Feb 13, 2025

Team Dynamics course to be available for Huck graduate students in Fall 2025

A unique team-building and leadership course, taught by faculty from the Smeal College of Business MBA program, is available for a limited number of Huck graduate students next fall.

Success in the 21st century biomedical workforce requires trainees to assemble and work in diverse teams to be leaders of innovation. Whether students are planning a career in academia or headed to industry, research shows us that effective team management strategies (which includes conflict resolution) are a critical but often overlooked skill set in graduate training. Students associated with Huck-affiliated graduate degree programs now have a unique opportunity to develop in-depth understanding of team theory through experiential learning by completion of BA802 (Team Process and Performance) in the Penn State MBA Program (1 credit elective). Course instructor Margaret Luciano is an expert in the area of Multiteam Systems, and the recipient of the 2023 Poets&Quants Best 40-Under-40 MBA Professors award. Registration is limited to 25 participants who are in year 2 or beyond of their graduate program. Students may take the class pre-comp or post-comp as an audit. Post-comp students will still be required to complete all graded assignments.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Understand the fundamental principles of team design and composition, and how to assemble effective teams
  • Analyze the impact of culture, structure, and external conditions on team performance
  • Apply strategies for exercising influence, navigating power dynamics, and fostering collaboration within teams
  • Develop skills in conflict management, facilitation, and having crucial conversations to address team challenges
  • Implement best practices for coordinating team processes, improving communication, and enhancing team cohesion and cooperation
  • Reflect on their own experiences and learn to become more self-aware and effective team
    leaders

Classes will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 on Fridays during the fall semester. Students will need permission from their advisors to take the class, and should reach out to Academic Program Coordinator Jean Pierce if they are interested in registering. The deadline for registration is June 1, 2025.

Questions may be directed to Pierce or to Donna Korzick, professor of Physiology and Kinesiology and the Huck's director of graduate training initiatives.