“Leaders Have to Lead From the Bottom”

Contributed by: Katherine Neilan, Digital Content Producer & Storyteller

“If I could just only jump over the gate, my life would change.”

For Shenisha Smith ’17, ’19 M.S., that thought started long before she became a Clinical Operations Manager at Yale University or earned her master’s degree from Albertus Magnus College.

A New Haven native, Smith remembers growing up near the College and watching students walk through campus.

“I remember seeing people walk in and out of this campus,” Smith said. “And I had this epiphany or whatever you want to call it. If I could walk through the gates, my life can change.”

Smith eventually did just that.

She first came to Albertus to earn her bachelor’s degree in Human Services, graduating in 2017. When she decided to pursue graduate school, she initially enrolled in a Master of Public Administration program at another institution.

“I realized that year in, after I completed some courses, it wasn’t for me,” Smith said. “So I said, let me just come back to Albertus because I like Albertus’ atmosphere.”

Smith returned to Albertus for the Master of Science in Management and Organizational Leadership (MSMOL) program and completed the 30-credit degree in one year.

At the time, Smith was working full time, raising five children, and managing everything that comes with life outside of school.

“It was very hard,” Smith said. “I think it was the first time I cried with schoolwork.”

Still, the flexibility of the program made it possible.

“It was nice to have that flexibility,” Smith said. “And it was after my work hours, so that was always nice.”

Smith also chose to take many of her courses in a hybrid format, giving her the opportunity to come to campus and connect with classmates who were working professionals themselves.

“It was nice to be able to interact with other managers and other leaders,” Smith said. “A few of them also worked at the hospital, who I’m still friends with today.”

One of the lessons from the MSMOL program that stayed with Smith was servant leadership.

“I learned that leaders have to lead from the bottom,” Smith said. “They serve and lead the people.”

It is a philosophy she continues to use in her current role at Yale University.

“A leader can’t be great unless her team is great,” Smith said. “Sometimes that means jumping in, helping out.”

Smith spent 24 years at Yale New Haven Hospital before moving to Yale University. Today, she serves as a Clinical Operations Manager in the Department of Genetics, where she manages clinical operations, works with providers and staff, addresses patient concerns, and helps make decisions for her team.

Her master’s degree also helped open the door to that next step.

“I didn’t realize that it was a significant difference going from a bachelor’s to a master’s,” Smith said.

Looking back, however, Smith sees her education as much more than a career move.

“I will forever be indebted to this school for all of that,” Smith said.

The student who once looked through the gates of Albertus wondering if her life could change eventually walked through them. She came back years later for her master’s degree, and today, she is using what she learned to lead others.

“Sometimes the Lord will allow others to see your blessing even before you do,” Smith said.

The MSMOL program is a part of our one year graduate degree programs. For more information on these programs, please head HERE.

Inspired by Shenisha’s story? Want to become the manager of a School at Yale one day? We are hosting a Virtual Information Session for our Master of Science in Management and Organizational Leadership on November 10, starting at 5:30 PM. Join us!