Grossman School of Business

09/25/2026

Vermont's aging business ownership population poses important questions about succession, legacy, and the future of our state's economy.

As WCAX-TV highlights, employee ownership is one approach that can help preserve businesses, retain jobs, and keep knowledge rooted in local communities. But it is also part of a broader conversation about how business owners prepare the next generation of leaders.

At the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business, students explore these issues through coursework, research, case competitions, and community engagement focused on entrepreneurship, family business, and sustainable leadership. Faculty experts, including Felipe Massa, help students examine the opportunities and challenges organizations face as ownership and leadership pass from one generation to the next.

Through the school's Family Business Initiative, Grossman School of Business connects students, educators, advisors, and business leaders to conversations about innovation, succession planning, and building organizations that endure.

We're pleased to see this important topic receiving statewide attention.🎥 Watch the WCAX story:

Facing an upcoming wave of aging Vermonters retiring, state leaders are working to insulate small businesses.

09/22/2026

The University of Vermont Grossman School of Business of continues to rank among the nation's strongest accounting programs, earning recognition in the latest National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)Candidate Performance Report.

Based on 2025 CPA Exam results, the accounting program at the Grossman School of Business at earned the distinction of being #1 in New England among institutions with 10 or more CPA candidates. Nationally, University of Vermont ranked 28th among 848 U.S. institutions, placing the program in the Top 3% in the country. Among mid-sized accounting programs serving 21 to 60 CPA candidates, University of Vermont ranked #7 in the nation.

The results mark another milestone in a long tradition of excellence: 2025 is the 15th consecutive year GSB has ranked among the Top 40 mid-sized accounting programs in the United States. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gaW73VgJ

09/09/2026

[Update] It is with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business writes to acknowledge the tragic and unexpected death of our long-time colleague, Sarah O’Sullivan.

Sarah and her son, Liam, died as a result of an accident over Labor Day weekend during a family gathering. Her mother, Sheila, died a week later from complications related to the accident, leaving a profound void in the University of Vermont community. Sarah had been an employee of UVM for the past 13 years, working for Risk Management & Safety, the University of Vermont Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, and most recently for University of Vermont Foundation & Alumni Association, but the bulk of her career was spent at the Grossman School of Business where she served as an executive assistant to Dean Sanjay Sharma from 2019 through his retirement in June of 2026.

The death of Sarah O’Sullivan has impacted the UVM family on a campus-wide scale. If you are struggling with grief or need someone to talk with, please know that UVM’s Employee Assistance Program is available to support you. Services provided by InvestEAP can be found on their website, or by calling their Immediate Clinical Line at 866-660-9533.

If you feel compelled, we invite you to share your thoughts, photos, and memories with us via [email protected]. Please indicate if we can share this at a Celebration of Life event on campus or share it privately with Sarah's family.

A GoFundMe has been created for her family at https://lnkd.in/g4VM8S2b
An event will be held on campus at Grossman School of Business on 9/18. Registration requested at https://lnkd.in/gY_dXtzE

08/26/2026

President Marlene Tromp's presentation this week highlighted the many ways the University of Vermont is advancing its mission through student success, innovation, civic engagement, workforce development, and global impact.

Article: https://www.uvm.edu/uvmnews/news/optimism-and-purpose-uvm-president-marlene-tromp-outlines-state-university-2026

At the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business, we were proud to see several accomplishments recognized, including the launch of Vermont's first undergraduate business co-op program, strong career and graduation outcomes, and national and international recognition for The Sustainable Innovation MBA at the University of Vermont, ranked the #1 Better World MBA in the U.S. and #2 globally by Corporate Knights.

These milestones reflect the dedication of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, advisors, and partners who help make experiential learning and real-world impact possible every day.

As we prepare to welcome our newest Catamounts and welcome back our community next week, we're energized by the momentum across UVM and excited for all that's ahead. Together, we're helping students forge bold futures while strengthening Vermont and communities around the world.

| The University of Vermont

08/04/2026

We're proud to share that the Grossman School of Business has been recognized among Princeton Review's Best Business Schools for 2027.

The recognition reflects a University of Vermont student experience built around accessible faculty, hands-on learning, global opportunities, and a commitment to preparing business leaders who create positive impact.

In the same report, The Sustainable Innovation MBA at the University of Vermont was ranked the #2 Best Green MBA in the nation.

Read the full story and see what students, alumni, and Princeton Review had to say: https://www.uvm.edu/business/news/uvms-sustainable-innovation-mba-ranked-no-2-best-green-mba-nationally-grossman-school

07/20/2026

Lucy Parker '27 has been named the 2026 PCAOB Scholar.

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, strong ethical standards, and a commitment to the auditing profession.

Lucy will receive a $15,000 scholarship for the 2026–2027 academic year as she continues her studies in accounting and the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) Accelerated Master's Pathway at the Grossman School of Business.

Receiving Dean's List honors every semester, and First Year and Second Year Student of Distinction recognition, Lucy has distinguished herself through both academic excellence and professional experience. Her internships with Gallagher, Flynn & Company and the Vermont Department of Taxes, along with her work at Community Bank, have helped shape her future career goals.

"As someone paying for my education on my own, it felt like a weight lifting off my shoulders in real time," Lucy shared. "This scholarship lets me focus on my education, prepare for the CPA exam, and spend more time getting ready for the profession."
Congratulations, Lucy, on this well-deserved recognition.

Read more: https://go.uvm.edu/0pz2s

07/17/2026

How do we build stronger talent pipelines in Vermont

That question brought together employers, educators, and workforce leaders this week at Hula for Lake Champlain Chamber's Building Vermont's Future Workforce: How Cooperative Education Partnerships Create Talent Pipelines.

Stephanie Meunier, Director of the Grossman Co-op Program, joined a panel exploring how cooperative education helps students gain meaningful professional experience while strengthening connections between higher education and industry.

As home to Vermont's first undergraduate business Co-op program, the Grossman School of Business is proud to help students translate classroom learning into real-world impact through full-time, paid co-op experiences.

We're especially grateful to the employers who partnered with our inaugural Co-op cohort and helped launch this transformative program: Wayfair, Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLP, BETA TECHNOLOGIES, National Life Group, and engageCFO.

Together, we're helping University of Vermont students build skills, confidence, and professional networks while creating stronger talent pipelines for Vermont employers. Are you an employer looking to advance your talent pipeline? Learn how a Grossman Co-op student can support your organization at go.uvm.edu/grossman-co-op.

07/16/2026

🌈 What makes Burlington one of America's best towns to visit?
CNN recently ranked Burlington (https://www.mynbc5.com/article/burlington-vermont-top-towns-to-visit-2026/72036929) among the top towns to visit in the country, highlighting its unique blend of natural beauty, creativity, community, and opportunity.

At the Grossman School of Business, Marketing Assistant Sophie Ball-Dolan '27 captured that spirit through a colorful lens. Using each color from the University of Vermont brand palette as inspiration, she photographed the places, people, and moments that bring our community to life.

From vibrant student experiences and collaborative learning spaces to the natural beauty surrounding Kalkin Hall, every color tells a story about what makes Burlington and the Grossman School of Business such remarkable places to learn, grow, and lead.

We are proud to see Burlington recognized on a national stage and even prouder to be part of a community filled with so many different perspectives, passions, and possibilities.

💚 Swipe through to explore the colors of UVM as seen through Sophie's lens.

07/16/2026

Congratulations to all of the VCIEL Conference Scholarship recipients!

This year's cohort represents a record-setting 11 scholarship recipients from eight colleges and universities, demonstrating growing interest in Vermont's captive insurance industry and the many career opportunities it offers.

We're especially proud to celebrate our Grossman School of Business recipient: Meredith Lentz GSB '26

These students will attend the VCIA Annual Conference this August, where they'll gain firsthand exposure to one of Vermont's most influential industries through educational sessions, networking opportunities, and connections with industry leaders from across the captive insurance ecosystem.

Congratulations as well to all scholarship recipients from participating institutions. Thank you to the industry partners whose support helps create meaningful experiential learning opportunities for the next generation of professionals.

07/15/2026

Congratulations to the members of the Grossman School of Business community recognized as 2026 VermontBiz 91 Influencers.

This honor celebrates Vermonters whose leadership, innovation, and commitment are helping shape our state's business landscape and communities for the better.

We are proud to see the following members of our community among this year's honorees:

⭐ Bob Phillips, SI-MBA Executive-in-Residence and founder of Ballou Family Apothecary. After a distinguished global career in consumer products, Bob now mentors students and helps lead sustainable product development initiatives within the The Sustainable Innovation MBA at the University of Vermont, preparing the next generation of purpose-driven business leaders.
⭐ Diane Abruzzini Riggs (SI-MBA ‘17), COO and Co-Founder of Rigorous Technology, a fast-growing Vermont technology company. A former VermontBiz Rising Star, Diane is also a champion of Vermont's entrepreneurial ecosystem through her leadership and service with organizations including VCET and NAMI Vermont.
⭐ Michele Asch (UVM ‘88), Chief People Officer at Twincraft Skincare, has helped build one of Vermont's leading manufacturing success stories while advancing leadership development across the state. An entrepreneur, executive coach, investor, and former director of the Family Business Initiative at the Grossman School of Business, Michele also serves on several nonprofit and corporate boards dedicated to creating a stronger, more equitable Vermont.
⭐ David Bradbury (UVM ‘88), President and Fund Director of the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET), has dedicated his career to supporting entrepreneurs, technology commercialization, and business growth. Through nearly two decades leading VCET, he has helped countless startups access mentorship, capital, and strategic guidance while strengthening Vermont's innovation economy.

The VermontBiz 91 Influencers recognition highlights individuals whose vision, leadership, and dedication are driving progress across Vermont. We celebrate their accomplishments and the positive impact they continue to have on organizations, communities, and industries throughout our state.

Congratulations to all of the 2026 honorees. https://vermontbiz.com/news/2026/july/08/vermontbiz-recognizes-91-influencers-2026