CCV 50th Birthday Wishes, Memories and Words of Wisdom:
I personally cannot thank CCV enough for the opportunity it gave me! I was a young mother who ended up on her own when her child was merely 3 months old. I never would have imagined I would be a single mother trying to raise a child alone! I didn’t have a lot of work experience, and no education, so I was working 2-3 minimum wage part time jobs just to try and raise my child. I missed so many important milestones in his early life because I was working 2-3 jobs. When my son was 3 years old I started attending CCV. It was my chance to make a better life for my son and it was flexible and affordable! Exactly what a single working mother needed. My advisor and the staff at CCV is what really made the experience so unforgettable! There were many times I wanted to give up and many times I did need to take a break because life kept getting in the way, but my advisor knew I had it in me! Jarod was my personal coach, coaching me through what seemed impossible at times. The teachers were always there when I was struggling through the materials or when life was getting in the way. It took me 4 years to graduate, but my graduation was one of the proudest moments in my life! The sparkle in my son’s eyes when he saw me in that cap and gown was enough to move me to tears and help me see, the possibilities were endless! I still get emotional every time I think of how hard I fought for this and how CCV gave me that opportunity! CCV gave me the second chance I needed! After graduating at CCV I took a year off. After a year off I decided to pursue a higher degree. I was able to transfer my credits and I am now less than a year away from obtaining my BS. CCV gave me the foundation I needed to continue progressing and improving my life. My advice to all new students would be to trust your advisor and your teachers! They are there to help you and support you in any way they can to ensure your success. Seek out help when you need it, and don’t give up!
Thank You!
Elizabeth Ling
Class of 2018, Winooski
Happy Birthday CCV! I am so happy to be one of your alums. I look back on my time at CCV very fondly and am so appreciative to the teachers and staff who helped me achieve my goals. This is especially true of Tammy Davis, my advisor. Tammy helped me find my path and stay on it, even when I wanted to give up. CCV and it’s students are lucky to have her.
I graduated from CCV in 2013. Since that time, I have gone on to complete my BA in Psychology through Northern Vermont University-Johnson and begin a career in the substance abuse counseling field. Currently, I am attending Antioch University, more than halfway through completing a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
My advice to new students is to trust the process. There will be times when it seems too hard, but don’t give up! Speak to your professors, seek support from your peers and advisor. They all want to see you succeed!
Laurel Reed-Becksted
Class of 2013, Rutland
As a mature learner, I graduated CCV in 2017. Starting back to school in 2015 was one of the best things I’ve done in my 64 years. I’m immensely grateful for all the support I received; the instructors, counselors and staff at CCV were a large part of my success. I finished with an A.A., which allowed me to take on a challenging, satisfying job as a Paraeducator at Brattleboro’s high school. It also gave me a broader window on the world and confidence in my abilities.
Whatever your age, jump in and let CCV help you make the most of your strengths, drive and interests!
Mary Diane Baker
Class of 2017, Brattleboro
My favorite CCV story is a remembrance of one of the most dedicated of CCV employees who was lost to us suddenly and unexpectedly in 2015, online coordinator John Christensen. He was an innovator in the early years of the online program at CCV, and he was my mentor and my friend.
I met John in 1989, when he worked as a coordinator at the CCV site in St. Johnsbury. I was a new instructor who benefited immeasurably from his kind and compassionate guidance; he combined high standards of instruction with sympathy and sensitivity.
I left St. Johnsbury to continue with graduate school and eventually ended up in the Finger Lakes region in New York. When I graduated and asked John for a reference, he was obliging but also offered me a job teaching online. John hired me for online teaching in 2004 and nurtured my development as an online instructor. Everything I know about online teaching, including all aspects of course development and design, class management, and online discussion strategies, I learned from John. Whenever there was an issue or conflict, John supported and guided me. His voice still lives in many of the informational/directional documents I have for my classes–many of which I plagiarized from him at his own suggestion when I first started teaching. When I have some question about what to do in a certain situation, I’ll reflexively think to ask John his opinion. I will forever miss him.
David Seager
Online Instructor
My favorite memory of CCV occurred in the summer of 2001 when my wife handed me a Time Argus newspaper. I found this odd since we didn’t subscribe to nor really read the paper. I noticed that it was open to a specific page. Upon closer inspection, I saw the headline of a small article announcing two new coordinator of academic services hires at CCV. One in Burlington (Chris Mason) and the other in Montpelier, “Barre’s native son”, was me. Those words struck me as odd but I’ll remember them for as long as I live. That moment was one of the proudest moments of my life.
Kelly R. White
Class of 1994, Montpelier
Former Coordinator of Academic Services – Montpelier 2001-2007
CCV Faculty 2001 – present
Happy 50th Birthday CCV!!!
I graduated class of 2012. My favorite memories were my elective art classes with Caren Helm. After a stressful day/week of writing papers, giving presentation and test taking it was such a joy to relax with some creativity and positivity in the company of Mrs. Helm and the special guests she would bring in.
Contessa Bruso
Class of 2012, Rutland
Since graduating from CCV in 2014, I have gone on to complete my BA in Psychology at Johnson State College in 2017 and am currently enrolled in Northern VT University graduate MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. I also work full time for the State of Vermont Department for Children and Families as a Reach Up Case Manager.
My advice to any new CCV student is to set your goals high and celebrate each small step towards the completion of your goal. Your journey is your own and no matter where you are in life or what path has led you to this place, you are worthy and capable of success.
Happy Birthday CCV!
All the best,
Rebecca Tomaszewski
Class of 2014, Montpelier
Happy 50th Anniversary for CCV. I wanted to share this article with you because as you know all my children have benefited from CCV over the years (Preston, Riley, Owen and Rosie!) I wanted to thank you and Tammy, along with the staff, for all the work and dedication you put toward their educational goals. It was, and continues to be, very much appreciated. I am grateful to have CCV in Rutland, VT.
Sincerely Grateful,
Kim Phillips
Mom of CCV students
I graduated CCV in 2014 with an Associates in Liberal Studies and was a student at the Rutland location. My first semester of college I attended a state school which offered great opportunities but just wasn’t the right fit for me. I found myself struggling on what I really wanted to do with my life and unsure where my college home should be. With endless ideas crossing my mind, I found myself taking classes at CCV – Rutland and instantly felt at home.
CCV surrounded me with students of all ages and background who genuinely looked forward to going to class every day and grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow. Students at CCV challenge one another in a way I’ve never seen before – a way that makes us better all-around individuals.
After graduating CCV, I finished my BS in Business Administration from College St. Joseph and this past December completed my MBA from Fitchburg State University. I currently work as the Assistant Director of the Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC) and love every part of my job.
I will forever be grateful for the flexibility, the challenges, and passion that CCV provided me. I can wholeheartedly say that I would not be where I am today without the support of CCV. Working at REDC, I continue to see the opportunities that CCV provides students all around Vermont and we are so fortunate to have them throughout our great state.
Happy Birthday, CCV!
Kimberley Rupe
Class of 2014, Rutland