June 2021:
Networking and Connections Key to Success for Spring 2021 Graduate
Building relationships played a critical part of Mark Gallagher’s academic success at Cleveland State University. Mark graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree majoring in Management and a minor in Health Care Management at the age of 20.
Starting his college career at Youngstown State University (YSU) while he was a high school junior, Mark connected with his professors and shared his desire to have a comprehensive understanding of business practices, as well as health care management. They pointed him to CSU and the health care programs.
Upon learning of CSU’s first-rate business health care programs, his Cleveland friends introduced him to CSU, its urban setting and its proximity to topnotch health care facilities. “It just felt right. I loved the unique setting of the campus and living around Playhouse Square,” Mark said.
Another deciding factor for Mark to become a Viking was receiving the Glasscock Scholarship, which is a full tuition scholarship after any related financial aid or other scholarships are applied that also includes room/board and a book voucher.
“The Glasscock family is remarkable,” Mark said. “The tremendous support they have given me is amazing. I can’t put into words just how wonderful they’ve been. I’m so fortunate to be a Glasscock Scholar,” he added.
In addition to CSU’s location, “the faculty and staff were just incredible," Mark said. “Everyone focused on helping you do better and offered discussion-based lessons rather than just a PowerPoint where you took notes,” he added.
Because of his young age, Mark found he needed an advocate to get internships. Again, his relationships paid off. With the assistance of a friend of his primary doctor, Mark landed his first internship in 2017 with Mercy Health where he shadowed senior leadership and learned how the large health system operated.
His second internship with Meridian Healthcare came about in a similar way. Mark, who started as an intern in July 2018, gained valuable hands-on experience, which combined with his coursework, positioned him to move into full-time employment. In his current position as their Special Projects Coordinator and Operations Coordinator, he is involved with restructuring the large addiction treatment center.
Having been physically on CSU’s campus only one semester prior to COVID, Mark’s best experiences centered around his professors. He connected with them before or after class and they shared real-life tips about how to meet people, where to go and what to do in different circumstances.
"Mark was an outstanding student and went above and beyond to connect with his faculty and peers, even during remote learning,” said Dr. Jessica Peck, Visiting College Lecturer in the Department of Management. “I had the pleasure of witnessing Mark's work ethic and relationship building across multiple courses whether it was working with him to develop an Honors Project that involved interviewing healthcare executives in Human Resource Management or strategizing with his teammates to win the business simulation game in Management Strategy and Policy," she added.
This fall Mark will start his MBA at Pace University, which is located in the financial district of New York City. He plans to continue to connect with faculty and staff, as well as his peers. In fact, Mark welcomes all CSU alumni in the NYC area and beyond to connect with him on LinkedIn, and maybe even share favorite restaurants and activities in the Big Apple. After all, “staying connected is a priority,” Mark said.
April 2021 Rotary Scholar:
Mark K. Gallagher is the Rotary Club of Cleveland's Excellence in Management. Mark was born in Salem, Ohio, just south of Youngstown. He attended Crestview Local Schools and during his sophomore year of high school, he took courses at the Kent State University branch in Salem under the College Credit Plus program.
In 2017, he enrolled at Youngstown State University, attending full-time during his junior and senior year of high school. He then transferred 63 credit hours when he started his Management major here at Cleveland State University in the Fall of 2019.
In addition to his major, Mark will have earned a minor in Health Care Management. He is a member of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Honors College, Chair of Mandel Vikes (the student organization for Honors students) and is also a Glasscock Scholar.
Mark completed an internship at Mercy Health's St. Elizabeth Hospital in 2017 and began an internship at Meridian Healthcare in Youngstown. In 2018, he was hired as a full-time employee. His current title is Special Projects Coordinator. Mark has also worked at Culinary Occasions, Masthead Brewing and is still employed part-time at Ace Hardware of Columbiana.
Upon graduation in May of 2021 with a 4.0 GPA, Mark will move to New York City to pursue his MBA degree at Pace University in the Financial District. He is currently interviewing with health care organizations in the city to find a job, hopefully in their operations department. Long-term, Mark would like to continue working in the health care field.
Outside of work and school, Mark loves to golf and travel, having been to numerous cities across the U.S.
The Rotary Club of Cleveland congratulated Mark on his excellence in Management on April 22nd 2021.