On June 17, hundreds of innovators and leaders from all sectors and all corners of the region will come to the University of Vermont’s annual RISE Summit to explore the theme “Research as a Public Good.” RISE stands for Research, Innovation, Sustainability and Entrepreneurship, all of which will be on display as participants discuss the ways in which university-community partnerships can be harnessed to advance the well-being of our communities.

“For two years now, RISE has been a wonderfully effective way to bring people together to share ideas and explore partnerships with UVM,” said Tricia Coates, director of the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships. “The energy in the room has always been vibrant and engaging, and we expect this year to be just the same.”

This year, RISE will be a one-day event. Nearly 900 people attended UVM’s flagship innovation conference last year. 

Featured speakers at this year’s event include:

  • Mark Becker, President, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, who will deliver the keynote address on “Research as a Public Good.”
  • Mike Pieciak, Vermont State Treasurer, who will moderate a keynote panel with Kirk Dombrowski, UVM VP for Research and Economic Development; Jennifer Stromsten, Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation; and VT Digger CEO Sky Barsch.
  • Senator Patrick Leahy, who will present UVM’s second annual Distinguished Community Engagement Award to a faculty member who has been especially prolific in partnering with people throughout Vermont. 

UVM’s new President Designate Marlene Tromp will welcome RISE participants. Panels and workshops, featuring leaders from UVM's Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, Vermont Electric Power Company, the State of Vermont, and Vermont Public, will focus on how university-community research partnerships can be used to address complex challenges. Those sessions include: 

  • Asking the Right Questions
  • Building Effective Teams
  • Communicating the Work

The day will also feature pitches from student entrepreneurs, a special menu featuring sustainable and locally-sourced ingredients, networking opportunities, Lunch and Learn sessions, a farmers’ market, and a live performance by the Front Porch Follies.   

Learn more about RISE and register for free

A look at the 2024 RISE Summit

 

The RISE Summit is hosted by UVM’s Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships, which fosters engagement opportunities and partnerships with the University of Vermont for the benefit of our rural places.