660 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
(802) 229-0516
(800) 639-6039
News & Events
News Archive
October 11, 2007
WOODBURY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES NEW ACADEMIC DEAN
Woodbury College President Larry Mandell announced this week that Susan Palmer, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, has accepted the new position of Academic Dean of the College. This new position is part of a series of recent developments at the college, including several recent hirings and program changes.
Mandell commented on Palmer’s promotion, “Susan brings her great collaborative leadership style to this work, along with her passion for Woodbury’s mission. We are very excited to have her in this new role, as it will strengthen the academic leadership at a pivotal time for the college.”
In this new role, Palmer will oversee all of Woodbury’s degree and certificate programs, both undergraduate and graduate. A large part of her role will involve developing plans and partnerships for new curricula.
Palmer has held several positions at Woodbury College.
Before becoming Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Woodbury in 2006, she was the Interim Academic Dean and the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies from 2003 to 2005. Palmer was also a former staff attorney in Vermont Legal Aid’s Poverty Law Project and an assistant attorney general in the Consumer Protection Division of the Vermont Attorney General’s Office.
Palmer earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) from Cornell Law School in 1996, and her Master’s Degree in English Literature from the University of Vermont. She earned her undergraduate degree from Middlebury College.
August 24, 2007
WOODBURY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES Pioneering Masters Degree in Law for Non-Lawyers
Larry Mandell, President of Woodbury College, announced today the addition of a new Master’s program to the college’s curriculum. Woodbury is introducing a Master of Science in Law degree, which will help non-law professionals to gain legal knowledge and skills to enhance their effectiveness and marketability.
Woodbury’s M.S. in Law will be the nation’s only fully online program that focuses on managerial, human resource, elder and health law. Most graduate programs in law are for lawyers, focusing on educating lawyers in specific areas of legal practice. Other programs for non-lawyers only focus on one area or do not offer the flexibility needed by working professionals by being entirely online.
“Adults have been coming to Woodbury’s programs to learn their way into better careers as paralegals and advocates, “ says President Larry Mandell. “This program expands on the current offerings of Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Certificate programs in pre-law, paralegal studies, advocacy, and prevention and the graduate programs in mediation.”
Woodbury College introduced paralegal and mediator education to the state of Vermont in the 1970s. Their prevention program still offers the nation’s only Bachelor’s degree in this subject. Two years ago, Woodbury launched the nation’s only fully accredited Master’s degree in mediation, which now has students from sea to shining sea, Washington state to Maine. This new offering continues that tradition in educating ordinary citizens to understand law and participate in democracy.
This new graduate program will educate professionals in a variety of fields to understand the legal dimensions of their work. The Woodbury M.S. in Law will orient managers, human resource workers, health professionals, educators and gerontologists with their day-to-day work. It will equip them with knowledge in the areas of contracts, employment law, the administrative and regulatory dimensions of their work, privacy and other constitutional issues and liability. They will learn to find and interpret the law affecting their activities, how to identify and handle situations with legal implications and how to keep legal problems from happening. All students will study conflict management to learn skills for preventing and resolving disputes that need not go to litigation and all develop their ethical thinking by recognizing the legal, moral and social implications of their professional decisions.
The M.S. in Law also has special value for foreign attorneys and foreign business executives who wish to understand the American legal system and work with it effectively and for paralegals who wish advanced training and an advanced degree.
Applications are being accepted now for the Fall start of all Woodbury College programs. The undergraduate majors in pre-law, paralegal studies, advocacy and prevention have a start date of September 14, and applications are welcome until September 7. The graduate mediation programs begin September 17 and the deadline is August 27. For the October start of the new MS in Law degree, there is a September 24 deadline. Information about all Woodbury College programs is available by visiting www. woodbury-college.edu or by calling 1-800-639-6039 for undergraduate and mediation programs or 1-866-441-0427 ext. 3517 for the M.S. in Law.
WOODBURY CELEBRATES ITS ONLINE SUCCESS
The Times Argus - September 7, 2006
By Patrick Joy/ Times Argus Staff
Woodbury College president Larry Mandell and Jen Otis of Jericho talk in the school's Montpelier library on Wednesday. Otis is one of seven students, including her mother, who will be receiving their Masters of Science of Mediation and Applied Conflict Studies on Saturday. These are the first Masters degrees conferred by the school.
MONTPELIER - Following fellow small colleges into cyberspace, Montpelier's Woodbury College will graduate its first low-residency master's degree candidates this Saturday, capping a three-year project the college hopes will expand its reach and help ensure its financial future.
The class of eight mediation and conflict studies students completed the bulk of their studies through Internet classes, with several intensive three- to four-day residency periods at the college every six weeks. The model works for far-flung students looking to focus on specialty fields such as conflict studies while also lowering the college's overhead.
"It's wonderful to begin offering masters degrees and be able to reach out regionally," said Woodbury President Larry Mandell. "Of the 13 incoming students in the next class, four are from out of state and all commuting (for the intensive residency days). We have a student from Florida who flies in every six weeks, one from Washington state and one from Columbus, Ohio. That's what we hoped would happen and its happening."
Woodbury recruits students nationwide by advertising the program on various online sites and listing it on graduate college search sites. Mediators often work as independent paid professionals to iron out disputes between employers and employees, between companies or in-house for government agencies. Mandell said the skills are also germane to leadership positions.
"We really believe this is a distinct profession, different from a psychotherapist or lawyer," he said. "They help people to deal with conflict and figure out their own resolutions."
The low-residency model is not new to the area. Goddard College began offering low-residency courses in the 1960s through the mail and switched to the online low-residency format exclusively in 2002.
Peter Burns, dean of enrollment management and external relations at Goddard, said the move has been a perfect fit for Goddard and works well for smaller programs.
"It's been great, we have over 600 students in the programs this year," he said. "The busi-ness model works. It allows adults to continue with their lives and go back to school."
Burns said more than 40 percent of Goddard's students are over the age of 40.
Like Goddard, Woodbury has traditionally served an older demographic. Mandell said the master's low-residency model is growing. The program's first eight students set to graduate Saturday already had a certificate in mediation and conflict studies, but newer groups of incoming students will complete the entire 18-month course load in low residency.
Mandell said response to the program has been positive.
"Someone told me that Woodbury is too good to only serve people from Vermont," he said. "This allows us to expand our reach and there are great economics for that - we won't have people here each week and are able to spread out the cost of our overhead."
Both Mandell and Burns agreed that some residency and face-to-face interaction is critical to the learning process. Woodbury masters students spend five days at the start of the program at the college while Goddard's begins with an eight-day residency.
Woodbury's master's graduates will walk the stage with graduates from other programs at the college at 2 p.m. Saturday at U-32 High School.
February 8, 2006
WOODBURY COLLEGE WELCOMES
FIRST MASTER OF MEDIATION CLASS
Montpelier , Vt. -President Larry Mandell announced today that the first candidates in Woodbury College 's new Master of Mediation and Applied Conflict Studies program began their studies on Monday, February 6 th , 2006. "This is truly a watershed moment for Woodbury," Mandell noted. "A tremendous amount of work went into creating this unique program, and to welcome our first students is gratifying indeed." The program's unique low-residency format enables people from throughout the region and nation to attend this intensive program, which emphasizes the practical application of mediation skills, research and theory. The new program, accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, builds on Woodbury's 21 years of mediation education experience. Students can choose several options of study, including a graduate certificate, a master's degree, and advanced skills training for experienced mediators. The groundbreaking first class consists of 17 candidates, who come to the program from widely differing backgrounds and career fields, as these four examples reflect:
Karen Vermillion resigned a career position and moved all the way from Wisconsin to enroll in the new Woodbury program. "For more than two years, I had been researching mediation programs, both certificate and masters degrees. I chose Woodbury primarily because it has a strong hands-on component, it's small, assists students in successfully reaching their unique goals, and enjoys a good reputation in the mediation field." Vermillion plans to put her graduate degree to very worthwhile use. "Over time, I would like to increasingly develop my expertise so that I am able to work predominantly in the arena of environmental issues of concern, and in particular issues that are of concern to the Tribes of Wisconsin and the State of Wisconsin ."
Gerhild Bjornson, M.D ., is a Burlington oncologist with many years of clinical experience who sees a critical need for mediation in medicine today. "There are so many areas of conflict between providers, hospitals, insurers, patients," she says, "that mediation can help to resolve. I hope to put my new mediation skills to use in this area."
Anne McLeod is an Emmy-award winning television producer whose credits include PBS's "3-2-1 Contact" and work on " Sesame Street ." She divides her time between Vermont and Israel , where her husband lives and works. "Having seen so much terrible conflict in the Mid East," she notes, "I really feel a need to try to make some contribution, however small it may be, toward resolution. This training will enable me to begin doing that."
Kristin Novotny, Ph.D ., is chair of the Political Science Department at St. Michael's College in Burlington . "I will use my Master's to enhance existing competencies and build new ones," says Novotny. "I will develop new courses in conflict resolution at Saint Michael's College and begin new lines of research which examine the implications of mediation in terms of gender and democracy." As to why she chose Woodbury College , Novotny states, "Woodbury's national reputation in the field of mediation was a draw, as were the supportive environment and the low-residency program. I've talked to graduates of the certificate program and they are effusive in their praise."
Mike Maguire is a manager with 22 years experience at General Electric. "The important thing for me is that even if I never use the education beyond my present employment the education will allow me to grow personally from within and process thoughts from a different level and perspective. It's more of a personal growth relevance than a professional one. With that said, I hope it will lead to better and more rewarding opportunities. Through my years as a manufacturing manager I have been greatly rewarded when I have been able to help those with personal and professional conflicts."
January 17, 2006
WOODBURY COLLEGE PROFESSORS VOLUNTEER FOR KATRINA RELIEF
Two faculty members from Woodbury College , Anne Cucinelli and Tammy Lenski , are continuing the Woodbury College tradition of community service by serving as volunteers to help with disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Lenski, a faculty member at Woodbury since 1999, recently returned from a 10-day stint in Mississippi , where she worked with the Best Friends Animal Society ( www.bestfriends.org ) to rescue and care for pets displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Best Friends Animal Society, with headquarters in Utah , provides animal-related disaster relief all across the country. The organization's mission is to foster the humane treatment of animals and pets.
Thousands of pets were rendered homeless by Katrina. Tammy was "stationed" at an emergency animal shelter operated by Best Friends Animal Society in Tylertown , Mississippi . She slept in her car temporarily, then in the attic of the shelter's cat building. Her primary duties involved caring for cats, dogs, and other animals that were brought to the shelter by volunteers working in the field. "I care deeply about animals," Lenski noted, "and I felt the need down there was just too strong to only give money. The need is still tremendous, and anyone who can help should contact Best Friends."
Adjunct professor Anne Cucinelli has just begun her own tour working with Hands On USA (www.handsonusa.org) in Biloxi , Mississippi . The organization is the U.S.-based affiliate of Hands On Worldwide, a volunteer-staffed, non-profit organization dedicated to timely disaster response and relief. The Volunteer Center in Biloxi provides the following services:
- Medical Clinic Support
- Tree & Debris Removal
- Home & Small Business Clean-Up
- Temporary Roofing Installation
- Animal Shelter Assistance and Placement
- Community Center Recovery Projects
At first, she will be helping to remove debris from salvageable houses, stripping them down to studs for rebuilding. After, she may work at a distribution center for basic supplies. But she's there to help any way she can. "I told HOUSA that I'd do anything they need me to do," Cucinelli said.
According to Woodbury College President Larry Mandell, "A central part of our mission at Woodbury is for faculty, staff, and students toshare their knowledge and expertise by actively participating in their communities. Professors Anne Cucinelli and Tammy Lenski are truly embodying that goal."
November 27, 2005
Barre-Montpelier Times Argus Sunday Magazine
Larry Mandell: From an old poor farm he built a school to buttress the legal community
Hundreds of students have passed through Larry Mandell's hands since he started Woodbury College 30 years ago. From the beginning it was an unusual student population. The first few students at the Montpelier college were out-of-work adults looking for a new direction in life. Some had been jobless for a long time.
"This was about as different as they were going to get," says Mandell. The course they took was "Learning Law."
Mandell was just barely a lawyer when he arrived in Montpelier after finishing Boston College Law School in the early 1970s. He arrived in Vermont with a post-graduation summer job helping a professor compile a law book. The job required him to spend a time in the Supreme Court law library, where he hooked into the local law community and learned enough about the state to decide to stay. His first full-time job out of law school was with two Northfield attorneys.But he wasn't long for the legal profession; he knew he always wanted to teach. And with hard work and some personal connections, he was able to get started. "This is a very creative place," he said of Vermont.
Among Mandell's creative friends in those days was Robert Brower, a friend of his older brother from Dartmouth College, who was an expert on adult education and job training programs. Together, the two hooked into a federal grant for $125,000, moved into rented space at Vermont College and started holding classes.
Those first Woodbury students were taught the concepts and the practicalities of the law, but couldn't practice on their own. Graduates still can't. Instead, they learn some of the tools of the trade and then hire out to lawyers for title searches and other law-office grunt work. Over the years, graduates have been able to enter other professional areas, migrate higher into the legal community and actually become movers and shakers. The paralegal degree can be a helpful start.
Membership in that first class was selective: The new school had 150 applicants for the 17 class slots. Woodbury College was off and running with an idea for a practical legal education.
Mandell likes to describe the one building on Elm Street as "the barn of the former poor farm," where 100 years ago the destitute from the area were housed and fed. But the building's early history hardly seems appropriate to the school's mission these days. The school has empowered many students who come from all over Vermont and all kinds of backgrounds, says Mandell who whose modest office is in a corner of the second floor of the building.
"We started with the paralegal program, and now we offer specialties in conflict resolution, prevention and four-year degrees in paralegal studies, says Mandell, 59, who has curly white hair, a huge smile and a sturdy handshake. "We've been able to come a long way."
In fact, the college has expanded its physical plant twice (to 20,000 square feet) and has just announced a master's degree program in mediation and conflict studies.
Woodbury is not, you find out quickly, where a graduating high school senior would want to go for a complete four-year, liberal arts education. "We're not your usual type of college," Mandell explains. "Our typical student is an adult who's interested in moving on to something specific. They're usually not coming to us as a blank slate."
That's been true since 1974, he says, when the paralegal field was anything but a common career track. In fact, a paralegal student with a clear idea of her future provided the first impetus for expanding Woodbury's curriculum into mediation.
Mandell says he was teaching mediation, but certainly wasn't an expert in the field, and had no plans to break it out into a specialty, but a student's enthusiasm blindsided him. "She knew right away it was something she wanted. She said, 'I don't want to be a paralegal. I want to learn this.'"
So did a lot of other people, apparently. Since those Vermont College days, Mandell and his troops have graduated about 1,300 paralegals, mediators, advocates and community service professionals into the community. Many have gone on to carve careers in those specialties, as full-time lawyers, community leaders, nonprofit managers, even judges.
One student came to the school as a foreign car mechanic, went on to get a paralegal certificate and eventually a law degree. Another apprenticed with a lawyer after Woodbury and moved on to a judgeship, while a third alum is a member of the Vermont Supreme Court.
Mandell credits the students with keeping him interested.
"These are adult learners, remember. They come with agendas, ideas and expectations. They're looking for things they can do that don't require four years of college and three years of law school to do."
Mandell says he loves being a college president. "This is a terrific way to spend your time," he says. The school has stayed solvent and educationally innovative, he says. "It's the kind of place people feel good about. I'm certainly glad to have been among these people.
"Things never turn out the way you think, y'know. This one turned out great."
Steven Wallach is a Times Argus reporter and editor.
November 18, 2005
Woodbury College Graduate Gives $100,000 Challenge Grant
National Life of Vermont Also Contributes $50,000
Larry Mandell, President of Woodbury College, announced today that the college has received two major grants. “One of our graduates has given a $100,000 challenge grant,” said Mandell. “That is an incredibly generous donation, as well as a huge vote of confidence in the college’s new growth. We hope it will serve as an inspiration to others who see higher education for adult learners as one of our nation’s most important priorities.” This grant and all matching funds will be used exclusively for scholarships and financial aid.The Woodbury graduate, who requested anonymity, expressed admiration for Woodbury’s mission. “Woodbury College offers motivated people from a variety of backgrounds a second chance,” the graduate noted. “Having financial aid is essential for non-traditional students.
The challenge grant was not the only bit of fiscal good news, noted Mandell. “In addition, we have been the fortunate recipient of a $50,000 grant from National Life of Vermont. This company has long been a mainstay of Vermont’s economy and corporate good citizenship, as the grant demonstrates.”
Woodbury College has recently embarked on several key new initiatives. One is the introduction of its new Master of Mediation and Applied Conflict Studies. The other is an ambitious, long term strategic plan to regionalize the college’s programs. “This is a very exciting time for Woodbury,” said President Mandell. “We have celebrated our 30th anniversary, introduced the new Master’s program, and finalized an agreement which guarantees qualified Woodbury graduates admission to Vermont Law School.
October 21, 2005
Woodbury College Welcomes New Trustees, Thanks Departing Members
Woodbury College President Larry Mandell announced today changes in the College’s Board of Trustees. “We’re sadly saying goodbye to Phyllis Wells, Peg Meyers, Annie Gould, Deb Markowitz and Bill Ricker,” stated Mandell. “We want to extend our gratitude for their dedicated service to Woodbury over the past several years. Their varied experience and expertise were enormous and they helped spread the word throughout the state about Woodbury’s programs.”
Woodbury College is also welcoming several new trustees: Karen O’Neill of Hinesburg; Cheryl King Fisher of Montpelier; and Ron Miller of Charlotte. New student trustees, chosen by the student body, are Miriam Briggs of St. Johnsbury and Ginger Potwin of Randolph. Karen O’Neill is a lawyer with 25 years of experience in management, law, government affairs and organization development. From 1997 to 2003, when the company consolidated its top management functions in Austin, Texas, Karen was Vice President, New Markets, for Green Mountain Energy Company, a retail energy company selling electricity in restructured energy markets, and was responsible for its legislative and regulatory strategy nationally. Prior to joining GMEC, she worked for Green Mountain Power Corporation for twelve years in progressively more responsible positions, including Vice President for Organization and Human Resources, and Assistant General Counsel.
Before moving to Vermont in 1984, Karen was a prosecutor in the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and held management positions there and in the Executive Office for U.S Attorneys in the Justice Department. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the National Law Center at George Washington University. Karen is currently doing consulting work for the College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and serves on the boards of directors of the Howard Center for Human Services and Audubon Vermont.
Cheryl King Fisher is the Executive Director of the New England Grassroots Environment Fund, a funder/activist grantmaking collaborative that focuses on community-based environmental issues, civic engagement, democracy and social justice. Cheryl has worked extensively in both the public and non-profit sectors in the fields of medical technology, land conservation, water resource management, and community development before organizing the Grassroots Fund in 1996.Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Hollins College; received a Master of Science Degree in Resource Economics from the University of Vermont and a Master’s level certificate in Medical Technology from St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. Cheryl has served a two-year term on Montpelier’s City Council. She and her husband, Monty Fischer, also a career environmentalist, live in Montpelier and have two grown children.
Ron Miller, Ph.D., is on the faculty of the Education Program at Goddard College. He served a term as faculty representative on Goddard's board of trustees and is currently designing a new B.A. program at the college for homeschooled teens. Ron is a historian and activist in alternative education movements. Originally trained as a Montessori educator, he has written or edited eight books and lectured internationally on holistic education. His most recent book is Educating for a Culture of Peace which he co-edited with Riane Eisler. Ron co-founded the Bellwether School in Williston, Vermont and was involved in publishing books and periodicals on educational alternatives for several years. He is also engaged in philanthropic work through the New Visions Foundation and the Sustainable Future Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation.
Student Trustees
Miriam Briggs is a Pre-law student who enrolled at Woodbury in the Spring of 2004 planning to finish up a bachelor’s degree, begun some 20+ years ago. Woodbury has turned out to be an unexpected treat for Miriam who wishes to express her gratitude for what Woodbury has given her by serving as a student representative to the board.
Ginger Potwin, an Interdisciplinary Studies student, is a married Mom of three children who just completed her third term at Woodbury with one year remaining. Currently the chairperson of a council, and a member of a board, Ginger feels her experiences in community service will be an added benefit as a student representative on the board of trustees. Ginger believes she brings unique perspectives, and acknowledges she has much to learn as well.
“With three key trustees departing, we’re very fortunate to have these outstanding men and women coming on board,” noted President Mandell. “Woodbury is moving forward with a number of new programs, some reaching out on a national level, and these trustees will be invaluable during this period of growth.”
August 11, 2005
Vermont Law School & Woodbury College Ink Groundbreaking New Admissions Agreement
 |
|
Vermont Law School President & Dean Geoffrey Shields (left) & Woodbury College President Lawrence Mandell (right) |
Vermont Law School and Woodbury College announced today the details of a special new agreement which guarantees admission to Vermont Law School for qualified graduates of Woodbury’s paralegal or pre-law programs. Such an arrangement is highly unusual, and is an indication of Vermont Law School’s high regard for the preparation students receive at Woodbury College.
The new agreement guarantees admission into Vermont Law School’s J.D. program or Joint JD/MSEL degree program to Woodbury College students who successfully complete Woodbury’s requirements for the bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Paralegal or Pre-Law Studies (B.S.). It is also available to Woodbury College students who already have a bachelor’s degree and successfully complete Woodbury’s requirements for the certificate in Paralegal Studies. In addition to graduation from Woodbury College, the guaranteed admission requires a recommendation from Woodbury's Pre-Law or Paralegal program director and an appropriate LSAT score.
According to Woodbury College President Larry Mandell, “We are extremely pleased to be entering into this agreement with Vermont Law School. There are few such agreements in place around the country. We’re gratified to have our paralegal and pre-law programs held in such high regard by Vermont Law School.”
Vermont Law School Dean and President Geoffrey B. Shields was also pleased with the new agreement. “Woodbury College's pre-law curriculum is uniquely designed to prepare students specifically for the challenges of law school. Thus we're very pleased to enter into this agreement, which will provide significant benefit to both institutions,” noted President Shields.
The new agreement is effective immediately. The first Woodbury graduates to take advantage of the new agreement are expected to enter Vermont Law School in the Fall of 2006.
July 16, 2005
Winner of Community as a Classroom Scholarship Essay Competition Announced
Sally Black of East Calais, Vermont, was chosen the winner of the Community as a Classroom Scholarship Essay Competition sponsored by the Rutland Herald and Times Argus newspapers and ClearChannel Vermont. For writing the winning essay, Sally received a $5000 Scholarship to Woodbury College and a year’s supply of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. According to Woodbury College President Larry Mandell, “We wanted to create a competition to identify and reward adults with the vision, energy, and commitment to create positive changes in the world around them. Because community involvement is such an integral part of Woodbury’s mission, we thought it appropriate to have participants write about that topic.”
Entrants were required to write and submit an original essay of up to 750 words on this topic: “What is the most valuable lesson you have learned through involvement in your community?” Entries were judged initially by members of the Vermont Retired Teachers Association. A group of ten finalists were selected and submitted to a distinguished panel of final adjudicators including:
- Madeleine Kunin, former governor of Vermont and Distinguished Visiting Professor at St. Michael's College and the University of Vermont
- David Moats, Pulitzer Prize-winning Editorial Page Editor for the Rutland Herald
- Tom Slayton, Editor of Vermont Life Magazine.
According to President Mandell, “We are extremely grateful to the Vermont Retired Teachers Association, to our three final adjudicators, and to our competition sponsors ClearChannel Vermont and the Rutland Herald and Times Argus newspapers for their support. Without the help of all of them, we would not have been able to present this scholarship competition.”
Click here to read the winning essay.
April 25, 2005
Woodbury College Announces Master of Mediation and Applied Conflict Studies
New Graduate Program First of Its Kind in U.S.
Larry Mandell, President of Woodbury College, announced today that the New England Association of Schools and Colleges has given final approval and accreditation for Woodbury to offer a Master of Mediation and Applied Conflict Studies degree.
The new 18-month graduate program builds on Woodbury’s 21 year history training professional mediators. This unique program offers students practice-based mediation education, a low-residency schedule combining in-class and distance learning, and an integrated curriculum designed to develop student competency in key areas. Courses will include advanced mediation skills, a practicum, research and analysis of current trends and issues in the field, classes with nationally-known guest instructors, and a self-designed final research project.
This is a tremendous milestone in the growth of Woodbury College,” noted President Mandell. “To enable students from throughout the country to pursue this unique degree, the development of a low-residency graduate program here has been one of our long-term goals. Because Woodbury is nationally recognized for its mediation faculty and programs, the creation of a graduate level mediation program was the logical next step. We have spent a number of years creating this new program, articulating its philosophy and goals, designing course work and thesis requirements, and developing faculty responsibilities.”
President Mandell added that response to the new offering is so strong that the school has begun receiving inquiries even before launching its advertising and promotional campaign. “We’ve already received inquiries from all over the country.”
May 2, 2005
Woodbury College Hosts CSI Workshop
Nationally Recognized Experts Present Forensics and Crime Scene Investigation Workshop
Montpelier, Vt.—On Monday, May 9, 2005, two nationally recognized law enforcement experts, Anne and Paul Cucinelli, presented a CSI-style Forensics and Crime Scene Investigation Workshop at Woodbury College.
Students of Woodbury College put their learning into action, performing as simulated members of the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) during this workshop. After receiving a simulated 911 call, they responded to a crime scene scenario similar to those represented in the popular CSI television series. Using all appropriate evidence collection techniques, participants gathered and preserved evidence, and then determined the crimes that were committed. Students spent the entire day on their investigation of the simulated crime scene: marking off the crime scene, collecting evidence, taking video and photographs, making sketches of the scene, interviewing witnesses and documenting their findings. Students were amazed at the length of time each step in the investigation process takes to complete.
Anne Cucinelli, Woodbury College Adjunct Professor, explained the reason for the workshop. “This is how Woodbury College helps students learn—by offering practice-based programs that allow students to have the chance to refine new knowledge and skills, both in the classroom and in the real world.” Anne is a Vermont licensed attorney. She has served as an FBI Special Agent, as Chief Investigator for the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Review Board, and as a state prosecutor here in Vermont. Cucinelli is also a counter-terrorism expert who spent much of 2003 working as a contractor for the US Department of State, providing counter-terrorism surveillance detection training to US embassy and consular staff worldwide. Cucinelli teaches at Woodbury College, Community College of Vermont, and Norwich University.
Paul Cucinelli served as a Vermont State Trooper for 22 years with assignments that varied from Governor Kunin’s security detail to supervising the statewide drug task forces. After retirement from the Vermont State Police, Cucinelli spent over a year working as a contractor for the US Department of State, providing counter-terrorism surveillance detection training to US embassy and consular staff in South America, Africa, the Middle East and throughout Europe. He co-presents investigations workshops at Woodbury College with his wife, Anne.
Burlington Free Press
OPINION: Thursday, April 28, 2005
Woodbury connects
Faced with a serious dispute, most people will turn to police or lawyers. But there is a third way -- straightforward conflict resolution -- and Vermont has a reputation for being good at it.
The home base for this valuable skill is at Woodbury College in Montpelier, a small, out-of-the-way school that has become expert in community development, human services, mediation, prevention and paralegal work.
In a state that is dealing with escalating Corrections Department budgets, this college offers an array of resources aimed at preventing crime and supporting communities before things go wrong.
Legislators would benefit from stepping outside the Statehouse and strolling down Elm Street to check on this college. It would open their eyes to new ways of dealing with problems in their communities.
Part of the college is devoted to the Dispute Resolution Center, where students deal with actual cases under the guidance of senior mediators. Between 100 and 150 cases are brought to the center each year. They range from business dissolutions to family disputes. They have involved controversial housing developments and the siting of public facilities, such as the skateboard park at the Burlington waterfront.
The college has about 150 students whose average age is 35. Most are employed and many are parents. They have chosen Woodbury for career enhancement or career change and do much of their work in their home communities and online.
Some of them work with those communities to provide positive outlets and opportunities for their young people. It's called Prevention and Community Development, and it is an investment in the youths' future and the community's health. The center also provides free services to elderly people and their families to help them cope with care and finances.
Woodbury president and co-founder Lawrence Mandell said the school works to change the way society deals with conflict, which is often by withdrawing or striking out. He notes that the mediation education at Woodbury can be used in all sorts of situations and would be particularly beneficial to young people if it were taught in public schools as a basic life skill.
Woodbury celebrates its 30th year this year. It has a quiet presence on a residential street in Montpelier, but its voice in communities across the state is forceful.
March 11, 2005
WOODBURY COLLEGE RECEIVES SCHOLARSHIP, NEW INITIATIVE SUPPORT
Foundation gifts help to increase Woodbury's scope and reach
Woodbury College is pleased to announce the following gifts recently received for student scholarships and new initiatives expansion. These generous contributions will support students in need and also allow Woodbury to create newly designed learning models that combine on-line learning with less frequent campus visits in order to meet the needs of today's growing number of adult learners.
- The Indian Tree Foundation with the Vermont Community Foundation has provided funding to support Woodbury's Scholarship and Emergency Grant Fund.
- The New Castle Fund awarded a grant that will provide funds for a market study to expand the Prevention and Community Development Program. The study will examine the market for undergraduate, master's degrees, and certificates through on-line, low-residency programs.
- The South Meadow Foundation has contributed funds to increase Woodbury's capacity for new program development.
- The Wisdom Connection, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, will support a Vermont Nonprofit Management Study to determine the types of educational programs needed to help professionals in the nonprofit field. The study will look at the most significant needs managers face in organizational development, strategic planning, resource development, human resource management, program planning and board development.
According to Woodbury College President Larry Mandell, "These generous grants will make it possible for Woodbury College to pursue important new initiatives. As the college enters its 30 th anniversary year, it seeks to expand its impact by making its special brand of higher education accessible to a wider range of students. Woodbury's new education models will combine on-line learning with less frequent campus visits to meet the needs of today's growing number of adult learners."
November 18, 2004 
PREVENTION & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PIONEERS HONORED AT WOODBURY COLLEGE
Gov. Douglas Proclaims " Vermont Prevention Week"
Governor Jim Douglas has proclaimed the second week in November to be "Vermont Prevention Week." Kicking off the week's activities, on Saturday, November 13, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., Woodbury College celebrated the 10 th anniversary of the Prevention & Community Development Program on its Montpelier campus at 660 Elm St. Created in early 1994, Woodbury College 's Prevention & Community Development Program is the only bachelor's degree program in the nation that is solely focused on primary prevention . The program is based in and committed to learning through engagement in the community. Students examine the root causes of social problems and promote the well being of children, families, and communities. Areas of study and practice include prevention theory, community development, child and adolescent development, family systems, and group facilitation.
Keynote Speaker Mr. Charlie Smith, Secretary of Vermont's Agency of Human Services, addressed the importance of Prevention to the well being of Vermonters and the leadership that the State and many of the pioneer awardees have provided in the field.
Presentation of awards highlighted the 10th Anniversary Prevention Celebration.
PREVENTION PIONEER AWARDS
These pioneers helped the field of prevention become established in the state of Vermont , creating something new and lasting in the formative years of 1974 to 1983.
This year's Pioneer Award recipients were Rufus Chafee, Steve Gold, Elizabeth Lawrence, Jack Pransky, Peter Perkins, and Alan Soucie.
PREVENTION ADVOCACY AWARDS
Prevention Advocacy Awards honor those who worked to pass Prevention legislation, influence Prevention public policy, and/or engage the public in Prevention efforts. This year's Prevention Advocacy Award recipients went to Phil Hoff, George Little, Gretchen Morse, Scudder Parker, Doug Racine, Peter Smith and Sally Soule.
CHERYL MITCHELL BEST PRACTICES AWARD
A special award was presented to Cheryl Mitchell, to honor her work in exemplifying best practices in community-based primary prevention in Vermont.
Next year, the first Larry Mandell Emerging Practitioner Award , named in honor of Woodbury's President and co-founder, will be presented acknowledging and honoring the accomplishments of Prevention professionals who are in the first three years of their careers.
Prevention is one of the most powerful concepts in social and community development because it helps uncover and address the root causes of problems like substance abuse and domestic violence. It also enables individuals to create healthy conditions in themselves, their families, and communities. Prevention & Community Development is often lauded as the social well being program of the future.
November 8, 2004
WOODBURY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES NEW LAW PROGRAMS
More Flexible Scheduling, Online Courses
Woodbury College is now offering all Core Law classes in a "Hands-On/Online" format, which combines the convenience of online learning with the personal attention of small, on-campus practice sessions. That means that certificate Paralegal students can take an all-online program and complete their studies in one year. Bachelor's and associate's degree students also have new flexibility in their schedules, allowing them more choices.
Woodbury will continue to offer the same weekend and weekday classes on most on-campus programs, to best accommodate the needs of adult learners.
The new "Hands -On/Online" model in the Law programs is a practice-based approach to legal skill-building that offers an intensive online program of study, plus active, real-time practice of case problems that reflect those dealt with in the field. New schedule options include:
* Paralegal and Pre-Law associate's and bachelor's degree students may choose a weekend, weekday, or combination schedule to complete their General Education courses. Some General Education courses may also be available online. Core Law classes are available either online or on the Woodbury campus on weekends, weekdays, or a combination schedule.
* Paralegal certificate students may choose all online, all on campus, or a combination of schedules.
* Advocacy and Interdisciplinary Studies students now have more schedule options for the Law portions of their programs.
October 20, 2004
WOODBURY COLLEGE RECIEVES GIFTS:
Vermont Foundation Makes $50,000 Donation
Woodbury College announced recently that it has received a number of significant gifts, including a major $50,000 grant from a Vermont foundation (which requested anonymity) to support efforts to create new low-residence programs and add Masters' degrees.
The Agnes M. Lindsay Trust provided a $5,000 grant for scholarship assistance for students from rural towns in Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Woodbury College has received this grant every year since 1991.
Concept2, the Vermont-based maker of fine rowing and fitness equipment , has given a $1,000 grant for the Emergency Grant and Loan Fund. Every year since 1995, Concept2 has provided these annual grants to help students remain in school through difficult times.
The Occom Family Fund of the Upper Valley Community Foundation gave a $300 grant for expenses for presenting notable foreign speakers.
According to Woodbury College President Larry Mandell, "Approximately 85% of our students are eligible for financial aid. Grants such as these, from very generous organizations and individuals, allow us to help students realize their lifelong dreams by having a transforming educational experience at Woodbury."
April 16, 2005
Woodbury College Essay Competition
Want to win a $5000 Scholarship to Woodbury College? Here's just the opportunity. The winner of Woodbury College's essay competition will recieve a $5000 scholarship to Woodbury College, as well as a year's supply (52 pints) of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.
Click here for complete submission guidelines »
FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR FALAZA BALOYI SPOKE AT WOODBURY COLLEGE ABOUT APARTHEID AND LIFE IN SOUTH AFRICA
April 11, 2004
Montpelier, Vt.-South African native and Fulbright Scholar Mr. Falaza Baloyi appeared as a guest speaker at Woodbury College on May 15th , from 11:30-12:30 p.m. Mr. Baloyi discussed contemporary South Africa's young democracy and his experiences growing up in South Africa under the apartheid system.
Mr. Baloyi is presently living in Rutland , Vermont , where he works as a high school chemistry teacher through a teacher exchange program. In the late sixties, when apartheid was firmly in place, he was born in a village called Valdezia in what is today the Limpopo province of South Africa . He began schooling at another village, where his first grade classroom was a tree because the apartheid system did not provide enough classrooms for all students. Mr. Baloyi was awarded a " Bantustan " scholarship after matriculation from high school and entered college, a rare opportunity for someone living under apartheid at that time. "My own background would not have allowed me to go to college because of economic constraints," Mr. Baloyi says. He was nominated by the school at which he taught and subsequently selected by the Fulbright Commission for an exchange as a Fulbright Scholar in the U.S.
"We are very pleased to have an educator and Fulbright Scholar of Mr.Baloyi's caliber appear here," noted Woodbury College President Larry Mandell. "His presentation is free and open to the public as part of our ongoing Community Meetings Series. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this unusual opportunity."
WOODBURY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTS TWO NEW MEMBERS
April 20, 2004
Montpelier, Vt.-Woodbury College President Larry Mandell announced today the election of two new members, David Rahr and Nick Cutler, to the College's Board of Trustees.
David Rahr served as the Executive Director and then President of The Vermont Community Foundation from its establishment in 1987 until his retirement in June 2003. The VCF is a $95 million statewide public charity that pools and invests charitable capital and searches for ways to apply the income from its permanent endowment to improve the quality of life in Vermont.
A 1960 cum laude graduate of Princeton University, Mr. Rahr came to the foundation after twenty-five years as a college administrator. He spent twenty-two years at Princeton, serving first as an Admission Officer and then held senior positions in alumni affairs and development. In 1982, he became Director of Development and Director of Capital and Planned Gifts at Middlebury College where he Planned and directed a $60 million capital campaign.
He has served as President of the Board of the Counseling Service of Addison County, a community mental health and mental retardation center and as a Trustee of The New England Foundation for the Humanities. He has also served on the Board of the Sheldon Museum and as President of the Vermont State Craft Center in Middlebury. He is a life-long Chicago Cub fan.
Nick Cutler is responsible for developing new business lines and providing overall operational support for Northfield Information Services, Inc., a privately held independent company providing the investment community worldwide with analytical and operating efficiency tools to enhance performance. Nick has over 20 years experience in the money management and venture capital business.
Before Northfield, Nick was a partner and Chief Operating Officer at Darby Investments, Ltd., a venture capital firm in Washington, DC (sold to Franklin-Templeton Investments in 2003.) Before that, he served as Vice President at Putnam Investments where he shared responsibility for institutional defined benefit and defined contribution consultant relations. Nick received a BA, History, from the University of Vermont.
"David and Nick will be extremely valuable additions to Woodbury College's Board of Trustees," noted President Mandell. "David's vast experience in community development work, and Nick's equally impressive background in finance, will be tremendously helpful as Woodbury continues to grow and develop."
Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Woodbury College is unique in its strong emphasis on practice-based higher education for adults to ensure that graduates achieve both academic excellence and actual experience in their fields. Located in Montpelier, Woodbury College confers associate's and bachelor's degrees in paralegal, pre-law, mediation and conflict management, human services, prevention, advocacy, conflict management, and other disciplines.
TED WINOKUR, DIRECTOR OF THE MEDIATION PROGRAM DISCUSSES "JETS AND SHARKS" IN THE VERMONT BAR JOURNAL
March 26, 2004
This article, recently published in the Vermont Bar Journal and soon to be published in the Vermont Mediators Association newsletter, reflects on the dialogue between attorneys and professional mediators about their perspectives on conflict resolution.
WOODBURY HOSTS "COME DREAM WITH US" FUTURE PLANNING MEETING
January 14, 2004
On the evening of Tuesday, January 13, Woodbury College President Larry Mandell hosted a dinner and evening of discussion to help define the future direction of the College. Prior to the evening, President Mandell stated, " Woodbury College is at an exciting time in its development and as we look to Woodbury's future, we value more than ever the thoughts and concerns of those around us in our community."
The evening's agenda began with approximately 40 attendees dividing into five smaller groups to brainstorm "The Essence of Woodbury," and then to analyze three themes from their brainstorming lists. Next, President Mandell shared current vision and ideas for Woodbury College 's future. The evening concluded with a full group discussion of participants' ideas and vision for the College's future.
The evening's activities produced six primary themes related to the essence and future of Woodbury College :
• A caring learning community
Woodbury College provides a learning environment that is caring, supportive, and with profound connections between students and faculty. It is an institution that welcomes students like family.
• Civic engagement
Woodbury College educates students to be fully engaged citizens by presenting programs of study aimed at helping to sustain a healthy democratic society.
• Best practices in adult education
Woodbury College provides an education that includes ample practical, real-world experience, strong academic challenge, with focus on collaboration and self-direction.
• Educational justice
Woodbury College ensures that education is made available to special populations such as low-income and first generation students. A cornerstone of its educational philosophy is strong belief in everyon e's potential and value to the community. The Woodbury environment is designed to help non-traditional students overcome barriers found in more traditional settings.
• Transformative learning
Woodbury College strives to help students make their higher education a life-changing experience by encouraging them to take risks and surmount new challenges in a caring and supportive environment.
• Rigor
Woodbury College challenges students with high expectations, rich academics, and potentially life-changing experiences within a supportive, socially conscious environment.
• Resource to the community
Place where people meet to collaborate and create healthy, sustainable communities
WOODBURY CORE FACULTY SUSAN PALMER TO JUDGE DEBATE TOURNAMENT
December 23, 2003
Susan Palmer will be a judge at the Vermont Principals' Association's high school "Debate and Forensics League" tournament at the Vermont State House in Montpelier on January 31. Says Palmer, "I've done this a few years in the past and it's both fun and very inspiring to see how sophisticated some Vermont high school students are in communication skills."
WOODBURY COLLEGE TO HOST DINNER AND DISCUSSION ABOUT THE COLLEGE'S FUTURE
December 19, 2003
Unique Event Open to Public, Free of Charge
Montpelier, Vt.--Woodbury College announced today that it will host an evening of dinner and discussion about the future direction of the College. This unusual opportunity to help shape the future course of an institution of higher education will be open to the public and is free of charge.
According to Woodbury College President Larry Mandell, "Woodbury College has a proud tradition of educating adults in career fields that make ours a healthy, democratic society. The College is at an exciting time in its development and we are inviting all members of the community to join us for a unique evening of creative discussion about Woodbury's future. As we look to that future, we value more than ever the thoughts and concerns of our community."
The free dinner and discussion will take place at the College on Tuesday, January 13, 2004, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Dinner will take place from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Discussion will follow, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Those who would like to attend must RSVP to Tracy Grigsby by January 8th: Email tracyg@woodbury-college.edu or call 800-639-6039 or 802-229-0516.
"Our graduates are needed more than ever in communities in Vermont and throughout the region," stated President Mandell. "At a time when many traditional jobs are being eliminated, our programs educate people for careers that are locally based. Our wish is to give more people the opportunity to attend Woodbury College."
WOODBURY COLLEGE DIRECTOR OF WRITING INSTRUCTION MATT DRUMMY TO READ FROM NEW BOOK
November 6, 2003
Montpelier, Vt.--Matt Drummy, Director of Writing Instruction at Woodbury College, will read from his newly published book of short stories, Northern Accents (PageFree Publishing, Michigan; 2003) at Woodbury College on Thursday, Nov. 13, at noon, and on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 11:30 a.m.
Read the Word Document or Adobe PDF for the full story (links above).
NEW MEMBERS ELECTED TO WOODBURY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
October 14, 2003
Montpelier, Vt.--Woodbury College President Larry Mandell announced today the election of two new members to the College's Board of Trustees.
"On October 14, 2003, Mary Cohen and H. Clay Simpson were both elected to three-year terms," stated President Mandell. "We are very fortunate to have two such distinguished individuals joining Woodbury College's Board of Trustees."
VERMONT BUSINESS MAGAZINE ARTICLE PROFILES CAREER PATHS OF WOODBURY GRADUATES WHO READ FOR THE BAR
The article in July issue of Vermont Business Magazine, on reading for the law, by Ed Barna, asks "What common thread links the careers of Vermont Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Skoglund, Superior Court Judge Amy Davenport, House Judiciary Committee Chair Margaret Flory, and Human Rights Commission Executive Director Robert Appel?" In addition to several of them attending Woodbury College, they all became attorneys by reading the law. Read the full text article in Vermont Business Magazine.
Another Vermont Business Magazine article by Ed Barna, "Finding Success through Mediation," outlines the
differences between Mediation and Litigation. Read
the full text article online at Vermont Business Magazine, with details on 'Woodburying the Hatchet' and other information on mediation by Woodbury College Dispute
Resolution Center Director, Neal Rodar.
MEDIATION/CONFLICT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PAUL LAMB PRESENTS AT VERMONT BAR ASSOCIATION
In conjunction with members of the Vermont Bar Association's Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Woodbury College Mediation/Conflict Management Associate Director Paul Lambe co-presented a session entitled "Advocacy in Mediation" that offered Continuing Legal Education credits to Vermont lawyers attending the Vermont Bar Association Annual Meeting on October 3 at Killington. He was assisted at this well-attended session by recent Woodbury Mediation graduates, Mary Swartz and Rick Hecht. The event featured lively discussion highlighting the wide range of experiences that lawyers have with mediation, and the unique challenges they face in ensuring that mediation is effective for them and their clients.
The event reinforced Woodbury's connections with the legal community and in furthering the understanding of the important role mediation can play for lawyers in the resolution of conflicts.
Women's Profile Series, by Susan Palmer, in the September issue of the Vermont Bar Journal features Jean Myers, Director of Woodbury's Legal/Paralegal Department, "Although Jean describes herself as "coming of age" in the 1960's when becoming a lawyer did not seem to her a practical goal for a woman, she always harbored the dream of going to law school someday." Read the full text article in the Vermont Bar Journal, here.
WOODBURY COLLEGE FACULTY MEMBER PRESENTS AT THE VERMONT WOMEN IN HIGHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE
Kelly Young, Associate Director for the Prevention/Community Development Program at Woodbury College, presented two workshops at the Vermont Women in Higher Education Conference at the Stoweflake in Stowe, Vermont, on November 14th, 2003. The workshops encouraged diverse women in higher education to see themselves and each other as resources to their work, and to learn about, practice and plan for collaboration among women in higher education.
