MHA Students Build Leadership Skills with Alumni and Peers
Friday, April 25, 2025
Alumni and faculty shared interviewing and management insights with MHA students throughout the evening.
Students in Seton Hall University’s Master of Healthcare Administration program stepped into the role of hiring managers during a recent spring semester simulation event hosted by the Buccino Leadership Institute on the South Orange campus. The event gave M.H.A. students the opportunity to lead mock interviews with undergraduate Buccino Leadership Institute students, engage with alumni and gain real-time feedback in a structured, professional setting.
Alumni and faculty members, serving as interviewers and mentors throughout the evening, were paired with M.H.A. students. Buccino students participated as interviewees, navigating a two-part interview process focused on professional communication. In the first round, M.H.A. students conducted interviews; they then observed and received feedback from alumni and faculty on their technique.
“The structure of this event was really beneficial,” said M.H.A. student Imani Chambers. “Not only did we get to practice leading an interview, but we also received insightful feedback from alumni on our technique, helping us refine our approach for the future.”
Alumni from a range of professional backgrounds provided feedback to both graduate and undergraduate participants, reinforcing the importance of effective communication and critical thinking in professional settings.
The event also served as a networking opportunity, bringing together students with experienced professionals in a collaborative environment while introducing simulation theory to both M.H.A. students and Buccino students.
“The Buccino students were able to refine their skills mid-process, making the second part of the experience even more impactful,” said event facilitator Jennifer McCarthy, director of clinical simulation, Seton Hall University’s School of Health and Medical Sciences. “Meanwhile, M.H.A. students benefited from the chance to lead an interview while receiving valuable coaching from alumni and advisory members to help them grow as future leaders.”
MHA students with faculty at the interview simulation event hosted by the Buccino Leadership Institute.
The simulation was part of an experiential fellowship project led by Buccino Leadership Institute Undergraduate Director Elizabeth Halpin, M.A., in partnership with McCarthy, who is serving as a Buccino faculty fellow for the academic year. Together, their work highlights the University’s emphasis on interdisciplinary education, experiential learning and leadership development.
About Seton Hall University’s Master of Healthcare Administration program
Consistently ranked among the nation’s top 50 M.H.A. programs by U.S. News & World Report, Seton Hall University’s 42-credit Master of Healthcare Administration is accredited
by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.
The program welcomes aspiring healthcare professionals and early to mid-career individuals seeking career advancement. M.H.A. students work in diverse settings — hospitals, healthcare systems, assisted-living facilities, insurance organizations, pharmaceutical companies and the military — fostering dynamic class discussions and valuable networking opportunities.
The program is offered in two delivery formats — on campus or online/hybrid — both featuring the same engaging curriculum, nationally recognized faculty and robust professional networking opportunities.
Categories: Alumni, Business, Health and Medicine
