Evangelist Tommie Zito plans to establish a global network of Christian universities, beginning with the acquisition of the former Green Mountain College campus in Poultney, Vermont. The initiative, known as Z University, aims to open its first campus to a charter class in August 2027.
Zito, who is seeking accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education, envisions nine Z University locations worldwide. The initial phase includes planned campuses in Canada, Italy, Dubai, Poland, and Sri Lanka, with a second phase targeting Japan, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Zito stated his intention to serve the local community in Vermont, a state he noted for having the lowest percentage of Christians in the United States.
The 115-acre property, formerly Green Mountain College, was purchased by Zito after being acquired by whiskey mogul Raj Peter Bhakta in 2020. Bhakta had originally intended to convert the campus into a luxury resort but later offered the property to a Christian or Catholic institution aligned with his mission to reshape America. Zito confirmed that a purchase agreement has been signed, though the specific price remains undisclosed. He revealed that a $1 million personal gift from a benefactor was used as a down payment for the 26-building property, which includes dormitories, classrooms, athletic facilities, and farmland.
Zito, a follower of evangelist Rodney Howard-Browne, views the Vermont location as divinely inspired, recalling scouting other sites, including a church campus in Savannah, Georgia. He believes the acquisition represents a rebirth of the campus to its original roots and anticipates it will bring economic benefits and revitalization to Poultney and the surrounding region. Bhakta's spokesperson indicated that a significant philanthropic aspect is part of the arrangement, with Bhakta's spirits company set to relocate its headquarters to Shoreham, Vermont.
Z University's curriculum is intended to encompass a Christ-centered, biblical worldview, with plans to include schools of evangelism, leadership, business, government, and digital media, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence. Zito mentioned that tuition would be comparable to other Christian colleges, such as Grand Canyon University, with costs kept affordable through donor support and endowments. The university aims to accommodate up to 1,000 students, with housing for 850.
Zito acknowledged potential challenges in attracting staff and students to the rural Vermont location, a region often described as the "preacher's graveyard" due to its secular population. He aims to counter negative perceptions of Christianity by focusing on the gospel and the positive aspects of the faith. The campus is in good condition, with plans to remodel about 30% of its existing structures.
The deal's closing is scheduled for the fall, allowing time for Bhakta to vacate the premises and for Zito to manage the transition. Zito drew parallels between his ministry style and the early Methodist circuit riders who founded the original Green Mountain College in 1834, and noted that many prestigious universities, such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, were originally established to train religious leaders.