Alumni Profiles
2018
Deema AL Namee
Manufacturing Engineering Technology
As a kid, Deema AL Namee enjoyed tinkering around the house and fixing things. It led her to target a career in engineering.
“I went for mechanical engineering for the wide range of jobs that would be available after college,” she says. “I knew that I liked working with my hands.” By the time she had earned her associate's degree, she set her sights on the new... Read More >
2017
Melaney MacKay
Business Technology & Management
When Melaney MacKay graduated from high school in 2010, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do for a career. She moved to Canada to go to college, but after a year realized she wanted to return home. Three years later at age 22, she decided to go to Vermont Tech, where she studied Business Technology & Management.
“Vermont Tech isn’t a college or university where you’re just a... Read More >
2017
Katrina Hagan
Civil & Environmental Engineering Technology
If things had been different for Katrina Hagan, she might have pursued an entirely different career path. “I probably would have been a teacher,” she says. Or an accountant. “But I like being able to touch things and build things,” she says, “and I probably would have been really bored. ”
Instead, the... Read More >
2017
Tonah Clairmont
Nursing
Tonah came to Vermont Tech as an experienced LPN looking to further her career and expand her options. Tonah has been practicing nursing in Vermont for 8 years. Many of her friends attended Vermont Tech and had rave reviews about the ADN program and teachers.
As a nursing professional and a mother of three young children... Read More >
2017
Kara Polito
Veterinary Technology
When she was three years old, Kara was playing Vet when she heard her pets heartbeat for the first time and was fascinated. That’s the moment she knew she wanted to work with animals. She’s already on her way, Kara recently graduated from the Veterinary Technology Program. Before she even graduated, Kara accepted a... Read More >
2016
Caleb Bristol
Architectural Engineering Technology
A first-generation college student, Caleb Bristol discovered that college is not just a place to learn but an ideal spot to make career connections. “I knew I wanted to be in the engineering discipline, and Vermont Tech's program fit my interests well,” he says.
As an architectural engineering technology major, he was heavily involved in professional organizations, such as ASHRAE (... Read More >
2016
Darian Calverley
Architectural Engineering Technology
At Vermont Tech, Darian Calverley found a place where he belongs. After graduating from high school in Attleboro, Mass., “I was looking for a college that was smaller in the number of students, and Vermont Tech was a good choice,” he says. ”I don't feel like I am lost in a crowd. I wanted a school where classes were small, thus allowing the teacher to help me when I needed help.”
... Read More >
2016
Mallory Walling
Business Technology & Management
Since ninth grade, Mallory Walling had planned to attend a small, private college in Vermont. She was accepted, but the looming tuition bills made her think twice.
As high school valedictorian, she qualified for the full-tuition Vermont State Colleges’ Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship, so she started looking at state schools.
The first in her family to attend college... Read More >
2016
Dustin Hill
Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology
“The most important memories are not typically found in the classroom, but in molding friendships and relationships that will last a lifetime.”
At Vermont Tech, Dustin learned how to better manage his time, a skill that has benefited him in his career. This native Vermonter transferred to the Vermont... Read More >
2016
Courtney Banach
Dairy Farm Management
Since she was 11, Courtney Banach has wanted to be a farmer. She was a “city kid,” growing up in South Burlington, with no ties to a family farm. Her mom enrolled her in farming summer camp, hoping to curb her of her farming fixation.
“Clearly, her plan backfired,” Courtney recalls, “because I attended the camp four more years and volunteered in the years after.”
In high... Read More >
2016
Steve Schubart
Diversified Agriculture
Although he was originally an economics major, Steve was looking for a change of pace. He knew he wanted to major in agriculture and assessed his college options thoroughly.
“Vermont Tech stood out because it had the real world experience, dedication to production agriculture, and curriculum I would need to succeed in business.”
When Steve came to Vermont Tech he majored in... Read More >
2016
Patricia Dudley
Nursing
One of the things Patricia Dudley loves most about nursing is the endless opportunity for lifelong learning.
A student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, Patricia now understands more than ever the power of teamwork, encouragement, and compassion.
“I have learned that nursing is about accepting... Read More >
2016
Kate Morrison
Respiratory Therapy
When she graduated from high school, Kate Morrison went to nursing school for 3 years before deciding it was not what she really wanted to do. She knew she loved patient care, so she became a medical assistant. She married and now has a 6-year-old son, Chase and a 3-year-old daughter, Harper. After 7 years she wanted a career that provided more for her family. She remembers the day she... Read More >
2014
Schneida Bruny
Business Technology & Management
Schneida Bruny credits her education at Vermont Tech with giving her a competitive advantage in today’s job market.
Schneida, who graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Technology and Management, says she learned how to be a leader and a team player at Vermont Tech, something that... Read More >
2014
Matt Franzosa
Construction Management
As a kid, Matt Franzosa always liked building things with his hands. By the time he was a senior in high school, he knew he wanted to be in construction. He was thrilled to find a school like Vermont Tech, which offered construction management as a major.
Matt admits to struggling academically when he first arrived. Fortunately, the faculty organized tutoring sessions for him, and... Read More >
2014
Connor Murphy
Electromechanical Engineering Technology
Connor Murphy applied to the Vermont Tech Mechanical Engineering Technology program to further his knowledge concerning his hobby of modifying dirt bikes and trucks. As he got closer to the completion of the two-year program, he chose to continue his education and transferred seamlessly into the Bachelor’s... Read More >
2014
Megan Jenks
Equine Studies
When Megan Jenks visited the Vermont Tech campus, she had already planned on attending another school. That changed when she saw our equine facility.
“I jumped ship!” She said. “I wanted to go to a school that had something to teach me other than what was in my textbook. I wanted more lab time, barn time, riding time and peace-and-quiet time. When I stepped into the Vermont Tech... Read More >
2013
Patty Danahy
Architectural Engineering Technology
“Vermont Tech is all about the networking, but also about the friendships,” says Patty Danahy. Her experience in the Engineering Technology program proves that the two are not mutually exclusive.
Patty came to Vermont Tech planning to study architectural design. She credits the faculty with helping her recognize that her strengths leaned more toward the practical aspects of the... Read More >
2013
Grace De Geus
Computer Software Engineering
Many students come to Vermont Tech already having a clear idea about what they want to do after college. There are many others, however, like Grace de Geus, who describes her own direction as “vague” when starting her first year.
What was more important to Grace was the size of the school. She grew up in the small Vermont town of Calais, and so Randolph suited her just fine. “VTC... Read More >
2013
Brendan Rowley
Dairy Farm Management
Brendan Rowley is a native Vermonter and a graduate of the Vermont Tech Dairy Farm Management program. Brendan is working on his family’s fourth generation dairy farm in Milton. His daily tasks include feeding the 180 cows and milking them in the evening.
“I have also taken pride in becoming the...
Read More >
2013
Mike Smith
Electrical Engineering Technology
Mike never considered himself a traditional student.
“I was never exclusively a student,” he says. “I was working full time while I was at Vermont Tech.”
Yes, he had a job but wanted a more fulfilling career.
“I knew I needed a degree… I needed to be ready.”
Mike managed to maintain his good grades while working the night shift, only taking a couple... Read More >
2012
Brad Pecue
Business Technology & Management
Brad has seen his BS in Business Technology & Management from Vermont Tech lead him to a career as a Senior Digital Strategist of Enterprise Dealership Partners at Dealer.com in Burlington.
A key aspect of Brad’s job is communicating industry trends and marketing research to the owners of car... Read More >
2010
Chris Burgess
Electromechanical Engineering Technology
There are few industries evolving as fast as Electromechanical Engineering Technology, but Chris Burgess says Vermont Tech prepared him well for whatever might occur. From day one, he was taught how to troubleshoot and problem-solve, which helped him understand how new pieces and devices fit into the larger picture.
“I learned how to design an industrial control scheme, get it... Read More >
2010
Allison Miller
Software Engineering
Allison Miller’s roots are deeply embedded in Vermont. Her experience as a homeschool student helped influence her decision to stay in Vermont when it was time to choose a college. It was an interest in computer science that first drew her to Vermont Tech. And while falling in love with the school felt natural, Allison soon began having doubts about her choice of major.
The... Read More >
2009
Trevor Best
Electrical Engineering Technology
Trevor Best tried a couple different paths before discovering his aptitude for electronics. After realizing the high cost of tuition and narrow career options offered by programs from some out-of-state schools, his parents recommended he check out Vermont Tech.
“My dad and step-mother both graduated from the EET program at Vermont Tech, and they suggested I look at a technology-... Read More >
2007 & 2012
Carly Tedesco
Dental Hygiene
Looking at the pearly, white smile of her dental hygienist did more than just encourage Carly Tedesco to brush and floss between meals. It also helped her envision a career path as early as age. If her hygienist was so happy, it must be a fulfilling job!
Vermont Tech offered Carly the flexibility she was seeking in higher education. Once she finished the two year associate’s degree... Read More >
2007
Brya Emery
Business Technology & Management
“I would not trade my degree of my experience at Vermont Tech for anything,” says Brya Emery “It was (and still is) a place I call home.”
Brya started at Vermont Tech in the VAST program concurrently earning college credits as she finished high school. She went on to earn both... Read More >