Colleges collaborate with communities to increase college access

Vermont Campus Compact (VCC) is pleased to announce continued funding for the college access and success AmeriCorps VISTA program. Five AmeriCorps VISTAs have been placed on VCC member college campuses, and three more will be placed this November. VISTAS will be working with these institutions and their local communities to increase awareness and programming related to this important state-wide issue.
Why College Access & Success? According to a study published by the Lumina Foundation, only 46.2% of working-age Vermont adults hold a two- or four-year college degree[i]. Yet, according to a report by the Georgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce, by 2018 62% of jobs in our state will require post-secondary education[ii]. In order to align our potential workforce with these economic opportunities, we will need to increase our current rate of attainment. As was recently argued by Marlboro College President, Ellen McCulluch Lovell[iii], college completion is not just about economic return, but also equips students who can contribute to our society through their ability to think critically, solve important problems, lead within communities, and relate on a global scale.
What will our program accomplish? Vermont Campus, along with the Campus Compacts of New Hampshire and Maine, will host Ameri*Corps VISTAs (Volunteers in Service to America) at local colleges and universities. The VISTAs will be working over their year-long term of service to develop sustainable programming that creates a pathway to college for K-12 students, and encourages retention for students already enrolled in higher education. VCC VISTAs are currently being hosted at Champlain College, Green Mountain College, University of Vermont, and Saint Michael’s College.
Tabitha Glenn, a first-generation college student herself, is the VCC VISTA hosted by Green Mountain College, and will be working to provide students with tools to understand the financial (burden) of a college education. ‘These days,’ she says, ‘many jobs do require a degree, and the competition is tough. I think it is important that kids who come from families where they struggle financially to be aware of the resources out there that can help them achieve a college education; I would like to help them with this process that can be intimidating and complicated.’ Tabitha is currently working on a FAFSA toolkit, which enables students and their families to navigate the document, and get the greatest amount of financial assistance available to them.
Vermont Campus Compact is a statewide consortium of 18 college and university presidents committed to creating a flourishing democracy. VCC works with members to strengthen communities and educate for informed and active citizenship. In a statement from Carrie Williams Howe, Executive Director of Vermont Campus, Ms. Williams Howe states ‘Vermont Campus Compact strongly believes in mobilizing resources of higher education toward high priority needs in the state. For that reason, college access is a priority for our organization and our members.’
To learn more information about Vermont Campus Compact, learn more information about the VISTA program, and to see a list of current member campuses, please visit http://www.vtcampuscompact.org/americorps-vista.html.