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wbjournal.com | Book of Lists 2017 | Worcester Business Journal 13 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 that champions academic excel- lence in a diverse, student-centered environment. The Princeton Review rates Worcester State one of the nation's 75 "Best Value" public universities, and for 13 consecutive years, one of the "Best in the Northeast." With dedicated faculty who are experts in their fields, Worcester State offers students 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 61 undergraduate academic pro- grams across two schools: The School of Education, Health, and Natural Sciences and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. In addition, the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education, founded in 1974, offers 31 graduate and certificate programs in traditional and emerging fields of study, and offers corporate training through its Center for Business and Industry. The only Massachusetts state university to offer both under- graduate and graduate degrees in biotechnology, the university is also a leader in green chemistry, incorporating 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 grow- ing number of students present their research at regional and national conferences. Clinical and field placements offer further opportunities 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. Community service is another way Worcester State students gain real-world experience. Each year, approximately 2,500 WSU students are engaged in community-based programs with more than 275 partners. All told, Worcester State students tallied 90,000 internship and clinical hours in 2015- 2016 and another 39,000 hours of student teaching. Worcester State also serves the community through a num- ber 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 eliminate hunger and provides tutoring for elderly immigrants; and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, 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 is affiliated with the Worcester Center for Crafts and has close working relationships with the Worcester Art Museum and Hanover Theatre. "Worcester State University students and graduates have historically and consistently contributed to the vitality of the greater Worcester region," says President Barry M. Maloney. "We give back to the community through service, and we help provide the bachelor's-degree-educated workforce that area businesses need to be competitive, with about 85 percent of our graduates staying in Massachusetts." n Educating the Region's Workforce and Engaging with the Community Address: 486 Chandler St., Worcester, MA 01602 Phone: 508-929-8000 Website: www.worcester.edu Product or Service: Higher education Number of Students: 6,306 Head of Company: Barry M. Maloney, President Year Founded: 1874 WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY P H O T O / W S U W E L L N E S S C E N T E R A D V E R T I S E M E N T