Sterling College Concludes All Programs
November 12, 2025
After more than 65 years of experiential, environmentally-focused education, Sterling College will conclude its Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs at the end of the Spring 2026 semester. The decision, made by the Board of Trustees after extensive review, reflects the College’s commitment to transparency, responsibility, and care in the face of persistent financial and enrollment challenges.
Sterling anticipates remaining fully accredited through the Summer of 2026 and will enable an orderly, student-centered Spring semester, ensuring every student has a clear and supported path to degree completion or transfer.
We understand that this news is difficult and deeply personal for every member of our community. Sterling College has always been more than a place of learning; it has been a home where curiosity, creativity, and compassion thrived.
While Sterling’s chapter as an institution of higher learning draws to a close, its spirit and legacy lives on through the hundreds of alumni, faculty, staff, and partners who carry forward its mission and values in their work and communities. The legacy of Sterling’s commitment to sustainability, community, and hands-on learning will continue to inspire generations to come.
As we focus on the weeks and months ahead, our highest priority is to support every member of the Sterling community. We are dedicated to ensuring a smooth and thoughtful transition for our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Below, you will find key information and resources related to this transition. For general questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Updates and Announcements
September 15, 2026 - Sterling College Board of Trustees is Pleased to Announce a Signed Purchase and Sale Agreement with Headwaters Community Trust
Headwaters Community Trust and Sterling College have signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement for Sterling’s Craftsbury Common campus – another step forward in a community effort to reimagine the future of a vital asset in the heart of the Northeast Kingdom. Headwaters now enters a period of due diligence, with closing anticipated by the end of the year.
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Dear Members of the Sterling Community,
As you know, Sterling College honors the trust our alumni and donors place in us when you share your personal information with us. You provided it to support the College’s fundraising and stewardship efforts, with the expectation that it would be handled confidentially and used responsibly. Protecting your privacy and honoring your preferences remains essential to us. In keeping with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) standards for donor and alumni privacy rights and confidential information, we only share your directory information with your explicit consent.
The Sterling Institute for Conservation and Community Leadership has asked whether we may share limited directory information—your name, mailing address, email address, and, if applicable, alumni details such as Sterling era and class year—to help them connect with individuals who may be interested in their work to sustain Sterling’s legacy. We will not share any gift history, giving amounts, confidential data, or personally identifiable information beyond these basic directory elements.
To help you make an informed decision, the Sterling Institute has provided an overview document describing their mission and current initiatives available here.
For more information regarding Headwaters Community Trust’s intent to purchase the Sterling College campus, visit https://www.headwatersnek.org/sterling-campus. To read the Headwaters Letter of Commitment, click here.
Please let us know if you authorize the College to share your directory information with the Sterling Institute for Conservation and Community Leadership by completing the below form.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to ensure that the Sterling community remains connected and its legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Directory Information Sharing Consent Form
With appreciation,
Hannah
Hannah Rushing, Director of Advancement
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The Sterling College campus prospectus and solicitation for offers has been live for over one week. Vermont Commercial Real Estate will receive offers until July 20. After the deadline, the Board of Trustees will review all bids and make a decision about the future of the campus. View the listing here.
For details regarding Headwaters Community Trust’s initiative to purchase the campus, please contact [email protected].
The future Sterling campaign is alive and well. Most recently, a group of dedicated Sterling friends, faculty, staff, and alumni have come together to work to continue Sterling's legacy. You can learn more about their initiative here.
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Thank you to all alumni and employee emeriti who joined our Transition Information Session, on Zoom. Nearly 100 participants brought thoughtful questions and deep love for Sterling and its legacy. We hope to host more conversations this spring, as plans unfold.
President Scott Thomas opened the session with introductions and a reminder that critical work still lies ahead. He called for immediate support of the Don & Allison Hooper $100,000 Challenge Match, emphasizing that the students, faculty, and staff driving this legacy semester reflect the very best of Sterling—and that your gift this semester ensures their dedication lays the foundation for what comes next.
Board of Trustees, Vice Chair, Sherilyn Peterson outlined the Board of Trustees’ role in guiding Sterling through this transition, highlighting their fiduciary responsibility for the College’s financial and physical resources. She then introduced the Transition Task Force—Trustees Christina Erickson, Peter Smith, Allison Hooper, and Sherilyn Peterson herself—and stressed that the work of the Task Force is about shaping Sterling’s enduring impact, not just preserving its history.
Registrar, Laura Berry '10 explained how to access academic records, reorder diplomas, and transfer records to the College of the Atlantic, which will serve as the permanent records repository.
Dean of Academics, Laura Spence shared ideas under consideration for Sterling’s future, including gap year and pre-college programs, “semesters away” partnerships, K–12 initiatives, teacher trainings, and retreats for writers and craftspeople.
Since the meeting, additional conversations with local community partners have taken place, with support from the Preservation Trust of Vermont, to identify a successor entity or entities. We will continue to share updates on the Sterling Transition Information page.
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On January 17th, the Sterling Board of Trustees Transition Task Force and College Leadership Team hosted a virtual alumni forum with over 130 registered participants. Thanks to our alums for the outpouring of support and care you have shown for our community. We could not get to all the questions in the session and addressed the most pertinent in an updated Alumni FAQ. For any alum from the Sterling School, Grassroots Program, or Associate or Bachelor’s degree program with any additional questions, please reach out to [email protected].
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We would love to have you join us on campus for a Legacy Semester event during the Spring 2026 semester. If you’d like to join in for an event or come to campus on your own, please let us know ahead of time by emailing [email protected] or call the main line at 802-586-7711.
Before coming to campus, please be sure to read our updated Visitor Policy.
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We are deeply grateful for the incredible turnout at last Friday’s Sterling Community Dinner, Art Show, and Community Discussion. More than 75 community members stayed for the discussion, and we are truly thankful for the care, engagement, and concern shown for Sterling’s future.
In the coming weeks, we plan to offer additional in-person and virtual sessions to gather further community input. Dates and details will be shared as soon as they are confirmed.
The support, contributions, and care we have received mean a great deal to us. From all of us at Sterling College, thank you, and we wish you a happy holiday season.In partnership,
Sterling College
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Students Enrolled 2025-26
A structured teach-out process allows students to complete their academic programs at another institution with minimal disruption and full preservation of degree integrity. Sterling College has established several formal agreements with teach-out partners, though students are also welcome to explore other institutions. Partner institutions have agreed to accept transfer credits and financial aid packages without requiring the regular application process.
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Sterling College has finalized several teach-out partner agreements approved by our accreditor, NECHE.
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All student records can be requested from the Registrar’s Office at College of the Atlantic.
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We’re maintaining a list of Frequently Asked Questions to provide additional detail and information related to our last class of students. For any additional information needed, please contact [email protected].
Alumni
The legacy of Sterling College lives on through our alumni and supporters—each of you has played an essential role in shaping the spirit and story of Sterling. Your accomplishments, memories, and continued connection to the College embody the values that have defined our community for generations.
We warmly invite alumni to share memories, stories, and photos that celebrate Sterling’s enduring impact and honor the experiences that brought us together. Your reflections help keep the Sterling spirit alive and remind us of the strength and resilience of our community.
We also understand that this period of transition may bring practical needs as well. Our team is committed to ensuring your records remain accessible and that you continue to receive the support you need as a valued member of the Sterling community.
As of August 31, 2026, College of the Atlantic, is the custodian for all Sterling College student records.
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Please see this list of Frequently Asked Questions for additional detail and information. For any additional questions please email [email protected].
Faculty & Staff
The conclusion of Sterling College’s Degree program is not a reflection of the dedication, talent, or performance of our faculty and staff. Throughout the years, our employees have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to our students, our mission, and the broader Sterling community. Their passion for teaching, mentoring, and service has shaped the lives of countless students and left a lasting impact on the College’s legacy.
We are profoundly grateful for their years of hard work and devotion, and we recognize the deep sense of loss and uncertainty that this transition brings. Sterling College is committed to supporting our faculty and staff through this difficult period. All employees have access to Human Resources assistance, including guidance on benefits, employment transitions, and available resources.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to every member of the Sterling team for their unwavering contributions to our community and their enduring embodiment of the values that define Sterling College.
Community Partners
Sterling College is deeply grateful for the unwavering support and partnership of our community. Over the years, these relationships with local organizations, educational institutions, donors, and friends have been integral to our success and growth. Together, we have created opportunities for students, strengthened our region, and upheld the values that define Sterling’s mission.
As the College moves through this transition, we remain committed to open communication and collaboration with each of our partners. Our goal is to ensure the process is as smooth and transparent as possible, honoring the trust and shared purpose that have guided our work together.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to the Sterling community. Your support, generosity, and belief in our mission have made a lasting difference.
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Following our recent announcement that the Sterling College Board of Trustees has resolved to conclude the College’s Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs at the end of the Spring 2026 semester, we are deeply grateful for the community’s support, memories, and encouragement. Sterling will continue to be a thoughtful steward, guided by its mission and legal obligations, as we explore what comes next for the campus, the land, and the shared work that has bound Sterling and Craftsbury together for more than half a century.
We invite you to read a letter to our friends and neighbors that we hope offers confidence and clarity about our plan moving forward.
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Thank you to everyone who joined Sterling College leadership, faculty, and staff on Friday, December 12 for the Community Dialogue, “What’s Next for Sterling.” More than 110 neighbors gathered on the Sterling College campus, following the December Community Dinner to listen, ask questions, and share ideas about Sterling’s future following the planned conclusion of our academic degree programs at the end of the Spring 2026 semester.
We invite you to read the entire Craftsbury Community Dialogue Report Out here.
Media Inquiries
Members of the media seeking information about Sterling College’s closure, transition plans, campus sale, or to request interviews with College representatives are invited to contact our Advancement Office at [email protected].
Our advancement team is available to provide accurate information, coordinate interviews, and assist with media requests as Sterling College moves through this important transition.
Looking Ahead
Sterling College will continue to be a thoughtful steward, guided by its mission, as we explore what comes next for the campus, the land, and the shared work that has bound Sterling and Craftsbury together for more than half a century.
Thank you for your ongoing friendship, generosity, and care for this College and this community.