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

Collom featured in National Publication Collom featured in National Publication

OLPD assistant professor, Dr. Gresham D. Collum, recently featured his work in "Promoting Higher Education for Native Americans in Minnesota" a national publication by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education.

LaVelle, Chikate receive AEA Presidential Award LaVelle, Chikate receive AEA Presidential Award

OLPD Assistant Professor John LaVelle and Evaluation Studies doctoral candidate Paida Chikate were honored with the American Evaluation Association’s Presidential Award at AEA 2024 in Portland, OR.

Aditi Rajendran receives a Vision Grant Aditi Rajendran receives a Vision Grant

Aditi Rajendran has earned a Vision Grant from the Spencer Foundation for their involvement with Breaking Carceral Logics: Using Community Asset Mapping to Inform Alternatives to Punitive School Discipline in the Twin Cities.

WDRLab Student Challenge 2025 Now OPEN! WDRLab Student Challenge 2025 Now OPEN!

Workforce Development and Research Lab is now accepting proposals for the WDRLab Student Challenge 2025. The challenge is open to all CEHD graduate students.

New OLPD faculty: Roberto C. Orozco New OLPD faculty: Roberto C. Orozco

Roberto C. Orozco is an assistant professor in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development. He holds an MS in higher education from Florida State University and a PhD in higher education from Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

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Department Events

MLTD Info Session: December 12 MLTD Info Session: December 12

Please join us via Zoom for an information session about the fully-online Master of Learning and Talent Development degree program. Meet staff and faculty, and get answers to all of your questions!

Public Oral Defense: Gregory R. Mellas Public Oral Defense: Gregory R. Mellas

Gregory R. Mellas, PhD Candidate in Higher Education, will present "Senior Outreach and Engagement Officers: Constructing Knowledge of an Emerging Role."

MLTD Info Session: January 24 MLTD Info Session: January 24

Please join us via Zoom for an information session about the fully-online Master of Learning and Talent Development degree program. Meet staff and faculty, and get answers to all of your questions!

MLTD Info Session: February 14 MLTD Info Session: February 14

Please join us via Zoom for an information session about the fully-online Master of Learning and Talent Development degree program. Meet staff and faculty, and get answers to all of your questions!

MLTD Info Session: March 7 MLTD Info Session: March 7

Please join us via Zoom for an information session about the fully-online Master of Learning and Talent Development degree program. Meet staff and faculty, and get answers to all of your questions!

MLTD Info Session: April 4 MLTD Info Session: April 4

Please join us via Zoom for an information session about the fully-online Master of Learning and Talent Development degree program. Meet staff and faculty, and get answers to all of your questions!

MLTD Info Session: May 2 MLTD Info Session: May 2

Please join us via Zoom for an information session about the fully-online Master of Learning and Talent Development degree program. Meet staff and faculty, and get answers to all of your questions!

MLTD Info Session: May 16 MLTD Info Session: May 16

Please join us via Zoom for an information session about the fully-online Master of Learning and Talent Development degree program. Meet staff and faculty, and get answers to all of your questions!

MLTD Info Session: June 4th MLTD Info Session: June 4th

Please join us via Zoom for an information session about the fully-online Master of Learning and Talent Development degree program. Meet staff and faculty, and get answers to all of your questions!

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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