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Champlain College
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Key Information
Champlain College is a private college in Burlington, Vermont, United States. Founded in 1878, Champlain offers on-campus undergraduate and online undergraduate courses through Champlain College Online,[3] along with online certificate and degree programs and master's degree programs, in over 80 subject areas. Champlain enrolls 3,060 undergraduate students on its Burlington campus from 40 states and 18 countries.[4]
History
[edit]Champlain was founded in 1878 as Burlington Business School, opened by G.W. Thompson, to prepare young men for "the business cares and responsibilities of life." In 1884, when E. George Evans acquired the school, it became coeducational and changed its name to Queen City Business College. In 1905, it moved to Bank Street, and in 1910 it moved again to Main Street. A. Gordon Tittemore acquired the college in 1920, and renamed it Burlington Business College. In 1958, the College took on its current name and moved to its present location in the Hill Section of Burlington. That year, it offered associate degree programs and enrolled about 60 students.
Champlain College opened its first dormitories, Jensen and Sanders Halls, in 1965. It started new programs in social services in the 1970s, opened the Willett Foster Hall, home to the Engineering Technology Division, in 1982, and added the Hauke Family Campus Center in 1989. Champlain offered its first bachelor's degree programs in Business and Accounting in 1990; three years later it began its first online education programs. In 2002, Champlain launched its first master's degree program in Managing Innovation & Information Technology. The College's library, the Robert E. and Holly D. Miller Information Commons, opened in 1998 and in 2004 the school dedicated the S.D. Ireland Family Center for Global Business & Technology, home to the Stiller School of Business. The following year, the IDX Student Life Center opened. Also in 2005, David F. Finney was inaugurated as the Champlain's seventh president, and the College added a Master of Business Administration as its second master's degree.
In 2006, President David F. Finney launched several initiatives, including the Emergent Media Center; the Champlain College Center for Digital Investigation, now called the Senator Patrick Leahy Center for Digital Investigations; and the Conference and Event Center. Champlain also introduced two scholarship programs: the New American Student Scholarship, for students with refugee or asylum status, and the Vermont First Scholarship for first-generation college students from Vermont, and the College launched its BYOBiz program, which promotes student entrepreneurship.
In 2007, the College opened a study-abroad campus in Montreal, Canada, followed by second study-abroad campus in Dublin, Ireland in 2008. Later that year, Champlain established the Core Division, followed by the Life Experience & Action Dimension (LEAD) program in 2009.
In 2010, Champlain began offering an MFA in Emergent Media and a BS in Environmental Policy, and introduced the Center for Financial Literacy and the Champlain College Publishing Initiative. That same year, Roger H. Perry Hall was renovated. Perry Hall received LEED Platinum certification in 2012, and houses the Advising and Registration Center, Admissions, Financial Aid, Public Relations, and serves as a general purpose Student Welcome Center. In October 2012, Champlain College received the largest gift in its history, a gift of $10 million from the Stiller Family Foundation[5] that established the Stiller School of Business and funded the Perry Hall Welcome and Admission Center, as well as to begin work on the Center for Communications & Creative Media, which opened in the fall of 2015. In fall of 2013, Champlain was featured in an article in The Atlantic, "What Would an Ideal College Look Like? A Lot Like This," as part of the magazine's "American Futures" series, which looked at American cities that are home to innovations and entrepreneurship.[6]
President David F. Finney retired in June 2014, and Donald J. Laackman, president of Harold Washington College, became Champlain's eighth president in July 2014.
- G.W. Thompson (1878–1884) [7]
- E. George Evans (1884–1920) [7]
- A. Gordon Tittemore (1920–1956) [7]
- C. Bader Brouilette (1956–1977) [7]
- Dr. Robert A. Skiff (1977–1992) [7]
- Dr. Roger H. Perry (1992–2005) [7]
- Dr. David F. Finney (2005–2014)[8]
- Donald J. Laackman (2014–2019) [9]
- Dr. Laurie Quinn (interim) (2019-2020) [7]
- Dr. Benjamin Ola. Akande (2020-2021) [10][11]
- Dr. David F. Finney (interim) (2021-2022) [11]
- Alex Hernandez (2022-) [12]
Campus
[edit]
Main campus
[edit]Champlain's campus consists of 42 buildings on about 2.5 city blocks in the residential Hill Section of Burlington, Vermont.[13] Most of the student residence halls are renovated Victorian-era houses.[14] Champlain College also offers contemporary housing. In 2014, Champlain opened a new on-campus residence, Valcour Hall. In November 2018, the institution's first apartment-style residence hall, 194. St Paul St, opened. The hall is 0.5 miles away from the main campus and currently houses 314 upperclassmen. About 750 students reside on campus while others occupy off-campus college housing.[13] There are 27 residence halls.[15]
The IDX Student Life Center houses the dining hall, gym, fitness center, lounge and game room.[16] All Champlain students have access to campus computer labs, 3D animation and game production labs, multimedia classrooms and editing suites, a digital photography lab and darkroom, the Metz Studio Barn, the Emergent Media Center and the Senator Leahy Center for Digital Investigation. In 2014, Champlain opened its Makers’ Lab and opened the Communication & Creative Media building in 2015.[17]
Academic buildings include the Hauke Family Campus Center, the S.D. Ireland Family Center for Global Business & Technology, and the Miller Information Commons. Facilities available include 3D animation and game production labs, multimedia classrooms and editing suites, and a photo lab and darkroom.[18][19]
Lakeside campus
[edit]Located 1.5 miles southwest of the main campus[20] is Miller Center and the residential student parking lot. Miller Center contains the Emergent Media Center, a collaborative work studio that acts as a student work space while also accepting commission work from the public. Miller Center also includes the Makerspace, where students access equipment such as 3D printers/scanners, laser and vinyl cutters, and power tools.
International campuses
[edit]Champlain College has campuses in Dublin, Ireland and Montréal, Canada, in addition to partnerships with institutions around the world.[21] Students are encouraged to study abroad.[22]
Champlain College's Montréal campus opened its doors in 2007 with classroom space located at Rue Sherbooke Est. Students live in the Evo Montréal Student Residence building with local and international students.[23] Champlain students in all programs are eligible to spend a semester in Montréal.[24]
Champlain's Dublin campus has been in use since 2008. The Academic Center is located at 43 Leeson Street Lower, near Dublin's Georgian Office District, and comprises four classrooms, a computer lab, and a lounge.[25] Experiential courses teach students about Ireland's economy, music, cultural heritage, and history.[26]
Champlain College has announced that "they will conclude operations at its Montreal and Dublin campuses on June 30, 2026."[27] These locations are being replaced with a partnership with Temple University.[28]
Academics
[edit]Ranking
[edit]| Academic rankings | |
|---|---|
| Regional | |
| U.S. News & World Report[29] | 91 |
| National | |
| Forbes[30] | 215 |
The 2024[update] U.S. News & World Report's annual university rankings ranked Champlain College tied for 91st in Regional Universities in the North and tied 10th in the most innovative schools.
Forbes' Lists College Ranking for Champlain College:
- #215 America's Best Small Employers 2023
- #560 Top Colleges 2021
- #297 in Private Colleges
- #198 in Colleges in the Northeast
Undergraduate education
[edit]Champlain offers 29 undergraduate degree programs on campus, including associate and bachelor's programs, and 25 undergraduate certificates online. It also has 24 graduate degree programs that can be pursued either on campus or online.[31]
Starting with the class of 2011, general education was taught in the form of an interdisciplinary core curriculum. Each course brings together three or four discrete disciplines with the use of various literature and open-ended discussion topics. First-year courses focus on the self, second-year on the community, and third year on global topics. Through courses such as Rhetoric, Concepts of the Self, and Concepts of Community, students gain a background in the liberal arts and sciences.[32]
In the fall of 2008, incoming students began to participate in an out-of-the-classroom life skills program. This life skills program, called the InSight Program (previously called LEAD), aims to prepare students for post-graduation life. InSight aims to build knowledge in three areas: personal wellbeing, career readiness, and personal financial management.[33]
Champlain College Online
[edit]Champlain College Online was established in 1992[34] as a part of Champlain College. The college has over 60 online degree programs, including associate, bachelor's, and graduate degrees, as well as certificate programs, encompassing four areas of study: Business, Cybersecurity, Healthcare, and Information Technology. The programs and degrees delivered online have the same curriculum and accreditation as the traditional residential on-campus programs.
Student life
[edit]In addition to student-run clubs, the college also hosts intramural sports.
The Center for Service and Sustainability is a community service and civic engagement based club that participates in a number of activities such as Tent City (a fundraiser to raise homeless awareness and money for COTS (Committee on Temporary Shelter), and the DREAM program (a mentoring program for underprivileged children).[35]
There is a Student Government Association.[36]
Publications
[edit]Willard and Maple is an international literary magazine published by Champlain College, with the editorial board made up of faculty and students.[37]
Student demographics
[edit]Champlain College enrolls 2,100 undergraduate students from 40 states and 18 countries. 64% of students are male and 36% female. The college has a 12:1 student/faculty ratio, and the average class size at Champlain is 14, with a maximum class size of 30.[4]
Notable alumni
[edit]- Jeremy Bishop (attended 1999–2001), basketball player at Champlain and Quinnipiac Colleges[38]
- Clem Bissonnette (A.A., 1965), member of the Vermont House of Representatives[39]
- Steven Crowder (attended), conservative political commentator
- Rusty DeWees (A.A., 1984), entertainer[40][41]
- Maxyne Finkelstein (M.S., 2015), non-profit organization executive
- Volodymyr Heninson (graduated, 2001), president of soccer's Ukrainian Premier League[42]
- James McNeil (A.S. 1978), member of the Vermont House of Representatives and Vermont Senate[43]
- Jaime Peterson (attended 1991–1993), professional basketball player[44]
- John E. Rouille (attended 1973), U.S. Marshal for Vermont[45][46][47]
- Laura Sibilia (attended), member of the Vermont House of Representatives[48]
- Donald H. Turner (A.S. 1984), member of the Vermont House of Representatives[49]
References
[edit]- ^ Fox, Carolyn. "College Launches New Latin Motto". Champlain View. Champlain College. Archived from the original on 2008-09-27. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
- ^ "National Center For Education Statistics". National Center For Education Statistics. Archived from the original on 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ "Affordable Online Degree Programs". Champlain College Online. Archived from the original on 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ a b "Quick Facts & History". Champlain College. Archived from the original on 2023-09-08. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ Mease, Stephen. "Champlain College Receives $10M Gift From the Stiller Family Foundation". champlain.edu. Champlain College. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ Tierney, John. "What Would an Ideal College Look Like? A Lot Like This". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Past Presidents". Champlain College. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ Biography of President Donald J. Laackman at Champlain College Archived 2014-08-12 at the Wayback Machine. Champlain.edu (2005-07-01). Retrieved on 2014-09-04.
- ^ Mease, Stephen. "Champlain College Trustees Announce New President". champlain.edu. Champlain College. Archived from the original on 2 June 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- ^ "Timeline". champlain.edu. Champlain College. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Champlain College President Benjamin Ola. Akande Departs for Leadership Role at St. Louis Financial Firm". Champlain College. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ "Alex Hernandez Named President of Champlain College". Champlain College. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b Johnson, Tim (2008-06-29). "Abroad education consultants". Burlington Free Press. Archived from the original on February 24, 2016. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
- ^ "Facts at a Glance". Champlain College. Archived from the original on 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
- ^ Johnson, Tim (8 July 2010). "From the blogs". Burlington, Vermont: Burlington Free Press. pp. 1B.
- ^ "Student Life". Champlain College. Archived from the original on 2013-03-29. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "Center for Communication & Creative Media | Champlain College". champlain.edu. Archived from the original on 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2018-10-25.
- ^ "Academic Facilities". Champlain College. Archived from the original on 2013-11-14. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "Game Art & Animation". Champlain College. Archived from the original on 2013-03-24. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "Miller Center to Hauke Family Campus Center". Miller Center to Hauke Family Campus Center. Archived from the original on 2023-04-28. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
- ^ "Champlain Abroad | International Education | Academics". champlain.edu. Archived from the original on 2013-07-22. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
- ^ "International Education | Academics | Champlain College". champlain.edu. Archived from the original on 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
- ^ Richardson, Jessica (2023-11-17). "Student Interviews: Evo Residence Experience and History". Champlain Global. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ^ "Champlain College opens Montreal campus". The Burlington Free Press. 29 September 2007. p. B.3. ProQuest 439840566.
- ^ "Housing & Meals | Dublin Abroad | International Education". champlain.edu. Archived from the original on 2017-04-23. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
- ^ "Champlain Abroad Dublin | International Education". champlain.edu. Archived from the original on 2017-05-16. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
- ^ "Champlain Expands Global Education Through Partnership with Temple University". The View. Champlain College. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "Temple University". Study Abroad with Temple University. Champlain College. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "2025-2026 Best Regional Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. September 23, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ "America's Top Colleges 2025". Forbes. August 26, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ "Champlain College | About Us". champlain.edu. Archived from the original on 2019-04-13. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
- ^ "Core Curriculum". Champlain College. Archived from the original on 2013-04-04. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
- ^ "InSight Program". Champlain College. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ^ "History". Champlain College Online. Archived from the original on 2020-06-05. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "Center for Service & Civic Engagement". Champlain College. Archived from the original on 2013-10-15. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
- ^ "Student Government Association". champlain.edu. Archived from the original on 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2018-10-25.
- ^ "Willard & Maple: Student Publications". champlain.edu. Archived from the original on 2018-01-13. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
- ^ Anderson, Woody (December 20, 2001). "It's Looking Up for Quinnipiac". Hartford Courant. Hartford, CT. Archived from the original on 2020-03-19. Retrieved 2020-03-19.
- ^ "Biography, Clement Bissonnette". Ballotpedia.org. Middleton, WI: Lucy Burns Institute. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- ^ Kleimann, James (February 3, 2009). "The Logger to Speak at Champlain College". Vermont Seven Days. Burlington, VT. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ Kent, Tom (December 20, 2000). ""The Logger" shares his story in Bradford". Bradford Journal-Opinion. Bradford, VT. p. 3. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ "Biography, UPL President". Archived from the original on 2016-08-19. Retrieved 2016-08-07.
- ^ "Biography, Senator James McNeil". legislature.vermont.gov. Montpelier, VT: Vermont General Assembly. 2019. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- ^ "Pitt's Peterson turns life around". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 12, 1995. p. C3.
- ^ Vermont Secretary of State (1997). Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual. Montpelier, VT: State of Vermont. p. 377 – via Google Books.
- ^ Durrell, Brad (March 28, 1980). "Leahy Aide 'Eyeball-to-Eyeball' With Complaints". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. Barre, VT. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Congressional Quarterly (1999). Judicial Staff Directory. Washington, DC: CQ Press. p. 948 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Biography, Representative Laura Sibilia". legislature.vermont.gov. Montpelier, VT: Vermont General Assembly. 2019. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- ^ "Biography, Donald Turner Jr". Ballotpedia.org. Middleton, WI: Lucy Burns Institute. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
External links
[edit]Champlain College
View on GrokipediaChamplain College is a private, nonprofit college located in Burlington, Vermont, overlooking Lake Champlain, specializing in career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs with an emphasis on professional readiness in fields such as cybersecurity, game design, digital media, and business.[1][2]
Founded in 1878 by educator George W. Thompson as the Burlington Collegiate Institute and Commercial College, a for-profit business school offering training in bookkeeping, typing, and stenography, the institution admitted women from its inception and underwent several name changes before adopting its current name in 1958 and transitioning to nonprofit status in 1966.[3][2]
It now enrolls around 3,300 students across on-campus and online formats, maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, and reports that 86% of its 2024 graduates secure employment or continue education within six months of graduation, supported by features like an "upside-down" curriculum prioritizing major courses early and faculty composed of industry professionals.[2][4][5]
Champlain has earned recognition as a "Most Innovative School" in the North by U.S. News & World Report for multiple consecutive years and is noted for pioneering programs in esports, digital forensics via the Leahy Center, and sustainable campus practices, though it has faced student protests over its handling of sexual assault cases.[6][1][7]
History
Founding and Early Development (1878–1950s)
Champlain College was founded in 1878 by Burlington educator George W. Thompson as the Burlington Collegiate Institute and Commercial College, operating as a for-profit post-secondary institution dedicated to practical vocational training in business skills such as bookkeeping, arithmetic, penmanship, typing, stenography, and telegraph operation.[3] This emphasis on empirical, market-oriented education aligned with the post-Civil War economic expansion in the United States, where demand grew for clerical and accounting expertise amid industrialization and commerce in northern New England; the school admitted women from its inception, reflecting an early commitment to accessible professional preparation without ideological constraints.[3] [8] In 1879, the institution was renamed the Queen City Collegiate Institute and Commercial College, and by 1884, it transitioned to Burlington Business College under new ownership by E. George Evans, marking the first of several proprietary shifts that sustained its operations through adaptive programming rather than endowment reliance.[3] Ownership changed hands multiple times between 1878 and the mid-20th century, with the curriculum evolving to include commercial law, correspondence, English, spelling, and specialized shorthand methods to meet local industry requirements in Vermont's burgeoning trade sectors.[3] [9] By the 1910s, the college relocated to 182–190 Main Street in Burlington, where it remained until 1958, and enrollment reached approximately 100 students around 1920, though it dwindled to about 30 by the mid-1950s amid broader economic pressures.[3] The institution demonstrated resilience during economic downturns, including the Great Depression of the 1930s, by prioritizing non-ideological, demand-driven offerings that avoided speculative academic pursuits in favor of verifiable job skills; by the 1940s, it conferred diplomas in Junior Accountancy, Stenography, and Business Administration, adjusting course content to reflect wartime and postwar labor market shifts without federal subsidies or mission drift.[3] This profit-motivated flexibility, rooted in direct response to Burlington's commercial ecosystem, enabled survival where less pragmatic ventures faltered, culminating in further name iterations like Green Mountain College of Commerce in 1956 before stabilizing as Champlain College of Commerce.[3]Transition to Modern College Status (1950s–1990s)
In the mid-1950s, Champlain College faced declining enrollment, dropping to approximately 30 students amid post-World War II shifts in higher education demand toward larger public institutions offering broader programs under the GI Bill.[3] In 1956, the institution was acquired by C. Bader Brouilette and Albert Jensen, who reoriented it toward business-focused associate degrees in fields such as accounting, business administration, and executive or medical secretarial science, renaming it Champlain College of Commerce before finalizing the name Champlain College in 1958.[3] That year, the college purchased Freeman Hall in Burlington's Hill Section, enabling capacity for up to 250 students and marking an initial move toward campus-based operations previously limited by downtown facilities.[10] This restructuring addressed financial pressures by emphasizing practical, career-oriented training to attract local and regional students in a competitive landscape. The 1960s saw further adaptation to junior college standards, with accreditation as a business junior college by the Accrediting Commission of Business Schools in 1960, followed by transition to nonprofit status in 1966 through sale to a nonprofit corporation, which facilitated eligibility for federal aid and long-term stability.[11] Enrollment surged to around 900 students, prompting physical expansion including the opening of the first dormitories, Jensen and Sanders Halls, in 1965, and acquisition of 19 Victorian-era buildings for housing and classrooms.[12] The Joyce Learning Center was constructed in 1970 to support growing academic needs, while new programs in data processing and aeronautics reflected responsiveness to emerging economic demands.[13] By the 1970s, full regional accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in 1972 affirmed the institution's elevated status, enabling diversification into associate programs like fashion merchandising, law enforcement, and hotel management.[3] Under leadership transitions, including Robert Skiff succeeding Brouilette in the 1980s, the college stabilized enrollment and modernized facilities. The pivotal shift to baccalaureate education began in 1991 with the first bachelor's degree in accounting, followed by Roger Perry's presidency in 1992, which prioritized program expansion and laid groundwork for four-year offerings amid ongoing competition from comprehensive universities.[10][13] This era's decisions, grounded in enrollment data and accreditation imperatives, transformed Champlain from a struggling proprietary school into a regionally recognized nonprofit college.[3]Expansion and Innovation (2000s–2010s)
During the 2000s, Champlain College expanded its academic offerings to align with emerging demands in technology and digital industries, launching specialized undergraduate programs such as Electronic Game & Interactive Development in 2004, which responded to the growing video game sector fueled by advancements in graphics and interactive media.[14] This was complemented by the introduction of bachelor's degrees in areas like game art, animation, software engineering, and digital forensics, reflecting empirical job market growth in creative tech fields where U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed software developer employment rising over 20% from 2000 to 2010.[15] Graduate programs also proliferated, including the Master of Science in Managing Innovation in Information Technology in 2002 and others in business administration and emergent media, enabling the institution to capture adult learners seeking credentials in high-demand IT management roles amid the post-dot-com recovery.[3] Infrastructure investments supported this curricular shift, with the opening of the S.D. Ireland Family Center in 2004 providing dedicated space for academic advising and student services, followed by the IDX Student Life Center in 2005 to enhance campus amenities for a burgeoning student body.[3] The Emergent Media Center, established in 2006, served as a hub for integrating game design, digital forensics, and media production, fostering interdisciplinary projects that mirrored industry pipelines for roles in cybersecurity and interactive development—fields where practitioner demand outpaced supply due to rising cyber threats and media digitization.[16] Enrollment among full-time traditional undergraduates grew from 1,497 in 2000 to 1,950 by 2009, driven by these career-focused programs rather than broad liberal arts expansion.[17] Into the 2010s, the college pursued international initiatives to cultivate global competencies, opening study-abroad campuses in Montreal, Canada, in 2007 and Dublin, Ireland, in 2008, which facilitated experiential learning in game design and tech amid Europe's burgeoning digital economies.[3] Facility enhancements continued with the $12 million restoration and expansion of Roger H. Perry Hall in 2010, earning LEED Platinum certification for sustainable design and serving as a welcome center for 250 students.[18] Further additions included the Miller Center at Lakeside in 2011 for environmental studies integration, Res-Tri residence halls and Finney Quad in 2014 to accommodate residential growth, and the Center for Communication & Creative Media in 2015, prioritizing infrastructure that supported program scalability without evidence of disproportionate debt relative to revenue from tuition increases tied to employability outcomes.[3] Online program expansions, building on 2000s foundations, added over 40 degrees and certificates by decade's end, tripling the adult learner base and aligning with workforce upskilling needs in cybersecurity and health informatics.[19]Recent Developments and Challenges (2020s)
In response to post-pandemic shifts toward experiential learning and employability, Champlain College renovated the ground floors of Freeman and Joyce Halls during summer 2024 to establish a STEAM Center featuring technology-rich classrooms, modern science laboratories, and a cyber range computer lab, funded by federal appropriations.[20] This initiative aimed to enhance hands-on STEM education amid competitive pressures from institutions offering similar facilities. To bolster career outcomes, the college announced an undergraduate co-op program in June 2025, set to launch in 2026, providing semester-long, full-time paid work experiences worth 12-15 credits while allowing four-year graduation; the first partner, Creatio, was secured in October 2025 for roles in marketing, sales, and AI integration.[21][22] Champlain College Online expanded with seven new degree programs launching in fall 2025, targeting fields like communication studies to attract non-traditional students seeking flexibility and affordability, as 90% of surveyed young adults cited these factors in opting for online education.[23][24] These adaptations reflect efforts to align curricula with labor market demands, including high-growth areas like cybersecurity, where programs such as CyberStart gained national recognition in 2025 for enabling high school students to earn college credits pre-enrollment.[25] However, the college faced significant challenges from declining enrollment, dropping over 30% from 2016 peaks to 3,328 total students by fall 2023 and 2,801 undergraduates by fall 2024, driven by broader demographic declines in high school graduates and intensified competition from public universities and online providers.[26][4] In response to these financial headwinds—exacerbated for small private institutions by rising costs and shrinking applicant pools—Champlain began phasing out under-enrolled majors such as law and accounting in summer 2024, while planning to close its Montreal and Dublin campuses by June 30, 2026, and pivot to partnerships like one with Temple University for study abroad.[26][27] These measures underscore the vulnerabilities of the small private college model, where enrollment volatility directly impacts revenue without the scale advantages of larger peers.[26]Campus and Facilities
Main Campus in Burlington
The main campus of Champlain College occupies 27 acres in downtown Burlington, Vermont, encompassing 52 buildings that provide 906,293 gross square feet of space for academic, residential, and support functions.[28] This urban setting integrates the campus with surrounding commercial districts, enabling pedestrian access to local transportation and services without reliance on personal vehicles, as Burlington's compact downtown layout spans approximately 10.7 square miles for its 44,595 residents as of the 2020 census.[2] Core academic and residential structures include Freeman Hall and the adjacent Joyce Hall, which together support instructional spaces and student services; Joyce Hall specifically houses classrooms and the college bookstore.[29] Specialized facilities for career-oriented training feature the Leahy Center for Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity, a dedicated laboratory equipped for real-world investigations and security analysis serving both educational and external clients.[30] The Game Studio provides an industry-simulated environment for collaborative game development projects, while the Center for Communication & Creative Media encompasses 75,000 square feet of technology-equipped spaces for media and design work.[31] Residential capacity on the main campus accommodates upper-year students in halls such as Juniper Hall and Lakeview Hall, with targeted facilities like the Res-Tri Complex offering 90,000 square feet and 275 beds, and Main Street Suites providing 30,000 square feet for 56 residents including lounge and parking areas.[32] [33] Overall, the campus supports 1,691 full-time traditional undergraduate students, with housing utilization influenced by Burlington's municipal policies; in March 2025, the city council removed prior caps on college bed capacity to align with broader housing availability constraints.[2] [34]Lakeside Campus
The Lakeside Campus, situated at 175 Lakeside Avenue in Burlington's South End neighborhood, serves as a dedicated extension of Champlain College approximately 1.3 miles southwest of the main campus, accessible via shuttle service.[35][36] This 37,500-square-foot, three-story facility, known as the Miller Center, supports specialized experiential learning in technology-driven fields by providing professional-grade infrastructure tailored to small-group, hands-on projects.[37] Its proximity to Lake Champlain enhances regional contextual awareness for media and tech programs, though primary activities emphasize digital simulation and analysis over direct waterfront utilization.[36] Key facilities include the Leahy Center for digital forensics and cybersecurity, which equips students with tools for real-world research collaborations with businesses and government entities, fostering practical skills in data analysis and threat simulation.[38] Complementing this, the Emergent Media Center (EMC) at the site enables technology and media projects, including content creation and potential startup incubation, distinguishing Champlain's offerings through integrated professional workflows.[37] Recent Phase II renovations to the Miller Center, completed as of early 2024, have modernized interiors to accommodate these functions.[39] The campus's esports arena exemplifies capacity for targeted cohorts, featuring over 24 open PC stations with high-performance specifications (Intel i9 CPUs, Nvidia RTX 3080 GPUs, 32GB RAM), a 7-station training room, dual console and digital media stations, and a broadcasting suite with advanced audio-visual equipment.[40] These resources support game design and media majors via competitive training, live streaming, and content production, enabling small teams to engage in industry-standard practices that differentiate the college's career preparation from traditional lecture-based models.[40][41] By centralizing such specialized venues away from the main campus, the Lakeside Campus facilitates focused, scalable experiential education tied to Burlington's innovative ecosystem.[41]International and Specialized Facilities
Champlain College maintained international campuses in Dublin, Ireland, and Montreal, Canada, as part of its Champlain Abroad initiative, offering U.S.-accredited coursework with local immersion elements. The Dublin campus featured an Academic Centre in the city center, supporting semester-long programs focused on business, technology, and cultural studies, including credit-bearing internships for students with competitive GPAs; student housing was provided in the historic Liberties neighborhood, approximately a 25-minute walk from the center, with access to nearby cultural sites like the Guinness Storehouse.[42] Similarly, the Montreal campus emphasized multicultural business and educational environments, blending North American and international perspectives in coursework.[43] These facilities enabled small cohorts of American students to engage in field trips, such as to Ireland's Giant's Causeway or Cliffs of Moher, fostering intercultural skills, though participation rates remained modest given the college's total undergraduate enrollment of around 3,000.[44] In September 2025, Champlain announced the closure of its Dublin and Montreal campuses effective June 30, 2026, citing a strategic shift toward scalable partnerships rather than maintaining proprietary overseas sites, which posed operational challenges for a mid-sized institution.[45] This transition includes expanded study abroad access via collaboration with Temple University, providing options in Rome, Italy; Oviedo, Spain; and Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan, with Champlain advising, scholarships, and support for non-Temple students.[45] Additional pathways encompass faculty-led short-term trips and third-party providers for broader global immersion, prioritizing professional skill-building over fixed infrastructure.[46] Specialized facilities supporting hybrid international or experiential learning are limited, with the college relying on digital tools like the Canvas LMS for blended formats in study abroad preparation and virtual components, rather than dedicated physical hybrid spaces abroad.[47] This approach enhances flexibility but underscores scalability constraints, as proprietary international operations demanded disproportionate resources relative to enrollment impact.[27]Academics
Programs and Degree Offerings
Champlain College's academic programs trace their origins to vocational training in areas such as bookkeeping, stenography, and business administration established at its founding in 1878 as the Burlington Collegiate Institute and Commercial College.[3] By the 1940s, it awarded specialized degrees in junior accountancy and secretarial sciences, transitioning to formal associate degrees in accounting, business administration, and related fields under accreditation as a junior college in 1960 and 1972.[3] Bachelor's degree programs emerged in the 1990s alongside the introduction of online learning initiatives, with master's degrees commencing in 2002 in disciplines including business administration and digital forensics.[3] Undergraduate curricula emphasize career-oriented majors across divisions, requiring completion of a core curriculum that fosters competencies in critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving through year-specific experiences: a first-year foundational seminar, second-year interdisciplinary inquiry, third-year applied projects, and a fourth-year capstone integrating core skills with major coursework.[48] Key offerings include:- Business: Accounting, Business, International Business.
- Technology: Computer Science and Innovation, Cybersecurity, Game Design, Software Engineering.
- Health Sciences: Health Care Administration, Health Sciences.
- Creative and Communication Arts: Creative Media, Filmmaking, Game Art, Graphic Design, Professional Writing.
- Social Sciences and Policy: Criminology and Criminal Justice, Environmental Policy, Psychology, Public Administration.
- Education: Early Childhood Education.
Rankings, Accreditation, and Recognition
Champlain College is ranked #94 among Regional Universities in the North and #18 for Most Innovative Schools in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, which emphasize factors such as graduation rates, faculty resources, and peer assessments within regional categories.[4] These regional rankings constrain comparisons to institutions primarily serving the Northeast, excluding national universities and limiting scope to peer institutions with similar enrollment and mission profiles. The "Most Innovative" designation, derived partly from reputational surveys of administrators and counselors, introduces subjectivity, as it prioritizes perceived novelty over verifiable outcomes like student retention or program efficacy.[4] The college is also included in The Princeton Review's lists of Best 391 Colleges and Best Regional Colleges for 2026, selections based on student surveys evaluating academics, campus life, and career preparation.[53] Such inclusions reflect self-reported student satisfaction but lack standardized metrics, potentially amplifying anecdotal feedback over longitudinal data. Empirical indicators, including a six-year graduation rate of 68%, offer a more objective gauge of performance, surpassing some regional peers and aligning with causal factors like program structure and advising support.[54] Champlain College holds accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), granted initially in 1990 following prior candidacy under the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education from 1972 to 1990, affirming its transition from a junior college to baccalaureate-granting status.[55] NECHE accreditation verifies compliance with standards in governance, academics, and resources, with the college's most recent comprehensive evaluation in 2015 and ongoing reaffirmations ensuring institutional integrity.[55] This regional accreditation, while rigorous, does not extend to specialized programmatic reviews beyond select offerings, underscoring the primacy of institutional-level validation over niche endorsements.Online and Flexible Learning Options
Champlain College Online operates as a distinct division providing 100% online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs tailored for adult learners and working professionals, emphasizing flexibility through accelerated 7- to 8-week terms that allow enrollment multiple times per year.[56] These offerings span over 100 programs in fields like business, technology, healthcare, and cybersecurity, incorporating prior learning assessments to credit professional experience via portfolios and competency demonstrations.[57] [58] Unlike the college's residential undergraduate programs, which integrate on-campus experiential learning, online options prioritize self-directed, asynchronous access supported by learning management systems and virtual tools, catering to non-traditional students balancing careers and family.[59] Enrollment in Champlain College Online grew to 1,926 students for the 2024-2025 academic year, with 397 new students joining, reflecting demand for remote education amid broader trends in adult upskilling.[60] The division introduced eight new programs in Spring 2025, including master's degrees and graduate certificates in accounting, digital marketing, and related career-focused areas, aimed at addressing evolving workforce needs in high-demand sectors.[61] Competency-aligned curricula emphasize measurable skills over seat time, with stackable certificates that build toward degrees, enabling learners to gain credentials incrementally without full-time commitment.[58] This model enhances accessibility for geographically dispersed or employed adults, who comprise the primary demographic, by eliminating relocation requirements and offering rolling admissions.[24] However, online formats inherently trade some in-person elements—such as real-time faculty-student interactions and physical labs—for digital equivalents, potentially limiting immersive experiential learning available on the Burlington campus; industry data indicates online programs often face higher attrition risks due to isolation, though Champlain reports a 77% retention rate for its online cohort.[62] Completion metrics for online students remain distinct from overall institutional outcomes, focusing on program-specific benchmarks rather than campus-wide averages.[60]Career Outcomes and Employability Metrics
Champlain College's career outcomes are bolstered by its integration of required experiential learning, including internships and co-ops, which 92% of students over the last six years have completed, contributing causally to post-graduation placement by providing practical skills and employer networks.[63] For the Class of 2023, the institution reported a 90% career success rate—encompassing full- or part-time employment or enrollment in further education within six months—though this figure derives from an 81% knowledge rate, meaning outcomes for 19% of graduates remain untracked.[64][65] Similarly, the Class of 2024 achieved an 86% success rate, with 79% of graduates having completed real-world experiences like paid internships (65% of all such opportunities).[65] The college's six-year graduation rate is 64%, with students taking an average of 4.1 years to complete degrees, placing it above the median for regional private institutions but highlighting challenges in retention amid rising costs.[66] Employment metrics indicate 86% of the Class of 2022 secured career-relevant jobs, often in fields aligned with majors like game design and cybersecurity, where experiential requirements facilitate direct transitions.[67]| Metric | Value | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Average Starting Salary (Class of 2024) | $52,649 | Above Vermont private college average but below national bachelor's median of ~$58,000[65] |
| Median Student Debt at Graduation | $26,810 | Higher than public institutions' average (~$20,000) but typical for privates[66] |
| 10-Year Alumni Earnings | $47,200 | Lags national bachelor's average (~$65,000), underscoring need for long-term ROI assessment beyond short-term placements[68] |

