This commentary is by Beth Mauch of Cornwall, chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System
Rural higher education and training after high school is both a pathway to individual success and a cornerstone of Vermont’s economic future. The Vermont State Colleges System answers this charge by meeting students where they are and providing affordable, relevant opportunities to them. We are proud to lead this essential work, embracing change and leaning into a transformation that is now a nationally recognized model for progress, while staying true to our mission of serving Vermonters.
The transformation of the higher education sector across the country and in Vermont is undeniable. The question before us over the last four years has been: what are we going to do about it. VSCS has responded with clarity and focus, building a new model centered on student needs and the needs of our state’s workforce and employers. We are adapting to this changing environment in exciting ways. The fact is, our state colleges will never look the way they did in the past, but that is okay. We are discovering opportunity and strength in these changes. And together, we are blazing a new trail guided by our mission — for the benefit of Vermont — as our North Star.
Our future vision includes growing enrollment, increasing access and adding new programs in high-demand areas. By identifying and anticipating emerging workforce needs and collaborating with industry partners, our degrees, certificates and training programs stay meaningful and relevant to our students. These efforts will strengthen the state’s economic resilience and competitiveness while opening doors for more Vermonters for good paying jobs and careers.
Education must be accessible to students, regardless of income, geographic location or past experiences. Today’s students come from varied backgrounds, span generations and have diverse needs, requiring a range of in-person, hybrid and online programs to meet them where they are. In-person learning options at our five campuses at Vermont State University and Community College of Vermont’s 12 sites across the state foster connections and community, while hybrid programs offer a balance of face-to-face interaction and online convenience. And fully online programs expand access further, enabling learners from the most remote corners or with the most demanding personal schedules to access high-quality education from anywhere.
This multimodal approach is what our students tell us they want, and need. It ensures that every Vermonter can find a pathway that works for them. Whether students are recent high school graduates, mid-career professionals seeking a new direction or adults returning to education and training after years away, our institutions provide them flexibility and support for success.
Affordability remains central to our mission. That is why we are committed to keeping tuition costs low and providing robust financial aid options, and even exploring ways to offer year-round housing for our students. It is also a driving force behind our investments in certifications that fast track our students into well-paying careers at a fraction of the cost and time it takes to achieve a degree. The fact is, Vermonters have differing needs and our responsibility is to offer as many paths to education and training as we reasonably can. By aligning our offerings with Vermont’s workforce needs, we ensure that our graduates are well-prepared for high-demand careers in fields like healthcare, education, technology, skilled trades, and more.
This alignment is evident in the success stories emerging from both our institutions. At VTSU, our nursing programs produce hundreds of licensed nurses each year. Our partnerships with local hospitals provide hands-on training opportunities that lead directly to employment, and over 80% of our nursing graduates are staying in our state, filling essential roles at all levels in Vermont’s health care workforce. At CCV, certificate programs in areas like cybersecurity and associate degrees in professions like accounting equip Vermonters with the skills and certifications they need to step into these professions, helping Vermont employers recruit the skilled workforce they need to thrive.
Looking to the future, the VSCS is embracing innovation and collaboration to address the ever-changing needs of our students, our state, and its employers. Our ongoing transformation combines the strengths of our legacy institutions into a unified system that serves Vermonters better than ever. But we can’t do this work alone. It takes the ongoing investment of our policymakers and support of community leaders, employers, and Vermonters to continue to realize this vision. It especially takes the creativity and energy
of our excellent faculty and staff. Together, we are ensuring every learner has access to the education and training they need to thrive. Whether it’s the English major aspiring to be a children’s author or the plumbing apprentice determined to start her own business, we are making room for every dream and pathway and sustaining that vision for generations to come
Read the story on VTDigger here: Beth Mauch: Education and training after high school looks different today, and that’s a good thing.