Southern Vermont College

I enjoy writing about and sharing my thoughts on topics in higher education on my blog. But, I would be remiss if I didn’t periodically mention the latest Southern Vermont College news and upcoming events here too. I am delighted to announce that a colleague from my law professor days, Anita Hill (now a professor at Brandeis), has accepted an invitation to join the SVC Board of Trustees. Professor Hill brings a wealth of talent, experience and wisdom to SVC. She understands the needs of vulnerable and first generation students and brings extraordinary sensitivity to conversations on contemporary social issues. She also has a strong interest in healthcare and healthcare delivery systems and can help shape the future of SVC’s many healthcare initiatives.

Secondly, next week on Friday, December 11, we welcome Harvard professor and literary scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates to our campus and to the Bennington Center for the Arts for a 7 pm lecture entitled, “Genealogy, Genetics and African American History”. I met Dr. Gates at the annual Council of Independent Colleges College Presidents meeting last January where he singled out Southern Vermont College as a place doing great things for first generation students here in Vermont. I invited him to campus, and he challenged us to become one of the first colleges in the country to utilize his innovative research on genealogy in our curriculum. SVC Provost Al DeCiccio has done this masterfully in the first year course he has taught this semester called, “Exploring Faces of Diversity: Building the ‘I am.I am from’ Exhibit at Bennington Museum.” The students enjoyed the research journey, and their exhibit is ready for viewing. You can read more about the class and the upcoming lecture in a recent Rutland Herald article.

Last but not least, we host two upcoming events on campus, geared towards putting students on the fast track to thriving careers, a worthy goal in these economic times. On Monday, Dec. 7, 5 – 7 pm, SVC will host a Healthcare Career Info Session in Greenberg Atrium, open to prospective students interested in learning about exciting educational and career opportunities in three thriving fields: nursing, radiologic technology and healthcare management and advocacy (and our Sim Lab will be open for viewing). A second info session, on Saturday, Dec. 12, is also for prospective students interested in learning more about the College’s programs.  Prospective students will learn about, among other things, Kindle learning, Sports Management and the Sim Lab.  The second event starts at 1 pm in Greenberg Atrium and caps off with a favorite campus activity, a Men’s Basketball game in the Field House, at 3 pm. Space is limited for both sessions so RSVP early at  SVC Admissions, 802-447-6304 or e-mail admissions@svc.edu.

 This is an exciting time at SVC, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming events.