College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Explore the latest news and event updates from the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics (CDAE) about our extraordinary community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni striving to make impactful contributions to their communities.

CDAE in the News

07/31/2026

Alumna Kristina Zontini's Super Secret Ice Cream is Super Big Success

When Kristina Zontini graduated from UVM in 2011 with a degree in Community and International...

06/24/2026

Graduate Student Bryce Bierman Accepts Role as Charlotte Town Administrator

Just a few weeks into his new role, Charlotte Town Administrator Bryce Bierman is already...

06/05/2026

UVM Doctoral Student Emma Spett Earns Emerging Leader Award

CALS' doctoral student Emma Spett has been honored as a 2026 “Emerging Leader” by the Southern...

05/20/2026

William Howard Kelly, Founding UVM CDAE Chair and Global Development Leader, Dies at 93

William Howard Kelly, known to generations of students and colleagues as “Bill,” was the...

05/11/2026

Advocacy in Action: Senior Jada Gleeson Turns Passion into Policy Impact

As she prepares to graduate, Jada Gleeson leaves the University of Vermont’s College of...

05/05/2026

AI Meets the Well-being Economy: UVM Panel Explores Promise and Risk

In just a few years, Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has taken the world by storm. A June 2025...

05/05/2026

Senior Sophia Slesar: Where Design Meets Purpose and Purpose Creates Progress

Community-Centered Design senior Sophia Slesar turns her passion for sustainability and...

05/05/2026

Senior Madeline Rose Finds Community and Purpose Studying Food Systems at UVM

Growing up on an apple farm in North Central Massachusetts, Madeline Rose has always been closely...

04/30/2026

CDAE Student Showcase Highlights Innovation, Community Impact, and Hands-On Learning at UVM

The University of Vermont’s Community Development and Applied Economics (CDAE) Department will...

04/28/2026

From Idea to Impact: Student Ventures Shine at UVM’s 14th Annual Business Pitch Competition

The University of Vermont’s 14th annual Business Pitch Competition brought together student...
Student in Public Communication Class taking pictures

CDAE Newsletter

The CDAE Newsletter is produced by CDAE students under the mentorship of Lecturer Benjamin Dangl in his Strategic Writing class. In this hands-on writing opportunity, students conduct interviews and research, writing articles for the newsletter which showcase the amazing work of the CDAE community.

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CDAE Annual Events

student holding sign in front of wall

CDAE Honors Day

Every year, the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics celebrates the best and brightest students during the annual Honors Day Celebration. Awards go to our top undergraduate students each year.
CDAE raise money for non-profits with CDAE Pop-Up Enterprise

CDAE Pop-Up Enterprise

By creating and launching their own pop-up businesses, CDAE students are introduced to critical skills such as financial management, marketing, human resource management, and learn the fundamental elements of the business planning process.
CDAE student speaking to room full of people

CDAE Town Meeting Day

CDAE Student Town Meeting Day is inspired by the Vermont statewide tradition of Town Meeting Day, a collective gathering that dates to 1762 where residents of over 180 towns gather in early March to openly discuss and vote on local ordinance issues.

CDAE Newsletters - Past Issues

CDAE Events