When it comes to business, the general rule is that word of mouth recommendations are the best kind you can get. When these same types of recommendations are made for CCV, they don’t simply benefit the College, they have the potential to enrich lives, reshape futures, and strengthen Vermont. This is why I feel it’s so important for you, our alumni to remember and recommend CCV, because along with our current students, your voices carry the most weight.
Each spring semester at the College we invite school counselors and community partners to a breakfast at one of our academic centers, giving them the opportunity to learn about CCV’s programs and hear from our students about their experiences.
I attended the student panel in Winooski this spring and was struck by the consistency of what the students shared—they had some questions about whether or not CCV was a “real college” before they came, but after attending CCV they were impressed by the rigor of the coursework and faculty, they talk about the critical role of the supportive academic staff, the benefit of the diversity of students in their classes and the affordability of the college, which for many makes attending college possible.
CCV-Winooski student and panelist Owen Macfadyen said, “I cannot speak highly enough about CCV. The education I have received in my courses has been top notch, and the diversity of the student population is something that makes me proud. CCV has been a very cost-effective way for me to receive my degree.”
Like Owen, many who have experiences with CCV have great things to say about it. Yet there still lies a misconception about the quality of a community college education, its viability as a place to start a college career, and the value of a community college degree. This is where you come in, alumni: The more voices we have telling the story, the louder the message becomes, and the more likely we’ll be to see students enrolling, graduating, and continuing the cycle.
Many of you have gone on to get four-year degrees from other colleges and rightly think of those institutions as your alma mater. Some of you have joined the workforce and are doing great things with your CCV degrees throughout Vermont and the world. Through your successes, and your personal recommendations, you have the power to change perceptions about community colleges, and about your alma mater, the Community College of Vermont.
In just a few short weeks we’ll watch over 600 people cross a stage and transition from CCV student to CCV alumni. It’s likely that years ago someone told them to have a look at CCV as an option, and that recommendation led to the same feeling of overwhelming joy and accomplishment that you no doubt felt when you were awarded your degree. This new crop of graduates will follow in your footsteps, earning degrees and contributing to a better Vermont for all.
As with all colleges, we rely on you, our alumni, to support this institution through your generosity, for which we thank you. Beyond this, I’m asking you to lend us your voice, act as an ambassador, and help spread the word that CCV is worth looking into and delivers on its promise of providing high quality education to any and all.