Vermont is experiencing a historic wave of college closures and campus transformations, reshaping rural economies, community identity, and the state’s long‑term demographic and workforce trajectory. Vermont has lost 12 colleges in recent years, many in rural communities already facing economic strain, housing challenges, and the impact of recent flooding. What happens next to these campuses is not simply a real estate question — it is a matter of regional vitality, economic resilience, and community sustainability.
The Creative Campus at Goddard (TCC) has been exploring this reality and on May 13, 2026, they hosted the Symposium on the Future of Vermont’s Campuses at their campus in Plainfield. The Symposium convened statewide leaders, campus stewards, funders, and community partners to explore how Vermont can intentionally shape the next chapter of its campuses and the role they can play in our communities. As an in-kind service, the Vermont Council on Rural Development pulled this report together that reflects a synthesis of the day’s proceedings and is intended to support ongoing conversation, collaboration, and action around the future of Vermont’s campuses and rural communities.
TCC gives their tremendous thanks to the symposium sponsors who showed great leadership and investment in the advancement of this important work including National Life Group, Preservation Trust of Vermont, Vermont Council on Rural Development, and lead sponsor, Vermont Community Foundation.
Thanks also to the impressive lineup of folks who gave their time, energy, and expertise throughout the day as speakers and panelists – listed throughout the report – and as participants who came together to consider opportunities in the face of the closing of small colleges across the state.