HWS News
22 January 2026 • Alums Students and Alumni Head to NYC for Higher Education Career Trek
Launching higher education careers through alumni connections at Columbia, NYU and Manhattan University.
Current Hobart and William Smith students and alumni of the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership (MHEL) program are invited to take part in a New York City career trek focused on higher education leadership, offering an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at careers shaping today’s colleges and universities.
The Higher Education Career Trek will bring participants to New York City for a full day of site visits and conversations with higher education professionals. Through meetings with senior leaders and accomplished HWS alumni, participants will explore pathways in student affairs, enrollment strategy, academic innovation, online learning and campus leadership. The event will occur March 22-23.
“This experience reflects what sets the MHEL program apart,” says Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students Becca Morris, who is the director of the Higher Education Leadership Program. “Our students and alumni are not just learning about leadership in the classroom, they are building relationships with accomplished HWS graduates who are driving innovation and student success at influential institutions. The NYC Career Trek will help participants envision what’s possible and see how their HWS education translates directly into meaningful, impactful careers.”
During the Trek, participants will meet with several HWS alumni who are leaders in the field, including:
- Ann M. Clarkson ’91, executive director of online learning at Manhattan University, who will share insights into academic innovation and the growing role of digital learning in higher education.
- Caitlin Hughes ’12, assistant director of community impact at Columbia University, who will discuss civic engagement, institutional partnerships and student-centered initiatives.
- Rafael Rodriguez ’07, vice president for student engagement and dean of students at New York University, who will offer perspectives on senior leadership, campus culture and student success at a large, global institution.
“Higher education is in a constant state of evolution, shaped by changing student needs, societal pressures, and the responsibility we carry to foster belonging, engagement, and outcomes that extend beyond the classroom, preparing students for meaningful success and impact long after graduation,” says Rodriguez. “At the center of this work are students and the professionals who support them. I’m especially excited to host graduate students from my alma mater because investing in emerging professionals is essential to the future of our field. Creating opportunities for them to engage with real, complex challenges helps prepare them not just for today’s landscape, but for what higher education is becoming.”
The Trek is designed to help participants connect theory to practice while strengthening professional networks within the HWS and broader higher education communities. In addition to learning about diverse roles and institutional structures, attendees will have opportunities to ask candid questions about career trajectories, leadership development and navigating the evolving landscape of higher education.
The Trek is open to current MHEL students and alumni. Registration is required, and space may be limited. Register here, deadline: Feb. 15. Learn more about Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership.
Top: Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership students pose with their projects for "History of Disability" with Associate Provost Susan Pliner.
