Lucie Hobbs-Johnson’s story is one of resilience and determination. With a dream to earn her degree and pursue a career that lets her care for others, she is now a beloved “mother figure” for fellow dental hygiene students at Vermont State University-Williston.
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Blog Archive: Adult Student
As a graduate student pursuing her master’s in social work, Hannah Heinchon thought she wanted to become a child counselor. But an internship in family counseling uncovered a far greater need, that turned into a passion and a calling. “I remember I was working with a family who was homeless and…
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Earning your driver’s license is an American rite of passage. For American-born teens, it's a milestone, but for new arrivals driving is critical to adjusting to their new life. Aden Haji is helping new arrivals in Vermont adjust to their new home by empowering them behind the wheel of a car.…
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On February 12, 2018, when Mersadies Shantie was 12 years old, her mom suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. That night, still stunned from the loss, Mersadies left her home in Mooers Forks, New York, and moved to Sheldon, Vermont, to live with her dad, stepmom and three adopted sisters. “It was…
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I’ve always loved to learn, but I never thought I would go to college. As a teen, I was more interested in getting out into the working world, and once I’d established a successful career, I thought, why would I need to go to college now? But as I got deeper into my chosen field of birth and…
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Ian Taylor of Shaftsbury decided it was time for a career change in his mid-30s. But when he learned the cost of earning his Commercial Drivers License (CDL), he hesitated. Suddenly, the investment seemed more like a gamble. Then, he found out that VSAC could support his CDL career training. Working…
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The Thanksgiving season is for giving thanks and giving back. In that spirit, we wanted to highlight three Vermont students we’ve profiled in 2023, who, thanks to the support of their families, their employers, and the VSAC counselors who guided them on their college and career paths, are on their…
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Vermonter Kristen Merchant Moore is inspired to help youth after the death of her father, a Veteran. Kristen Merchant Moore’s father always emphasized the importance of education. When he became one of the first Vermont National Guard members to die in the Iraq War in 2006, his service to his…
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For First Generation Day, meet first-gen students who now work for VSAC: Jessi Krause Herron (bottom left), Monda Kelley (bottom right), Dylan Bertolini (upper right), Beth Clay (upper middle), Sarah Friend (upper left). If your parents didn't graduate from college, you're less likely to pursue…
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Over the last two decades, John Dell’Anno of Shaftsbury had built a career as a carpenter. Employed by a company out of Manchester, John worked on high-end residential job sites, and found plenty of work in towns like Stratton, Windham, and Dorset. But in 2014, after suffering a few accidents (one…
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