Campus experience

New-Found Skills and Hand-Made Packs

2:19

Exploring Sterling College: A Federally Recognized Work College Experience

3:00

Where Small Is Better - Vermont's Smallest College

1:56

Exploring the Academic Excellence of Sterling College: Empowering Minds, Inspiring Change

2:51

Degree options

Major

A sample of degree options for this offering

Two-Year Associate of Arts in Environmental Studies

The Sterling curriculum is equal parts classroom study and applied fieldwork learning, sewn together by guided goal-setting, reflection and broader life skills training. There are three pillars of learning: 1) Understanding the Natural World 2) Humans in the Environment 3) Creating Community.

Offerings: Major

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies

The Sterling curriculum is equal parts classroom study and applied fieldwork learning, sewn together by guided goal-setting, reflection and broader life skills training. There are three pillars of learning: 1) Understanding the Natural World 2) Humans in the Environment 3) Creating Community.

Offerings: Major

Faculty spotlight

Dr. Laura Spence

Academic Dean and Faculty in Ecology

Laura is an ecologist with field research experience across four continents. Her primary interest is in plant community ecology and the role of fungi interacting with, and shaping, vegetative communities. Laura has been educating undergraduates in the outdoors for nearly twenty years, she has a passion for introducing students to the art of making ecological observations and posing and investigating ecological questions in the field.

John MacKinnon (He/Him)

Faculty in Outdoor Education

John is an educator with experience in snow science, avalanche safety, and risk management. He believes in interdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning and place-based education. John has developed avalanche safety curriculum and instructor training programs for the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE). He enjoys rock climbing, trail running, and skiing.

Sarah Keener (She/Her)

Librarian

Sarah is passionate about education, youth voices, community connections, intellectual freedom, and advocacy. She integrates her diverse interests into her work at Sterling, including organic farming, baking, metalworking, and land surveying.

Prin van Gulden (She/Her)

Faculty in Environmental Humanities and Fiber Arts

Prin van Gulden is a homesteader and craftswoman who teaches fiber arts at Sterling College and workshops around New England. She is passionate about maintaining ecological relationships and traditional skills, including basketry, weaving, and natural dyeing. Prin lives in Vermont with her family and teaches at the Sloyd Skills Gathering, which aims to deepen traditional skills practices.

Dr. Carol Dickson (She/Her)

Faculty in Environmental Humanities

Carol Dickson teaches courses in literature, writing, and cultural studies, with a focus on the intersections of cultural history, artistic production, and the ecology of landscapes. Her courses include "Global Environmental Literature," "The Meaning of Things," and "Oral History Methods & Meanings." She also coordinates student advising. Outside of Sterling she co-manages a sheep farm and plays the fiddle.

Adrien Owens (He/Him)

Faculty in Outdoor Education

Adrian is a teacher at Sterling since 1991 who grew up near a tidal river in Rhode Island. He enjoys building and living in a small off-grid solar homestead and adventuring by foot, bike, ski or canoe. He teaches hand-tool skills, outdoor travel, forestry, trail work, renewable energy and environmental science classes.

Farley Brown (She/Her)

Faculty in Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems and Livestock Manager

Farley has worked with Vermont landowners managing woodlands for wildlife. This inspires her work with students in fields, forests and rivers. She explores the natural history of landscapes using bioindicators to understand ecosystem health. She also merges the natural and social worlds, using the lens of social ecology, environmental justice and the arts.

Favor Ellis (She/Her)

Faculty in Whole Community Care

Favor is deeply committed to social justice and community care, and she nurtures communities grounded in truth-telling, trust, and authenticity. She practices transformational leadership, politicized somatics, and hope. She is the Dean of Community at Sterling and mama to a blind dog named Alma and two cats, named Magic and Love.

Local area

Northeast Kingdom, Vermont

Rural, scenic, charming, historic, maple-rich, outdoor paradise, Northeast Kingdom offers serenity, skiing, hiking, and a close-knit community.

Top things to do

Lake Willoughby

A stunning glacial lake surrounded by mountains, known for its clear waters and excellent hiking opportunities.

Kingdom Trails

A renowned mountain biking network with over 100 miles of trails, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from all over.

Jay Peak Resort

A popular ski resort offering excellent winter sports activities and a water park for year-round enjoyment.

Bread and Puppet Theater

A unique and iconic puppet theater in Glover, showcasing thought-provoking performances and political commentary.

Traditions

All College Work Day

The Bi-annual "All-Hands on Deck" day at Sterling College exemplifies the institution's emphasis on community, sustainability, and experiential education. It serves as a memorable and inspiring reminder of the positive impact that collective effort can have in shaping a better future for both the campus and the world.

A Sense of Place

At Sterling College, A Sense of Place is a multi-week orientation class where students bond through outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and canoeing. They learn cultural norms through sessions on Whole Community Care, Tree Identification, and food and farm systems. This marks the beginning of their Sterling journey.

Winter Expedition

Every winter, student set out for an adventurous camping trip filled with opportunities for teamwork, navigation, and wood fire cooking. Staying warm and cozy by the fire while practicing leadership and group problem solving skills. Students orient a 4-day off-trail winter camping adventure, to arrive back to be greeted with cheering faces and fresh Sterling made egg rolls!

Lamb Watch

During lambing season on a small rural farm, anticipation fills the air as expectant ewes await the arrival of their newborn lambs. Sterling students diligently monitors the flock, providing extra care and shelter, taking shifts around the clock to aid in delivery. The sight of playful lambs frolicking in the fields brings joy and marks the renewal of life on the farm.

Sugaring Season

In the past, Native American tribes tapped maple trees to extract sap. Yearly, students gather in our on-campus sugaring house to trade stories while making the golden delicacy, and produce the majority of the Vermont maple syrup enjoyed in our #1 award winning dining hall.

Grants and scholarships

The Achievement Scholarship

The Presidential Scholarship

The Service Scholarship

The Transfer Award

The Bounder Award

Sterling’s Yellow Ribbon Award

AmeriCorps/Sterling College Matching Award ($500 per semester)

Prior to enrollment, AmeriCorps alumni should notify Admissions of their intent to use AmeriCorps funds at Sterling College. Students qualifying for federal financial aid will receive a $500 award per semester. Students not eligible for federal financial aid will receive a $500 match per academic year. AmeriCorps funds exceeding the matching amount may be applied towards tuition, room, board and books. For more information, contact Admission.

Learn more here

The Gladys Brooks Scholarship

The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps Award

A one-time award to alumni of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) who meet the criteria for admissions to Sterling College. Accepted students are awarded $500 per semester for the first two semesters of enrollment. This award recognizes the valuable and important service and contributions to the state of Vermont performed by alumni of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. The VYCC is a non-profit service, conservation, and education organization. Each year, the VYCC hires over 300 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 to manage State Parks, build trails, restore rivers and streams, and improve community greenspaces. No application is required but students must notify the Admissions Office of their participation in VYCC.

Learn more here