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.
Recent articles
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 along with co-authors published their book Human Resource Development: Critical Perspectives and Practices on October 31.
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
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
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, 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.
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
612-624-3640
ugolpd@umn.edu
Graduate studies
612-626-9377
olpd@umn.edu
Main office
612-624-1006