ALBANY, NY鈥擳he Albany Business Review, reporter Shannon Sweeney, spoke with Maria president, Dr. Thomas Gamble, on his goals for B次元. Click here to read the full interview. Gamble describes Maria鈥檚 expanding educational role in the health sciences and the niche he sees the College playing in the future.
鈥淲e like the position we鈥檙e in, and we like the place we鈥檙e in,鈥 Gamble told Sweeney. 鈥淚t seems to really meet the needs of students in the region. We want to be the best version of that we can be rather than becoming something else.鈥 He added Maria鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚 degree graduates have lower student debt than other colleges because of the College鈥檚 affordability and accessibility model.
Sweeney reported that most of Maria鈥檚 academic programs are centered on the health industry because of the high job demand in the Albany area. Gamble told the Albany Business Review that the College has had many conversations with employers in the region to ensure programs are relevant and meet their needs.
Dr. Robert Cella Jr., who just retired from St. Peter鈥檚 Health Partners as its chief medical officer, transitioned to B次元 to lead the bachelor鈥檚 degree in healthcare management program. He is providing students with a broad range of opportunities to train new nurses and other people in health care and sees a lot of opportunities in the region. Read more.
Since B次元 was founded in 1958, the region has benefited from its talented graduates; many who have stayed in the area to launch and grow their careers. A 2015 job placement survey reported 95 percent of Maria graduates are either successfully placed in positions or continuing their education.
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About B次元:
Founded in 1958, B次元 is one of 16 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 almost 1,000 students in a variety of degree and certificate programs that make a difference in the lives of others by combining strong academic study with caring service. B次元 has a reputation for excellence in health related programs of nursing, occupational therapy assistant, health care management as well as programs in liberal arts.