Meet the CEWD team
Sarah Ballou, Program Coordinator—Electrical & Plumbing Apprenticeship Programs
Sarah is the program coordinator for the VT Department of Labor Registered Electrical & Plumbing Apprenticeship programs where she oversees the related instruction for the apprentices. Sarah’s main role is to work with instructors and students to ensure that the program is meeting the needs of the industry, employer sponsors, and community members. Sarah’s husband graduated from the Plumbing Apprenticeship program in April of 2019 and holds a Journeyman License in NH and VT, allowing her to better understand apprentices and the successes and challenges they face while enrolled in the program. She joined the Vermont Tech community as an Admissions Specialist in 2008 and moved to Continuing Education in July of 2019. She holds an AAS. in Business Technology & Management from Vermont Tech and is actively working toward her B.S. in Applied Business Management.
Email: sarah.ballou@vtc.eduÂ
Darcy Brouillette, SWFI Student Support Manager
Darcy is the Strengthening Working Families Initiative grant (SWFI) Student Support Manager and works to support students through the process of learning about the SWFI program, registering for the course as well as referring students to the supports they need to be successful. Darcy will be attending some of the trainings in order to meet the students as well as offer supports as they transition to the classroom. Study skills, time management and balancing school work with “life” are all areas that Darcy can offer support in to the students. Prior to her role with SWFI, Darcy worked for twelve years in a high school learning lab supporting students through tutoring, study skills and other advising capacities. Darcy received her BA in Sociology from St. Lawrence University and her M.Ed., in Higher Education from the University of Vermont. In her free time, Darcy enjoys spending time with her family at their camp on Echo Lake.
Email: darcy.brouillette@vtc.edu
Danielle Calaway, SWFI Outreach & Recruitment Project Manager
Danielle is the Project Manager for Outreach & Recruitment for the Strengthening Working Families Initiative. In collaboration with manufacturers and community organizations, she helps connect Vermonters with no cost training opportunities. Previously, Danielle coordinated sustainability initiatives at The University of Vermont Medical Center, a national leader in green healthcare. She also has five years of experience as an instructor, including teaching English in South Korea and professional writing at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Danielle earned her B.A. in History from Allegheny College and her M.A. in Professional Writing from UMass Dartmouth. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cat, reading classic literature, and traveling.
Email:Â danielle.calaway@vtc.edu
Maureen Hebert, Associate Dean of Continuing Education & Workforce Development
Maureen is the Associate Dean of Continuing Education & Workforce Development Division of Vermont Tech. Maureen has worked in higher education, focusing on workforce and professional development, for over 20 years to support business and industry in realizing strategic and organizational goals through well-planned and implemented training programs. Before joining Vermont Tech, Maureen worked with the University of Vermont Division of Continuing Education as the Regional Director of the UVM Center in Montpelier where she coordinated both credit and non-credit programming utilizing, in part, distance learning technologies. Maureen has a B.A. in Political Science and English and an M.P.A. from UVM. She received a certificate in Workforce Development from the University of Virginia and is a DDI certified trainer. Maureen has been a long-time member of UPCEA and former Commissioner and a member of NERHRT, ASTD and Rotary.
Email: mhebert@vtc.edu
Lyle Jepson, Director of the Vermont Career and Technical Teacher Education Program
Prior to joining Vermont Tech, Lyle was the Dean of Entrepreneurial Programs at Castleton University starting in July of 2014, which involved opening a Castleton Downtown Office in Rutland and overseeing activities for the Castleton Center for Schools. In January of 2016, Castleton University and Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC) signed an agreement that called for Castleton to perform the role of Executive Director for REDC, delivering economic development services to businesses and industries in the Rutland County Region. As part of his role as Dean of Entrepreneurial Programs at Castleton, Lyle took on the Executive Director position at REDC. Lyle has also been a teacher, an elementary principal, and a high school principal. He spent 16 years as a technical center director, working closely with industry sectors to create educational opportunities for both high school aged students and adults. Lyle earned a B.S. in Secondary Education and Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Planning from the University of Vermont.
Email: lyle.jepson@vtc.edu
Dianne Gross Percy, Director of Business & Learning Development
Dianne consults and teaches for businesses, schools, professional groups, and organizations in the United States and Canada. Dianne’s practical and interactive seminars focus on strengthening individual and group capacity through training and development in leadership skills, change and conflict management, communication skills, customer service training, and facilitation tools and techniques. Dianne has served as an education for over 35 years and has been recognized for her excellence in teaching. She is a practitioner of Malcolm Baldridge Quality Concepts, the Predictive Index, and DISC. She is a certified facilitator for Developmental Dimensions International Learning (DDI) and, as a life-long learner herself, has recently completed certificate programs in Crucial Conversations, Veterans on Campus, and Disney’s Institutes on Quality Service and Employee Engagement. Her education includes a B.S. and M.Ed. from the University of Vermont.
Email: dpercy@vtc.edu
Jamie Stone, SWFI Data & Budget Program Manager
Jamie is the Data and Budget Program Manager for CEWD’s Strengthening Working Families Initiatives Grant. Her main role is handling all of the financial aspects of the grant as well as the data that is inputted and reported to the Department of Labor. Jamie has been within the VSC system for past 7 years, mainly based at the Vermont Tech Randolph Center campus. She has done a variety of things including Accounts Payable, Staff Accountant, and Accounting Specialist. Previously Jamie comes from another 4 years of accounting experience. Jamie has an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, but is currently working towards a B.A. in Accounting.
Email: jamie.stone@vtc.edu
Molly Willard, Manager for The Institute for Applied Agriculture & Food Systems
Molly has a B.S in Botany from the University of Vermont and a Masters in Education. She is the manager for The Institute for Applied Agriculture and Food Systems and faculty for the Agriculture and Landscape Departments.
Email: molly.willard@vtc.edu
Carrie Wright, Business Manager for Continuing Education & Workforce Development
Carrie is the Business Manager for the Continuing Education and Workforce Development office where she oversees the financial matters for the office, as well as coordinates company-based certificate and degree programs. Carrie works one-on-one with students to provide non-instructional advising and is the liaison for students and administrative departments at Vermont Tech. Prior to joining Vermont Tech in 2000, Carrie worked as a legal secretary and real estate paralegal in Chittenden County. Carrie’s office is located in Randolph Center. Carrie holds a B.S. from Vermont Tech in Business Technology & Management.
Email: cwright@vtc.edu