Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Marks Strategic Expansion in Health Professions Education
ALBANY, NY, April 20, 2018 – Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan will attend Maria College’s 60-year anniversary celebration on April 25, 2018 at 4:00pm with a proclamation from the city. Senator Neil Breslin and Assemblymember Pat Fahy will also provide remarks. Both will participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony as college officials unveil their newly renovated building, “McAuley” located at 308 South Manning Boulevard.
The 30,000 square foot McAuley building was leased to Maria College by the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters of Mercy founded Maria College on April 25, 1958 and it is one of 17 colleges and universities in the United States sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.
Jacqueline Marie Kieslich, RSM, President Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community stated, “It is with joy and a sense of the future that I share the good news that we have a long-term lease with Maria College for the former McAuley Living Residence. Maria shares our mercy values and critical concerns—and will use the former residence to further the ministry of higher education and the training of healthcare professionals.”
Maria Board of Trustees chairperson, Gail Waring, RSM, stated, “The Sisters of Mercy and Maria share a vision for providing advanced education to all who can benefit for the purpose of transforming learned skills into caring service for careers in direct patient care and other health related service professions whose missions align with our values.”
Since 1958, Maria College has graduated 9,723 students. Many have stayed in the region to contribute their skills, knowledge and experience, making a difference in the lives of others in the communities where they work and live.
Maria College President Dr. Thomas Gamble stated, “Maria has earned an excellent reputation for educating generations of leaders in health related occupations. To ensure that our academic programs meet evolving health care needs, we are in the midst of a strategic expansion plan that includes adding McAuley to the Maria campus. This will build capacity for state-of-the-art labs, experiential learning, intraprofessional education between our nursing, health and occupational sciences departments, and healthcare management, as well as synchronous video conference distance learning delivery. This enhanced pedagogy and vertical health professions program expansion will ensure that Maria graduates meet the needs of today’s practicing professionals, while also preparing them for emerging roles in the healthcare industry.”
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About Maria College
Founded in 1958, Maria College is one of 17 colleges and universities in the United States sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The private, co-educational, Catholic college in Albany serves approximately 800 students in a variety of degree and certificate programs including liberal arts, healthcare management, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, and health and occupational sciences. With an unwavering commitment to the humanities, the College instills in its graduates a respect for the dignity of each person and the ability to transform learned skills into caring service.
More information on Maria College is available at www.mariacollege.edu