Manhattan College Appoints Ann Clarkson as Executive Director of Online Learning

Manhattan College today announced that Ann M. Clarkson joined the school on March 18, 2024 as the Executive Director of Online Learning.

Ms. Clarkson brings in-depth experience in developing and managing all facets of professional programming and has a career of over two decades dedicated to revolutionizing adult and online education at several institutions of higher learning. She created an expansive program bringing international students from over 50 countries to participate in non-degree, undergraduate, and graduate classes with nine academic partners throughout Europe and Asia.

The courses ranged from Marketing, Project Management, and IT to Management, Leadership, Finance, and Engineering. Prior to joining Manhattan College, Ms. Clarkson served as the Assistant Dean of Educational Pathways and Strategic Operations at New York University (NYU). While at NYU, she developed comprehensive programs for adults and custom training for both domestic and international clients. Her work spanned the creation of certificates and innovative support services for all courses, and she designed and implemented non-traditional pathways for scholarship-funded degrees, apprenticeship programming, and academic partnerships. Earlier in her career at NYU, she served as the Program Director of the Center for Instructional Design which included an MS in Instructional Design and Online Learning and a variety of certificate programs in corporate and academic training.  She also served as Program Director of The Virtual College TM where she managed internal and external personnel in the production of 400+ courses, 11 concentrations for undergraduate and graduate programs for the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

At Baruch College of the City University of New York, she was the Associate Dean of Continuing and Professional Studies for over 16 years where she developed and managed undergraduate and graduate hybrid programs, non-degree courses and certificates for teens and adult learners, and grew the retail program to be the largest in the university and the second largest in New York City.

Ms. Clarkson received an MA degree in Instructional Technology from Columbia University’s Teachers College and a BA from Hobart and William Smith College.

Said Dr. Rani Roy, Acting Provost of Manhattan College, “We are particularly thrilled to have Ann as part of our team and the lead in developing more comprehensive online programs for all our students, with a particular emphasis on students in our non-degree programs. Ann has demonstrated strength in
creating a sense of community through her programs and we also welcome her focus on bringing business CEOs to our campus through her executive outreach skills.”

Said Ms. Clarkson, “I am particularly drawn to Manhattan College’s commitment to providing contemporary educational experiences aligned with a broad liberal arts education. I am enthusiastic about leading the charge in shaping the future of online education, driving strategic growth, and
ensuring high-quality academic experience for online learners at Manhattan College.”

Founded in 1853, Manhattan College is an independent, Lasallian Catholic, co-educational institution of higher learning offering undergraduate and graduate programs. For more information about Manhattan College, please visit www.manhattan.edu