Vermont Tech President to Step Down

April 28, 2005
Vermont Tech President to Step Down
RANDOLPH CENTER, Vt.Vermont Technical College President Allan Rodgers announced today his intentions to leave the college within the next year. In an all-campus meeting at noon today, Rodgers told the group that after five years leading the college it is time for new leadership to continue ongoing work to make the institution even more responsive to future state and student educational needs.
My commitment to the VSC was for five years, Rodgers noted, and this will be my fifth graduation in May. For my career and personal development, Ive tried to keep fresh and have sought to change my job every five years or so. Rodgers expressed his appreciation to the Board of Trustees, Chancellor, faculty and staff for their support. Everyone has been wonderful, even through the most challenging of times.
May 5, Vermont State Colleges Chancellor Robert Clarke will be at the main campus to begin discussions with the campus community about the upcoming leadership transition. Clarke also will receive feedback on how the Presidential search process should be conducted.
Vermont Tech is made up of dedicated professionals who truly care about helping students achieve their educational goals, said Rodgers. During my tenure at the college, it has been gratifying to see the sincere efforts made to keep Vermont Techs programs relevant for todays students. Though it hasnt always been easy, Ive been encouraged to watch people take on the challenge of making this organization even more effective in the face of both market demands for new academic programs and related fiscal pressures.
Rodgers was appointed President by the Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees in July 2001, having served as interim President since July of 2000. Rodgers brought to the post extensive experience in private industry. He also taught business and management courses at Lyndon State College, the Community College of Vermont and Vermont Tech. He earned his B.A. in Japanese literature from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA from Boston University.
When I accepted this position, I was asked to work to make the colleges programs more accessible geographically to all parts of the state. I was also asked to expand the colleges baccalaureate offerings and work to identify operational efficiencies to help Vermont Tech manage budgetary challenges, Allan explained. With the help of the entire college community, we have made significant inroads in all of these areas--particularly in the use of the Continuous Improvement model to guide change.
Since 2000, Vermont Tech has expanded its enrollment from approximately 1,000 students to nearly1, 300 this fall. The number of graduates also has risen from 350 in 2000 to an expected 500 this spring. For the first time, the fall 2004 entering class at Vermont Tech was comprised of over 50 percent women.
The college has expanded the number of satellite nursing campuses statewide from three to nine and doubled enrollment for the nursing program during Rodgers tenure. Vermont Tech assumed new allied health programs in dental hygiene and respiratory therapy to meet state needs for trained professionals in these fields. The college mounted a major expansion into Chittenden County by opening a campus in Williston where more than 200 full- and part-time degree-seeking students are now enrolled. Two new Bachelor of Science programs were createda B.S. program in Business Technology and Management and a B.S. program in Information Science and Technology.
Once Rodgers leaves his post he plans to continue work in support of state education and economic development. Rodgers private business experience lies in management and manufacturing. He was the founder and CEO of Engineered Thermal Systems in St. Johnsbury (Lydall-Westex) and has served on a number of public and private boards throughout Vermont.
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