based, active learning, non-traditional.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

My background experiences include having titles such as Park Ranger, Wildlife Biologist, and Environmental Educator. Like many of my students, I love being outside and I’ve made a career around doing just that!

What do you enjoy most about teaching at CCV?

I love the diversity of students in every class. From high school students to working parents to adults looking for a career change. The ideas and experiences that each individual brings to the classroom enrich our discussions.

What is something students don’t know about you?

My interests include: spending time outdoors, reading, listening to podcasts, and playing the occasional video game.

Ananda Forest

Ananda Forest teaches classes at CCV Bennington, Brattleboro, and Upper Valley academic centers. His classes include Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, World Mythology, Native American History and Cultures, Society and the Environment in History, and Intercultural Communication.

What makes your classes unique?

My enthusiasm for my subjects and enthusiasm for what lights my students up in the classroom. What I enjoy most about teaching is the students!

What three words would former students use to describe your classes?

Enthusiasm, challenging, fascinating.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

I spent years pouring water in a sweat lodge, leading and participating in shamanic ceremonies, studying with enlightened masters, and working as a carpenter.

What is something students don’t know about you?

I love trees!

James Brassard

James Brassard teaches courses in the business curriculum at CCV’s Center for Online Learning.

What makes your classes unique?

I believe in being openly accessible and prompt in replying to questions students may have.  Communication is critical and this is exponentially more important in an online environment.

What three words would former students use to describe your classes?

Responsive, understanding, and available.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

After serving in the military I returned to CCV where I earned my associate degree and went on to earn my bachelor’s degree from The Florida Institute of Technology and then my masters at Florida Gulf Coast University Lugert College of Business. Professionally, I have vast experience with company startups and growth. I have led startup and expansion efforts for two organizations that now have multiple locations throughout the United States, while additionally working with the National Football League to develop partnerships. In addition, I have started a non-profit organization which focuses on local charity efforts.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at CCV?

The opportunity to connect with students while developing an understanding of their unique thoughts and challenges, which allows for deeper discussions and the ability for students to excel as they progress through their academic journeys.

What is something students don’t know about you?

I am a CCV graduate!

Heather Connolly

Heather Connolly is an instructor at multiple CCV academic centers including Montpelier, Rutland, Winooski, and the Center for Online Learning. She teaches healthcare classes such as anatomy and physiology, introduction to health, clinical medical assisting, clinical medical assisting internship, administrative medical assisting, and administrative medical assisting internship.

What makes your classes unique?

I bring nearly 20 years of clinical experience to my teaching and I enjoy making learning fun while also underscoring the significance of a career in medicine.

What three words would former students use to describe your classes?

Exciting, tough, fair.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

I ran a successful chiropractic practice for 15 years and have been performing Department of Transportation (DOT) medical exams in private practice for the past eight years.

What do you enjoy most about teaching at CCV?

I enjoy helping students from diverse backgrounds achieve their educational goals.

What is something students don’t know about you?

Prior to a neck injury in 2018, I completed the Spartan Trifecta and the Tough Mudder!

Gilberto Diaz Santos

Gilberto Diaz Santos is a CCV instructor who teaches English for Academic Purposes in Winooski and online. He is also a coordinator of teaching and learning at CCV-Winooski.

What makes your classes unique?

They are mostly attended by new Vermonters and we enjoy sharing stories and insights from our original countries or cultures.

What three words would former students use to describe your classes?

Fun, safe, and supportive.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

I have taught English for Academic Purposes to students of different educational backgrounds and study disciplines for more than 30 years in two different countries. 

What do you enjoy most about teaching at CCV?

It’s a supportive and collaborative culture. I also enjoy the cultural diversity of students in the Winooski center.

What is something students don’t know about you?

I have many life experiences to share beyond teaching. I have traveled a lot and worked as an event organizer, cook, roadie, photo/videographer, columnist, and now I have a YouTube channel with shows in Spanish and English.

Mary Ann Boyd

Mary Ann Boyd is an online instructor teaching Conflict Resolution (COM 2360), Effective Workplace Communication (COM 1010), and Death and Dying (PSY 2130) in the fall 2022 semester. She has previously taught Interpersonal and Small Group Communication for CCV and Human Intimacy and Sexuality at another VSCS school.

What makes your classes unique?

I am always looking for what students have done well.  Always!  Though I will work to help you flourish and grow, I also recognize the strengths which you already possess to help you meet your goals. I’d also add that I make it MY goal to empower each and every student I work with, recognizing that learning is not a “one size fits all” experience. It is my job/role to understand your learning needs and to meet you exactly where you are. 

What three words would former students use to describe your classes?

Flexible, supportive and responsive.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

I am a Vermont Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) who has significant experience as a mental health professional, having worked with individuals, couples/families and groups in community mental health settings as well as private practice. In addition, I have experience as a home health/hospice social worker. 

What do you enjoy most about teaching at CCV?

I began my own educational journey at CCV as a non-traditional student and gained confidence as an adult learner. CCV, and the wonderful instructors I had, believed in me when I most needed supportive guidance, and for that I am truly grateful. I am honored to pay that forward, witnessing the next generation of CCV students grow and flourish.     

What is something students don’t know about you?

I teach ZUMBA, I’m a golfer (I’m not great but I keep trying!), and I am a major dog (and cat) lover!

Stephanie Bush

Stephanie is an art instructor who teaches drawing I, painting I and II, sculpture, introduction to studio arts, and landscape in art at CCV-Middlebury.

What makes your classes unique?

My classes lean heavily on technique. Most of the classes I teach are introductory and rather than focusing on conceptual work, I teach various tools and techniques that will empower you on your own artistic journey. Making art is a labor of love, but it’s also a lot of very hard work

What three words would former students use to describe your classes?

Difficult, demanding, and rewarding.

Briefly describe the real-world experience you bring to your CCV classes.

When I’m not teaching, I’m working in my studio. I’m represented by several galleries across the country.

What is something students don’t know about you?

I have backpacked through 23 countries (mostly solo)!

The post Faculty Spotlight appeared first on Community College of Vermont.

Graduating with Momentum

For Collin Clair of Vergennes and Aidan Hall of Proctor, getting a head start on college while in high school didn’t just save money. It gave them time and support to figure out what they wanted to do and how to get there.

Both students were interested in computers but unsure what path would help them transform their hobby into a career. Encouraged by their counselors to consider Vermont’s Early College program, which allows high school seniors to enroll full-time in college courses at no cost, they each enrolled at CCV and graduated from high school with over 20 college credits and momentum on a purposeful pathway to an IT career.

After completing high school, Clair and Hall both chose to finish their CCV degrees in Information Technology through the Free Degree Promise, which offers Early College students a second year at CCV tuition-free — creating a fast, affordable pathway to an associate degree. Along the way to their degree, they both also completed a cybersecurity certificate.

Now, both students are at Champlain College studying cybersecurity and networking, building on the foundation they started in high school.

‘Sign Me Up’

Clair, a 2024 graduate of Vergennes Union High School, said that early exposure to college-level work helped him discover an interest he hadn’t fully defined before.

“I love computers. I use them day-to-day and I like knowing about the things that I use and enjoy,” he said. “I just didn’t know what I wanted to do with that yet.”

When he learned that Early College could lead directly into a second free year at CCV, the decision made sense. “I was like, that’s an entire degree!” he said. “Sign me up for that. That sounds awesome.”

Seamless Transfer

Hall, a Proctor High School graduate and now a junior at Champlain College, had a similar goal: to expand his options while keeping costs manageable.

“I chose Early College and the Free Degree Promise because I wanted options,” Hall said. “Coming from a small high school, there weren’t a lot of IT, networking, or systems administration classes.”

“Another big reason was taking the financial burden off my shoulders,” he added. “College is not cheap, and taking on only two years was a real benefit.”

The transfer process itself was straightforward, thanks to established pathways between CCV and four-year institutions.

“All of my credits transferred, so I started here fully as a junior,” Hall said.

With their associate degrees complete and bachelor’s degrees underway, both are considering next steps in a field that continues to grow in Vermont. Roles such as software developers, computer systems analysts, and IT specialists are projected to offer median wages of at least $30 per hour, with more than 300 openings in the state between 2022 and 2032.

For Hall, that outlook aligns with his goals.

“When I graduate, I hope to go straight into the workforce as a network engineer or doing systems administration,” he said. “I will look for a remote job or a local job in the Rutland area.”

Clair is still exploring where he wants to focus but values having the time and space to make that decision. What both emphasize is that starting early and avoiding financial risk made it easier to explore their interests and take that first step with confidence.

Early College applications for the class of 2027 are open through August 5.

The post Free Degree Promise Students Start Strong on IT Pathway appeared first on Community College of Vermont.

Want to share your news? Alumni are encouraged to be in touch by filling out the alumni update form.

Trevor Farr ‘18 STEM Studies
University of Alabama at Birmingham ‘25 Masters in Advanced Safety and Engineering

Trevor is an environmental, health and safety manager at Perrigo Company. He is the treasurer of the Vermont Dairy Industry Association, where one of his many responsibilities is to fund scholarship programs for students looking to contribute to Vermont’s dairy industry. Trevor is also currently working toward a certified safety professional certificate from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.

Robyn Bradley ‘20 Liberal Studies
Castleton University ‘21 Psychology

Since her time at CCV, Robyn graduated with a master’s degree in strategic leadership from Rosemont College, bought a house in the Philadelphia suburbs, and got two dachshunds. She is an enrollment counselor at Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies, where she helps adult learners continue their education.

Jenna Atkinson ‘21 Early Childhood Education and Behavioral Science

Jenna is a registered behavior technician at Autism, Advocacy, and Intervention. She got engaged in 2023 and completed a bachelor’s degree at Southern New Hampshire University, then went on to earn a master’s degree at Western Connecticut State University in 2026.

Laura Gypson ‘13 Liberal Studies
NVU ‘22 Early Childhood Education

Laura is the early education program partnership director and social emotional learning coordinator at Hilltop Montessori School. She is currently working on her early childhood special education added teaching license endorsement and early childhood director credential.

Dana Welch ‘21 Environmental Science

Dana continued his education at Southern New Hampshire University, graduating in 2024 with a bachelor of science in environmental science. He works as the athletic director for Caledonian Central Supervisory Union.

Edward Vizvarie ‘01 Liberal Studies

Edward retired in 2019 from Howard Center after 28 years there. He and his wife love to travel and plan to visit all 50 of our glorious states. He has three grandchildren that live close by, as do both of his daughters, so they spend a lot of time together. Life is great!

Anna Lang ‘96 Liberal Studies

After graduating from CCV, Anna continued her education through additional coursework at Johnson State College and Castleton University. She initially pursued psychology, but over time realized it was not the right professional fit and a sparked interest in healthcare led her to enroll in an LNA course at the Sanford Technical Center while working and raising a family. She later completed both a first responder course and an EMT course. Anna’s professional career took her in the path of working with the senior population, and she is now the executive director of Ida’s House, a specialized dementia care home dedicated to providing high-quality, person-centered care while also supporting families and caregivers through education, advocacy, and community collaboration. 

Joshua MacDuff ‘09 Accounting

Joshua opened the very first licensed retail cannabis dispensary in Vermont, Mountain Girl Cannabis.

Kathryn Rochon ‘23 Behavioral Science

This past spring, Kathryn celebrated four years of being employed at UVM as the outreach and enrollment service coordinator. She is slowly but steadily progressing toward completing a bachelor’s degree in sociology at VTSU online and in person at Castleton campus, and is more than halfway done with the program! 

Verna Stoddard ‘24 Graphic Design

Verna is continuing her education at VTSU studying graphic design and outdoor education and is slated to graduate in 2027. She already is WEMT certified and has a UX/UI design certification and works as an EMT at Lyndon Rescue. 

Alyssa Jeandell ‘15 Liberal Studies

Alyssa is married with two children and works with the elderly as a med tech and caretaker at Rivers Edge Community Care Home. She says her biggest accomplishment is not giving up on herself as she battled many obstacles after graduating. She is in sobriety and wants to be a role model to those that may need one.

The post Alumni News – July appeared first on Community College of Vermont.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Vermonters,” said CCV President Joyce Judy. “Skilled IT professionals are in high demand, and this is a chance to get started on the path to a rewarding career, with backing from a nationwide program. CCV is pleased to be part of this initiative for a third year.”

CCV will award scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year as funding allows. Students in the following certificate programs are eligible: IT support and service operations, cybersecurity and networking, or data analytics and artificial intelligence. Registration for fall is open now, and courses begin September 8.

As a third-time MSI participant, CCV has received $150,000 in support of career and technical education programs throughout the initiative’s existence. In the first two years of the program, more than 60 students have received scholarships.

All Within My Hands (AWMH), the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, proudly announces the eighth year of its Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) with its largest grant to date: over $3.3M. 18 new US schools will join the returning 75 colleges in the fall for a total of 93 in the program. In addition, later this year, the Metallica Scholars Initiative will also expand to the United Kingdom in partnership with Capital City College Group in London.  

Metallica’s James Hetfield said, “This thing started as a dream. Now our program is changing lives. To expand our impact on a global scale and support even more students is so rewarding. We’re so proud of all the Metallica Scholars who have come through it and all the ones who will participate in it. It’s humbling to know we’ve been part of the journey of thousands of trade professionals doing good, hard work in the world.”   

AWMH continues to work closely with its long-time partner, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands, MSI’s core focus is supporting conventional trades, including welders, plumbers, and electricians, while also adding fields that will generate the jobs of tomorrow. The workforce initiative continues to evolve, supporting diverse fields for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to establish meaningful careers that provide family-sustaining wages. Year 8 includes a wide range of fields, including nursing and healthcare, optical systems technology, automotive repair, maritime manufacturing, firefighting and EMT, pipefitting, and agricultural pathways.  

Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, President and CEO, AACC, said, “The continued growth of the Metallica Scholars Initiative is a powerful testament to what’s possible when visionary philanthropy and community colleges come together around a shared mission.  Through this partnership, 13,000 community college students have already been supported across the country, earning the skills needed for in- demand careers with family-sustaining wages. This latest, generous investment by Metallica’s foundation will reach more learners, while strengthening the workforce pipelines that power local economies. We are proud to partner with All Within My Hands to scale this impact, ensuring even more students have access to life-changing opportunities in the skilled trades and beyond.”

The initiative’s eighth iteration also marks the renewal of AWMH’s partnerships with Carhartt, Wolverine, CNH Construction, and Upstaging, Inc., as well as the addition of the Foundation’s newest partner, ServiceTitan. These corporate partners complement the Foundation’s Executive and Advisory Board Members and the broader Metallica Family, all of whom have played a role in advancing AWMH’s mission and driving its success. 

Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, AWMH, said, “Metallica Scholars Year 8 will see our largest-scale growth yet, as we anticipate supporting close to 4,000 new students in the United States and more than 1,000 learners in the UK. This represents an approximate 40% increase in our student body, something we are incredibly excited about. Supporting people of all ages entering and ascending through trades is the right thing to do, not just domestically, but also abroad. Our Metallica Scholars have demonstrated resilience and a strong determination to succeed, which in turn motivates us to match their ambition.” 

For a complete list of all 93 colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars.

The post CCV Invited to Return to Nationally Recognized Metallica Scholars Initiative appeared first on Community College of Vermont.

• Northfield’s Cooper French doubles up on Community College of Vermont Double Features | State | manchesterjournal.com CCV was back at Thunder Road International Speedbowl for a fun night of racing, handing out CCV goodies, and connecting with our community.
• Roundup: Williams stars in RC Impact win | Local | rutlandherald.com Former faculty member Elizabeth Harding was hired as the assistant coach for swimming and diving at Middlebury College.
• The Top Women Leaders of Vermont for 2026 (Complete) – Women We Admire CCV alumna April Clark was included in Women We Admire’s Top Women Leaders of Vermont 2026 list. Clark is the director of sales operations at Optum, a global health services company.
• Small high school thinking big with expanded course offerings | Education | reformer.com Twin Valley Middle High School will offer dual enrollment courses through CCV.
• Why Community College of Vermont Is Growing as College Costs Climb  CCV’s innovative model lends itself to flexibility, adaptability, and growth.

• Congratulations to students who earned academic honors for the spring 2026 semester!
  • College news | Education | reformer.com 
  • Times Argus Community News for June 30, 2026 | Community | timesargus.com 
  • Rutland Herald Community News for June 30, 2026 | Community | rutlandherald.com

• CCV will keep tuition flat for the 2026-2027 academic year.
  • CCV To Keep Tuition Level Next Year – The White River Valley Herald
  • Prioritizing affordability and access: CCV to keep tuition level | Community News | benningtonbanner.com
  • Community College of Vermont keeps tuition flat
  • CCV to keep tuition level | Vermont Business Magazine
  • Community College of Vermont keeps tuition flat for next year

• Many of this year’s high school graduates from the Upper Valley will continue at CCV next year.
  • Sharon Academy Celebrates Class of 2026 With Ceremony Centered on Resilience, Reflection – The White River Valley Herald
  • List of graduates in Thetford Academy’s class of 2026 – Valley News
  • White River Valley High School Class of 2026 – Valley News
  • Class of 2026: Rivendell Academy graduates’ future plans – Valley News
  • Mid Vermont Christian School Class of 2026 graduates – Valley News
  • Windsor co-valedictorians thank teachers and families – Valley News

• CCV received a $2.9 million grant from Ascendium Education Group to expand our corrections education program.
  • Vermont prison education funding details
  • Capitol Beat: Economic data show Vt. holding steady | Local News | rutlandherald.com
  • $2.9 million will help expand college education in Vermont prisons

• CCV celebrated commencement on June 6. Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
  • Area Residents Are 2026 Graduate of CCV | Education news | caledonianrecord.com 
  • Times Argus Community News for June 12, 2026 | Community | timesargus.com 
  • Rutland Herald Community News for June 12, 2026 | Community | rutlandherald.com 
  • 500 graduate from Community College of Vermont | Vermont Business Magazine
  • 500 Graduate From CCV | Local News | caledonianrecord.com
  • Community College of Vermont graduates nearly 500 students
  • Vermont community college honors persevering student – Valley News
  • Community College of Vermont prepares to graduate nearly 500 this weekend | Local News | rutlandherald.com

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