The University of Vermont’s Community Development and Applied Economics (CDAE) Department will host its first CDAE Student Showcase tomorrow, May 1, at HULA Lakeside. The event is a celebration of the breadth, creativity, and real-world impact of CDAE student work.
The showcase will feature a full afternoon of programming, beginning with poster sessions and student displays representing coursework across the department. Projects from courses such as Planting Design, Design Innovation, Community Design Studio, Sustainable Fashion, and Public Communication Capstone highlight hands-on, experiential learning and collaboration with community partners.
Poster Sessions & Student Work (Session 1 | 3:00–3:50 PM)
Students will present design, research, and applied projects from across CDAE and affiliated programs:
- ALE 3030: Planting Design
Miles Wright, Caleb Mitchell, Lauren Antonio, Ben Calupca, Nate Leef, Alma Smith, Lyla Bellino, Adrienne Padden - CDAE 4240: Public Communication Capstone
Carly Adams, Ellyn Drysdale, Jordan Galin, Olivia Nolan, Anna Rozelle, Adrienne Padden - Individual Student Submissions
Kennedy Connors, Anna Fernald, Michael DeBalso, James Mazzluppo - ALE 3400: Landscape Construction and Technologies
Soren Nyberg, Julianna Moore, John Watson Simon, Libby Moss - CDAE 2600: Design Innovation 2
Linus Farer, Lily Wyat - CDAE 3760: Community Design Studio
Gabrielle LeTorneau, Eliot Barrengos, Linus Farer, Sam Keller - CDAE 2990: Sustainable Fashion II
Kat Terrell - CDAE 2860: Community Development in St. Lucia
Camille Tucker, Elise Theriault, Kyan Chipman - Strategic Writing for PCOM
Lizzie Maklad, Reed Kennedy - Independent & Collaborative Student Work (multiple courses/projects)
Lyla Bellino, Mae Browning, Ben Calupca, Nina Carmolli, Jack Haagensen, Oliver Hansen, Will Jones, Nate Leef, Harrison Loyd, Jarrod Macdonald, Lily Maenza, Caleb Mitchell, Brewster Nolan, Rosey Thompson, Lauren Antonio, Alma Smith, Miles Wright, Adrienne Padden - Additional Student Contributors (cross-course and collaborative work)
Annie Bentley, Olivia Brimmer, Olivia Cook, Ananda Coor, Miranda Degreenia, Alex Frantz, Sam Heinrichs, Luka Joffray, Arminda King, Marcell Papp, Gretchen Schissel, Barry Simays, Hannah Tapyrik, Emma White, Zane Zupan, Hanalei Agamaite, Tara Bayliss, Rhiannon Hughes, Adelaide Lenz, Dylan Line, Patrick McGucken, Danielle Nugent, Grace Thompson, Sophia Wrench, Elle Littlefield, Cat Spagnola, Mariam Abdelrahman, Eliana Allegri, Phoebe Barrett, Evan Coleman, Emma Crossley, Jonah Delaney, Brandon Dimaggio, Nate Garceau, Jack Haagensen, Oliver Hansen, Alexander Harrop, Claire Kennedy, Arno Klee, Lily Maenza, Noah Mass, James Mazzluppo, Ashlyn Miller, Hannah Pierce, Eli Rubincam, Hadiyah Sackey, Leo Sarandos, Maeve Schanou, Sophia Slesar, Clara Weis, Cam Winter, Caroline Wood, Silas Yonkman
Undergraduate Presentations (Session 2 | 4:00–4:45 PM)
Students will deliver research and applied project presentations on a range of timely topics:
- Interns of the Hula Program
- Applied Research Methods Project with UVM Dining (CDAE 3500)
- Income, Density, and Regulation: A Cross-Metro Analysis of the U.S. Rental Market
- Consumer Perceptions Towards Insurance in St. Lucia
- Understanding Barriers to Flexible Pathways and Work-Based Learning in Vermont
- A Rhizome Gathered: Synthesizing and Transfiguring Networks of Creation
Graduate Presentations (Session 3 | 4:50–5:30 PM)
- Public Administration Capstone Presentations (3 groups)
“The CDAE Student Showcase represents the very best of what our students do—bringing together creativity, critical thinking, and a deep commitment to community impact,” said CDAE Department Chair Jason Konefal. “These projects demonstrate how students are applying their learning in real-world contexts and making meaningful contributions to communities in Vermont and beyond.”
The event will conclude with a reception from 5:15–6:00 PM, offering attendees the opportunity to connect directly with student presenters and learn more about their work.
The CDAE Student Showcase is a cornerstone event for the department, highlighting student achievement while reinforcing its commitment to applied, community-engaged learning.