The University of Vermont strengthened its commitment to better understand and create solutions that reduce societal inequities caused by poverty by joining the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty (SHECP). 

The consortium, a 21-member organization of colleges and universities, encourages the exploration of poverty as a complex social problem by expanding and improving educational opportunities for college students. The partnership gives UVM’s College of Education and Social Services (CESS) the ability to work with member institutions to develop and integrate a rigorous classroom study of poverty with tailored summer internships and co-curricular activities during the academic year.

“Joining the consortium is a natural extension of our work in the college,” said Cindy Gerstl-Pepin, interim dean of CESS and an expert on the implications of how poverty and other forms of discrimination contribute to inequitable education outcomes. “Social workers and educators are on the front lines of dealing with how poverty can affect academic achievement, personal health, and stable employment and housing. The outcomes of poverty such as food insecurity, lack of access to affordable healthcare and quality early childhood education can have a deep impact on a child's development and opportunity to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. The consortium supports curriculum and experiential learning experiences that shine a light on these critical societal challenges and highlights the fact that human beings are our most valuable natural resource.”

Founded in 2011, SHECP prepares students for a career of professional, civic and political activity aimed at diminishing poverty by drawing on a wide range of perspectives. Students perform summer internships in health, education, law, business, economic development, and social service organizations that form the basis for a capstone project. Previous capstone projects have focused on expanding access to consumer credit among low-income families; appropriate justice for indigent persons accused of crimes; how labor market practices exacerbate or alleviate poverty; and evaluating the laws governing fracking practices in low-income communities.

“Our membership with the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty will offer meaningful internship opportunities for UVM students,” said Alan Tinkler, assistant professor in CESS who will serve as director of UVM’s SHECP program. “Importantly, the consortium supports the internships with both an opening conference to prepare students and closing conference that allows students to share their learning with other interns from across the consortium."

Harlan Beckley, SHECP executive director, praised Tinkler for his efforts. "UVM brings a strong commitment to high-impact pedagogical practices, as evidenced by its commitment to service learning, and a strong commitment to research and scholarship which will inform and advance the work of the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty. Alan Tinkler has been working with the University of Vermont faculty and administration and with consortium members for two years to plan and execute the university’s poverty studies. They will be a valuable addition from which other members will benefit."

UVM joins Middelbury as the only SHECP member from New England. Other members include Baylor, Furman, Notre Dame, Washington and Lee, among others.