Communication graduate Elicia Mailhiot will be recognized as Castleton’s 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni of the Year at the university’s awards ceremony in May. Mailhiot was selected for the award by Castleton's Alumni Association last fall.
After graduating from Castleton in 2012, Mailhiot freelanced for several community-based newspapers and magazines before finding a career she was passionate about in higher education, serving as marketing and communications associate and later associate director of communications at College of St. Joseph. In 2017, she transitioned to a marketing and development role at Spring Lake Ranch, a therapeutic community for individuals with mental health and substance abuse challenges.
In October, Mailhiot returned to Castleton in the role of communications coordinator, which has allowed her to combine her love for storytelling and her alma mater.
“When other people talk about their experience at larger colleges and universities, it never seems to measure up to the way I describe my experience at Castleton, with its faculty who cared about me not only as a student, but as a person, the opportunities that prepared me for a vibrant career, and the people I met who are lifelong friends,” Mailhiot said. “Since the first time I stepped foot on campus a decade ago, Castleton has always felt like a second home to me. I was excited to be a student, proud to be an alumna, and am now grateful to be an employee.”
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Mailhiot serves as the Events Committee Chair for Rutland Young Professionals and is a member of the Wallingford Economic Development Committee. She is a former board member for Vermont Women in Higher Education and reading mentor for Everybody Wins! Vermont. During her time at Castleton, she was an active member of the campus community, gaining experience as a reporter and co-editor for Castleton’s student-run newspaper, The Spartan. She also worked as a writing tutor in the Academic Support Center for three years.