Introduction

The MHA Call for Cases project is a pilot initiative to foster ongoing alumni contributions to the MHA case study library. This effort is a key component of the 2004-2006 strategic plan for the MHA Alumni Association/Foundation.

The project is being spearheaded by an alumni-faculty committee. The committee has developed a straightforward process to support the collection of case studies for use in the MHA problem solving course, other MHA courses or across the MHA curriculum. This ongoing process encourages alumni to propose ideas for case studies based on their real-world experiences throughout the year.

The process involves seven major steps:

Step 1: Write a Case Proposal
The first step in the process is for alumni with case study ideas to write and submit a case study proposal form. Proposals for case studies can be made at any time throughout the year. While the committee is specifically looking for case studies in several “Hot Topic” areas, case proposals on other topics are always encouraged. A recent survey of MHA alumni identified a broad list of case study topic areas for potential development.

Step 2: Review of Proposal by Case Committee
An alumni-faculty Case Committee will review all case study proposals during its regularly scheduled meetings every other month throughout the academic year. For each case proposal, the committee will determine whether it is appropriate for the intellectual and experience level of the typical MHA student, which course the learning objectives might be suited to support and how best to shape the development of the written case study.

Step 3: Notification of Decision
The Case Committee will contact all alumni regarding its recommendations within two weeks of the nearest scheduled committee meeting following the case proposal submission date.

Step 4: Development of Case and Faculty Notes
Several tools and resources have been put into place to assist alumni authors in the writing of their case studies. A Case Study Writing Guide provides general guidance on the format and structure of a case study. An MHA student research assistant is available for administrative support (e.g., typing, formatting, research). A Case Committee member is matched with each author to provide editorial assistance. Finally, near the completion of the case study write-up, each author is paired up with an MHA faculty member to jointly develop faculty notes to accompany the case study.

Step 5: Final Review by Case Committee
During its regularly scheduled meetings, the Case Committee will conduct final reviews of the written case studies and faculty notes.

Step 6: Recognition of Author
Recognition of the alumni authors is an important part of the case development process. Each author’s name will appear on the final case study document, each author’s name and case study topic will appear in the Alumni Author Recognition section of the website, all case studies will be posted in the Current MHA Case Studies section of the website, and all authors will receive special mention in regular MHA Alumni Association/Foundation mailings and meetings.

Step 7: Integration of Case into Curriculum
The Case Committee, alumni authors and MHA faculty will together determine the best use of each case study prior to the initiation of writing. Upon completion of the case study and faculty notes, the case study will be integrated into the MHA curriculum for ongoing use by students and faculty.

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Questions?  Contact mhaalum@umn.edu