Online MBA Students Visit Stevens Campus for Immersion Event

The third Stevens online MBA immersion weekend brought together students and faculty for three days of networking, learning and fun. 

Started last fall, the event, which happens every fall and spring semester, serves the critical purpose of helping students expand their community and build lasting relationships, a crucial part of business education. Online MBA students are required to attend two immersions as part of the curriculum.

"Networking is often difficult for online students," Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies and Senior Director of Graduate Programs Brian Rothschild said. "It is important to bring online classmates together and create a sense of belonging in the Stevens community."

The immersion began Thursday night with a welcome reception for students in the online MBA program. This reception provided an opportunity for face-to-face conversations and the discovery of common interests. A larger reception followed on Friday night, where students from the full-time and part-time Stevens MBA program, Analytics MBA program and Executive MBA program networked and discussed their educational experiences.

"The Stevens Immersion weekend was an incredible experience, allowing students to finally meet face-to-face with those they had previously only seen behind a screen," said Harshal Patel, an online MBA student. "Engaging with the Stevens community and networking with peers and staff provided valuable, hands-on opportunities to forge lasting relationships that can be leveraged for years to come."

The core part of the immersion focused on two 1.5-credit courses, "Future of Work," created specifically for the participants.

First-year cohort students attended "Future of Work: Implications for Leadership & Organizations," led by Professor Denise Rotatori. This course helps students reflect on their assumptions around management, organizational leadership, and workforce transformation. It explores the societal transition underway and its implications across sectors of the current economy, often called the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Second-year cohort students attended "Future of Work: Implications for Leadership Communication," led by Professor Steven Gogel. This course aims to foster a future-forward, collaborative mindset, focusing on innovation, agility, and flexibility through candid self-reflection and highly interactive activities. It is designed to equip students with the essential skills for navigating a swiftly evolving professional landscape and explores timely themes like neurodiversity in HR and sustainability in IT.

The immersion also featured a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion session taught by Professor Peter Dominick. It facilitated students’ inclusive mindsets and helped them develop next-level leadership knowledge and skills to elevate individual and business success.

"The immersion weekend and the opportunity to network with my cohorts and other students that have previously experienced this was very impactful," said Priscilla Alexandre, an online MBA student. "I built closer bonds with my teachers, advisor and classmates, making me feel more settled in the MBA program."