Union Graduate College Merges into Clarkson University
On February 1, 2016, Union Graduate College in Schenectady, N.Y., merged into Clarkson University, and now carries the Clarkson University name.
The Healthcare Management MBA and faculty remain the same, says Associate Professor John Huppertz, director of the program, although now with an even brighter future. “The only thing that has changed is that the degree is now the Clarkson University MBA in Healthcare Management," he says.
According to Huppertz, the program faculty is excited about the possibilities for enrollment growth and program enhancement since the merger into Clarkson.
The formal announcement of the merger was made at a gathering of students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and local officials in Schenectady earlier this year. What was the UGC campus is now Clarkson’s Capital Region Campus in Schenectady. The University’s main campus is in Potsdam, in the northern part of New York State.
“There may be opportunities to create collaborations with Clarkson’s existing allied health profession programs,” said Huppertz. Clarkson offers doctor of physical therapy, master of science in physician assistant studies and master of science in occupational therapy programs.
The Healthcare Management MBA, with a history that goes back more than 40 years, currently has graduate degree program partnerships with Albany Medical College, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Albany Law School. Huppertz also noted that the merger would accelerate synergies between the Healthcare Management MBA and the Clarkson programs in Data Analytics, as well as the M.S. in Healthcare Data Analytics, launched in 2014.
In addition, Huppertz, who has directed the program for 12 years, pointed to the opportunity for online recruitment and enrollment growth, referencing Clarkson’s resources in this area. The existing programs, which have “grown robustly” over the last ten years, have seen graduates take roles leading healthcare organizations throughout the country. “We’re looking toward a bright new future, where our students can continue to make significant contributions to healthcare,” Huppertz said.
Clarkson Business School Dean Dayle Smith concurs. “The merger gives us the opportunity to further invest in the MBA programs, with future plans for growth,” she said. "We are now in a position to enhance our programs further, meeting the needs of a healthcare sector in constant flux."
Since the merger, the Business School has allowed for the online linkage of the MBA programs in Potsdam and Schenectady, according to Smith. She noted that it is opportunities such as this that will allow all of Clarkson’s MBA programs to better meet the needs of the global business community. “The programs that come with UGC's merger into Clarkson will enable us to strengthen all of our programs even more,” she said.