Stephen Pimpare to Lead New Master of Public Policy Program
SOUTH ROYALTON, Vermont (August 20, 2024) — Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) has announced the appointment of Stephen Pimpare, PhD, as the director of its newly launched Master of Public Policy program. He will also teach various courses on public policy.
Pimpare brings more than two decades of experience and expertise in public policy, social work and education to his new role. His academic background includes teaching positions at Columbia University, New York University, Simmons University, the University of New Hampshire and the City University of New York, where he earned his PhD.
Pimpare is the author of numerous articles and four books, including the award-winning “A People’s History of Poverty in America” and “Politics for Social Workers: A Practical Guide to Effecting Change.” He has served as a senior-level administrator for nonprofit organizations tackling poverty, hunger and homelessness across New York City. One of the programs he helped to create, One City Café, New York’s first non-profit restaurant, received the Victory Against Hunger Award from the U.S. Congressional Hunger Center.
He also hosts the Public Policy Channel on the New Books Network, serves as a consulting editor for the journal “Social Work,” and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (Vermont Chapter) Social and Legislative Action Committee.
“We are lucky to have Dr. Pimpare at the helm of our Master of Public Policy program,” Dan Bromberg, dean of Vermont Graduate School, said. “His impressive academic and professional background, combined with his commitment to addressing social issues and public policy expertise, make him an invaluable asset to our institution and our students.”
VLGS’ Master of Public Policy program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills to navigate complex policy challenges. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that blends foundational elements of public policy with strategic communications and advocacy skills. The program also includes options for concentrations in animal protection policy, food and agricultural policy, energy regulation and justice reform policy.
Pimpare will work alongside faculty and staff to build bridges between the worlds of law, politics and policy while developing programming and curriculum that meets students’ needs and builds upon VLGS’ legacy of educating the nation’s future changemakers.
“I’m thrilled to be joining a mission-driven institution with such clear values and a deep-seated commitment to helping students gain the skills and knowledge they need to be effective agents for change,” Pimpare said. “I look forward to helping to build Vermont Law and Graduate School’s new online Master of Public Policy program and drawing upon the deep expertise of the faculty and staff.”
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About Vermont Law and Graduate School: Vermont Law and Graduate School, a private, independent institution, is home to a law school that offers ABA-accredited residential and online hybrid JD programs and a graduate school that offers master’s degrees and certificates in multiple disciplines, including programs offered by the Maverick Lloyd School for the Environment, the Center for Justice Reform and other graduate-level programs emphasizing the intersection of environmental justice, social justice and public policy. Both the law and graduate schools strongly feature experiential clinical and field work learning. For more information, visit vermontlaw.edu, Facebook and Instagram.