IGNITE Leadership Academy LeadingAge New York 2014-15 2014-15 | Page 19

Tracy Margott
Administrator
LutheranCare

Career Path — Nursing Home
Administrators
1

How would you describe your Action Learning Project and the difference you hope it will make to
advance your organization’s mission (or the field) and benefit the individuals you serve?

My Action Learning Project hopes to benefit the field more so than it does my organization at this time. We have all recognized a
decline in the amount of licensed nursing home administrators available in our area. A few years, after I graduated from SUNY IT Utica,
the college dropped the program citing lack of interest and a subsequent high fail rate of people taking the test. Midway through 2014
another local, but private, more expensive school picked up the program and is still struggling with enrollment. My project is to align
myself with the college to help them recruit and cultivate new leaders. To help this, I will offer my time and facility to any students who
think they may have an interest, but just aren’t sure what the job entails.

2

How have the relationships you’ve developed as part of your project (with mentors, partners,
stakeholders, etc.) influenced this direction and you as a leader?

I am in the early stages of the project, but even at this point, I have recently begun talks with the Dean of the Health Management
Program at Utica College who is very interested in a partnership. He has also recently been appointed to the National Association of
Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) and we are discussing what assistance I may be able to be of in that area, as well. I think
that this project will put me in the company of those who are responsible for credentialing our future leaders, but also put me in the
position to meet, and subsequently mentor, many of them.

3

What have been important turning points for you, in your own learning, as you’ve engaged with the
action learning process (you might consider a surprise, insight, setback, or challenge)?

In my own learning I have realized how important it is at every stage of your career to have a mentor or someone to collaborate with.
No matter how long we have been doing this, I think it is an important support system to build. My mentors have changed at different
phases of my career, but I still feel it important to have them. For me, being a mentor to someone else is a gratifying and fulfilling
experience and a way to give back.

4

How do you hope your project might unfold in the months and years ahead and what impact do you
hope it will have on the field at large?

I hope this project continues to grow and be in place for the remainder of my career. I have already received an offer from the college
to join their team as an adjunct professor this fall, and am considering it, as this will build a strong bridge between the program and my
organization from which I can continue to mentor the students and follow them throughout the different phases of their education.

5

How has the action learning process in the context of the Leadership Academy experience
contributed to your growth as a leader?

This process has contributed to my growth as a leader by taking me outside the realm of my day-to-day job duties. I have spent much
time collaborating with the dean of the program and also exchanging Ideas. I think the offer to teach at the college will be an experience
of great growth and opportunity for me.

IGNITE Leadership Academy Action Learning Project 2014-15

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