Mission

To advance ecological thinking and action through affordable experiential learning that prepares people to be knowledgeable, skilled, and responsible leaders in the communities in which they live.

Vision

Sterling uses education as a force to address critical ecological problems caused by unlimited growth and consumption that is destroying the planet as we have known it, such as:

  • Fossil fuel dependence and rapid climate change.

  • Destruction of biodiversity and loss of wild places.

  • Promotion of harmful agricultural practices that threaten human and natural communities.

  • Persistence of structural oppression that impacts human and ecological wellbeing.

  • Deterioration of civil society through estrangement from community, nature, and place.

Our vision is informed and guided by five competencies gained through learning assessed by our faculty:

  • Achieve a sophisticated understanding of, and personal engagement with, ecological systems.

  • Understand societies and cultures as dynamic and complex systems of relationships and interdependencies.

  • Use research and creative endeavor to explore concepts, experiences, and artifacts.

  • Articulate ideas and share information clearly, using a diversity of approaches.

  • Demonstrate effective, knowledgeable, skilled, and responsible leadership in community.

Our Strategic Commitments

  • Create and sustain educational programs that are anti-racist, anti-biased, and that promote equity and justice.

    Support transdisciplinary educational programs that integrate learning and support faculty creativity.

    Adopt a competency-based assessment model for learning achieved through study and work.

    Establish a calendar and schedule designed to best support faculty, experiential learning, and community wellbeing.

    Investigate delivering cohort-based, transdisciplinary, competency-based educational programs through undergraduate, graduate, online, and professional study and work, as well as personal growth learning experiences.

  • Recruit an increasingly diverse leadership, faculty, and staff while preparing all employees to work to ensure that all programs and institutional practices are inclusive and promote equity and justice.

    Take an equitable and comprehensive approach to human resources that supports effective operation of the College.

    Provide highly competitive compensation and benefits that support employees at all stages of professional life.

    Increase opportunities for teaching field study courses, conducting scholarly work, and professional development.

    Expand and enrich the employee experience through educational programs that regularly engage with a diverse assortment of speakers, field practitioners, and distinguished visiting faculty.

  • Merit a reputation as an anti-racist and anti-bias institution focused on promoting equity and justice.

    Fulfill the aim of affordable education by moving towards debt-free programs for residential students and overall reduction in reliance on tuition to fund operations.

    Promote a cohesive and engaged community of students at all locations by strengthening educational, governance, community, and wellness programming to holistically support students.

    Develop a pre- and post-graduate advising program led by faculty, and supported by alumni, that supports a holistic and seamless approach to post-study opportunity.

    Develop and invest in a comprehensive identity, marketing, and recruitment plan that accurately reflects the institution and supports meeting these commitments.

  • Develop partnerships with organizations that commit to anti-racism and anti-bias that promote equity and justice.

    Use the partnership model with The Berry Center to inspire further initiatives with other organizations.

    Develop partnerships that support onsite and online visiting students and faculty from other organizations.

    Increasingly engage in public presentations and professional work through relationships and partnerships.

    Expand public knowledge of our mission and vision through collaborative relationships and partnerships.

  • Fulfill our vision of anti-racism and anti-bias in our organization, governance, and use of resources.

    Further develop and commit to an organizational culture of sustainability and institutional improvement based on regular assessment, community governance, and input from all stakeholders.

    Establish a plan for the diversification of sources of revenue that strengthen our capacity to meet our mission and to become an increasingly affordable educational opportunity for students, including increasing the endowment and developing self-sustaining enterprises.

    Complete a comprehensive study and implement a plan to ensure efficient ecological use of all operational and capital resources, including a transformation of energy systems.

    Support our historic place in Craftsbury Common by working to improve facilities and the beauty of our property and the village.

To advance ecological thinking and action through learning, Sterling has made five overarching commitments in this planning initiative. This effort reflects the work of a galvanized community ready to fulfill a long-standing mission and a contemporary vision that will transform and secure the future of the institution.

The Strategic Initiative 2020-2030: Mission, Vision, and Five Commitments were approved with support by the Faculty Council on April 15, 2019 and by resolution of the Board of Trustees on April 20, 2019

The Story Behind the Sterling Logo

With over sixty years behind us and an ambitious ten-year strategic plan to guide us, Sterling embarked on a nine month journey that has arrived at an updated identity that is both timely and timeless. This evolution supports the College in connecting learners to the Sterling mission, will engage future generations in the growing kinds of experiences that we offer, honors our history, and reflects our vision for the future. We have gratitude for the students, faculty, staff, trustees, advisors, alumnx, partners, and community members who served as our guides.