College of Education and Human Development

Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development

World-wide influence. Collaborative impact.

Our world is full of systems and policies that affect how individuals learn, grow and relate to one another. Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) studies how those systems and policies are shaped by culture and power. We prepare leaders and researchers to transform our education and organizations for the better.

We teach our students how to design, test, implement, and revise our institutional strategies in both the public and private sectors, from the international to the local level. Our students gain practical experiences in creating approaches to increase social and economic development, foster human flourishing, disrupt power structures, and promote a more just society.

Department News

Three OLPD Students Receive Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships Three OLPD Students Receive Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships

OLPD PhD students Erma Fetić Mujić, Brittany Stahlman, and Kae Takaoka were awarded the prestigious Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship for 2025-26 by the University of Minnesota Graduate School.

Stewart Serves as UC Berkeley Guest Instructor, Keynote Stewart Serves as UC Berkeley Guest Instructor, Keynote

Dr. Nate Stewart was invited to serve as a guest instructor at the UC Berkeley School of Education this July, where he engaged aspiring and current P–20 educational leaders across the Bay Area.

Nate Stewart facilitates a data equity simulation in a classroom of educators.

Student, Alum, Professor Present at MCDA Student, Alum, Professor Present at MCDA

Vic Massaglia, PhD student, Abby Wilfert, PhD alumna, and Michael Stebleton, Professor -- all with the OLPD higher education program -- presented "Career Play: Fostering Career Exploration through Play-Based Learning" at the MCDA Annual Conference.

Vic Massaglia, Abby Wilfert, and Michael Stebleton present at MCDA 2025

Joan DeJaeghere named UNESCO Chair Joan DeJaeghere named UNESCO Chair

Professor Joan DeJaeghere has been awarded a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Research Chair titled Education, Gender Equity, and Wellbeing.

OLPD higher education colleagues present at NCDA Global Conference OLPD higher education colleagues present at NCDA Global Conference

Higher Education PhD student Vic Massaglia, 2025 HE PhD graduate Abby Razink (Wilfert), and Professor Michael Stebleton recently presented at the National Career Development Association (NCDA) Global Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

New professional practice textbook features OLPD collaboration New professional practice textbook features OLPD collaboration

Rachel Scholten, a student in the comparative and international development education (CIDE) program, recently served as co-editor for a book on professional practice, NAFSA’s Guide to International Student Recruitment, Fourth Edition.

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86% of employers


identify “ability to work in a team” as a top attribute they seek in new hires.

Source: Job Outlook 2020, National Association of Colleges and Employers

Undergraduate programs

Business and marketing education

Learn a broad set of skills to prepare for a variety of careers, from positions in Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurial startups, and international organizations to nonprofit management.

Human resource development

Gain the skills you need to offer workplace training and contribute to organizational development in a variety of public and private organizations.

Graduate program tracks

Education policy and leadership

Work to continuously improve educational quality and effectiveness so that young people graduate from secondary education well-prepared to continue their learning and contribute to their communities.

Evaluation studies

earn what works. Study evaluation theory and practice and inform the decision-making process in a variety of fields.

Higher education

Investigate the experiences, practices and decisions of those involved in post-secondary educations as well as the socio-political contexts in which higher education exists.

Human resource development

Study the ways in which people find meaning and thrive in their workplaces, and cultivate the conditions that empower people to be the best versions of themselves at work.

Contact information

For general questions about our department, contact:

Undergraduate studies
612-625-9087
ugolpd@umn.edu

Graduate studies
612-626-9377
olpd@umn.edu

Main office
612-624-1006