RISE Summit

RISE 2025 logo with conference speakers

June 17, 2025

"Research as a Public Good" ~ Join people from all sectors for vibrant discussions on this topic.

Close to 900 people joined us in 2024. Secure your spot in the conversation for RISE 2025. 

Grand Maple Ballroom, Davis Center
University of Vermont
Virtual attendance options available

Register for FREE Today

Overview

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How can research and community-university partnerships be used to solve pressing rural challenges? How do we make research work for communities?  

In this one-day summit, representatives from UVM, other universities, community organizations, municipalities and regions, businesses and government will come together to consider how collaborative research can provide critical tools to solve problems in their rural places.

RISE 2025 will include:

  • Keynote from Dr. Mark Becker, President of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU)

  • Interactive breakout tracks

  • Presentation of the Leahy Institute Partnership Award by Senator Patrick Leahy

  • Science communication and storytelling workshop

  • Student innovation pitches

  • Reception and Networking sessions

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

8:30am - 5:00pm

Grand Maple Ballroom, Davis Center
University of Vermont

Virtual attendance options availableRegister for FREE Today

Agenda

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Register for FREE Today

Arrive and Settle In

8:00 - 8:30 am 

Welcome to RISE

8:30 - 8:35 am | Tricia Coates - Director, Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships 

Grand Maple Ballroom

Presidential Welcome

8:35 - 8:45 am | Dr. Marlene Tromp - President Designate, University of Vermont

Grand Maple Ballroom

Keynote Address: "Research as a Public Good"

8:45 - 9:30 am | Dr. Mark Becker - President, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities

Grand Maple Ballroom

Preview of the Day

9:30 - 9:45 am | Tricia Coates - Director, Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships

Grand Maple Ballroom

Move to Breakout Panels

9:45 - 10:00 am 

Breakout Panels

10:00 - 11:00 am

Track 1: Asking the Right Questions

Facilitator:  Ernesto Mendez - UVM Institute for Agroecology

Panelists: 

  • Jackie Pratt - Stowe Electric

  • Samantha Koehler - UVM Water Resources Institute

Track 2: Building Effective Teams

Facilitator:  Bettyjo Bouchey - Chief Officer, UVM Professional and Continuing Education 

Panelists: 

  • Dan Kopin - Vermont Electric Power Company

  • Roz King - UVM Medical Center / Larner College of Medicine

  • Alex Farrell - State of Vermont

Track 3: Communicating the Work

Facilitator:  Susan Evans McClure - Vermont Arts Council 

Panelists: 

  • Ben Cooley - Vermont Complex Systems Institute / Center for Community News

  • Karen Anderson - Vermont Public

  • Christopher Kojzar - UVM College of Arts and Sciences

Networking Break   |   Local Food and Craft Market

11:00 - 11:30 am 

Breakout Workshops

11:30 - 12:30 pm

Track 1: The Question Lab

Facilitator:  Abigail Crocker - UVM Justice Research Center

Track 2: Recipes for Good Partnerships

Facilitator:  Sarah Henshaw - Leaves of Change Vermont 

Track 3: Creative Communication Strategies

Facilitator:  jen berger - At the Root 

Lunch

12:30 - 2:00 pm

Lunch & Learn Sessions

12:45 - 1:45 pm

It Takes a Village: How Schools and Health Partners Team Up

  • Bernice Garnett - UVM College of Education and Social Services / UVM College of Nursing and Health Sciences 

  • Heidi Schumacher - UVM Larner College of Medicine / Vermont Child Improvement Program

Pathways to Housing

  • Alex Farrell - Department of Housing and Community Development, State of Vermont 

  • Miro Weinberger - Let’s Build Homes / UVM Patrick Leahy Honors College 

From Innovation Hubs to Co-Working: Creative Solutions for Vermont's Rural Economy

  • Andrew Van Leuven - UVM Dept. of Community Development and Applied Economics

  • Lucia Campriello - Hula 

  • Chris Maggiolo - Black River Innovation Campus 

About the RISE Menu - A focus on sustainable and locally-sourced foods

2:00 - 2:05 pm | Nicole Reilly - Sustainability and Campus Partnership Manager, Sodexo 

Grand Maple Ballroom

Student Entrepreneur Pitches

2:05 - 2:20 pm | Student teams from UVM's ARC (Academic Research Commercialization) Program 

Grand Maple Ballroom

Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships Distinguished Community Engagement Award

2:20 - 2:40 pm | Presented by Senator Patrick Leahy

Grand Maple Ballroom

Performance - Front Porch Follies

2:40 - 3:10 pm 

Grand Maple Ballroom 

Keynote Panel: "Research as a Public Good"

3:10 - 4:10 pm | Moderated by Mike Pieciak - Vermont State Treasurer 

Grand Maple Ballroom

Panelists:

  • Kirk Dombrowski - VP for Research and Economic Development, UVM
  • Jennifer Stromsten - Director of Programs, Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
  • Sky Barsch - CEO, VT Digger 

Closing Remarks and Wrap-up

4:10 - 4:15 pm | Tricia Coates - Director, Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships

Grand Maple Ballroom

Reception and Poster Session

4:15 - 5:30 pm 

Livak Fireplace Lounge  

Register for FREE Today

Keynote Speaker

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Dr. Mark Becker

President, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

Dr. Mark Becker is president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), an organization that works to advance the mission of public research universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. 

Prior to his leadership of APLU, Dr. Becker served as president of Georgia State University. His data-driven approach to advancing the university became a hallmark of his tenure as was his work to ensure the benefits of the university were felt by all.

His engagement with community, business, and government leaders, along with the university’s growing footprint in the city, helped revitalize downtown Atlanta while fostering a deep engagement with the greater region.

Dr. Becker will speak from rich experience with university-community partnerships as he kicks off RISE 2025 and our theme, "Research as a Public Good."

Read Dr. Mark Becker's full bio

RISE 2025 Keynote Speaker Dr. Mark Becker

 

 

Sponsors

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Sponsors of the RISE Summit

Local Food and Craft Market

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Your day at RISE 2025 will include the opportunity to visit our Local Food and Craft make, which will feature the following: 

Hotel Info

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Hotel Vermont

41 Cherry Street 
Burlington, VT 05401

(802) 651-0080

Room Block Cutoff Date: May 23, 2025
Room Rate: $259.00/night

 Book Your Room For The 2025 UVM RISE Summit Here

Hotel Vermont

Courtyard Burlington Harbor

25 Cherry Street
Burlington, VT 05401

(802) 864-4700

Room Rate: $229.00/night
Room Block Cutoff Date: May 23, 2025

Book your group rate for 2025 UVM RISE Summit 

Courtyard Burlington Harbor

Recap of RISE 2024