UVM campus with colorful springtime blossoms and Waterman building in the background
Welcome to the Spring 2022 edition of Engagement. We are pleased to share news from the University of Vermont's College of Education and Social Services (CESS) community about our ongoing work to promote a more humane and just society, free from oppression, that maximizes human potential and the quality of life for all individuals, families, and communities.

Celebrating Student Success

As we recognize the accomplishments of our students during their academic journey at UVM, we also celebrate their success as they move on to rewarding careers, graduate study, and other exciting opportunities.
"Mental health is an issue impacting children in schools all over the country,” says Taylor Mullen, a Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) major who will begin graduate study in Counseling this fall. “I want to be a conduit of support and care for students who need it.”

Agents of Change in Education

Through their research and professional practice, UVM Educational Leadership and Policy Studies doctoral program graduates Hans Cabra and Lori Dolezal strive for transformational improvements to educational quality, equity and justice for all students.
"Equity and social justice drive my personal purpose and the purpose of our agency's work with constituent school systems,” says Dolezal about her role at the Vermont Agency of Education. 
“I am excited to work with children and youth in the formulation of community-development initiatives," says Cabra, who begins his new role as the director of the "Getting to Y" program at UP for Learning. 

Social Work Chair Jan Fook Named University Scholar

Professor of Social Work Jan Fook is a sought-after presenter and consultant whose work has been shared around the world. After an accomplished international career spanning Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Norway, Dr. Fook joined the University of Vermont and began serving as chair of the Department of Social Work in 2019.

Social Work Cohort Fosters Trust, Knowledge, and Growth

"I love working in collaboration with the cohort, being in a group, and finding that level of comfort together," says Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) senior Liz MacMannis. "We can’t be doing this work on our own, and we shouldn’t.”
The BSW cohort model at UVM is distinct in that it starts from the students’ lived field experiences to generate content for teaching and learning.

Cynthia Reyes Appointed as Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs

“Dr. Reyes's commitment to ensuring high quality academic programming, mentoring faculty, and engaging deeply with issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion will inform her role as Associate Dean and enhance the work of our CESS leadership team,” said Interim Dean Katie Shepherd.
Reyes is a award-winning and nationally recognized expert on English learner (EL) education, immigrant families and literacy, qualitative research methods, and teacher education. She will begin her new leadership role in June. 

Individualized Pathways in Place-Based Education

Graduating seniors Phoebe Munch and Sage WhiteCloud are among the first students in UVM's College of Education and Social Services (CESS) to declare an Individually Designed Major and pursue a Place-Based Education Certificate. Both students plan to pursue careers in education outside of traditional school settings.

Tarrant Institute Prepares Vermont Schools to Pivot When Challenges Arise

Now in its twelfth year, UVM's Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education is changing the way students are educated in Vermont and across the nation.
Middle level education faculty and their Tarrant Institute associates are top scholars in the field of personalized education based on each student’s strengths, needs, and interests. Together, they provide long-term professional development to more than 70 partner schools across Vermont.

Study Examines Early Childhood Education Preparation Pathways 

With grant funding and support from Let's Grow Kids, Assistant Professor Kaitlin Northey leads a UVM research study designed to address gaps in policymakers’ understanding of Vermont's early childhood education preparation pipeline.
Northey's study also seeks to identify challenges that are unique to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) students in early childhood education programs.

Celebrating Vermont's Outstanding Educators

The College of Education and Social Services (CESS) and the Vermont Agency of Education honored 70 of the state's outstanding teachers from 30 school districts and supervisory unions at the 41st Annual Outstanding Teachers’ Day.
"We honor your commitment, your successes as well as your trials, and the powerful impact you have had on the children of Vermont and our future," said CESS Dean Katie Shepherd in her address to the audience of teachers, families, and educational leaders. 

Greek Life Scholarships Support Education Students

Dariana Saavedra says generous financial aid beyond what any other university offered made it possible for her to attend UVM. "Education majors like me come here because we love children, but we also realize what a big job we have ahead of us," says the Early Childhood Education sophomore. "We need more people to be able to see teaching as a viable option.”
Alyssa Barnes is a doctoral student in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in Special Education program who says the scholarship was a welcome safeguard. “I’m a full-time special educator, but I’m also a mom," says Barnes, who plans to pursue district-level administrative leadership or a career in higher education after earning her EdD. "Needless to say, this scholarship really takes some of the pressure off of me.”

Early Mobility Partnership Yields Prototype Vehicle

Collaboration between the UVM Center on Disability and Community Inclusion's Early Mobility Project and the UVM Center for Biomedical Innovation is addressing the critical need for power mobility among young children experiencing movement-related disabilities.
Combining a hoverboard structure with in-depth knowledge of movement-related disabilities and DIY kits, students designed a new way to build custom power mobility units for children.
UVM's Old Mill tower with a stunning sunset view over Burlington and Lake Champlain

Professional and Continuing Education Opportunities

We are pleased to offer a variety of convenient and flexible professional and continuing education pathways including many online and hybrid options.
We still have opening in our summer sessions with a 30% discount on tuition. See course descriptions, instructors, dates, financial aid information and how to register on our summer courses landing page

Graduate Tuition Scholarships 

Learn more about our graduate tuition scholarships are available for students in our master's degree programs in Counseling, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Higher Education and Student Affairs, Interdisciplinary Studies, Middle Level and Secondary Education, Special Education, and Social Work. Students applying for Certificates of Graduate Study are also eligible.
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