Last month, students in Columbia’s M.S. in Technology Management (TMGT) online cohort gathered on campus for a four-day residency that offered both in-person learning and an introduction to New York City’s vibrant tech community. The residency provided opportunities to network with fellow students, alumni, faculty, and industry leaders, and students started their first classes on campus, including Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) with Dr. Lauren Goodwin, during which they worked on an AI factory concept, and Cybersecurity with Corey Hirsch.
The first day kicked off with a welcome from Program Director Shahryar Shaghaghi, Director of Administration Liz Pickard, and other members of the TMGT team. Students entering the program in fall 2025 also attended an orientation that included icebreakers and an introduction to the Career Design Lab. In the afternoon, the new class was joined by returning students for an Executive Improv Workshop with Rick Andrews, focused on improving collaboration skills within teams and leadership in individuals. After this exercise in experiential learning, the evening ended with an alumni panel and reception.
On day two, guest speakers Charlie O’Donnell, partner at Brooklyn Bridge Ventures, and Sehreen Noor Ali, cofounder of Sleuth, explored entrepreneurial leadership from complementary perspectives—O’Donnell as an investor and Noor Ali as a founder. Later, the students visited The Microsoft Garage site in New York City, a space for innovation, collaboration, creativity, and experimentation. This special tour was led by Mike Pell, who designed and currently runs The Garage, a tech disruptor perhaps best known for inventing the PDF and Adobe Acrobat.
An AI agent-building workshop with Alexander De Ridder, cofounder of SmythOS, was the main event of the third day. Students learned how to integrate AI agents into business projects and gained insight into staying ahead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. That evening, the cohort experienced New York’s cultural side with a Broadway outing to see Maybe Happy Ending.
On the final day, TMGT faculty members Allan Chochinov and Nathan Shedroff led an interactive design workshop. The residency concluded with a closing reception, where participants mingled and reflected on their experiences.
Here are some highlights from the residency in photos:
TMGT program students and alumni met at an alumni panel and reception on the first day of the residency.
Students get a tour of The Microsoft Garage from Mike Pell.
Alexander De Ridder, a global speaker and cofounder of SmythOS, leads a presentation on building AI agents.
TMGT faculty members Allan Chochinov and Nathan Shedroff lead an interactive design panel.
TMGT students in the online cohort meet on Columbia's Morningside Heights campus.
About the Program
Columbia University’s Master of Science in Technology Management is a hands-on technology leadership development program designed to train professionals for equal fluency in tech fundamentals, business operations, and ethical leadership.
The program is available for part-time or full-time enrollment. Learn more about the program here.
