Laurel Cipriani '24

Vice President, Clinical Applications, Premise Health

Biography

Why did you choose this Master's program?
Several factors made the Brown MTL program the best program for me. I wanted a legitimate master’s program rather than a certificate, but a traditional MBA didn’t interest me. I was coming into the program with extensive experience in business leadership and wanted something more well-rounded. It was also important for me that the program have a blend of on-campus and virtual experiences. The coursework at Brown was a major draw as well: I appreciated that courses ranged from psychology to technology to finance and much more. Finally the faculty at Brown were a major part of my decision. Getting to learn from and work with renowned experts such as Barbara Tannenbaum was an opportunity I couldn’t resist.

What made Brown's program different from other programs you considered?
It was difficult to find a true master’s program that wasn’t full-time, that offered a combination of remote and in-person experience, and that wasn’t an MBA. Brown was unique in each of those ways. Additionally, for me the amount of time on-campus was just right. My work life is too hectic to accommodate traveling to campus every week or every other week, as many programs require. But being able to spend a full week on campus every few months was perfect. I always walked away from those weeks feeling fulfilled and exhausted in the best way: Brown really made the most of every moment we spent on campus.

What did you enjoy most about your program?
I’ve never been with a group of people I enjoyed as much as my MTL cohort. We quickly became a bonded group, and most of us will be friends for life. Even a year after our graduation, our text group stays very active with personal updates, and we look for opportunities to get together. I also enjoyed the diverse area of topics we covered in our courses, and variety of professors from whom we were able to learn and interact. Finally, I cherished our time in Spain at the three IE University campuses. I learned a great deal, and my time there inspired some of my current work-related pursuits.

What was your primary academic area of interest?
I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in nursing with a focus in health systems management. Currently, however, my primary areas of interest lie at the intersection of technology and psychology, particularly exploring the various effects that advancements in technology, such as generative AI, may have on emotional and mental health.

What were your postgraduate goals?
I continue to seek out ways to broaden my opportunities for connection and to make a difference. Brown was the perfect springboard in terms of helping generate ideas and connecting me with like-minded friends and colleagues who will help me continue to grow.

What did you like most about Providence?
I had never been to Providence prior to this experience, and I genuinely loved it. It’s very walkable, so you get great exercise while walking across town, or along the river, or back and forth to the campus bookstore. The restaurant scene was unexpectedly incredible. The Brown campus itself is beautiful and rich with history. Finally, the proximity to bigger cities like Boston and NYC made it an even more exciting place to be.

What advice would you give to prospective applicants?
Be prepared to make some sacrifices during your time in the program. If your experience is like mine, you’ll have less time with your family and friends, you’ll be less able to socialize throughout the week (weeknights were often spent studying and/or attending virtual classes), even weekends were often spent working on essays, reading articles, or working on my critical challenge project. But any sacrifice made was temporary and was more than worth it. Now that I’m back to “real life”, there are times I actually miss the intensity of being in the program.