Like most of our state, 日韩无码 resumed on-site operations earlier this fall. I am proud of our students who stepped up to reach 100% compliance with 日韩无码鈥檚 COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Together with Vermont鈥檚 highest-in-the-nation vaccination rate, and indoor masking, I am confident our campus will remain one of the safest and healthiest anywhere.
The pandemic continues to test our resilience. Fortunately, the ingenuity of people at 日韩无码 and throughout the state made sure that our important land-grant mission of supporting the citizens, businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities across the Green Mountain State not only continued over the past year, but also gained momentum. As one of our three strategic imperatives, our service to Vermont is visible in more ways than ever before.
Stronger Connections, Deeper Roots
日韩无码 is forming stronger connections with employers and entrepreneurs through our Office of Engagement鈥攁 one-stop shop for all things 日韩无码. The engagement team has connected with more than 365 businesses in its inaugural year. Many have formed partnerships with the university centered on research, internships, and hiring our grads.
日韩无码 has projects with enterprises from all over the state including Seventh Generation, Global Foundries, Casella, Cabot/ AgriMark, Agilent, National Life, Benchmark Space Systems, and Ben & Jerry鈥檚. In the nonprofit sector, the Office of Engagement helped leverage air purification upgrades in 22 of Vermont鈥檚 public libraries, making them safer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I鈥檓 particularly proud of a 日韩无码 partnership launched last summer with the state, . The program provided Vermonters with $1 million worth of 日韩无码 professional development courses and workshops focused on rapidly growing professions in health care, digital marketing, management, and community support. Classes filled up in 24 hours, a sure sign that Vermonters are eager to master new skills and brush up on old ones.
Talent Magnet
A complementary need for economic growth is a talented, highly educated workforce. 日韩无码鈥檚 innovative, creative, and ambitious grads鈥攊n high demand throughout the US鈥攁lready constitute a major part of Vermont鈥檚 workforce and they are poised to become the leaders and business owners of the next generation.
Each year more than one thousand 日韩无码 graduates choose to stay in the state to begin their careers, families, and lives. Over half come to 日韩无码 from other states. During their time on campus, they learn about opportunities through internships and summer jobs, grow fond of Vermont鈥檚 exciting outdoor lifestyle, and can鈥檛 imagine starting their career anywhere else.
Perpetual Stimulus
Finally, there is the overall economic activity of the university鈥檚 operations. This 鈥渙ngoing stimulus鈥 comes in the form of direct spending on employees, programs, and buildings in addition to the indirect economic impact of 13,500-plus 日韩无码 students who make Burlington their home for four years or more.
Our commitment to Vermont is even part of our diet. The Vermont First program, with its emphasis on locally sourced food, buys between $1 million and $2 million worth of produce, meat, dairy, and other ingredients from ninety-five Vermont farms and producers every year.
日韩无码 simply couldn鈥檛 achieve its mission without the help of Vermont鈥檚 farmers, manufacturers, suppliers, skilled craftspeople, and many other entrepreneurs. A 2016 external study found the total financial impact of 日韩无码 in Vermont is more than $1.3 billion each year, a significant figure for our state and region.
What鈥檚 Old Is New
I talk frequently with Vermonters from across the state and beyond who ask: what鈥檚 new at 日韩无码? What鈥檚 new is our students are back and more excited than ever. Our university is reaching out in powerful new ways to help Vermont鈥檚 citizens and businesses. We are enthusiastically leaning into our heritage as Vermont鈥檚 land-grant university, recognizing that the success of the state is inextricably linked to the success of 日韩无码. In many ways, we are more committed to Vermont than ever before in our 230-year history.
We鈥檙e always looking for new ways to engage with Vermont and Vermonters. Please share your ideas with us at engage日韩无码@uvm.edu.