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Health Services Policy and Management (HSPM) is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the promotion of personal and public health through planning, organizing, directing, controlling, coordinating and evaluating health services.
June 1, 2026 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu
The opportunity to gain real-world experience was what ultimately drew Taryn Senger to USC’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) program. The South Dakotan didn’t know a single person when she arrived in Columbia, but she quickly became close with the other members of her cohort.
“The close friendships we built with each other made the transition into grad school and move to a new city so much easier,” Senger says. “Living in Columbia and going through the program with such a supportive group of peers has been a huge part of my experience, and it would not have been the same without their friendships and constant support.”
Senger’s journey began at South Dakota State University, where she studied public health with a minor in management. She knew early on that her passion for health care would be best deployed through behind-the-scenes health care systems operations and set her sights on pursuing an MHA after graduation so she could enhance her strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
The Arnold School’s Department of Health Services Policy and Management (HSPM) stood out from other programs by offering two-year graduate assistantships at local health care facilities. “I knew the hands-on experience along with the course work would give me an opportunity to grow both academically and professionally while preparing me for a career in health care administration,” Senger says.
Her two years as a graduate assistant in the Planning Department at Lexington Medical Center helped Senger connect what she learned in the classroom to actual systems-level work. She was also grateful to have wonderful preceptors in Shelley Pifer and Savannah Tapler to guide her along the way.
“They have both been incredible mentors throughout my time there and created an experience that has been just as important to my growth as the academic work in the program,” Senger says. “They have taught me a lot about thinking strategically and navigating real-world challenges in a health care setting, while also playing a significant role in shaping my identify as an emerging health care leader.”
Back on campus, she found role models in HSPM faculty Nabil Natafgi and Bankole Olatosi – who helped shape her personal and professional growth while building her confidence in her abilities as well as what she is capable of achieving. Senger also took on a leadership position with USC’s Healthcare Leadership Association. Holding two chair roles, community service and social, she led the planning for the organization’s annual gala and coordinated service and social/networking events.
After graduating in May, Senger is currently serving as the 2026 Administrative Fellow at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. With interests in strategy and operations, especially long-term strategic planning that supports the growth of health care systems, she plans to pursue a career in operations at a children’s hospital.
“If you’re thinking about applying to the USC MHA program, I would start by emphasizing the importance of attending a program that has supportive faculty who are genuinely invested in your success because they really will open doors and shape your path in meaningful ways,” Senger advises prospective students. “Really lean into the cohort experience and the people around you. Your classmates quickly become your built-in support system, study group, and sanity check all in one, so investing in those relationships makes a huge difference in your experience. I’d also encourage saying yes to opportunities early on, even if you don’t feel 100% ready, because that is often when the most growth happens.”
