College of Education and Social Services at UVM

09/25/2026

CESS is our students. 💚

One of the highlights of today’s Fall Board of Advisors meeting was hearing from an outstanding panel of students. Their experiences affirmed the value of meaningful student engagement and showcased the many ways CESS undergraduate and graduate students are creating positive change in Vermont communities and beyond.

09/24/2026

CESS is honored to host Dr. Vișinel Bălan, a nationally recognized child welfare advocate and leader from Romania. Join us Tuesday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. for an inspiring conversation about research, advocacy, and systemic change.

RSVP by October 2 at https://tinyurl.com/mrf3va75.

The long read: When they were first exposed in 1989, Romania’s orphanages shocked the world. But what happened to the children left behind? Vişinel Balan, now 27, tells his story

09/14/2026

All CESS majors are included in University of Vermont's expanded Regional Tuition Break program, giving eligible New England students access to significant tuition savings while preparing for careers in education, counseling, social work, and human services.

"Vermont has critical workforce needs," says CESS Dean Katie Shepherd. This investment helps create more pathways for students to pursue meaningful careers and strengthen communities across the state.

Beginning next fall, eligible students from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island can save more than 35% on UVM’s standard out-of-state tuition by enrolling in one of 31 select majors.

09/10/2026

What works for multilingual learners in large urban districts doesn't always work in Vermont.

As multilingual learners become part of more communities across the state, educators are finding innovative ways to support student success.

CESS professor Dr. Rebecca Callahan joined Stephanie Vogel of the Vermont Agency of Education () on to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and promising practices emerging across Vermont.

Watch the full episode at youtube.com/c/ATFence.

09/04/2026

One of the best parts of our CESS community is watching it grow across generations. 💚🐾 We're proud to celebrate these family members of CESS faculty and staff as they begin their journey!

09/02/2026

What makes a great Week of Welcome? It’s more than events—it’s about building connection, belonging, and a sense of agency from day one. 💚

This week on , CESS' HESA Program Coordinator and Senior Lecturer Dr. Melissa Rocco shared the science behind UVM’s Week of Welcome (WOW), including the power of peer-to-peer learning and the ways students grow by helping create the experience for others.

“When you feel connected to a place, you’re also more likely to thrive yourself and to contribute to that place.”

From exploring and local farmers markets to collaborating across campus, WOW gives students opportunities to learn, lead, build community, and connect with UVM’s commitment to sustainability.

And it’s not just about personal growth—it’s about generativity: taking care of the people who come after us and creating a stronger community for everyone.

🎥 Watch the conversation at youtube.com/ and learn more about WOW at UVMbored.com/welcome

08/31/2026

🌅🍕 We had a blast kicking off the new academic year at the annual CESS Welcome Back Picnic!

With a beautiful evening by the lake, delicious wood-fired pizza from , and a wonderful gathering of new and familiar colleagues, families, friends, and pups, it was the perfect celebration of CESS community and connection.

On this first day of classes, we’re feeling SO energized for the inspiring moments and meaningful transformations ahead. Here’s to a great year! 💛

08/28/2026

“Discomfort is not the obstacle—it is the mechanism.”

On Monday, CESS Professor and University Scholar Dr. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman provided a powerful keynote address at UVM’s New Faculty Orientation.

Dr. Strolin-Goltzman drew on her deep personal and professional experience as she called upon faculty to foster student journeys that leave behind the familiar, cross into the unknown, and encourage returns with hard-earned insight.

As we begin a new academic year, CESS is more committed than ever to our mission of forging bold futures through experiential and supportive learning environments.

Photos by

08/26/2026

06/16/2026

Maggie Whitman, a senior in Human Development and Family Science, has been awarded the Simon Family Fellowship Award. This summer, Maggie is partnering with the Greater Burlington YMCA Early Childhood Program. Through her project, Maggie aims to identify opportunities to integrate developmentally appropriate sensory strategies and supports to benefit educators and children in the classroom, drawing on developmental science research and evidence-based occupational therapy-informed strategies.

Learn more about the Simon Family Fellowship: https://www.uvm.edu/honorscollege/four/simon-family-public-research-fellowship