Experiential learning is increasingly becoming the norm for many educational institutions to help students gain real-world knowledge. For Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY), locating its campuses in strategic areas such as SoHo and, soon, West Street, offers its students front-row seats to witness and experience the exciting developments in the world-class financial district and business hub of Lower Manhattan. With the new West Street campus opening in April next year right in the heart of the financial district, MCNY paves the way for more opportunities to build industry-academia partnerships with companies such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, which contribute to cultivating a more workplace-ready MBA graduate. "We strive to integrate what goes on in a workplace with what goes on in a classroom," says Dr Vinton Thompson, MCNY's president. Thanks to its strategic location, MCNY has developed a specialisation in two major sectors in the New York economy, financial services and media management. Taking cues from industry developments, MCNY is building a new programme to address another major growth area in New York, which is health care management. This new programme complements MCNY's existing offerings for its undergraduate and graduate programmes under the Audrey Cohen School for Human Services and Education, School for Business, and School for Public Affairs and Administration. The college operates year-round with three full semesters, enabling students to accelerate their studies. Students, particularly those coming from abroad, find this arrangement beneficial since it gives them greater control over their schedule. With its flexible offerings, the college aims to attract more international students, particularly from Asia. In response to evolving market demands, MCNY is continuously expanding its programmes and is open to partnerships with other schools for a more diversified offering. "Our faculty is open to ideas. If anyone wants to collaborate with us, we can swiftly make it happen," Thompson says. Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY): www.mcny.edu
