Student and Alumni Success | College of Education and Social Services | The University of Vermont(title)

The quality of our students' preparation is widely recognized and highly valued. Graduates are uniquely positioned for immediate and long range success in meaningful careers that make a real difference in the world.

Class of 2020-2022 Survey Data

  • 98.5% reported they were employed or continuing their education within 6 months of graduating.
  • 98.5% of grads said their field of employment is somewhat or closely related to their career goals.
  • 94.5% of grads were satisfied or very satisfied with their full-time position.

Success after Graduation

Pursuing Their Dreams and Fulfilling Our Mission

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Collage of 12 graduates of the CESS Class of 2024

“Being an educator is a way to do my part in creating a more just society. I applied to UVM because CESS prides itself on an equity-based approach, using education to disrupt oppressive cycles and provide meaningful experiences for students.” – Sarah Sarrouf '24

Celebrating the Success of the CESS Class of 2024

Daniel Fairley

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Daniel Fairley teaching a young male student.

“I am committed to paying it forward by empowering others in my community by uplifting one another," says Daniel Fairley G'16, who is among the first cohort of emerging changemakers chosen to participate in the Obama Foundation’s Leaders USA program. 

Celebrating the CESS Class of 2023

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Claire Lennon dressed in regalia on campus in front of Waterman Building.

"It’s the community. 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.” – Winooski High School Math Teacher Claire Lennon '23. 

Story: Celebrating the CESS Class of 2023

Sarah Robinson

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Sarah Robinson delivers her remarks at the UVM Alumni Association Awards reception.

"The idea of helping to create a violence-free world is really the thing that inspires me on a day-to-day basis," says social work alum Sarah Robinson G'12, who serves as the Deputy Director of Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Sarah received UVM's 2022 Young Alumni Award honoring her outstanding leadership and community impact. 

Sam Joyner

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Sam Joyner dressed in UVM regalia holding a large Periodic Table of the Elements

“I wanted a career in science where I can help build a better future. My goal is to make chemistry fun, exciting, and attainable for all my students.” – Honors and AP Chemistry Teacher Sam Joyner '23

Ella McCarthy

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Ella McCarthy engaging with a young student during her student teaching internship.

"Professors and mentor teachers made this experience the most fulfilling journey," says Ella McCarthy '22. "They all truly want to prepare us for life in the field and honor who we are as individuals." Ella was named the Early Childhood Education Student of the Year by the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children. 

Monica Desrochers

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Monica Desrochers

"I want to live in a world where students see themselves in the curriculum and the books they're reading," says Monica Desrochers '11, the recovery coordinator for equity and inclusion in the Addison Northwest School District. Monica received a doctoral scholarship in pursuit of her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at UVM.

Francesca Arnoldy

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Francesca Arnoldy

Human Development and Family Science graduate Francesca Arnoldy '03 established UVM's End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate program, and she recently published a book on the topic.

Tom Payeur

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Tom Payer teaching a student at Winooski High School.

"Allowing students to embrace change, become frustrated, and struggle to articulate what they are going through is an awe-inspiring experience." See how Vermont Teacher of the Year Tom Payeur works to address educational inequities in his culturally diverse school.

Shawna Wells

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Shawna Wells

"UVM changed my trajectory as a person because I got the opportunity to work with a lot of people who really cared about humanity," – Shawna Wells '04.

CESS Alumni Making a Difference

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Where are they now?

More CESS Alumni Making an Impact
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Our graduates are making a difference near and far. Here are just a few of them:

  • Alden Ducharme '22, Middle School Teacher, Birches School
  • Ama Sika '21, ABA Behavioral Specialist, Kids First
  • Kia'Rae Hanron '20, Arts Learning Director, Clemmons Family Farm
  • Robyn Newton ‘95, 2023 Vermont Teacher of the Year, Vergennes Union Elementary School
  • Ben Lovelette '20, Math Teacher, St. Albans City School
  • Gabriella Battaglia '19, Public Health Data and Evaluation Manager, Texas Health and Human Services
  • Kathryn Hewitt '18, Clinical Social Work/Therapist
  • Matt Bristol '13, 2023 SHAPE America National Teacher of the Year, Essex Middle School
  • Samantha Serrantonio '20, Enrichment Coordinator, Essex Junction Recreation and Parks
  • Amanda Van Vranken G'23, Assistant Director for External Partnerships, University of Vermont
  • Mark Olofson G'17, Director of Educator Data, Research, and Strategy at Texas Education Agency
  • Dan French G'14, Chief Operating Officer, Council of Chief State School Officers
  • Winny Looby G'13, G'17, Disability Studies Project Coordinator, UVM Center on Disability and Community Inclusion
  • Wanda Heading-Grant, G'03, Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at Carnegie Mellon University
  • Leo Lambert G'78, President Emeritus, Elon University

Student and alumni stories

05/18/2024

Pursuing Their Dreams and Fulfilling Our Mission

Collage of 12 undergraduate and graduate students surrounding the UVM 2024 banner hung in front of Waterman Building.

03/19/2024

Inspired to Serve

Evelyn Monje at her mobile social work desk at the South Burlington Public Library.

02/01/2024

Living Fully and Dying Prepared

Francesca Arnoldy

01/24/2024

Inspiring the Next Generation

Laurel Marshia, Aidan McAuliffe and Michelle O'Donnell

08/16/2023

UVM Alum Receives Prestigious Obama Foundation Fellowship

Daniel Farley works with young black males in a school classroom.

08/05/2023

Celebrating the CESS Class of 2023

Collage of CESS Class of 2023 graduates

05/24/2023

Building Inclusive and Civically Engaged Communities

Maggie Sorrentino

04/20/2023

An Extraordinary Force of Goodness

Sarah Bassett works with students at Orchard Elementary School

03/29/2023

Paying It Forward

Franky Bahati works with Winooski High School student

03/23/2023

Teachers Inspire

Colin Henke and Ben Stewart at Burlington High School

02/08/2023

Vermont School Leaders Awarded UVM Doctoral Scholarships

Monica Desrochers and Andrew Conforti

02/02/2023

From STEM Scholars to STEM Educators

UVM Noyce Scholars

10/13/2022

UVM Senior Named VTAEYC Early Childhood Education Student of the Year

Ella McCarthy student teaching at Essex Elementary School.

08/18/2022

UVM Internship Partnership Develops Geriatric Social Workers to Support Aging Population

Emily Mars Raymond, Jason Garbarino and Janet Nunziata

05/12/2022

Celebrating Student Success

Molly Wagner, Ali House, Sandra King, and Taylor Mullen

05/10/2022

Social Work Cohort Fosters Trust, Knowledge, and Growth

Students in UVM's Class of 2022 Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) cohort on the front steps of Waterman Building.

05/02/2022

Agents of Change in Education

Hans Cabra and Lori Dolezal

04/18/2022

Carving Their Own Path of Success

Phoebe Munch and Sage White Cloud at ECHO Center

03/16/2022

Inspiring Future Generations Through Place-Based Outdoor Education Experiences

Collage showing kayaking trip on Lake Champlain, the summit of Hunger Mountain, Samantha Marcotte, and UVM TREK leaders.

03/15/2022

Equity in Education is at the Core of Akol Aguek’s Life and Work

Akol Aguek

03/06/2022

Student Teaching Award Supports Aspiring Educators During Internships

Maddie Heavey and Larry Montague

03/04/2022

An Interview with UVM Alumna Christina Fabrey

Photo of Christina Fabrey

01/31/2022

Becoming an Inclusive Educator for All Students

Jake Hession

01/10/2022

UVM Noyce Scholars Follow Their Passion to Teach STEM Disciplines

UVM Noyce Scholars Sarah Davis, Nick Patel, Jonna Keith, and Josh Solomon

11/03/2021

Following in the Footsteps of a Family Tradition

Alden Ducharme student teaching at Winooski Middle School