The new Graduate College is affiliated with Union University federation
Schenectady, N.Y. – Union College's Center for Graduate Education and
Special Programs will become a new and independent college this fall, following
approval of its charter today by the State Board of Regents. The new college
will be called The Graduate College of Union University, with current Union
Dean of Graduate Education Susan Lehrman to serve as president.
The Graduate College sought independence in light of its
continued growth and regional importance, Lehrman noted. “This is an exciting
time for the Capital Region, as the Tech Valley initiative takes flight and there is
more focus on a highly educated workforce. Union College and the new Graduate College will be vital players in this
initiative.”
Lehrman added, “By becoming an
independent college, we can continue to grow our programs, add enrollment,
create more community partnerships, and do more and better marketing and
fundraising.”
The Graduate College will have three schools –
management, engineering and education – and the Center for Bioethics. The
programs offered by the new Graduate College will be similar to those currently
offered and include educational studies, engineering (electrical and
mechanical), computer science, business administration, health administration,
and bioethics.
The Graduate College will have its own board of trustees,
including the president of Union College Roger H. Hull, Alan Goldberg,
president and chief executive officer of First Albany Corp., and Lewis Golub,
chairman of the board of Golub Corporation.
“Building on the fine tradition of Union College, this exciting news comes at the
right time, in the right place,” said Goldberg. “Union's graduate programs have become an
important and vital part of strengthening this region's executive workforce.
This new initiative can only add to that great effort.”
Relationship with Union College
The Graduate College will have a unique academic
relationship with Union College through a lease arrangement in which
faculty and students will continue to have access to Union College facilities and ancillary services.
In addition, The Graduate College
will be affiliated with Union University, a federation of independent
undergraduate and graduate institutions. It currently consists of Union College, Albany Medical College, Albany Law College, Dudley Observatory, and Albany
College of Pharmacy. Established in 1873, Union University has a board of governors comprised
of representatives of the member institutions' boards of trustees. The
president of Union College serves as the chancellor of Union University.
Unique, growing
graduate programs
The College's MBA program, the
largest full-time program in the Capital Region, has seen a 25 percent increase
in students over the last two years. The MBA job placement rate is over 90
percent. The Health Systems MBA is one of only 21 dually accredited programs in
the country, and one of only four accredited programs in the state. The Global
MBA programs attract students from nearly 20 countries.
Educational Studies, one of the few
secondary education teacher programs that requires a full year of student
teaching, has a placement rate of nearly 98 percent in Capital Region schools,
an area that does not have a teacher shortage. The program also has a 78
percent pass rate on the National Teachers Certification Exam, compared to the
48 percent national average.
The Engineering Division, which
features small class sizes and a mix of practical and theoretical curriculum,
has partnered with a consortium of engineering companies to ensure its programs
meet the needs of the changing Capital Region economy. The Center for Bioethics
offers one of the nation's two distance learning programs, a joint venture with
Albany Medical College designed with the flexibility to
serve working healthcare professionals.
The graduate program
currently enrolls some 400 students, about half of which are full time. For
more information, visit http://www.graduatecollege.union.edu/