MBA Grad Brings New Perspective to Health Care Industry
SHU’s program instills businessman with fresh ideas for leading and improving customer care
Sacred Heart University graduate Daniel Small, who just earned his master’s in business administration (MBA) degree, had thought many times about returning to school to achieve that goal. However, life’s demands got in the way.
With a full-time job at Hartford HealthCare and three daughters, Small didn’t have much free time to study for an advanced degree. There were work projects and deadlines, family obligations and schedules, plus the day-to-day demands of life.
Then the pandemic hit. The spread of COVID-19 drastically altered society and, for Small, not only changed the way he spent his workday, but also led him to rethink some priorities. He decided it was time to earn that master’s degree, and his revised daily schedule made it possible.
“I had put off getting an MBA longer than I liked,” said Small, 43. “I kept advancing in my career, so I told myself the need wasn’t that strong. But when the pandemic came, everything changed. I was able to flex my schedule and find time to take classes.”
As Hartford HealthCare’s senior director of digital strategy, Small said he is positioned to improve the way people access and experience health care. He enrolled in SHU’s Jack Welch College of Business & Technology in 2021. Small said the experience was demanding, yet exciting. It was most definitely rewarding, he added. The skills Small learned while earning his MBA at SHU will help him become a better leader and create positive change in the health care industry.
“I learned a lot, and I met some really great people,” he said. “I had impressive professors with incredible backgrounds. They really helped expose me to different perspectives and ways of thinking.”
His professors opened his eyes to new concepts and strategies for approaching business in a changing world. Small also had opportunities to hear from executives and other leaders in the business world, and he learned a great deal from them as well.
The MBA workload was heavy, but Small managed. “Taking two classes at a time was a lot, but I came out on the other side much stronger,” he said.
Professor Charles Presbury’s class, which focused on leading and influencing with integrity, stands out as one of his favorites. “It was a difficult course, but he really cared about everyone in the class,” Small said. “He graded fairly and judiciously, and he really paid attention to each student.”
Professors Michael Zhang and Joe Pilcavage also impressed Small and inspired him to take what he learned in the classroom and apply it at work. Zhang’s classes include contemporary issues in global management, and Pilcavage teaches digital marketing.
On May 14, Small walked across the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater stage in Bridgeport and received his MBA degree and the Dean’s Leadership Award. Later that day, he watched his eldest daughter receive her bachelor’s degree from the University of Hartford.
Even though it was a busy day, full of celebrations, Small said taking time to participate in his graduation ceremony was important for him. “I want my daughters to see that hard work, commitment and continuous learning throughout your life is important and helps you grow,” Small said. “It’s good to be a constant student. I want them to see that.”