FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2024
Contact: Kayla Dewey, kayla.dewey@vsc.edu
Vermont State Colleges System Chancellor Dr. Elizabeth Mauch Announces Inaugural Round of Chancellor’s Innovation Fund Grants to Spur New Ideas and Stronger Collaboration
Montpelier, VT — The Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) Chancellor, Dr. Elizabeth Mauch has announced the recipients of the inaugural round of funding from the newly launched Chancellor’s Innovation Fund. With the aim of advancing VSC Vision 2030 strategic priorities of enhancing the affordability and accessibility of high-quality higher education for all Vermonters, the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund supports faculty and staff proposals of creative, cross-campus and cross-institution projects that enhance the system’s ability to better meet student and state economic needs.
The Chancellor’s Innovation Fund, introduced in fall 2024, is a key strategic initiative to foster greater collaboration across the system, encouraging interdisciplinary teamwork and advancing the VSCS’s overarching mission. The fund is designed to empower faculty and staff from Community College of Vermont (CCV) and Vermont State University (VTSU) to lead innovative projects that address the barriers and achieve the full potential of Vermont’s public higher education system. The first round of funding drew strong interest, with 15 proposals submitted from across the system, showcasing the passion and dedication of the VSCS community to improve educational outcomes for students.
“At the heart of this initiative is the belief that the best ideas often come from those closest to the challenges and opportunities we face,” said Beth Mauch, Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System. “The quality and quantity of proposals we received in this inaugural round of funding is a testament to the commitment of our colleagues across the system.
The following five projects have been selected for funding in the first round of the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund:
- Supports for Multilingual Learners
This project will develop a comprehensive support system for multilingual learners, including assessment tools, curriculum design, and community-building activities, with a focus on supporting immigrant and refugee students.
Applicant: Arzu Gul, CCV Multilingual Learner Working Group - Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Professional Study
This initiative aims to create a centralized office supporting undergraduate research and graduate school preparation, including paid research opportunities and mentoring programs.
Applicants: Dr. Britt Green & Dr. Debbie Warnock - AI Readiness and Performance Tracking
This project will develop a credential-based AI training program, offering micro-credentials for faculty, staff, and students, alongside multiple learning pathways and tracking systems.
Applicants: Kellie Campbell, Sarah Chambers, Matthew Corriere - Making a Difference & Making a Living Conference
A TED Talk-style conference showcasing VTSU alumni and workforce leaders’ success stories to highlight the value of higher education.
Applicants: Jessica Duncan, Karry Booska, Bo McDougall, Chrispin White, & Larry Courcelle - Lowering the Cost of Course Materials
This initiative will implement Open Educational Resources (OER) in Science and Allied Health courses to reduce student costs, including faculty stipends and resource development.
Applicants: Miranda Axworthy, Sean Dailey, Alejandra Nann, Katie Beth Ryan
Each of these projects aligns with the VSC Vision 2030 priorities of increasing affordability and accessibility, anchored in a measure of institutional success: enrollment.
“The ability to bring our project, Lowing the Cost of Course Materials, to life will make a real difference in the accessibility of classes across the system to the diverse student population we serve,” noted Alejandra Nann, VSCS Library Director. “Many low-income, first-generation, and non-traditional students are left behind when the cost of college rises across the board, so affordability initiatives like this are increasingly important to make higher education accessible for all. Our project replaces paid course materials and textbooks with free Open Educational Resources (OER), offering a powerful way to increase equity, access, affordability, and student success. We’re excited to see progress this upcoming year.”
“We are excited to see these projects launch in the coming year,” added Heather Weinstein, Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Student Affairs at CCV and team lead of the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund project. “Our team was truly impressed with the thoughtful and innovative proposals submitted by our colleagues and we look forward to the opportunities that will be made possible for students across the system as this vision comes to life.”
The Chancellor’s Innovation Fund will open for a second round of applications in spring 2025. For more information about the fund and VSC Vision 2030, visit https://transformation.vsc.edu/vsc-vision-2030/
About the Vermont State Colleges System
For the benefit of Vermont, the Vermont State Colleges System provides affordable, high quality, student-centered, and accessible education, fully integrating professional, liberal, and career study, consistent with student aspirations and regional and state needs. The Vermont State Colleges System includes the Community College of Vermont (CCV) and Vermont State University (VTSU). Learn more at www.vsc.edu.