Worcester Business Journal

www.wbjournal.com Worcester Business Journal Business Profiles 2015 29 E stablished in 1874 as the Worcester Normal School, Worcester State University has evolved from a small teacher-training school into a distinguished liberal arts and sciences university with a strong emphasis on scholarship, research and community engagement. The Princeton Review rates Worcester State one of the nation's 75 "Best Value" public universi- ties, and for 11 consecutive years, one of the "Best in the Northeast." With dedicated faculty from some of the top universi- ties in the world, students enjoy small class sizes, a wide range of experiential learning opportunities and study- away options throughout the United States and around the globe. Worcester State offers more than 50 undergraduate academic programs across two schools: The School of Education, Health and Natural Sciences and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. In addition, the Graduate School, founded in 1974, offers 31 graduate and certificate programs in traditional and emerging fields of study. The only Massachusetts state university to offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees in biotechnology, the university is also a leader in green chemistry, incor- porating the principles of sustainable science into the curricula. Hands-on undergraduate research is a hallmark of a Worcester State education. Students engage in research not only in the sciences, but also in the humanities and liberal arts, often collaborating with leading research institutions. A growing number of students present their research at regional and national conferences. Clinical and field placements offer further opportuni- ties for experiential learning, as do internships with government agencies, small businesses and major employers including Bank of America, EMC Corp., Genzyme, Staples and UMass Memorial Medical Center. And Worcester State student-teachers worked over 27,000 hours in area classrooms in a recent year. Community service is another way Worcester State students gain real-world experience. Each year, approxi- mately 2,900 WSU students are engaged in community- based programs with 380 partners, addressing such issues as hunger, homelessness, child welfare, literacy, environmental protection and social justice both locally and in developing nations, including Nicaragua and Belize. Worcester State also serves the community through a number of programs, including the Speech-Language- Hearing Center, which addresses a wide range of hearing and speaking issues; the Latino Education Institute, which serves Latino schoolchildren and their families; the Intensive English Language Institute; the Intergenerational Urban Institute, which works to elimi- nate hunger and provides tutoring for elderly immi- grants; and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance pro- gram, which offers free tax filing services for low- and middle-income individuals. The university plays a significant role in the cultural economy, as well. In addition to its art gallery, lectures, and music and theater productions throughout the year, Worcester State has formed an alliance with the Worcester Center for Crafts and has close working rela- tionships with the Worcester Art Museum and Hanover Theatre. "Our core mission has always encompassed commu- nity service," notes President Barry M. Maloney. "Throughout the years, we have consistently and enthu- siastically contributed to the vitality of the Central Massachusetts region." In recognition of its commitment to community, Worcester State was named to the 2013 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. n w o r c e s t e r , m a worcester state university Address: 486 Chandler St., Worcester, MA 01602 Phone: 508-929-8000 Website: www.worcester.edu Product or Service: Higher education No. of Students: 6,350 Head of Company: Barry M. Maloney, President Year Founded: 1874 Worcester State University Celebrating 140 Years of Academic Excellence P h o t o / C o u r t e s y

• Cover