At the Grossman School of Business at UVM, excellence takes many forms, from academic distinction to leadership, global engagement, and competitive achievement. Senior Shannon Douglas ’26 embodies that intersection, balancing an ambitious academic path with elite‑level training in Olympic Weightlifting as she prepares to compete at University Nationals.

A Business Administration major with concentrations in Accounting and Business Analytics, and an Entrepreneurship theme, Shannon channels both analytical precision and creative problem-solving into everything she does. Known for her outstanding academic performance, she maintains one of the highest GPAs in her class and was recognized during the 2025 Grossman School of Business Honors Day with the Gallagher Flynn Award for Excellence in Accounting (Junior Class), an honor reserved for students who show exceptional promise in the field. She is also a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society for the top academic performers at AACSB-accredited institutions, placing her among the top 10% of business students worldwide.

For Shannon, motivation comes from a deep-rooted drive to push her limits, whether in the classroom or at the training platform. She describes her philosophy simply: progress comes from showing up, staying consistent, and doing the work. “I want to see how far I can push myself,” she shares. “At UVM, I realized that mindset applies to everything — training, school, and even life. You just can’t be afraid to give something your all.”

That commitment is clear in the way she approaches accounting and analytics. Shannon finds excitement in the challenge of uncovering insights others might overlook. To her, analyzing data feels like a treasure hunt; each project offers a chance to track patterns, detect inconsistencies, and uncover new stories hidden in the numbers. “There usually isn’t one ‘right’ answer,” she explains. “You have to dig deeper and interpret what the data tells you.” Over time, her confidence has grown, allowing her to approach complex problems with nuance and curiosity.

Her study‑abroad semester in Dublin, Ireland, during Spring 2025, also reshaped her outlook. Immersing herself in a new academic and cultural environment, she deepened her understanding of international business practices while training with some of Ireland’s top weightlifters under one of the nation’s leading coaches. What began as an intimidating experience became a defining one. Stepping into that gym and lifting beside seasoned athletes taught her to embrace discomfort as part of growth. “You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start,” she recalls. “You just need the willingness to try and keep learning along the way.”

Shannon’s entrepreneurial spirit further sets her apart. What started as a small creative venture, her Etsy shop, aTrippieHippie, where she designs and sells bleach-dyed, vinyl-printed hoodies and shirts, has transformed into a thriving business with over 2,300 sales and more than $134,000 in revenue. The process of building and scaling her shop taught her valuable lessons about experimentation, customer behavior, and sustainable growth. “It showed me that analytics isn’t just theoretical; it’s something you can use to build something real,” she says. The experience also sharpened her ability to manage time, balance commitments, and pursue projects that align with her passions, even amid demanding coursework and training schedules.

That diligence extends into her daily habits. Shannon thrives on goal setting, pairing big-picture ambitions, like qualifying for Nationals, with smaller, actionable targets. “Every lift in training has a focus,” she explains. “I might tell myself something simple, like ‘reach triple extension.’ I approach my coursework the same way, with small, daily goals that keep me moving forward.” This structure not only sustains her motivation but reminds her that meaningful progress often comes from the accumulation of small wins.

As she continues preparing for University Nationals, Shannon hopes her journey inspires other Grossman School of Business students and student‑athletes to chase their goals wholeheartedly, no matter how challenging the path is. “There were meets where I missed lifts and felt like I’d never make it,” she admits. “But success came from trusting the process and refusing to give up.”

Balancing advanced academics and national‑level athletics isn’t easy, but Shannon approaches both with unwavering focus and perseverance. Her story is a testament to the power of consistency and the value of pursuing excellence from every angle. As graduation approaches, she stands as a proud example of what it means to be a Grossman student, driven, disciplined, and purpose‑oriented, ready to lift both her career and her sport to new heights.

Please join the Grossman School of Business in congratulating Shannon Douglas ’26 on her outstanding achievements and in wishing her success at University Nationals. Her dedication to scholarship, leadership, and competition reflects the true spirit of UVM.

About the Author's

Sophie Ball-Dolan is a Junior at the University of Vermont's Grossman School of Business, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a theme in Entrepreneurship and a concentration in Marketing. Complementing her business studies, she is also double minoring in Environmental Studies & Writing. Her professional experience includes leadership and associate roles at a local grocery store, serving as Vice President of Communications for the UVM Marketing Club, and her current position as a Marketing and Communications Assistant at the Grossman School of Business. A native of Hinesburg, Vermont, her interests include reading, art, and spending time with family, friends, and pets.


Heather Winther 
Marketing & Communications Manager 
Grossman School of Business, University of Vermont