College of Education and Human Development

Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development

Nicole Dillard

  • Pronouns: she, her, hers

  • Assistant Professor

  • Office Hours

    By appointment via Zoom. Please reach out to me via email to schedule an appointment.

Areas of interest

  • Work and organizational experiences of individuals with marginalized identities
  • Black maternal epistemologies and knowledge production in workplace and organizational contexts
  • Intersectionality of race, gender, labor, and power in workplace dynamics
  • Ethics/politics of care in HRD
  • Critical HRD
Degrees

Ed.D., The George Washington University; human and organizational learning
M.A., Ashford University; organizational management/non-profit management
M.A., UNESCO Centre for Peace Studies, Universidad Jaume I; peace education
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara; sociology and law & society

Biography

Profile

My research examines the work and organizational experiences of individuals with marginalized identities, with a focus on mothering and the work-life experiences of women of color. Centering Black maternal epistemologies, I explore how mothering functions as a site of knowledge production, resistance, and advocacy within workplace and organizational contexts. I have presented my research at conferences such as the International Leadership Association (ILA), Work and Family Researchers Network (WFRN), University Forum for Human Resource Development (UFHRD), Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD), Academy of Management (AOM), and the Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP).

In addition to my academic roles, I have held multiple management positions and consults across both non-profit and private organizations including Amnesty International, USA, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, 2U, Inc., Kumon, and Corporate Counsel, Women of Color.

Courses Taught

OLPD 5919—Introduction to Applied Research for HRD Professionals
OLPD 5819—Evaluating and Using Research in Organizations and Education
OLPD 1303—Leadership in the Organizational Context
OLPD 3310—Advanced Perspectives on Identities, Intersectionality and Equity in the Workplace

Awards and Honors

  • Early Career Work & Family Fellowship, Work & Family Researchers Network (2022)
  • Best Paper Award, Academy of Management Annual Meeting (2021)
  • Outstanding Junior Faculty Award, College of Arts & Sciences, Northern Kentucky University (2021)
  • President’s Award (for extraordinary devotion and contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion work), Textbook & Academic Authors Association (2021)
  • Outstanding Faculty Award, Black Faculty & Staff Association, Northern Kentucky University (2021)
  • Social Justice Fellowship, Center for Contemplative Mind in Society (2019)

Professional Affiliations

  • Work Family Researchers Network (WFRN)
  • Academy of Human Resource Management (AOM)
  • Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) 
  • Textbook & Authors Association (TAA) Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 
Publications

Zhang, P., Dillard, N., & Cavallo, T. (2025). Navigating the Limitations of Algorithmic Management: An Integrative Framework of Sociotechnical Systems Theory (STS) and Strategic HRD. Human Resource Development Review, 15344843251320252.

Dillard, N., Sisco, S., & Collins, J. C. (2024). Expanding Experiential Learning in Contemporary Adult Education: Embracing Technology, Interdisciplinarity, and Cultural Responsiveness. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 2024(184), 30-38.

Dillard, N., Cavallo, T., & Zhang, P. (2024). A Return to Humanism: A Multi-Level Analysis Exploring the Positive Effects of Quiet Quitting. Human Resource Development Review, 15344843241305655.

Dillard, N., & Cavallo, T. (2023). Beyond the womb: a mosaic of organizational advocacy for reproductive justice. Community, Work & Family, 1–19.

Dillard, N. & Cavallo, T. (2023). The stories we tell: Narratives of mothering and work during the dual pandemics of 2020. Journal of the Motherhood Initiative, 14(1), 110-118.

Dillard, N. and Walker, C. (2022). Black Mothers at Work: A Contemplative and Anti-Oppressive Approach to Dismantling Workplace Oppression. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion

Dillard, N. and Storberg-Walker, J. (2022). Co-Conspirators: Engaging DEI within Leadership Education. Book Chapter, accepted within Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a Leadership Strategy. Springer International.

Dillard, N. and Osam, K. (2021). Deconstructing the Meaning of Engagement: An Intersectional Qualitative Study. Human Resource Development International, 24(5), 511-532.

Osam, K., Dillard, N. and *Palmer, D. (2021). Engagement Under Pressure: The Impact of Identity on Engagement During Times of Crisis. Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development, 11(1).

Dillard, N. (2020). Designing Research to Dismantle Oppression: Utilizing Critical Narrative Analysis & Critical Participatory Action Research for Mothering and Work Research and Beyond. International Journal of Women’s Studies, 21(7), 43-56.

Dillard, N., (2018). Narratives of Women at Work: Exploring a More Inclusive Understanding of Women of Color in the Workplace. Journal of Leadership Studies, 12(1), 49-55.

Presentations

Dillard, N., and Walker, C. (August 2021). Black Mothers at Work: A Contemplative & Anti-Oppressive Approach to Dismantling Workplace Oppression. In Sonia Taneja (Ed.), Proceedings of the Eighty-first Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management. Online ISSN: 2151-6561. * Awarded Best Conference Paper.

Dillard, N. and Osam, E., (February 2021). Moving Forward: A Roundtable Discussion on Engagement and Identity Best Practices in the Workplace. Academy of Human Resource Development conference, virtual. (training)

Dillard, N., Osam, E., Palmer, D. (November 2020). Deconstructing the Meaning of Engagement in Public Service: An intersectional Qualitative Study Using Race, Identity, and Ethnicity. Northeast Conference on Public Administration, virtual/Brooklyn, NY. (Panel).

Dillard, N., High, M. (September 2019). Exploring Employee Engagement for Women of Color Leaders in Public Administration. Midwest Public Administration conference, Indianapolis, IN. (Presentation)

Dillard, N., Osam, E., Robinson, R. (February 2019). Exploring Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion. Where does Race & Gender Fit In? Academy of Human Resource Development conference, Louisville, KY. (Panel)

Osam, E., Dillard, N., (February 2019). Going Beyond the Numbers: A Study Examining the Value of Qualitative Research Methodology as a Mode of Inquiry in Engagement Research. Academy of Human Resource Development conference, Louisville, KY. (Presentation)

Dillard, N. (February 2019). Mothers, Motherhood, and Mothering in Popular Culture. Southwest Popular/American Culture Association (SWPACA) annual conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Presentation)