Immersion Brings Inaugural MHA Program Cohort to Campus
The inaugural cohort in NYU Wagner’s Online Master of Health Administration (MHA) program came together in mid-June on NYU’s campus to engage in academic coursework, participate in social activities, explore campus, and connect with the NYU Wagner community. Dean Sherry Glied, Program Director Tom D’Aunno, faculty, staff, and on-campus students joined the pioneering enrollees for the program’s inaugural Immersion.
"The Immersion has a two-fold purpose: to build cohesion among the cohort and to develop participants' skills in key areas, including communications, evidence-based decision-making, leadership, and career management," explained Professor D'Aunno. "One of the most memorable moments of my career occurred when we all experienced the amazing energy that filled the reception room when the students met each other in person for the first time—it was truly wonderful!"
The two-and-a-half day gathering, which occurs for each MHA cohort during the second of the program’s seven total terms, included the working professionals who began taking classes online, part-time toward an MHA degree in January of this year.
Although most of the students had interacted with one another via video conferencing, including weekly live class sessions and other group projects, they had not met in-person individually or as a group until they all showed up at the SoHo hotel where they stayed for the weekend’s activities.
The center of the activities was a series of focused academic development and skill-building workshops in four foundational competencies, or “red threads,” running through the entire curriculum. The workshop topics included: leadership development, career management, communication skills, and evidence-based management. The interactive sessions were led by some of NYU Wagner’s most experienced practitioner faculty.
The participants also enjoyed an evening reception and formal dinner at NYU’s Torch Club where they met with campus-based students who are the leaders of the school’s Wagner Health Network.
Through the path-breaking Online MHA degree program, students acquire the leadership and management skills needed to advance one’s career and forge change in US healthcare. NYU Wagner faculty members who teach the courses comprise leading researchers and practitioners, while the curriculum engages the full breadth of challenges faced in American healthcare today. The program teaches innovative approaches that enable students to develop solutions to complex problems experienced in one’s everyday work and careers.
By all available signs, the Immersion was a success – based on survey results, 100% of students agreed that it was a positive experience that helped them develop strong relationships with their classmates.
The program’s second cohort will come together for Immersion in September 2019, and the third in February 2020.