As an online student, Linda Alvarez ‘22 anticipated visiting the Fitchburg State University campus for the first time when she was supposed to receive her master’s in business administration with a concentration in marketing and communications during Winter Commencement in 2022.
But due to a significant snow and ice storm in Southern Vermont, Alvarez’s plans to attend graduation, walk the stage and receive her diploma were dashed. She was forced to halt her commute to North Central Massachusetts, missed the graduation ceremony, and eventually had her diploma mailed to her home in Brattleboro, Vt.
Three years later, Alvarez experienced a full-circle moment as she finally set foot on campus and received her diploma directly from President Donna Hodge.
“Just to be able to come and meet the president of the university was surprising and unexpected,” said Alvarez, who was recently named the Vermont Teacher of the Year. “She’s just so nice and welcoming. It was really good to talk to her about some ideas and some of the things that are happening around our states with the students. When she brought the diploma out, that was really cool. I did miss that part of graduation, so it was really, really thoughtful.”
Hodge said that hosting Alvarez was an amazing day for the entire university.
"It was a truly moving and special moment to finally welcome Linda Alvarez, a wonderful alumna and the Vermont Teacher of the Year, to our campus,” said Hodge. “To see her set foot here for the first time, after completing her degree online, underscores the dedication and spirit of our entire Fitchburg State community. We are incredibly proud of her, and we enjoyed sharing the warmth of our beautiful and welcoming campus with her."
Alvarez has been a business and entrepreneurship teacher at the Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro for the last four years. She is the first Career and Technical Education (CTE) educator to receive the Teacher of the Year award in Vermont.
Alvarez, who has been teaching for over 20 years, said that CTE connects academics with hands-on, real-world learning. It helps students see why what they’re learning matters, and CTE prepares students not just for work, but for life, by teaching problem solving, teamwork, and leadership.
Alvarez completed her bachelor’s in history with a minor in education from the University of Florida, and is completing a Harvard Certificate in School Management and Leadership. She holds certifications in CTE business, history (6-12), and reading and language Arts (K–12). She also serves as a dual enrollment professor through Vermont State University’s Community College of Vermont.
After finally visiting campus, Alvarez said that she truly feels like a Fitchburg State Falcon.
“Sometimes when you do online school, you don’t feel that same sense of allegiance to the school,” said Alvarez. “I was always a (Florida) Gator, but now I’m a Gator and a Falcon. It’s part of being here.”
The campus tour, led by student tour guide Viv Warren, was a dazzling march through a pristine, utterly beautiful winter wonderland.
“It was amazingly welcoming,” said Alvarez. “The campus is warm and the students were all saying ‘hello.’ I’m really impressed with how nice everybody is. Just walking around the buildings you see how pretty the campus is; it’s very modern in parts and very old in parts, which is cool with the historic side.”
Hammond Hall also caught Alvarez’s attention.
“I thought it was really nice with the way the library opened up into some areas where the students can have some places to study or chill with each other,” said Alvarez, while also commenting on the beauty of Thompson Hall. “It was new and very welcoming.”
Alvarez said she definitely recommends that prospective students check out what the university has to offer.
“I have a couple of students who are still indecisive about their school, so I’m going to get them to put their applications in because I think (going to Fitchburg State) could be a really good fit,” said Alvarez. “I think more people need to be thinking about how this is a state school that’s really close to us. It’s not quite commuter close, but it’s very close. They say three hours or less is the best for a lot of students going to college. This checks a lot of those boxes for our Southern Vermont kids, but also the business program here is super challenging. I would definitely recommend that students look into Fitchburg State University.
“I would enjoy bringing students down here and let them see what a day is like here,” she said. “I think the overall importance for all of us in education is that our students get to a school that they feel comfortable at.”
Alvarez said she’d also like for her son, who is in high school, to come visit campus.
“It really seems like the campus has a good vibe,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez admitted that she probably should have visited sooner, but was thrilled that she finally got to see the campus up close, and is proud to have received her master’s from Fitchburg State.
“I always had really good professors when taking my master’s program. My expectations were high because I had already had a really great experience, but I certainly feel like the university has met whatever expectations I had,” said Alvarez. “It’s a very beautiful campus, and it is much larger than I thought because I think I’m used to some of our Vermont schools that are smaller. There’s a whole lot of opportunity here. The diversity of students and even the diversity of buildings and there’s a diversity of things to do.”
Alvarez said she is already discussing ways she can stay more connected to her alma mater.
“They asked me if I wanted to sit on some of the alumni boards, so maybe I’ll be able to come to a football game or two?” said Alvarez. “That would be really exciting.”