Here’s the latest roundup of news and announcements from CCV students, faculty, and staff. Happy reading, and don’t forget to share your own Notables with us by emailing marketing@ccv.edu!
- Michael Keogh, CCV’s director of business engagement, has been appointed as the newest regional director for the National Council for Continuing Education and Training (NCCET). Mike will serve as an advocate for NCCET in the New England region.
- CCV-Bennington staff member Amanda Bates is in the process of starting a small business making and selling chocolate truffles that have no added sugar. The idea came after a diabetes diagnosis last June when she needed a permanent change to her diet, but wasn’t convinced that she could give up chocolate forever. Amanda is currently enrolled in Startup 802 to learn more about entrepreneurship to be successful in this business. Her goal is to help show there are alternative ways to increase one’s own health and wellness.
- CCV alumna Sarah Porter, ‘14, is currently working on her degree in medical laboratory science at UVM and will graduate this May. She was recently offered a job at UVMMC as a medical laboratory scientist. Sarah says that CCV helped her complete credits on her own time and then transfer her credits to UVM. As a student at CCV, she also got to shadow in the UVMMC lab, which helped her make the decision to go down this career path.
- CCV-Winooski student Iris Robert is an active Student Advisory and Leadership Council member who started her own podcast in 2020. Her podcast through the Young Writers Project, called Line Break, features Iris’s conversations with other writers and analyses of their poems.
- CCV-Newport student Tina Tripodina has been named a 2021 New Century Transfer Scholar. She was selected based on her academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and work outside the classroom. Tina will graduate this spring with an associate degree in STEM studies and a certificate in allied health preparation. She plans to use the $2,250 scholarship to attend Vermont Tech’s nursing program.
- CCV alumna Mariah Olmstead, ’15, will graduate from New England College with a degree in communications this May. Since graduating from CCV, Mariah went on to work as a performer for both the Walt Disney Company and Universal Studios Orlando. before returning to New Hampshire in 2018 to finish her bachelor’s degree. After she graduates, Mariah plans to move to South Korea to teach English.
- CCV is hosting an Abenaki speaker series this spring as part of the College’s ongoing effort to honor the Abenaki people. Speakers Jesse Bowman Bruchac and Chief Don Stevens presented in February and March, and Melody Walker Brook is slated to speak on April 15th at 5pm. For more information and to register visit ccv.edu/speakerseries.
- CCV alumna Norka Chamorro, ’14, graduated from Northern Vermont University in 2017 and is currently the Human Resources Manager for a local non-profit organization. In addition, she is graduating this spring from Champlain College with a MBA and Human Resources Management Certificate.
- Students at Mt. Anthony Union Middle School participated in CCV’s virtual Access Day during the week of March 22. Dana Oliver, CCV’s program innovation coordinator for secondary education initiatives, created videos to share with the students in three different grade levels to help them explore educational opportunities at CCV. “CCV has been great with working with us and trying to align with our academic goals and support planning for the future with students,” shared MAUMS counselor Hannah Green. “It’s a nice collaboration.”
- CCV alumna Racheal Hill, ’20, started a new position in January as the member services and administrative coordinator with the Vermont Association of REALTORS® located in Montpelier. She says her CCV administrative management degree prepared her to succeed in this role.
- Early College student Lora Fresn started her own business in fall 2020. Her business, Lora’s Creations, started with a cricut machine and a heat press, and she now fulfills orders for decals, masks, wooden signs, and more. Lora plans to attend Vermont Tech’s radiology program.
- In the spring of 2020, CCV alumna Robyn Sweet ‘20 took the Assessment of Prior Learning course, where she gained additional credits towards her bachelor’s degree through Northern Vermont University. She will graduate in May with a degree in professional studies. After graduating from CCV, Robyn was eligible to sit for the Paralegal Advanced Certification Exam (PACE®) through the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. She obtained this credential in October of 2020.
Where Are They Now?
In this new section of Notable Now, we’ll be including updates from CCV alumni about what they’ve done since graduating from CCV and where they are now. Alumni are encouraged to fill out the alumni update form to have updates shared in future editions of Notable Now.
- David Harrison ’00, Liberal Studies
David opened the first-ever Couplands Farmers & Artisan Market in Williamson County, Texas. David is a local artist and farmer, and his goal with the market is to create a once-a-week community activity that provides a wholesome social gathering place. - Robert Borkowski ’03, Liberal Studies
Robert retired from the VT Army National Guard in 2005 after 23 years of service. He worked for the State of Vermont psychiatric hospital for 12 years and is currently delivering mail part-time for the Essex post office. - Matthew Musgrave ’04, Liberal Studies
After graduating in 2004, Matthew spent the next 13 years working in the real estate industry. He began as a volunteer for the REALTOR® Association Government Affairs committee, then moved on to the board of directors, and later worked full-time as the Government Affairs director in charge of lobbying, PAC management and association duties in 2017. In 2019, Matthew was offered a job as deputy executive vice president of the Associated General Contractors of Vermont, a trade association for the construction industry, where he performs similar government affairs duties and organizational management. - Talia Bushey ’05, Administrative Management
Talia is currently a stay-at-home mom with a three-year-old son, and she is expecting a second. She worked at a hospital doing office jobs before staying at home. - Julia Russell ’08, Liberal Studies, BodySoul Massage and Bodywork Certificate 2019
Shortly after graduating from CCV, Julia got a job in dermatology, and after ten years decided to make a career change. In 2019, she graduated from BodySoul Massage and Bodywork in St. Albans and in October 2020 she started her own private massage practice located in Burlington.
