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Don Vickers used the occasion of his 41st anniversary as an employee of the ɫ����Ƶ (ɫ����Ƶ) to publicly announce his plans to retire as the organization’s chief executive on June 30, 2013.

Vickers joined ɫ����Ƶ as director of state grant programs in 1971, when the organization had fewer than 10 employees. A graduate of Johnson State College, Vickers had previously worked as the school’s director of financial aid, placement, and faculty housing. He served in several capacities at ɫ����Ƶ prior to assuming his current position as president and CEO in 1988.

Vickers is known locally and nationally as a tireless advocate for college access and affordability, which has earned him accolades and awards from a number of organizations focused on educational or economic opportunity.

Dorothy Mitchell, chair of the ɫ����Ƶ Board of Directors, noted: “Don has never forgotten his own humble beginnings and makes every decision with an eye toward what will be most beneficial for the students and families ɫ����Ƶ serves. He believes deeply that each generation owes the next generation of students a chance at a better future.”

In his years as CEO, Vickers led efforts to expand ɫ����Ƶ’s career exploration and college planning and financing services, resulting in significant growth in ɫ����Ƶ’s workforce. The organization, based in Winooski, employs about 250 and was a major catalyst for the project that reshaped the city’s downtown and made it a more vibrant community.

Among its many services, ɫ����Ƶ oversees:

career and college planning services for all Vermonters

administration of need-based state education grants, many public and private scholarships, and private student loans

outreach programs assisting low-income and first-generation college-bound students

the state’s 529 college savings plan

Prior to 2010, ɫ����Ƶ also guaranteed, financed, and serviced federal education loans. The government’s new direct lending model ended ɫ����Ƶ’s role in making federal loans. The agency is planning to become a direct loan servicer under contract to the government.

The ɫ����Ƶ board plans to conduct a nationwide search for Vickers’ successor. It expects to begin the recruitment process later this fall and to select a new CEO next spring.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 10th, 2012 at 12:59 pm and is filed under News & Views, ɫ����Ƶ News Releases. Both comments and pings are currently closed.