Castleton College’s list of local partnerships surpasses 400 affiliates
CASTLETON—As Castleton continues to expand far beyond the campus borders, so does its growing list of community partners.
Since the opening of Castleton Downtown on Merchants Row in Rutland in January, the college’s list of community partners has come to incorporate more than 400 campus-wide affiliations and various strategic partnerships with area organizations, including the Rutland Young Professionals, NeighborWorks and Evolve Rutland, that will help to enhance the quality of a Castleton education.
“The goal of Castleton and the Castleton Downtown office is to connect students with meaningful learning experiences with local businesses, nonprofits, schools and local and regional municipalities and community organizations,” said Director of Community Engagement Chrispin White, who is spearheading internship efforts from the new office.
This infrastructure plays a prominent role in helping Castleton achieve the forward-thinking goals of “Castleton on the Move,” its strategic plan that maps out the next decade of the college’s growth.
The program has worked to match and connect students and their college programs with the specific needs of local business and community partners. Students receive mentoring, valuable experience related to their career goals, and opportunities to network with professionals in their fields of study. Businesses and community organizations benefit from work performed by motivated students recruited from a growing pool of applicants, who may be interested in future employment.
“These valuable partnerships provide a variety of opportunities for our students to explore their career choice, complement their educational experience, strengthen their understanding of diversity and social responsibility, and develop skills to become knowledgeable leaders who contribute to a global society,” said White.
