Celebrating Our Graduates' Success

"It’s the community," says Claire Lennon '23. "I never felt alone in any of my endeavors. Faculty care so much and are always there for us. I made lifelong friendships through CESS, the Honors College, club sports, and the campus tour guide program. I am so lucky to be part of the UVM family, and I know that won’t change after graduation.”

We are proud to celebrate the success of our most recent graduates as they move on to rewarding careers, graduate study, and other exciting opportunities.

Story: Celebrating Student Success

HESA Alum Daniel Fairley Receives Prestigious Obama Foundation Fellowship

Story: Fairley Receives Prestigious Obama Foundation Fellowship

Transforming Educational Leadership and Policy Studies to Improve Statewide Access

"I’m excited about our new statewide outreach effort to transform both programs to better meet the needs of Vermont’s PK-12 school districts," said Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Program Coordinator Rebecca Callahan, PhD. The master's program will be available fully online, while the doctoral program will shift to a hybrid model with more online coursework.

Two distinguished scholar-researchers recently joined the programs' core faculty. “We are so fortunate to bring Dr. Daniella Sutherland and Dr. Matthew McCluskey to our programs,” said Callahan. “Their teaching and research backgrounds add a wealth of expertise to benefit our students."

Story: Developing Educational Leaders and Policy Researchers Across Vermont

New Faculty Bring International and Vermont Expertise to UVM Social Work Programs

“We’re truly delighted to expand our team and expertise with the addition of Simon and Cassie who complement our diverse composition in a way that will take us confidently into the future,” said Department of Social Work Chairperson Jan Fook.

Originally come from Hong Kong, Dr. Simon Chan has over three decades of experience in psychotherapy and family therapy practice that shapes his teaching and research.

Cassie Gillespie is a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience serving children, youth, families, and helping professionals. Gillespie was a child welfare worker for the Family Services Division of the Vermont Department of Children and Families before joining UVM's Child Welfare Training Partnership.

Story: New Faculty Bring International Perspective and Statewide Experience to UVM Social Work Programs

Improving Community Health and Wellbeing

Two nationally recognized scholars join the team of accomplished faculty in UVM’s Master of Science in Counseling Program and the newly launched Doctor of Counselor Education and Supervision Program.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Anna Elliott and Dr. Robin Hausheer to our growing programs,” said Department Chairperson Christine Proulx. “Their teaching expertise will help prepare future counselors and counselor educators, and their rich and diverse research portfolios in rural mental health and substance misuse and prevention will provide exciting training opportunities for students in our new PhD program.”

Story: Improving Community Health and Wellbeing

UVM Revamps Curriculum and Instruction M.Ed. Program, Adding New Faculty and Online Access

"Given the emphasis on culturally responsive instruction and community engagement, I was specifically drawn to College of Education and Social Services and the Curriculum and Instruction program," said Dr. Cee Carter, who joined the program this fall.

Developing innovative educational leaders and researchers, the program offers specialization tracks in Education for Sustainability, Reading and Literacy, Resiliency-Based Approaches, School Library Media Science, or an individually-designed program. 

All courses are available fully online, with the exception of select field-based coursework in the Education for Sustainability track. An accelerated master's degree pathway is available for current UVM undergraduate students.

Story: UVM Revamps Curriculum & Instruction Program

UVM's Center on Disability and Community Inclusion Partners on $10 Million Economic Outcomes Grant

UVM's Center on Disability and Community Inclusion (CDCI) will partner on the Vermont Pathways to Partnership (VT-P2P) project funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration. The newly funded project is designed to improve the lives of young Vermonters with disabilities. 

“We’ve long known that there is a huge need for improving and expanding these types of services," said CDCI Director Jesse Suter. "We've seen that need for years, as our projects have worked to improve high school transition, employment, and access to higher education for Vermonters with disabilities. P2P has a great chance to make big change in improving the economic prospects of Vermonters with disabilities as they transition to adulthood.” 

Story: CDCI Partners on $10 Economic Outcomes Grant

Fulbright Scholar Jay Garvey's Exploration of Queer and Trans Experiences in Education

Dr. Jay Garvey has spent his career speaking directly with policymakers and administrators to ensure that statistical research involving educators and students fully captures queer and trans perspectives. The self-proclaimed ‘quantitative queer’ recently embarked on a Fulbright journey in the United Kingdom to transcend his research and personal experiences back home.

“My growth as a person, and as a scholar, and as a partner, and a queer person has been transformative and humbling. I never in my life thought I would have an opportunity like this.” 

Story: Fulbright Scholar Jay Garvey's Exploration of Queer and Trans Experiences in Education

CESS Launches Office of Research to Support Grant Funding Opportunities

The College of Education and Social Services prioritizes resources and provides incentives that promote interdisciplinary and collaborative research. Over the past two fiscal years, CESS researchers have secured 43 awards totaling over $15.4 million to support 73 projects. Growth in the college's research enterprise led to the recent launch of the CESS Office of Research in partnership with the Office of the Vice President for Research at UVM.

Led by Research Proposal Developer Lisa Vear and Pre-Award Administrator Natalie Parker-McDaniel, researchers now have access to expanded supports, funding opportunities, and expertise in grant proposal development. 

Visit the CESS Research webpage

 

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Sorrentino Honored at Commencement

“My education at UVM has been transformative,” said Maggie Sorrentino '23, who received the Mary Jean Simpson Award recognizing a UVM senior who best exemplifies the qualities of character, leadership, and scholarship. "Inspired and nourished by professors, peers, coursework, internships, research, and community service, I have become a changemaker, advocate, and lifelong learner."

With help from a scholarship, her UVM journey continues as a graduate student pursuing a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction focusing on literacy and reading. She also competes as a student athlete on UVM’s Cross Country and Track and Field teams.

Story: Building Inclusive and Civically Engaged Communities

 

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More News & Notes of Interest

NEW: Special Education BS Major Open for Enrollment Fall 2024

Special Education Master's Degree Program Now Available Online

Seeking Applicants for PhD in Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Health and Inclusive Education (SHIE) Program

NEW: Forgivable Loan Program to Pursue a Career in Teaching

NEW: Forgivable Loan Program to Pursue Careers in Social Work, Counseling and Mental Health Professions

Funding & Scholarships for CESS Master's Students

Funding & Scholarships for CESS Doctoral Students

Toolin Named Gund Institute Fellow

Lalanne Featured in National ASL Curriculum News

Center on Disability and Community Inclusion (CDCI) News & Events

Refer a Catamount Program

 

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Introducing our Newest Faculty 

We are pleased to welcome 14 accomplished scholars to our full-time faculty in the College of Education and Social Services. Their diverse range of teaching and research expertise bolsters our internationally recognized programs in education, social work, counseling, and human services.

Alexia Buono, PhD – Lecturer of Early Childhood Education

Cee Carter, PhD – Assistant Professor of Curriculum & Instruction

Simon Chan, PhD – Associate Professor of Social Work

Anna Elliott, PhD – Associate Professor of Counselor Education & Supervision

Elizabeth Ann Fincher, PhD – Lecturer of Early Childhood Education

Cassie Gillespie, MSW – Lecturer of Social Work

Robin Hausheer, EdD – Associate Professor of Counselor Education & Supervision

Maggie Kabbeko, MLS, MEd – Lecturer of Elementary Education

Leon Lifschutz, EdD – Lecturer of Education

Matthew McCluskey, PhD – Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

Melissa Rocco, PhD – Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration

Brittney Janelle Staffieri, MA, MBA – Lecturer of American Sign Language

Kristabel Stark, PhD – Assistant Professor of Special Education

Daniella Hall Sutherland, PhD – Associate Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

 

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Faculty Awards

Celia Cuddy, MSW – John Dewey Award for Excellence in Teaching

Tracy Arámbula Turner, PhD – Jackie Gribbons Award for Outstanding Service, Graduate Student Senate Award for Excellence in Teaching

Brit Williams, PhD – Joseph Abrascato Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship

Tiffanie Spencer, PhD – Judith A. Aiken Award for Relational Leadership

Staff Awards

Jean Evans – President's Our Common Ground Award, CESS Staff Appreciation Award

Anne Dubie –  CESS Staff Appreciation Award

Kunie Renaud – CESS Staff Appreciation Award

Tiffanie Spencer, PhD – Career Champions Award, Mosaic Center Outstanding Club Advisor Award

 

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