Grossman School of Business

06/02/2026

University of Vermont was recently ranked No. 3 among medium-sized schools on the Peace Corps’ Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges list.

What does Peace Corps service look like when it carries forward into business education? At the Grossman School of Business, it looks like leaders who listen to first, center community, and see business as a tool for impact.

John Kim— Graduate Programs Career Advisor and Part-time Lecturer at the Grossman School of Business, and a former Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco—and Brooks Sherman, SI‑MBA ’25, reflect on how their service continues to shape how they lead, learn, and approach systems change.

Their experiences highlight why the The Sustainable Innovation MBA at the University of Vermont and the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program are a natural fit for mission‑driven students—and how Peace Corps values show up in the classroom at the University of Vermont every day.

🔗 Read the full story: https://www.uvm.edu/business/news/service-impact-and-purpose-how-grossman-school-business-prepares-peace-corps-inspired

06/01/2026

What does it take to build and lead purpose-driven organizations that scale?

In the newest The Sustainable Innovation MBA at the University of Vermont MBA Podcast episode, Jim Osgood, board member of 1% for the Planet and former CEO of Turtle Fur, joins hosts Harrison Holmes and Elise Nam (Class of 2026 SI-MBA) to share practical insights on aligning sustainability, innovation, and performance.

Drawing from decades of leadership experience, Jim explores:
How a problem-first mindset and systems thinking drive better product development
Why sustainability must be integrated into core business decisions and metrics
The role of trust-based cultures in organizational success
Why having one unified set of goals is essential for long-term impact

He also shares a compelling case study on regenerative agriculture through NICE RICE ¦ B Corp, demonstrating how businesses can improve farmer livelihoods, strengthen supply chains, and create measurable environmental gains.

This episode offers actionable takeaways for anyone working to embed impact into strategy, not just around the edges, but at the core.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website: https://lnkd.in/eazPnH5E

If conversations like this are why you’re thinking about grad school, SI-MBA is ready for you. Apply for the Class of 2027 by July 18: uvm.edu/simba

05/29/2026

We’re proud to recognize 174 outstanding students from the Grossman School of Business who earned a place on the Spring 2026 Dean’s List, a prestigious academic honor awarded to full-time University of Vermont undergraduates with a semester GPA of 3.7 or higher.

This accomplishment reflects exceptional dedication, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to excellence. It’s more than a line on a transcript, it’s a distinction that speaks to resilience, hard work, and the pursuit of knowledge.

To our Dean’s List honorees: your achievements inspire our entire community. Congratulations on this milestone, and here’s to the incredible opportunities ahead!

05/28/2026

Griffin Zimmer ’26 is building momentum—and taking it into the next chapter as the first recipient of the Grossman School of Business Gold to Green Scholarship.

This August, Griffin joins The Sustainable Innovation MBA at the University of Vermont (SI-MBA), a program designed for leaders ready to drive meaningful, purpose-driven impact.

His path to the SI-MBA reflects both achievement and intention. Griffin graduated from University of Vermont in May, completing his degree in just three years, and begins his role this June with Vermont Mutual Insurance Group in Montpelier, VT. Along the way, he stood out at the 13th annual Schlesinger Global Family Enterprise Case Competition (SG-FECC), earning a Best Presenter Award for his ability to turn complex ideas into clear, compelling action.

That combination of academic excellence, real-world experience, and purpose-driven leadership is exactly what the SI-MBA is built to accelerate.

Ranked #1 in the U.S. and #2 globally by Corporate Knights, and recognized by The Princeton Review as a top Green MBA, the SI-MBA prepares graduates to lead at the intersection of business and sustainability.

Griffin is already on that path. You can be too.
👉 Join Griffin in the SI-MBA Class of 2027. Apply by July 18: uvm.edu/simba
Questions? Contact Travis Perry M.S. or Emily Battistoni at [email protected]

05/27/2026

Please join us in celebrating our colleague, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steven Gagner, MBA, whose journey from Armor Officer to educator reflects a lifelong commitment to leadership, service and mentorship.

After more than 20 years with the Vermont Army National Guard—including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and command of the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School—Steve now brings that experience into the classroom at the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business. Each day, he’s helping students build the leadership and entrepreneurial skills needed to navigate an ever-changing world.

From co-founding 14th Star Brewing Co. to mentoring first-year students at University of Vermont, Steve continues to lead with purpose, adaptability and a deep investment in others’ growth.

We’re proud to have Steve as part of our community and grateful for the impact he’s making on the next generation of leaders.

🔗 Read the full story:

From Armor Officer to Educator: Retired Lt. Col. Steven Gagner reflects on service, leadership and life after the Vermont National Guard

05/26/2026

A standout student from the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business is gaining national recognition.

Emma Kanjorski ’26 was recently featured in The Wall Street Journal in a story exploring how the first generation of “AI-native” graduates is entering the workforce. The article highlights how Emma thoughtfully integrated AI into her learning—ultimately becoming a resource for peers and even faculty on using these tools to strengthen critical thinking and analysis.

Emma’s achievements reflect the depth of talent at Grossman School of Business. She graduated from University of Vermont summa cm laude and was awarded both the Stephen Penwell Award for Excellence in Finance and the Award for Excellence in Global Business, two of the school’s top honors recognizing academic excellence and engagement. She also served as a leader in the Grossman community, including as Senior Lead Coordinator of the Dean's Cup at Grossman School of Business.

As she begins her career in Burlington, Emma represents what’s possible when curiosity, discipline, and emerging technology come together—something reflected in the teaching and mentorship of faculty like Rocki-Lee DeWitt.

📖 Read the full Wall Street Journal article here: https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-natives-graduates-job-cuts-6bab8ac9?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Note: The article is available with a free Wall Street Journal membership.

They face cuts to entry-level jobs. They’re also highly sought after for their AI skills.

05/22/2026

From the first day on campus to the moment they crossed the stage, the University of Vermont Class of 2026 has defined what it means to lead with purpose and community. 💚

At the Grossman School of Business, success is not just measured in achievements, but in the people who shaped the journey. The friendships built, the mentors who believed, and the moments in our halls that sparked something bigger.

As this class steps into what’s next, they carry forward more than a degree. They carry stories, connections, and a commitment to building communities that are inclusive, resilient, and strong.

Go forward. Make every story count.

05/22/2026

Celebrating the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business Class of 2026 Beta Gamma Sigma members. 🌟

Beta Gamma Sigma is the international business honor society for AACSB-accredited schools, representing the top 5% of business programs worldwide. This distinction is represented by the Blue and Gold cords worn at graduation, presented during the annual BGS Honors Day Celebration.

They earned it, they wore it, they crossed the stage with it, we're honoring these outstanding students whose dedication, leadership, and academic excellence set them apart. Congrats to the Class of 2026! 🎓

Photos from BGS Honors Day➡️ https://go.uvm.edu/n4p5g
Photos from the 2026 Commencement ➡️ https://go.uvm.edu/touzi

📸GSB Staff

05/21/2026

We’ve always known our graduates were destined for the front page!

Consider this a preview. The real story begins now—written in the work they lead, the organizations they shape, and the impact they make. We’re looking forward to seeing where their names appear next.

📸 Duback Photography and Dylan Wintersteen

05/21/2026

The new FFI Practitioner podcast features Family Business Review editors Pramodita (Dita) Sharma, G. Tyge Payne, and Donald Neubaum in a timely conversation about the evolution of family business scholarship.

Article and Podcast: https://digital.ffi.org/editions/passing-the-torch-leadership-legacy-and-the-future-of-family-business-scholarship/

They explore the journal’s growing influence, the importance of maintaining rigorous academic standards, and a new challenge facing the field: the rise of AI-generated submissions and what it means for research integrity.

It’s an important listen for anyone thinking about leadership, legacy, and the future of family enterprises.

At the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business, these conversations are deeply embedded in our approach. Family business is an integral part of the curriculum, preparing students to lead across generations with both rigor and purpose.