POTSDAM — Clarkson University is on track to see more than 4,000 full-time students this coming year.

The college will also host students enrolled in part-time, online executive education and its microcredential courses.

Move in day is set for Thursday, Aug. 25. First day of classes is Monday, Aug. 29.

“We are welcoming another talented incoming class with an average HS GPA of 3.75 and like last year’s class, they have already shown their commitment to their education by persevering through the unprecedented challenges presented to them over the last two years,” said Dr. Marc P. Christensen, Clarkson University’s new president.

Christensen takes over for former president, Tony Collins, who retired several weeks ago.

“On a personal note, my wife, Seema, and I have experienced firsthand the genuinely welcoming nature of the Clarkson community and our new North Country neighbors,” Christensen said. “Since moving here in July, we have been greeted with open arms and everyone we have met has made us feel at home.”

“Many of our returning students are also coming back to Potsdam with impressive stories from their summer internships, research experiences, and cooperative education programs from across the nation that reflect how their education is preparing them for careers in high demand,” Christensen said. “One of Clarkson's strengths is its corporate partners. Companies nationwide seek out our students for their strong analytic capabilities. Our Career Fair in September already has 126 employers planning to participate. I am looking forward to meeting all of them.”

This fall, the university is adding another industry-relevant degree in high demand by employers -- a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Degree.  

Individual course offerings for undergraduate students also continue to evolve and there are some popular new choices such as electric power engineering, intro to Africana studies, video art, and a new environmental engineering lab, among others, said Melissa Lindell, the university’s director of media relations.

“Clarkson is an institution that knows who it is and why what we do matters. Since June, more than 400 members of our entering first-year undergraduates have already been preparing for their college coursework through Clarkson’s special ‘Let’s Get Tech!’ summer program, which includes a variety of workshops and modules covering everything from how to study to math refresher courses, and from writing skills classes to STEM-building skills – all at no charge,” Christensen said.

While concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic have lessened, the university remains a mask-supportive community for those who want to wear a mask and continues to follow local public health and New York State directives, Lindell said.

Those students returning to the campus this year will see some changes to the campus this year. Construction and infrastructure changes were completed to several campus buildings over the summer. “Work is ongoing to the Schuler Educational Resources Center (ERC) and extensions to the well-received Innovation Hub that opened two years ago.  We are also adding more study spaces during the fall semester that meet different individual and group collaboration needs. Students will also notice upgrades in labs across campus,” Lindell said.