Clarkson Students Deliver Strategic Solutions to Strengthen NorPro’s Regional Growth

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Students in Clarkson University's Organizational Policy and Strategy course gained hands-on consulting experience during the fall semester by partnering with regional businesses, including NorPro, a Northline Utilities subsidiary.

Working with NorPro, a provider of construction management, storm response and utility services across the Northeast, Clarkson students Tyler Nash, Tristan Gilbert, Camaron Fougere and Emilia Bartlett developed strategic recommendations to support the company's long-term growth.

Guided by Joshua LaFave, Director of Graduate Business Programs and Adjunct Instructor in Organizational Studies, the student team analyzed key challenges facing NorPro, including limited brand recognition, a growing geographic footprint and strong competition in the engineering and utility sectors. Their goal was to enhance the company's competitive advantage and strengthen its market presence.

The students collaborated closely with NorPro throughout the semester, holding weekly meetings and maintaining regular communication to align their work with company priorities. Their final deliverable included a detailed, quarterly action plan focused on increasing brand awareness and differentiation. Recommendations emphasized expanded social media use, highlighting completed projects, increasing employee spotlights and strengthening outreach through college events, career fairs and technical education programs.

"The NorPro team had the pleasure of working with an exceptionally engaged and driven group of students from the Clarkson Strategy Class," said Courtney Farbotko, proposal coordinator at NorPro. "Their final presentation was a comprehensive look at our business and offered fresh perspectives on how we can advance our goals - perspectives we're already using to shape our 2026 business development efforts."

For students, the project provided an opportunity to apply classroom concepts in a professional setting.

"This experience was invaluable," said Gilbert. "We were able to apply analytical and critical thinking skills to real-world challenges, identify areas for organizational improvement and develop actionable strategies. It also reinforced the importance of leveraging social media and communicating effectively in professional environments."

Organizational Policy and Strategy is designed to immerse students in real-world strategic problem-solving by partnering them with organizations seeking fresh perspectives. Through these collaborations, students gain practical experience while delivering meaningful insights to participating businesses.