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
Joan DeJaeghere named interim chair of OLPD Joan DeJaeghere named interim chair of OLPD
Professor Joan DeJaeghere has been named interim chair of the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).
AHIEC-led team including OLPD faculty receives grant to partner with tribal colleges to transform STEM education for Indigenous students AHIEC-led team including OLPD faculty receives grant to partner with tribal colleges to transform STEM education for Indigenous students
Professors Elizabeth Sumida-Huaman and Bhaskar Upadhyay are PI and Co-PI, respectively, for a team recently awarded a Spencer Foundation Vision grant to research ways to transform STEM graduate education for Indigenous students.
Collins receives AHRD best book award for second consecutive year Collins receives AHRD best book award for second consecutive year
Joshua Collins, Associate Professor of Human Resource Development, co-authored Human resource development: Critical perspectives and practices, which received the 2023 R. Wayne Pace Book of the Year Award from AHRD.
OLPD alum featured in Star Tribune OLPD alum featured in Star Tribune
Principal Fatima Lawson (Educational Administration MA and PhD) recently won an award for her work at Highwood Hills Elementary, which adopted a polytechnic approach at the urging of Somali, Karen and Hispanic families.
OLPD students, faculty co-present at MCDA OLPD students, faculty co-present at MCDA
Abby Wilfert and Vic Massaglia (PhD students in Higher Education, OLPD) recently presented with Professor Michael Stebleton at the Minnesota Career Development Association annual conference.
Jeff Walls wins early-career award Jeff Walls wins early-career award
Jeff Walls, a graduate of the Higher Education PhD program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, received the 2023 Emerging Scholar Award from AERA Division A.
Buford receives state and national graduate research awards Buford receives state and national graduate research awards
Melanie Buford, PhD alum (Higher Education) received graduate student research awards from the Minnesota Career Development Association and the National Career Development Association. Buford's dissertation was on racial equity in career services.
Price named 2024 Impactful Professional of the Year Price named 2024 Impactful Professional of the Year
Nathan Price, PhD Student in Higher Education at OLPD, was named 2024 Impactful Professional of the Year by Blacks in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
Galvão Receives 2024 Mestenhauser Student Award Galvão Receives 2024 Mestenhauser Student Award
Washington Galvão, PhD Student in Comparative and International Development Education at OLPD, received one of three 2024 Mestenhauser Student Awards for for Excellence in Campus Internationalization.
Adjei receives 2024 Alumni Award of Excellence Adjei receives 2024 Alumni Award of Excellence
Millicent Adjei, PhD, alum of the MA and PhD programs in Comparative and International Development Education, was named a recipient of the 2024 CEHD Alumni Award of Excellence.
Ardichvili named to AHRD Hall of Fame Ardichvili named to AHRD Hall of Fame
Alexandre Ardichvili, Professor and Hellervik Chair in Leadership and Adult Career Development, was inducted into the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) Hall of Fame at the AHRD 2024 Annual Conference held in February.
Fernie Rodriguez selected as associate vice chancellor for student affairs Fernie Rodriguez selected as associate vice chancellor for student affairs
Fernie Rodriguez, a graduate of the OLPD PhD program in Higher Education, was selected as the University of Wisconsin-Madison's associate vice chancellor for student affairs.
OLPD PhD candidate awarded the 2023-24 RLK Chair-United Way Internship OLPD PhD candidate awarded the 2023-24 RLK Chair-United Way Internship
Christina Cauble, PhD candidate in the OLPD's Human Resource Development (HRD) program has been awarded the 2023-2024 Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-Term Care and Aging Chair-United Way Internship.
Joshua Collins, co-authors, publish book on HRD scholarship Joshua Collins, co-authors, publish book on HRD scholarship
Joshua Collins along with co-authors published their book Human Resource Development: Critical Perspectives and Practices on October 31.
Forthcoming book from Darrius A. Stanley Forthcoming book from Darrius A. Stanley
Darrius A. Stanley's book #BlackEducatorsMatter: The Experiences of Black Teachers in an Anti-Black World, will be published in February and is available for pre-order now with the Harvard Education Press.
Kyla Wahlstrom receives U’s highest honor Kyla Wahlstrom receives U’s highest honor
On October 10, Kyla Wahlstrom, Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD), was recognized with the U’s highest honor, the Outstanding Achievement Award, at an event with family and friends.
OLPD PhD student receives 2023-24 DePodesta Fellowship OLPD PhD student receives 2023-24 DePodesta Fellowship
Enet Mukurazita, PhD student in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development’s (OLPD) Comparative and International Development Education (CIDE) program was awarded the full-year DePodesta Fellowship for 2023-24.
Matthew Schuelka gives keynote at international teacher education conference Matthew Schuelka gives keynote at international teacher education conference
Matthew Schuelka, lecturer in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD), recently gave an invited keynote address at the annual International Society for Teacher Education (ISfTE) conference in Paro, Bhutan.
A RIDGS Book Event, Indigenous Research Design: Transnational Perspectives in Practice A RIDGS Book Event, Indigenous Research Design: Transnational Perspectives in Practice
Indigenous Research Design is a thought-provoking volume that challenges conventional research paradigms and methodologies. Join us to celebrate this exciting publication and hear from contributors and co-editors!
Public Oral Defense: Bethany Schowengerdt Public Oral Defense: Bethany Schowengerdt
Bethany Schowengerdt, PhD Candidate in CIDE, will present "Embodying Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Experiences of Student Advocates for Curricular Change in a United States Medical School Committing to Antiracism."
MLTD Info Session MLTD Info Session
Join us via Zoom for an information session about the fully-online Master of Learning and Talent Development. Meet staff and faculty, and get answers to all of your questions!
Public Oral MA Thesis Defense: John A. Williams Public Oral MA Thesis Defense: John A. Williams
John A. Williams, student in the Higher Education MA program, will present "(Un)even Terrain: Queer and Trans Staff Experiences Building Affinity, Community, and Kinship at the University of Minnesota."
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
Comparative and international development education
Examine educational ideas, practices, and systems through a global lens and foster understanding of transcultural issues and trends in education.
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