VTC - Key Persons
Allison Miller's roots are deeply embedded in Vermont. Her experience as a homeschool student helped influence her decision to stay in Vermont when it was time to choose a college. It was an interest in computer science that first drew her to Vermont Tech. And while falling in love with the school felt natural, Allison soon began having doubts about her choice of major.
The Information Technology track wasn't providing the web development training she had been seeking. One of her professors took notice and suggested she switch to the new bachelor degree program in Software Engineering.
"This is the beauty of small classes and close relationships with professors," says Allison. She is proud to count herself among the program's first seven graduates, and refers to her senior project - a website that organizes accreditation data - as her "baby."
Campus life at Vermont Tech gave Allison a satisfying enough social life. ("I don't have a typical software personality," she says. "I'm chatty!") But even more importantly, the school's Career Services department helped open doors in the workforce. She served an internship while still enrolled, and was hired immediately after graduation by a company located in the state she has always wanted to call home.
Even after that firm closed, Allison was confident she could find another Vermont-based company with values in line with her own. "I always got a positive response from employers when they saw Vermont Tech on my resume," recalls Allison. She likes that her current job values the same open, hands-on culture she grew to appreciate in college. It's even small enough that she works in the same room as the CEO!
Benjamin was home-schooled through his junior year in high school for most of his academic studies. "In my sophomore year of high school, I attended Stafford Technical Center's (STC) forestry program and then in my junior year I attended STC's welding program and took two dual enrollment classes at the Community College of Vermont (CCV) which transferred seamlessly to Vermont Technical College (VTC). For my senior year of high school, I applied for and was accepted into the VAST (early college) program."
He chose Vermont Tech because they had an early college program (VAST) and a forestry degree program, which he was interested in and was relatively cost effective and not far from home.
"I chose to major in Forestry because I have worked in the forest ever since my first paying job at the age of nine. I worked for a forester for a couple of years prior to attending VTC."
Job Titles:
- the Business & Project Manager
Carrie is the Business & Project Manager for the Continuing Education and Workforce Development office where she oversees the financial matters for the office, as well as coordinates company-based certificate and degree programs. She works one-on-one with students to provide non-instructional advising and is the liaison for students and administrative departments at Vermont Tech. Prior to joining Vermont Tech in 2000, Carrie worked as a legal secretary and real estate paralegal in Chittenden County. Carrie holds a B.S. from Vermont Tech in Business Technology & Management.
Role
Project Manager, CEWD
Job Titles:
- Assistant Program Coordinator for the VT Department of Labor Registered Electrical & Plumbing Apprenticeship
Chassidy is the assistant program coordinator for the VT Department of Labor Registered Electrical & Plumbing Apprenticeship program. Prior to joining Vermont Tech in November of 2021 Chassidy worked at the Chancellor's Office in the Accounts Payable Department for 4 years. In her free time, Chassidy enjoys hiking, NASCAR, spending time with her family, and working her families sugarbush in Corinth.
Role
Assistant Program Coordinator, Electrical & Plumbing Apprenticeship Program
Chris Farnsworth is a problem solver. The Vermont Tech graduate student, who is pursuing a master's degree in Computer Software Engineering, says he thrives on learning new things and determining how software works at a fundamental level. Ultimately, he wants to develop software and solve complex problems that will benefit society.
"I'm very much a utilitarian, and I enjoy the act of coding as long as it benefits someone in some way," says Chris, who graduated from Vermont Tech in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in Computer Software Engineering. "Ever since I was little, I've enjoyed solving puzzles. I like figuring out things and then moving on to the next set of problems."
Dr. Costin joined Vermont Tech in 2018 after many years designing aerospace structures, automotive transmission components, and wind turbines. He has developed software for multidisciplinary optimization of aircraft structures. Dr. Costin invented a low-cost pawl OWC that is commonly used in automatic transmissions. He has designed wind turbine blades and permanent magnet generators. These designs have been used in the industry-leading Northern Power 100kW wind turbine and other models. At Creare, Dr. Costin worked on a tethering system for autonomous helicopter deployment, a high-capacity spacesuit evaporator absorber radiator, an air compressor for Xenon isotope detection, and laser measurement of airfoils.
Darcy is the CEWD Student Support Manager and works to support students through the process of learning about the apprenticeship programs, registering for the courses as well as referring students to the supports they need to be successful. Study skills, time management and balancing school work with "life" are all areas that Darcy can offer support in to the students. Prior to her role with CEWD, Darcy worked for twelve years in a high school learning lab supporting students through tutoring, study skills and other advising capacities. Darcy received her BA in Sociology from St. Lawrence University and her M.Ed., in Higher Education from the University of Vermont. In her free time, Darcy enjoys spending time with her family at their camp on Echo Lake.
Role
Student Support, CEWD
As a kid, Deema AL Namee enjoyed tinkering around the house and fixing things. It led her to target a career in engineering.
"I went for mechanical engineering for the wide range of jobs that would be available after college," she says. "I knew that I liked working with my hands." By the time she had earned her associate's degree, she set her sights on the new Manufacturing Engineering Technology bachelor's degree program. "I knew I wanted a bachelor's degree, and once this major became available it was a clear choice for me."
"One of the exciting parts is that I can do anything I want for work afterward," she says. Deema grew up in Iraq and has lived in Vermont since 2008. "I hope to stay in Vermont because family is a big part of my life. Vermont is a great place to live."
For Deema, the hands-on learning at Vermont Tech was a big factor in choosing the college. Plus she saw the class sizes are small and she'd get to know people well. Her biggest hands-on project so far has been to work on a team of four students to design and build a heavy-duty log cutter for a local forester. "We did CAD drawings, figured out parts and materials, and then put everything together within one semester," she says.
Deema has also become wholeheartedly involved in student life at Vermont Tech. "I've lived on campus the whole time, and I've been an RA (resident assistant) for my sophomore and junior years. It's a lot of fun to meet people and help them with what they need."
In 2017 Deema was elected president of the student council, and she was selected to be a legislative intern in Montpelier for the Office of the Chancellor of Vermont State Colleges. "I like to get involved in many different things," she admits. "If I'm excited about it I'll get involved."
In her senior year, Deema and several of her classmates participated in the regional competitions for SkillsUSA, a national conference where students like her can show off their technical skills and know-how. She and her team placed Gold in the regional Additive Manufacturing trials and got the chance to head to Nationals in the Summer of 2018. The National Skills & Leadership Conference will be held June 25-30, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Devin Tingle started his higher-education career at a different college and in a different major, but soon found he needed to make some changes. Devin knew he wanted to major in renewable energy, and discovered Vermont Tech's four-year degree option, "It ended up being the perfect opportunity for me."
Devin arrived at Vermont Tech as an out-of-state student, but found a welcoming community filled with opportunities to be involved, take the lead and make connections. He became the President of the Plainswalkers club, a member of the Adventurers' Guild, the Anime club, a resident assistant and held a work-study position in the Alumni Relations department of Vermont Tech.
As a Renewable Energy major, Devin is confident in the education he's received and satisfied with his decision to attend Vermont Tech. His classes met his expectations - he feels challenged, empowered and continues to build relationships with alumni, professors and fellow students. "It's been a fantastic experience! Vermont Tech allows you to build a community, meet people and understand what being in Vermont is like."
Dianne consults and teaches for businesses, professional groups, and organizations in the United States and Canada. Her practical and interactive seminars focus on strengthening individual and group capacity through training and development in leadership skills, change and conflict management, communication skills, customer service training, and facilitation tools and techniques. Dianne has served as an educator for over 30 years and has been recognized for her excellence in teaching. She is a practitioner of Malcolm Baldridge Quality Concepts, the Predictive Index, and DISC. She is a certified facilitator for Developmental Dimensions International Learning (DDI) and, as a life-long learner herself, has completed certificate programs in Crucial Conversations, Veterans on Campus, and Disney's Institutes on Quality Service and Employee Engagement. Her education includes a B.S. and M.Ed. from the University of Vermont.
Role
Director, Business Learning & Development (CEWD)
Role
Assistant Program Coordinator, Electrical and Plumbing Apprenticeship Program, CEWD
Many students come to Vermont Tech already having a clear idea about what they want to do after college. There are many others, however, like Grace de Geus, who describes her own direction as "vague" when starting her first year.
What was more important to Grace was the size of the school. She grew up in the small Vermont town of Calais, and so Randolph suited her just fine. "VTC was small enough that I knew everyone in my department and recognized most people on campus," says Grace.
Grace also found that Vermont Tech's small size made for a meaningful academic experience. She enjoyed the conversations she could have with professors and the hands-on approach to academics. "One of the most important skills I learned at VTC was how to write well technically and document your work," Grace says. "Without detailed documentation, other people can't replicate your results. This is the kind of skill that earns the respect of future employers!"
When it came time to look for a job, Grace had found the clarity she lacked at the onset of her college experience. Vermont Tech helped her get an internship at United Technologies in Vergennes, Vermont. It was big company but she was in a small department. The internship ultimately turned into a full-time position developing software to collect and analyze data from sensors in helicopters.
"They created a position for me when I graduated," says Grace. "That's how much they respect the VTC education."
I joined the Vermont Tech faculty in 2002 and immediately found it to be an exciting and rewarding place to teach. I currently teach courses in materials, statics, and energy systems. In 2011, I spent a semester in Ireland at University College Cork studying wind power and energy modeling. Prior to joining Vermont Tech I taught at the University of Maryland and studied at the University of Washington where I had the chance to spend a summer at NEC in Japan working on optoelectronics technology. Outside of work I enjoy sailing, skiing, and spending time with my family.
Job Titles:
- CubeSat Development Team As a Software Engineer
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of Disability Services
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator for the VT Department of Labor Registered Electrical & Plumbing Apprenticeship
Sarah is the program coordinator for the VT Department of Labor Registered Electrical & Plumbing Apprenticeship programs where she oversees the related instruction for the apprentices. Her main role is to work with instructors and students to ensure that the program is meeting the needs of the industry, employer sponsors, and community members. Sarah's husband graduated from the Plumbing Apprenticeship program in April of 2019 and holds a Journeyman License in NH and VT, allowing her to better understand apprentices and the successes and challenges they face while enrolled in the program. She joined the Vermont Tech community as an Admissions Specialist in 2008 and moved to Continuing Education in July of 2019. She holds an AAS. in Business Technology & Management from Vermont Tech and is actively working toward her B.S. in Applied Business Management.
Role
Program Coordinator, Apprenticeship Programs
Prior to taking on the role of the Director of Career & Technical Education Program at Vermont Tech, Stephannie served as the Executive Director at the Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless. She has extensive experience in education, teaching at all levels from early education to the college level. Her primary experience has been in CTE, with 20 years as a CTE teacher and school counseling coordinator. Dr. Peters has taught in Vermont Tech's CTTEP program for the past 10 years as the program's instructor of Teaching Methods.
Stephannie earned a dual BS in Criminal Justice and Human Services from Southern Vermont College, and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Vermont College of Norwich University. She also has a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University.
Dr. Peters has a great passion in supporting new CTE teachers in high-quality teacher preparation and obtaining educator licensure. She is committed to supporting CTE, recognizing it's tremendous impact on students, the workforce, and communities.
Role
Director of Career & Technical Education Program