BURLINGTON, Vt., June 2, 2025 — Two Southern Maryland students, Keegan Sanders of California and Jordan Behounek of Waldorf, were named to the Champlain College Dean’s List for the Spring 2025 semester. Sanders earned recognition for the residential program, while Behounek was honored for the online program, both achieving a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
Sanders, majoring in Game Art, and Behounek, studying Computer Forensics & Digital Investigations, balanced rigorous academics with extracurricular commitments. Champlain College praised their achievement, noting that many Dean’s List students manage career-focused classes alongside jobs, internships, clubs, and volunteering. “Making the Dean’s List is a tremendous achievement. Many of the high achievers balance their career-focused classes with jobs, internships, clubs, and volunteering. We congratulate them on this great accomplishment and honor,” the college stated in its announcement.
The recognition highlights the students’ dedication and the college’s commitment to career-oriented education. Champlain’s Upside-Down Curriculum emphasizes practical skills, preparing students for professional success from their first semester. Sanders and Behounek exemplify this approach, excelling in fields poised for growth—game art and digital forensics—while navigating demanding schedules.
Champlain College, founded in 1878, is a private, not-for-profit institution based in Burlington, Vermont, with additional campuses in Montreal, Canada, and Dublin, Ireland. Its main campus, overlooking Lake Champlain, hosts a residential undergraduate program known for its innovative approach. Champlain College Online extends this model nationwide, offering degrees and certificates to students like Behounek. The college serves students across all 50 states and U.S. territories, partnering with workforce organizations to align education with industry needs.
Sanders’ focus on game art aligns with the rising demand for digital media professionals, while Behounek’s studies in computer forensics address the need for cybersecurity experts. Their success reflects the region’s emerging talent pipeline and Champlain’s role in fostering it.
Champlain’s accolades underscore its academic quality. U.S. News & World Report ranked it among the “Best Colleges” for 2025, and The Princeton Review named it one of the “Best 390 Colleges” and a top Northeastern college for the same year. These distinctions highlight the college’s ability to deliver relevant, high-impact education.
The Dean’s List honor requires consistent academic excellence, with a minimum GPA of 3.5. For Sanders, this achievement came within the vibrant, hands-on environment of Champlain’s Burlington campus. Behounek, meanwhile, earned the distinction through the flexible yet demanding online program, designed for working adults and non-traditional students.
Champlain’s career-focused model ensures graduates are “ready for work, ready for life, and ready to make a difference,” as stated in its mission. The college’s programs integrate real-world applications, such as internships and industry partnerships, which likely supported Sanders and Behounek in their academic journeys.
