The Catamount Community Schools Collaborative (CCSC), through funding from a Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships Seed Grant, has established an interdisciplinary internship program. The CCSC Internship Program acts as a central, coordinating hub for UVM students (undergraduate through doctoral) from various programs and departments to gain access to partnership opportunities with Vermont Community Schools.
As partnering Community Schools identify student/family needs, community engagement projects, or initiatives to be implemented, the CCSC faculty work to identify high-caliber UVM students in programs or disciplines across the UVM campus whose experiences and interests align with those school-identified needs. Those students are then placed (for a semester or academic year) with the partnering Community School to work collaboratively with Community School Coordinators and Administrators to work directly with students, families, or community members; to implement new programs or initiatives; or to conduct community-based, participatory research in support of school, district, or supervisory union goals.
To date, ten UVM student internship placements have been completed or are currently underway. More information on the UVM CCSC Student Interns, their school placements, and content/expertise areas can be found below:
Undergraduate
Jake Thomas
Public Communication major
Spring 2025 Internship with the Catamount Community Schools Collaborative (Burlington, VT)
Grace Stannard
Public Health major
Spring 2025 Internship with Hazen Union School (Hardwick, VT)
Nadiya Becoats
Food Systems major
Spring 2025 Internship with Newport Town School (Newport Town, VT)
Ada Gardner
Food Systems / Place-Based Education major
Spring 2025 Internship with White River Valley Supervisory Union (Bethel, VT)
Yahli Rosen
Public Communication major
Summer 2024 Internship with the Catamount Community Schools Collaborative (Burlington, VT)
Master’s
Nova Mordecai
Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student
AY 24-25 Internship with Vergennes Union Elementary School (Vergennes, VT)
Vanessa Granados
Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student
AY 24-25 Internship with Cabot School (Cabot, VT)
Jessica Loflin
Public Health graduate student
Spring 2025 Internship with Newport Town School / North Country Supervisory Union (Newport, VT)
Doctoral
Barbara Collette
Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Health and Inclusive Education (SHIE) doctoral student
AY 24-25 Graduate Assistantship with the Catamount Community Schools Collaborative (Burlington, VT)
Cynthia Herbert
Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Health and Inclusive Education (SHIE) doctoral student
AY 24-25 Graduate Assistantship with the Catamount Community Schools Collaborative (Burlington, VT)