Tommie Zito, a self-described evangelist, is pursuing the acquisition of Green Mountain College’s rural Vermont campus, which closed in 2019 and was subsequently owned by whiskey distiller Raj Bhakta. Zito plans to establish Z University on the site as the inaugural campus of an international network emphasizing biblical education and evangelism. The purchase is expected to be finalized by October 1, though Zito has not disclosed the sale price.
Zito’s higher education history includes prior attempts to establish Bible colleges that faced significant challenges. He registered Freedom College in Florida in early 2012 and later established Zoe Bible College, which opened in August 2015 but operated with a narrower curriculum than originally proposed. The institution offered two-year programs centered on traditional Bible school topics and produced three graduates in 2017 before ceasing operations. During recent questioning, Zito acknowledged that the college was not fully accredited, contrary to previous claims, and cited “physical brick-and-mortar challenges” and frequent relocations as reasons for the college’s difficulties.
Financial and operational concerns surround Zito’s capacity to successfully launch and sustain Z University. Zito reported receiving a $1 million donation for a down payment, though Bhakta originally purchased the property for $4.5 million. Maintenance and infrastructure costs alone are estimated at $1.5 million annually, according to Bhakta’s assessment. Financial documents for Zito’s ministry, American Awakening Inc., reveal modest revenue, with $98,028 in income during fiscal year 2021. A previous Zito-affiliated nonprofit declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2010 and accumulated nearly $1 million in debts. Additionally, Zito’s biographical claims, including assertions about professional athletic capability and evangelical reach, lack independent verification.
Local skepticism persists given Bhakta’s failed revitalization effort. Higher education experts emphasize that funding acquisition, community trust-building, and professional expertise in institutional operations present formidable obstacles. The New England Commission of Higher Education has indicated no prior contact from Zito regarding accreditation, which typically requires years to achieve. Zito has stated his intention to open the college in fall 2027 and emphasized the spiritual needs of the region, particularly Vermont’s high rates of religious disaffiliation.
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