Briana Samaniego
Vermont Business Magazine The Community College of Vermont (CCV) held its graduation ceremony today at Norwich University’s Shapiro Field House.
Roughly 500 students received associate degrees. Graduates represent all 14 Vermont counties, and hail from 11 states and 13 countries. The youngest graduates are 18 and the oldest is 79. Also among the graduates are 16 veterans and members of the Armed Forces. More than 60% of the Class of 2026 are the first in their family to earn a college degree.
The keynote address was delivered by Will Eberle, founder of Mission Driver Consulting and executive director of Alyssum, a peer-based mental health respite program. Eberle, whose own higher education journey began at CCV, is a human services leader who has dedicated his career to uplifting Vermont’s most vulnerable citizens.
“That same spirit you found in the struggle to get here—that same deep well of endurance and resilience and faith in your own ability to overcome—that’s yours now. It’s not going anywhere. You can always reach for it and push a little harder, dig a little deeper, find a little more to give to overcome whatever might be blocking your path forward to your dreams.”
Two graduates addressed their classmates as student speakers for the Class of 2026. Darrell Martin is a military veteran who spent 24 years with the U.S. Army and over 50 years running a construction company. He earned his degree in liberal studies from CCV-Newport. Martin shared pieces of his life story, including starting out on his college journey more than 60 years ago.
“Finishing a college degree is like something that has hung over me for a long time, and although a challenge at times, it has been rewarding,” Martin said.
Briana Samaniego completed her degree in STEM studies at CCV-Winooski, and will pursue a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. Her message to classmates centered on the theme of time.
“Your mindset toward time is your ultimate superpower. You control what your future looks like,” she said. “The key to a life that feels truly fulfilled—on your terms—is knowing when to pull a metaphorical blanket over that clock and rest in the present…and knowing when to look that clock in the eye and say, ‘Game on.’”
Vermont Governor Phil Scott also addressed the Class of 2026. He talked about the importance of listening to one another, and learning from one another, to build community.
“How you treat one another, how you treat people, the example you set, is up to you. What you give back to your community is up to you. The good you do is entirely up to you. There’s no such thing as a small good deed, or a small act of kindness. They’re all big. We just need more of them.”
Several individuals were recognized during the ceremony for both academic accomplishments and community service.
Dan Smith received the Community Service Award. As President and CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation, Smith has long worked beside CCV to expand access to higher education for all Vermonters.
Greg Samuels of CCV-Upper Valley and Samantha Smith of CCV-Newport received the Student Leadership Award. Hannah Cleveland of CCV-St. Albans and Sarah Eastwood, who studied online, were awarded the 2026 Alumni Scholarships.
Faculty members Patti Cook, Sylvia Puglisi and April Zajko received Teaching Excellence Awards.
CCV President Joyce Judy officiated the event.
“I firmly believe that a CCV education changes lives,” she told graduates. “One of my frequent sayings about our work at CCV is that we build on our laurels, not rest on them. We challenge the status quo, strive for continuous improvement, and push ourselves to keep learning and growing. And it is you, our students and graduates, who embody that spirit.”
CCV is Vermont’s second-largest college, serving nearly 10,000 students each year. With statewide locations and extensive online learning options, our students don’t have to travel far from their communities to access our degree and certificate programs, workforce, secondary and continuing education opportunities, and academic and veterans support services.
6.6.2026. MONTPELIER, Vt.—The Community College of Vermont
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