Whitney Coombs Bowden, former director of business development at Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation, has joined the Charlotte-based public relations firm Junapr as associate director. In her new position, Bowden will focus on some of Junapr’s key Vermont-based clients, including Vermont Law and Graduate School.

Bowden has extensive communications experience working with agencies, resorts and nonprofit organizations. She is graduate of Dartmouth College, where she majored in environmental studies.

The Vermont Agency of Education has named Robyn Newton, a physical education teacher at Vergennes Union Elementary School, as its 2023 Vermont Teacher of the Year. Newton was selected for the honor over three other finalists: Abbie Bowker, visual art teacher at Champlain Valley Union High School; Amy Clapp, upper elementary teacher at Salisbury Community School; and Aziza Malik, upper elementary teacher at Champlain Elementary School.

Shirley A Jefferson, vice president for community engagement and government affairs at Vermont Law and Graduate School, was honored with an HBCU Pre-Law Lifetime Advocacy Award at the National HBCU Pre-Law Summit. She also moderated a panel during the summit, held Sept 16-17 in Washington, DC.

“This honor is well-earned,” VLGS President Rod Smolla said. “I have called Shirley the heart and soul of our school, and I mean it. Her energy and passion are infectious, and we are so lucky to have her as part of our community.”