Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/536667
www.wbjournal.com Book Of Lists 2015 • Worcester Business Journal 29 S P O N S O R E D B Y C ommunity-minded students are drawn to Anna Maria College. As Anna Maria pre- pares those men and women to excel in the Worcester area business community, its aca- demic rigor in both undergraduate and graduate programs concentrates heavily on business ethics and values. "Anna Maria College students are serious about their careers, but they also are incredibly con- cerned about their community," says Mary Lou Retelle, president, Anna Maria College. Using its signature service-focused, values- based approach, Anna Maria strikes a deliberate balance between personalized attention and prac- tical experience to ensure its graduates are career ready. Faculty and advisors, the majority of whom are established professionals in their respective fields, strive to provide a solid theoretical foundation in the classroom and work diligently to pair students with meaningful internships and other practical learning opportunities. Those experiences out- side of the classroom allow students a first-hand view of their intended vocation and make mean- ingful connections that help advance their careers. "Sometimes who you learn from can be as important as what you learn," adds Retelle, who explains that Anna Maria's experiential learning element provides essential "real world" experi- ence to AMC students, while providing another important link between the College and the com- munity. That relationship with Central Massachusetts business community underscores the College's focus on service. Not only do students receive a taste of their chosen professions, Anna Maria has a positive impact on the area business community. The common thread to all of Anna Maria's lib- eral arts undergraduate programs including busi- ness, criminal justice, education, nursing and health sciences, social work and music therapy, among others, is the graduates' signature blend of citizenship and val- ues. The same is true with Anna Maria's graduate studies and certificate programs. Whether students complete their master degrees in business, counseling psycholo- gy, criminal justice, education, health emergency manage- ment, instructional design & technology, the new industrial/ organizational psy- chology program or public administration, they are prepared to succeed, but also to serve. Such preparation is inherent in both the on- ground and online programs and it sets Anna Maria graduates apart from others and serves graduates well as they enter the workforce. Individuals interested in learning more about Anna Maria College's service-focused, values- based education should visit annamaria.edu. n Anna Maria College prepares career-driven, community-minded leaders Mary Lou Retelle President Colleges and universities ........................................................30 Private schools ........................................................................32 EDUCATION