Established in 1968, the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Inc. is a not-for-profit association of public and private accredited colleges and universities located in Greater Worcester. Its mission is to work cooperatively to further the missions of the member institutions individually and to advance higher education regionally.
The 12 college and university members which comprise the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Inc. include nine Worcester-based institutions and four institutions in greater Worcester. Member institutions are: Anna Maria College, Assumption College, Becker College, Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Nichols College, Quinsigamond Community College, UMass Medical School, Worcester State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
The Consortium has three major areas of focus: to provide organizational effectiveness and shared services among its college and university members; to provide access to higher education opportunities for low-income, first generation students and adults; and to cultivate local and regional economic development and civic engagement opportunities.
The vision of the Consortium is to position Greater Worcester as a premier destination for undergraduate and graduate students as well as college and university faculty and staff.
Each year, about 7,000 students enrolled at Consortium institutions earn degrees (associate’s through doctoral) or complete certificates in one of nearly 300 majors and concentrations.
More than 450 undergraduate students took advantage of more than 350 courses through cross-registration among Consortium institutions during 2010-11.
The Consortium offers numerous faculty development opportunities throughout the academic year, including an annual faculty development workshop each spring which attracts over 150 faculty participants.
The Consortium operates a management certificate program and stand alone trainings which are designed to enhance the skills of managers and supervisors at its member institutions. More than 250 individuals participate annually in approximately 20 stand-alone training workshops.
The Consortium coordinates the tuition waiver program for Worcester school teachers. In 2010-11, 48 waivers were approved, which enabled teachers to take courses at Assumption College, Anna Maria College, Clark University, Quinsigamond Community College, WPI, and Worcester State University—an estimated value of $56,000.
The Consortium facilitates a Certificate in College Teaching program which prepares graduate students, adjunct and full-time faculty as well as career changers for a career in academia.
As a group, Consortium member institutions represent one of the largest employers in the area, employing more than 16,000 full-and part-time faculty and staff.
Consortium institutions total more than 70,000 alumni living in Worcester County.
The Consortium maintains an online database for local and regional businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to post internship opportunities for area college students. More than 375 employers have posted approximately 300 internships on the site.
Approximately 650 Consortium student placements provide 94,000 hours working within 29 Worcester public schools each year.
Consortium member institutions formed the Worcester nonprofit purchasing group, which, in addition to the Consortium institutions, includes 30 other local nonprofit organizations that together spend over $5 million annually on local goods and services.
The six private colleges in Worcester paid $933,000 in real estate taxes during fiscal year 2010.
The Consortium partners with several local organizations such as the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, the Shrewsbury Street Merchants Association, and the Worcester Cultural Coalition to help promote events geared towards college students.
Of a total $774 million spent with vendors on goods and services in FY2010, $184 million went to Worcester County vendor.
In 2007-08, more than 9,900 undergraduate and graduate students at Consortium institutions spent 590,000 hours at more than 450 local organizations through volunteering, community service learning, work study positions and internships—the equivalent of 283 full-time employees.
Of a total $226 million spent on capital expenditures in FY2010, $28 million went to Worcester County vendors.
The Collegiate Success Institute (CSI) transitioned from Worcester Community Action Council to the Consortium in 2010 and serves about 175 Worcester Public School juniors and seniors.
72% of the Consortium’s annual revenues (approximately $2.7 million) are derived from funds received through the U.S. Department of Education and the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education to provide higher education access services for disadvantaged students and adults across the state.
The Consortium operates four higher education access programs within the Worcester Public Schools—Educational Talent Search, GEAR UP, Careers Plus and Kids to College.
The Educational Opportunity Center in Worcester annually serves approximately 1,500 low-income, first-generation adults who are interested in returning to school to further their education and careers.
The Educatonal Talent Search and GEAR UP programs serve 1,700 students a year in Worcester's public high schools and Worcester East Middle School.
The Consortium operates a management certificate program and stand alone trainings which are designed to enhance the skills of managers and supervisors at its member institutions. More than 250 individuals participate annually in approximately 20 stand-alone training workshops.
Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Inc.
484 Main Street, Suite 500, Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: 508-754-6829, Fax: 508-797-0069, Email: info [at] cowc [dot] org
Copyright ©2012, Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Inc.