Masters of Healthcare Administration Program Team
Leadership.
Melissa Sheldon, MBA
Graduate Program Director
Ms. Melissa Sheldon joined Ca Northstate University in November 2019 as a Graduate Program Director to explore and develop a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration that was in alignment with the University’s mission of advancing the science and art of healthcare. Under her leadership, the Master of Healthcare Administration was developed with input from business and healthcare executives as well as faculty from both areas. The program recently underwent WSCUC program review and received approval to launch in 2020 in the College of Graduate Studies.
Prior to joining CNU, Ms. Sheldon was the Executive Director for Executive and Professional Programs in the College of Business Administration at California State University, Sacramento. From 2009 to 2019, she served in several positions with increasing responsibility, where alongside business faculty, she grew the signature MBA for Executives program as well as other self-support programs under the graduate program’s umbrella.
In her role overseeing the EMBA program, which graduated numerous executives and senior managers for the Sacramento region and was selected by IvyExec as one of the top global EMBA programs in 2019, she also fostered the EMBA alumni network the OEMBA (Organization for Executive MBAs). Through this network, where she is a life-long member, a variety of social and charitable community causes are promoted and facilitated in addition to an executive speakers series where lifelong learning takes place. During her tenure in the CBA, she participated in the Dean’s Executive Council as well as several University-wide committees such as the University President’s brand enhancement taskforce.
Prior to her career in academia, she also worked in the private sector at several California high-tech companies. One dedicated to SaaS applications for the health insurance and benefits industry, and another, a leading developer and manufacturer of wide-format printing technologies.
Ms. Sheldon received her BS in Business Administration (Marketing) from CSU, San Marcos, and an MBA from Sacramento State’s MBA for Executives program with honors distinction and membership in Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She is also certified in Web, Print, and Digital Design from CSU San Marcos and she is certified in Data Driven Marketing and Women in Leadership from Cornell. She frequently participates in industry related conferences and their respective certifications to stay abreast of trends in Higher Ed: EMBAC, NAGAP, GMAC, Liasion, AUPHA and ACHE. Most recently she received the GEM Global Conference Management Track Certification.
Yang Sun, Ph.D.
Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Assessment
Dr. Yang Sun joined CNU’s College of Graduate Studies in 2020 as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and a Professor for the MHA program. Prior to joining CNU, he was a Professor of Decision Sciences and Supply Chain Management in the College of Business at California State University, Sacramento. From 2015 to 2020, he served as the Director for Sacramento State’s signature EMBA program, which graduated numerous executives and senior managers for the Sacramento region and was selected by IvyExec as one of the top global EMBA programs in 2019. At Sacramento State, he was a three-time recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award in three categories: Outstanding Teaching, Outstanding Scholarly Activity, and Outstanding Community Service.
Dr. Sun also serves as the DSO for CNU's international students.
(cont. on the faculty page)
An outstanding faculty is the backbone of a world-class program. Our faculty are field experts, brilliant scholars and exemplary teachers who bring real-world experience into the classroom. They advance systems thinking across many fields with high-caliber research on topics ranging from operating room scheduling to organizational turnaround strategy. They lead efforts to optimize healthcare delivery and reform community leadership. They partner with organizations in the region and beyond to create and implement innovative ideas. They are extremely approachable, welcoming students and encouraging thoughtful dialogues. They collaborate across disciplines to inspire a holistic approach to learning. They teach, network, give advice, and build lifelong relationships with students.
Advising.
Please contact our Program Admissions and Academic Advisor at: admissions.mha@cnsu.edu