New engineering college in Vermont?

By Guy Page on September 1, 2026 • ( 1 Comment )

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In a “moment of mass extinction,” the Greenway Institute hopes to pioneer a ‘new model in higher education’ on the former Vermont College of Fine Arts campus in Montpelier, reports NPR.

Founded by tech executives, former Dartmouth, Harvard, and Tufts administrators, and others, the school will teach one subject: engineering.

“When Greenway is operating fully, students are expected to live on campus for two years doing projects and then go on to real-world workplaces for an additional two years while continuing to get support from faculty.”

Greenway aims to buck a trend. Higher education is a critical part of the New England economy, especially in the Boston area where Boston 25 News spoke with local college presidents about the demographic headwinds as students returned to campus for the new year.

“First is the declining number of 18-year-olds, coupled with the waning interest in getting a bachelor’s degree, particularly among young men.”

Curry College president Jay Gonzalez said colleges need to innovate.

“The status quo is not sustainable.”