Drexel Opens Center For Graduate Studies in Sacramento

January 5, 2009

Drexel University today welcomed its first students in Sacramento as its Center for Graduate Studies begins classes in four of nine master’s programs slated to start this year.Drexel officials and faculty will be joined by newly elected Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson to mark the historic opening of the Center, which is housed in 20,000 square feet of space just blocks away from California’s State Capitol.“A little over seven months ago, we announced our intention to bridge the miles between our cities with a common vision toward expanding higher education opportunities in California,” said Drexel University President Constantine Papadakis. “In this short period, we have been embraced by so many community, business and education leaders. Now, we begin our partnership with students – future business and community leaders for the Greater Sacramento area.”Founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Drexel is the nation’s 16th largest private university and is ranked as one of the nation’s most innovative universities by US News & World Report. Drexel is widely recognized for its focus on experiential learning through its co-operative education program, technology and use-inspired research. The Center will offer higher education at the cutting edge in its classrooms that have been outfitted with $1 million in state-of-the-art technology that brings the world to the Center and makes classes and presentations available on the Web and via podcast. “We are confident that Drexel University’s proven, dynamic approach to learning will more effectively position our students for leadership and success,” Papadakis said.The Center’s initial master’s programs include: - Business Administration, a program that allows students to continue to work and complete a full MBA program in 24 months. BusinessWeek recently ranked Drexel’s Part-Time MBA as #10 in the nation, the best for job changers, and gave its curriculum an “A+”. The Princeton Review named Drexel’s Entrepreneur program No. 7 in the nation. - Higher Education, a program that prepares students with the practical skills, knowledge and experience to become professionals and leaders in higher education institutions. In the 2007 edition of the U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Graduate Schools Drexel’s School of Education ranked 16th among the nation’s private colleges and universities. - Information Systems, a program for tech-savvy professionals who want to move up in their IT career or into one, the MSIS suits anyone who is interested in information systems. U.S. News & World Report ranked Drexel’s College of Information Science and Technology 5th nationally for specialized programs in information systems. - Library and Information Science, a program for information science professionals, career changers becoming librarians and experienced information professionals seeking the degree to move up in their organizations. Drexel’s specialized programs in digital librarianship were ranked 6th nationally by U.S. News & World Report. In September, the university will add five master’s programs in: Engineering Management; Nursing Education & Faculty Role; Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management; Science of Instruction; and Human Resource Development. The university plans to add additional programs based on the community’s needs. All programs will meet the university’s high standards and be equivalent to those taught in Philadelphia. For more information or to attend an information session to learn more about the graduate programs, please visit www.drexel.edu/sacramento or call 888.389.3781.“Drexel has built its success on partnerships with the community,” said Carl “Tobey” Oxholm, Executive Vice President for Drexel University who is spearheading the university’s effort in Sacramento. “We are excited by the welcome we’ve received and the partnerships we have already established with business and civic groups throughout Northern California.”The university began exploring opportunities in the Greater Sacramento area in 2007 after University President Dr. Constantine Papadakis was approached by a group of community leaders led by Angelo K. Tsakopoulos, a prominent real estate developer and the founder and owner of Sacramento-based AKT Development. The Angelo K. and Sofia Tsakopoulos family, William and Claudia Cummings, the Wayne L. Prim Family and their partners have offered Drexel University more than 1,100 acres to build a major undergraduate campus in Placer County. “Sacramento is an extraordinary place to bring Drexel’s innovative approach to education,” Oxholm said. “We view the Center for Graduate Studies as the beginning of a long relationship with this region.” News Media Contact: Bill Halldin, 916-781-0657 or bill@halldinpr.comNiki Gianakaris, Assistant Director, Drexel News Bureau 215-895-6741 or ngianakaris@drexel.edu

Drexel Opens Center For Graduate Studies in Sacramento

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