Allison Hoch

Lehigh University’s Flex Online MBA Program

“Passionate about continuous learning and driving meaningful outcomes in the healthcare industry.”

Age: 32

Hometown: Allentown, PA

Fun fact about yourself: I love classic literature and the opera.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

B.S. Biomedical Engineering from Bucknell University

Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering from University of California, Davis

Where are you currently working? Associate Medical Director, Ultragenyx

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? While completing my Ph.D., I lived in Basel, Switzerland for a little under a year. This period in my life is memorable as it exposed me to the challenges in overcoming a language barrier and in learning how to acclimate to a different country and culture. I believe this experience has made me more adaptable and understanding of changes in the world.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? Growing up in the Allentown area, I was very aware of Lehigh’s excellent academic reputation.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part about being in an online MBA program has been developing friendships and networks through group projects despite living across the country.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? I was impressed at how involved I was able to be, particularly participating and engaging in discussions during class with colleagues.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? The online experience forces you to utilize productivity technology to engage with your group members. For example, during my MBA program, I have used text, Zoom, Facetime, Google apps (Gmail, Drive, Calendar), and Microsoft Teams.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? The best piece of advice I can give to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program is to truly take the time to focus during class and avoid any possible distractions, such as you would if you were in an actual classroom in-person.

What would you change about an online MBA Program? Three of my classes utilized an online simulation in order to drive understanding through implementation. I would strongly recommend online programs to continue to utilize simulation experiences to help drive home business concepts.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? My online education has broadened my business acumen, which is especially important because I had never taken a business course during my biomedical engineering education. In order to be an effective and thoughtful leader in biotechnology, a knowledge of both science and business is crucial.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate goal is to deliver effective and safe therapies for patients with unmet clinical needs. On a larger scale, I aspire to use my platform to establish the biotech/pharmaceutical industry as a vital and respected industry.

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