Saint Michael’s College places an emphasis on global engagement and international education, encouraging students to take part in experiences both on campus and abroad. Studying abroad has been an option to students for decades, allowing them to expand their learning in a new country through classes, internships, service, and other experiences. However, it’s not always […]
Read MoreThe first thing many people did before reaching into the touch tank was hesitate. They would step forward slowly, glance at the water, then pull their hand back with a laugh. Sometimes it was a child daring a parent to go first. Sometimes it was an adult pretending not to be nervous. Then, after a […]
Read MoreWomen now represent more than one-third of U.S. agricultural producers. As that leadership continues to expand, higher education has an important role to play in cultivating the next generation of food systems and agricultural leaders. Great to see the momentum around this gathering and the continued visibility of women shaping the future of agriculture here […]
Read MoreAs Isabella Pierie ’26 prepared to talk at Admitted Student Weekend earlier this spring, the transfer student opted for an unconventional opening: “I start off my speech saying I actually didn’t intend on going here originally.” Pierie has learned that life sometimes isn’t what’s originally planned. She arrived at Saint Michael’s College at the start […]
Read MoreThe times they are a-changin’. That Bob Dylan lyric was penned in a time of social unrest 62 years ago during the Civil Rights movement and while the country was enmeshed in the Vietnam War. These days, there are two major conflicts on the continents of Europe and Asia, civil wars waging in Africa, and […]
Read MoreAt Saint Michael’s College, artificial intelligence is not just a technical tool — it’s a subject of inquiry, a partner in learning, and a catalyst for ethical reflection. The College embeds AI across disciplines in ways that honor its liberal arts tradition: fostering critical thinking, creativity, and responsible citizenship. “Students graduate knowing when, where, why, […]
Read MoreCrystal L’Hote sees philosophy as uniquely positioned to help students navigate between extremes when it comes to artificial intelligence. The Director of the Philosophy and Ethics said people can fall into opposing camps — “AI boosters,” who embrace the technology uncritically, and “AI pessimists, who don’t want to touch it.” In her classes, L’Hote advocates […]
Read MoreSaint Michael’s Education Professor Claudine Bedell teaches her students not just how to use AI tools, but when to use them, when to avoid them, and how to recognize their limitations and ethical concerns. Bedell, who also serves as the Associate Dean of the School of Society and Culture, began working with AI alongside her […]
Read MoreIn Saint Michael’s College’s Business Administration and Accounting program, faculty members Nicole Morris and Karen Popovich model a practical, transparent approach to AI integration — one that treats the technology as a “thinking partner” rather than a replacement for human expertise. The approach to AI in business education focuses on preparing students for ethical, real-world […]
Read MoreThis year, all first-year students got an introduction to AI ethics, benefits, and pitfalls through their required First-Year Seminar courses. The current “common text” – a shared reading assignment for first-years – is AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can’t, and How to Tell the Difference by Arvind Narayanan and Sayash […]
Read MoreMary Falcigno ’15 uses her math and computer science skills at an elite research and technology hub, DEVCOM (U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command), in the Armaments Center. She is a project officer for a division which detects and mitigates unauthorized or enemy drones. Read in this Q&A how she utilizes skills in artificial intelligence, […]
Read MorePamela Carroll is a 1985 Saint Michael’s College graduate and Board of Trustees member whose distinguished career in the sciences led to her current role exploring the use of AI in biotechnology. Read in this Q&A how she became involved this emerging field, how AI is changing medicine development, and what advice and takeaways she […]
Read MoreThis post is part of a series: Applying the Principles of Catholic Social Justice to Contemporary Issues. Some political and religious leaders now claim that “separation of church and state” is a lie. That claim has recently surfaced in connection with President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, whose chair, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, reportedly […]
Read MoreInternationally recognized advocate for girls’ education, Shabana Basij-Rasikh, illustrated to the Saint Michael’s College Class of 2026 just how precious access to education can be in some parts of the world during her remarks at the College’s 119th Commencement. Basij-Rasikh, who co-founded the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA), had fought for her own education while growing up under Taliban rule. She […]
Read MoreThe Class of 2026 celebrated with heartfelt emotion and jubilation during this year’s Senior Awards Brunch – some of which was exuded by the proud faculty and staff who’ve journeyed with them these past four years. The annual brunch in Alliot was an awards banquet during which a handful of students and student mentors were recognized, and all were lauded for their contributions and personal growth. President Richard Plumb […]
Read MoreThis post is part of a series: Applying the Principles of Catholic Social Justice to Contemporary Issues. A series like this finally has to return home. National policies, state interventions, and Church documents matter, but they matter most when they illuminate the lived work of an actual institution. For Saint Michael’s College, the central question […]
Read MoreAt Saint Michael’s College, Jackson Cole ’26 has combined academics and athletics to develop a clear vision for his future. A Business Administration major with a minor in Accounting, Cole will attend law school at Syracuse University after graduating from Saint Michael’s in May. The Newark, Delaware, native strives to continue learning and mastering the […]
Read MoreAfter graduating in May 2026, Cassie Lathrope ’26 will pursue a career in journalism and multimedia reporting – a passion she discovered during her time at Saint Michael’s College. The Trumbull, Connecticut, native will work as a reporter at WCAX-TV, the local Vermont CBS affiliate, after earning her degree. As a Digital Media and Communications […]
Read MoreFor her entire life, Dr. Jolivette Anderson-Douoning, a Saint Michael’s College history professor, has been working to lead and educate others in the teachings of social justice and equity. In the summer of 2025, that lifetime of work was recognized when she was named the College’s Institute for Equity and Justice’s second-ever director. “This is […]
Read MoreSt. Mike’s is already known for its small, tight-knit community, but one professor is trying to tie together any loose threads with a new project. A community embroidery project located in Durick Library – a central gathering space for many on campus – is serving as a way to bring comfort and unity during challenging […]
Read MoreThis post is part of a series: Applying the Principles of Catholic Social Justice to Contemporary Issues. One of the clearest tests of academic freedom and conscience in Catholic higher education comes in a very practical form: may a Catholic college require students to take courses in Christianity, theology, or Catholicism? In a pluralistic institution, […]
Read MoreAs Benjamin Riggs prepares to graduate from Saint Michael’s College in May, he is also getting ready for a significant relocation across the country. The Plainville, Massachusetts, native will soon be moving from the Green Mountains of Vermont to the picturesque landscapes of Big Sky, Montana. A Business Administration major with minors in Finance and […]
Read MoreThis post is part of a series: Applying the Principles of Catholic Social Justice to Contemporary Issues. One way to clarify the present debates about higher education is to ask a simple question: who has a claim to academic freedom? The answer is more complex than it first appears. In public discussion, academic freedom is […]
Read MoreAn immersive traveling museum that tells the story of the impact of Christian service will visit Vermont at the end of the month, with a stop at Saint Michael’s College. Stories of service are at the center of People of Hope: Faith-Filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a national storytelling initiative housed in a digitally retrofitted tractor-trailer. The museum […]
Read MoreThe Saint Michael’s Fire and Rescue Squad caught Andrew Jones’ attention as he and his family drove toward campus for a prospective student in the late 2010s. The student volunteers were hanging out in front of the Robert E. Sutton Fire and Rescue Station on a beautiful day. “It was just a different world across […]
Read MoreSeekonk, Massachusetts, native Ashley Silveira ’26 will graduate from Saint Michael’s College this May and continue on the path she has laid for herself during the last four years. She has combined academics – with a major in Anthropology and Sociology and a minor in International Relations – with internships, leadership positions, and study-abroad experiences […]
Read MoreAfter graduating from Saint Michael’s College in May, Alexa Roux ’26 will pursue a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. Specifically, the Manchester, New Hampshire, native will be working toward a degree in materials chemistry. This science is defined as the study of materials at the molecular or atomic level in order to design, synthesize, or […]
Read MoreSaint Michael’s College alumnus Brent Hill ‘04 has always known what it takes to work hard and persevere. As an assistant coach of the U.S.A. Women’s Hockey Team, Hill had the opportunity to accompany his players and fellow coaches to the recent Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, where they would go on to capture gold in […]
Read MoreThis post is part of a series: Applying the Principles of Catholic Social Justice to Contemporary Issues. Recent debates about higher education have often centered on institutional policies, diversity offices, accreditation, or state restrictions on certain kinds of teaching. Utah’s passage of H.B. 204, a revision of a former law governing when students may be […]
Read MoreThis summer, 15 students from Saint Michael’s College will complete an eight-week internship in either Seoul, South Korea, or Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – an experience supported by an annual grant from the Freeman Foundation. St. Mike’s is one of only 33 colleges or universities in the U.S. that receives this competitive grant annually. […]
Read MoreThis post is part of a series: Applying the Principles of Catholic Social Justice to Contemporary Issues. In recent years, a growing number of federal and state officials in the U.S. have argued that colleges and universities must be restrained in the name of equal treatment, merit, neutrality, and viewpoint balance. On one level, such […]
Read MoreFor three recent service scholarship winners hoping to attend Saint Michael’s College, the moment they realized they’d been selected was memorable. For Jenny Blanshine, a daunting walk to the principal’s office preceded what was ultimately a good report. For Ava Walker, the school’s guidance counselor office was stuffed with expectant family members trying to stay […]
Read MoreCOLCHESTER, VT — An internationally recognized advocate for girls’ education will deliver the Commencement address to the Saint Michael’s College Class of 2026. Shabana Basij- Rasikh, co-founder and president of the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA), will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the College’s 119th Commencement. The ceremony will be held at […]
Read MoreJust over two years after Saint Michael’s College students planted colorful crosses on campus in recognition of migrants who died while crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, a group of students, faculty, and staff traveling near the border this winter participated in a similar exercise – this time in the vast desert where migrants’ remains had been […]
Read MoreAmerican public life often argues about the U.S. Supreme Court in terms of whether it has expanded or protected “individual rights.” Some critics worry that, when rights language becomes the only moral vocabulary, it can unintentionally thin out the goods that make freedom livable, especially the stability of family life and the well-being of children. […]
Read MoreThe former Director of the U.S. Census Bureau – a career-long statistician and data scientist – will speak at Saint Michael’s College as part of an annual endowed lecture series. The Honorable Robert L. Santos, the first Latino and person of color to serve as the Senate-confirmed director of the Census, will explore how considering […]
Read MoreAre we approaching a line we must not cross as a nation? That is the question raised by Jamelle Bouie’s warning about immigration detention in the United States in a New York Times opinion piece (The Depravity of Trump’s Immigrant Detention). His concern is not a careless comparison to extermination camps. It is a warning […]
Read MoreFor only the third time since the Saint Michael’s College Theatre program began in 1962, a student is directing the spring semester’s mainstage production. Angeljolee “Jojo” Carter ’26 will direct Antlia Pneumatica, a modern dramedy by Anne Washburn that explores themes of friendship and grief through the eyes of a group of college friends. The […]
Read MoreIf you’ve ever passed by the Institute for the Environment office on the first floor of St. Ed’s, you’ve probably noticed the colorful fliers advertising a variety of scientific expeditions around the world. These are more than fun decorations – the I4E is encouraging our students to explore the many opportunities that organizations like EarthWatch […]
Read MoreCatholic Social Teaching gives us a demanding but practical standard for judging economic life. The U.S. bishops put it plainly: the economy exists for the person, not the person for the economy (A Catholic Framework for Economic Life). Pope John Paul II made the same claim when he stated that the person is the “true […]
Read MoreWhen Noah Robinson, Ph.D., graduated from Saint Michael’s College in May of 2021, he left campus with much more than a diploma – he left with the skills necessary to “fit into any environment that I found myself in,” he said. Four years after receiving his undergraduate degree from St. Mike’s, Robinson has a Ph.D. […]
Read MoreMass shootings in schools, bars, churches, grocery stores, and concerts now arrive with a grim familiarity. We grieve, we pray, we argue, and then we move on, because the news cycle moves on. Yet Catholic faith will not let us treat repeated bloodshed as normal. The Gospel refuses numbness. Catholic Social Teaching presses an uncomfortable […]
Read MoreSaint Michael’s College and the Lake Champlain Chamber have partnered to pilot a two-year co-operative education program designed to enhance career pathways for students and bolster regional talent pipelines. SMC Co-op is an innovative, career-focused initiative that connects high-achieving third- and fourth-year students with real-world, project-based experiences in local businesses. The model is rare in the national higher […]
Read MoreShelburne Community School Humanities teacher Meg O’Donnell ’88, flitted back and forth across her colorful, book-filled classroom between students working on their world religions unit test on a Friday morning at the end of January. Instead of giving her students the answers they sought when some were struggling with completing the work, she asked them […]
Read MoreImmigration debates in the U.S. often collapse into a single slogan: “secure the border.” Catholics can and should affirm that border governance is legitimate. The Church does not teach “open borders.” It recognizes the authority of governments to regulate entry for the sake of public order and the common good. Pope Leo XIV himself has […]
Read MoreA Saint Michael’s College student is using a national fellowship to make a difference in the greater Burlington area. Libby Rossi ’26 has been dedicated to community service throughout her time at St. Mike’s, including through Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts (MOVE) and experiential learning opportunities through her Sociology and Anthropology/Psychology double major. This year, Campus […]
Read MoreCareer Connections, an annual networking event organized by Saint Michael’s College’s Alumni Board and the Office of Advancement and Communications, will take place March 6, 2026. Alumni are invited back to campus to participate in a career fair, do “table talks” on topics related to the job search, and network with current students. The signature […]
Read MoreIt is the Mission of St. Michael’s College to contribute through higher education to the enhancement of the human person and the advancement of human culture in light of the Catholic faith. In the earlier reflections, we explored the mission of Saint Michael’s College through the lenses of the enhancement of the human person, the […]
Read MoreCongratulations to students named to Saint Michael’s College Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester! View the full list below, which was last updated in December 2025. Qualifications for Dean’s List A student who has completed a minimum of twelve credits of classes with grades, not including classes with a grade “P,” and achieves a grade […]
Read MoreIt is the Mission of St. Michael’s College to contribute through higher education to the enhancement of the human person and the advancement of human culture in the light of the Catholic faith. In the first three reflections, we explored the mission of Saint Michael’s College through the enhancement of the human person, the advancement […]
Read More