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Master of Professional Studies inOrganization Development and Change

Program summary

Develop your knowledge of organization development, appreciative inquiry, collaborative engagement, and change management. Gain practical skills to effectively manage and lead change in corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits.

Gain Practical Experience

Conduct a supervised, professional, and off-campus capstone project.

Application deadline

Apply by April 15 to start May 13

Credits and costs

30 Credits$1,017 per credit

Nationally Recognized

US News and World Report graduate education
Our graduate education programs are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Transform Organizations One Person at a Time with a New Set of Skills

  • Help organizations develop and improve their practices, systems, and strategies in complex and rapidly changing environments.

  • Lead strategic small-group and large-group change initiatives.

  • Develop individuals, teams, and organizations capable of innovative and meaningful change.

  • Create, implement, evaluate, and market organization development programs and initiatives.

  • Use technology as a tool for change management.

  •  Build a portfolio of work showcasing samples to share with prospective employers.

Your OD&C Online Courses

The organization development and change online master’s degree program can help you prepare to implement quality and continuous improvement initiatives in an organization. Course work is designed with an international focus, ensuring that students are exposed to global issues and the way change is occurring both within the U.S. and around the world.

The curriculum includes five required courses (15 credits), four elective courses (12 credits), and one required field-based project course (3 credits).

The Master of Professional Studies in Organization Development and Change (MPS–OD&C) will be conferred upon students who earn a minimum of 30 credits while maintaining a grade-point average of 3.0 or better in all course work and complete a quality culminating field-based project in consultation with a graduate adviser.

Required Courses (15 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Development of major concepts, skills, and techniques required by workplace learning professionals to support and facilitate organization change.

  • 3
    credits

    This course provides a foundation in process consultation. Process refers to how groups interact and how people get along.

  • 3
    credits

    This course familiarizes students with approaches to assessing and feeding back data in organization development (OD) and consulting services.

  • 3
    credits

    This course provides students with an understanding of group dynamics by assimilating contemporary concepts related to team development and group processes.

  • 3
    credits

    This course provides a foundation in the theories, principles, and techniques of Appreciative Inquiry (AI).

Concentration Areas and General Electives (select 12 credits)

Select 12 credits of additional courses from concentration areas that align with your career interests or from the list of general electives. The purpose is to develop skills tailored to your professional goals.

Four concentrations are currently available. The following lists of concentration areas and electives may expand or change over time in response to market demand.

Analytics

  • 3
    credits

    Explains the use of labor supply models to evaluate investments in workforce education and development.

  • 3
    credits

    Describes skills required to identify training and development needs, distinguish management issues versus training problems, develop and evaluate training solutions.

  • 3
    credits

    Describes approaches to evaluating organization development and consulting services.

Consulting

  • 3
    credits

    Describes approaches to evaluating organization development and consulting services.

  • 3
    credits

    Reviews standard approaches and then examines the processes associated with planning, developing, and implementing training and development programs in the whole organization.

  • 3
    credits

    This course familiarizes students with the unique issues in marketing organization development (OD) and OD consulting services.

Operational Excellence

  • 3
    credits

    Covers the essential concepts and skills needed to make effective contributions on projects, on time and within budget. This course has been reviewed and approved by the ​PMI® Authorized Training Partner Program.

  • 3
    credits

    The course focuses on essential lean- and six-sigma concepts to improve processes in any industry.

  • 3
    credits

    Describes skills required to identify training and development needs, distinguish management issues versus training problems, develop and evaluate training solutions.

Technology-Leveraged Organization Development

  • 3
    credits

    Reviews contemporary workplace technologies, tools, and platforms and how to make informed decisions for using them. Provides opportunities to share experiences.

  • 3
    credits

    Covers the essential concepts and skills needed to make effective contributions on projects, on time and within budget. This course has been reviewed and approved by the ​PMI® Authorized Training Partner Program.

  • 3
    credits

    Equips OD/HRD professionals with the technological acumen necessary for consulting and working efficiently.

General Electives

  • 3
    credits

    Discusses leadership competencies for workforce professionals who do not currently have supervisory responsibilities.

  • 3
    credits

    Describes how to develop and maintain workplaces and educational environments free of occupational health hazards.

  • 3
    credits

    Examines advanced learning laboratory organization and management processes to facilitate learning and skill development in a safe environment.

  • 3
    credits

    Reviews standard approaches and then examines the processes associated with planning, developing, and implementing training and development programs in the whole organization.

Culminating Experience (3 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Provides students with the opportunity to conduct a supervised, professional, and off-campus capstone project.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

Advance Your Organization Development Career

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The knowledge you acquire in this degree program can qualify you to work within corporate and talent development, process management, performance improvement, and consulting. You'll also have the support of Penn State Career Services.


Job Titles Related to This Degree

The following roles are often held by people with this type of degree:

  • Management Development Specialist
  • Staff Development Director
  • Talent Development Manager
  • Training and Development Director
  • Workforce Development Program Director

Employment Outlook for Occupational Fields Related to This Degree

Estimates of employment growth and total employment are provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are subject to change. While these occupations are often pursued by graduates with this degree, individual outcomes may vary depending on a variety of factors. Penn State World Campus cannot guarantee employment in a given occupation.

Training and Development Managers

6.5%
employment growth (10 years)
39,550
total employment

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

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From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State master's degree?

Apply by April 15 to start May 13. How to Apply 

Costs and Financial Aid

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Costs and Financial Aid

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2023–24 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2023, spring 2024, and summer 2024 semesters.

How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,017 per credit
12 or more$12,203 per semester

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.

How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,027 per credit
12 or more$12,325 per semester

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way

A figure walking on a path that includes a certificate part of the way through their progress

Show mastery of specific subjects before your degree is complete. Thanks to shared courses across programs, students can often earn a certificate along with their degree in less time than if they earned them separately.

Certificate Programs Related to This Degree

Credit toward the following certificates can be earned while completing this degree program:

Build your expertise in project management, team facilitation, and Lean Sigma processes while reinforcing basic organization development concepts. This certificate program may provide a pathway toward the MPS in OD&C.

Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Organization Development and Change Operational Excellence

Learn to lead change initiatives and evaluate group dynamics to facilitate positive organizational change. This program can help you build a strong foundation in organization development and change, and the credits earned in the certificate may be applied toward the MPS in OD&C.

Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Organization Development and Change Essentials

Gain the specific skills and knowledge you need to lead organizations through small- and large-scale change initiatives. This certificate focuses on marketing and organization consulting services and can serve as a stand-alone credential or a path toward the master’s degree.

Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Organization Development and Change Consulting Skills

Concentrations That Align with Your Goals

Promote your career choices and increase your overall marketability by selecting concentration areas or electives that meet your goals. Select course work from one or more of the concentration areas or from the list of general electives:

Prepare yourself as a strategic consultant and practitioner of organizational change, talent development, workforce development, performance improvement, and training.

Prepare yourself to work as a practitioner and facilitator for organizational change, process improvement, business analytics, and project management initiatives.

Learn about critical thinking, analytical tools, and approaches as they apply to organization development and change initiatives.

Learn to select and apply technologies that can help organizations effectively manage change as well as assist your work as an OD professional.

Organization Development and Change at Penn State

The Penn State Master of Professional Studies in Organization Development and Change online program can offer you a new beginning and new opportunities.

Earn HRCI®, SHRM, or PMI® Recertification Credits

The Penn State Master of Professional Studies in Organization Development and Change online program is an Approved Provider of the HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management.

Penn State is also a Project Management Institute (PMI) Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.), and each course in the Master of Professional Studies in Organization Development and Change program is approved toward your application or recertification.

Set Your Own Pace

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Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser. 

To Finish Your Degree in One to Two Years

  • Take 3–4 courses each semester

To Finish Your Degree in Two to Three Years

  • Take 2–3 courses each semester 

To Finish Your Degree in Three to Four Years

  • Take 1 course each semester

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

How to Apply to Penn State

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Apply by April 15 to start May 13

Application Instructions

Deadlines and Important Dates

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

  • Summer Deadline

    Apply by April 15 to start May 13
  • Fall Deadline

    Apply by July 15 to start August 26
  • Spring Deadline

    Apply by November 15 to start January 13

Steps to Apply

  1. For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

    Admission to the program requires a minimum of one (1) year of post-undergraduate, full-time work experience, which does not include undergraduate internships. Applicants who do not meet this requirement are encouraged to apply to one of the OD&C graduate certificate programs first. The Penn State Graduate School will allow up to 15 nondegree or certificate credits (successfully completed courses with a B or better and taken within the last 5 years) to be transferred to count toward a degree program at a later date.

    GPA — Program faculty will consider applications from those who maintained an undergraduate junior/senior GPA of 2.50 or higher.

  2. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

    Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. — Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State, but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.

    Test Scores — GRE or GMAT scores are NOT required for admission.

    English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website& for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

    Reference (1) — You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering the name, email address, and mailing address of one (1) professional reference. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to your reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment to success in an online program. Please inform your reference they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.  

    Program-Specific Questions/Materials

    Résumé — Upload your résumé to the online application.

    Statement of Purpose — Submit a personal statement of your career and educational goals. This statement should be an essay (2–3 pages in length) that demonstrates the applicant's written communication skills.

  3. To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

    Create a New Penn State Account

    If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

    Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

  4. You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

    • Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
    • Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

    Checking Your Status 
    You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

    Technical Requirements  
    Review the technical requirements for this degree program. 

  5. 5. Complete the application.

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

Contact Us

Customer service representative wearing a headset

Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

To learn more about the Master of Professional Studies in Organization Development and Change, please contact:

World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
[email protected]

Whitney DeShong
OD&C Program Office
The Pennsylvania State University
303 Keller Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-9768
[email protected]

Learn from the Best

Delivered online through Penn State World Campus, this program provides close and consistent interaction with nationally recognized and caring faculty from the Department of Learning and Performance Systems within the Penn State College of Education. To further support your growth, the program also introduces you to a network of experienced professionals. In addition, faculty will regularly draw from relevant work-related situations to ensure that the knowledge you are gaining is grounded in the reality of how organizations develop and change.

Faculty

  • Catherine Baumgardner

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      MHA, Finance, Planning, Marketing, Ohio State University
    • Degree
      B.S., Business Administration, HR and Production Management, Ohio State University

    Dr. Catherine Baumgardner is a faculty member in Penn State’s School of Public Policy as well as the Workforce Education and Development program. She is also president of Catherine Baumgardner & Associates, Inc., a consulting practice specializing in leadership and organization development. An experienced health care executive, she has more than 30 years of operational and consulting experience. Dr. Baumgardner has worked with inpatient and outpatient hospital environments as well as physician practice management and long-term care. Her research interests include organization development, leadership development, and workforce engagement.

  • Eric J. Bergstrom

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.Ed., Training and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.S., Human Resources Management, Penn State

    Dr. Eric J. Bergstrom has taught undergraduate credit and noncredit business management courses as well as graduate training and development and organizational development courses. He has facilitated leadership development programs for organizations across a variety of industries focused on strategic planning processes, continuous improvement processes, human resource development, and organization development. His practical and research interests include individual career development, leadership competency modeling and development, human resource development, and organizational process improvement.

  • I-Ming Chen

    • Degree
      M.Sc., Business Management, University of Southampton
    • Degree
      M.Ed., Industrial Technology Education, National Taiwan Normal University
    • Degree
      B.A., English Language and Literature, Fu Jen Catholic University

    I-Ming Chen — certified college lecturer/instructor issued by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan and currently a Ph.D. student in the technology application and HRD department at National Taiwan Normal University — has served at multiple universities as a lecturer for a decade. He has worked as an organizational consultant specializing in international and cross-cultural HRD, OD&C, and language proficiency certification industries for public sectors. His research interests involve the integration of technology applications on HRD and OD&C issues.

  • Roy B. Clariana

    • Degree
      Ed.D., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Memphis
    • Degree
      M.S.Ed., Biology Education, University of Central Arkansas
    • Degree
      B.S., Biology, University of Central Arkansas

    Dr. Roy B. Clariana is a professor of learning, design, and technology. He is an experienced researcher with deep practical experience in industry. He is widely recognized for work in developing new measures of knowledge structure to complement traditional test measures. As PI of a recent National Science Foundation project, his team applied knowledge structure measures to specify the fMRI neurocognitive signatures of naturalistic reading. He developed the online versions of LDT 415: Systematic Instructional Development and LDT 832: Designing e-Learning within Course Management Systems and teaches these courses regularly.

  • Susan E. Cromwell

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.Ed., Agricultural and Extension Education, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.S., Animal Science, Delaware Valley University

    Dr. Susan E. Cromwell is a practitioner in the field of HR/OD/OCM in both the private and public sectors. She has extensive experience in talent management, organizational change management, leadership and management development, strategic planning, organizational development, and leading change in large-scale ERP implementations. Dr. Cromwell is certified as a Human Capital Strategist and in Prosci change management methodologies. She leads organizational change management for the finance and business division of Penn State.

  • Maureen Dodson

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.A., Professional Writing, Carnegie Mellon University
    • Degree
      B.A., English, Seton Hill University

    Dr. Maureen Dodson has taught numerous undergraduate and graduate courses at Penn State for more than 20 years. She teaches WFED 880: Facilitating Groups and Teams for Penn State World Campus. Dr. Dodson has spent her career helping organizations advance leadership skills, improve interpersonal communications, and create high-performing teams. Her expertise lies in DiSC®, Emotional Intelligence (EQ), the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®), team performance, and coaching. She is certified in a variety of 360 Instruments.

  • John Dolan

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Organization Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.B.A, Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University
    • Degree
      B.A., Advertising, Penn State

    Dr. John Dolan has taught in the marketing and public relations disciplines for undergraduate, graduate, and executive education audiences for more than 15 years. His research interests during his organization development doctoral work explored the impact of social media — specifically Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn — on informal learning and the development of communities of practice in the workplace. He has been published in both the Encyclopedia of Human Resources Management and the Encyclopedia on Social Media and Politics.

  • Wesley E. Donahue, PE, PMP

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education, Penn State
    • Degree
      MBA, Clarion University
    • Degree
      B.S., Civil Engineering, Penn State

    Dr. Wesley E. Donahue is the coordinator of the online Master of Professional Studies in Organization Development and Change and an instructor of related courses and programs. An experienced researcher, developer, and leadership consultant, he has an extensive manufacturing, engineering, sales, and management background, having started and operated businesses for more than 30 years. Dr. Donahue is a registered professional engineer, six-sigma black belt, and author of a host of education and training materials.

  • I-Pang Fu

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.Ed., Human Resource Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • Degree
      MBA, Human Resource Management, National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan
    • Degree
      B.A., Sport Management, National Taiwan Sport University, Taiwan

    Dr. I-Pang Fu brings more than 10 years of experience as a learning design and technology consultant, leading multiple learning design efforts and online programs at WIDA, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Penn State, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Fu is the lead learning designer in online programs at Penn State Law. He has implemented learning design in more than 100 virtual learning solutions and has supported more than 15,000 adult learners around the globe since 2011. Before joining Penn State Law, he was the senior information process consultant at WIDA, a faculty associate and program manager at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the instructional designer at Penn State Smeal College of Business, and a web specialist at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

  • Shubha G. Kashyap

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.A., Student Affairs Administration, Michigan State University
    • Degree
      B.S., Psychology, Michigan State University

    Dr. Shubha G. Kashyap is a higher education and organization development professional with extensive experience in change management, business coaching, strategic planning, appreciative inquiry, process consultation, and facilitation. She is the director of online learning design & innovation for the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan. Having worked at multiple universities, Dr. Kashyap’s drive for increasing access to education is eminent throughout her career. She has successfully launched several online degree programs designed for adult learners, specializes in program development for diverse learners, manages small- and large-scale strategic education initiatives, and is an advocate for first-generation college students and inclusive education practices. Her research interests are in the areas of coaching, managing institutional change, and examining facilitating and inhibiting factors for change management.

  • John M. Kenny

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      MBA, Bryant University
    • Degree
      B.S., Physical Oceanography, U.S. Naval Academy

    Dr. John M. Kenny is an experienced researcher. He was an Executive Fellow at the Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C., and a Research Fellow for the Office of Naval Research. He was also a senior research engineer at Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory. As a Penn State adjunct professor, he teaches Process Consultation. Dr. Kenny is a professor at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and teaches Theater Security Decision-Making.

  • Taesung Kim

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.Ed., HRD, Yonsei University, South Korea
    • Degree
      B.A, Education, Yonsei University, South Korea

    Dr. Taesung Kim has more than 10 years of experience as an internal manager and external consultant in the field of human resource development and management. He worked for KPMG Korea, a Korean member firm of the KPMG global network that provides audit and business advisory services, as a senior manager in the Learning and Development Center. He served simultaneously on the HR Steering Group, the Labor-Management Council, and the Promotion and Communication Steering Group.

  • Bora Kwon

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.S., Human Resources and Employment Relations, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.S., International Studies, Yonsei University, South Korea
    • Degree
      B.A., Language and Literature, Sungshin Women’s University, South Korea

    Dr. Bora Kwon is an assistant professor of management at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. She was a human resource consultant at Willis Towers Watson, where she administered various human resources consulting projects. Dr. Kwon's scholarship focuses on international HRM, HR analytics, employee voice, work engagement, and work-family balance. Her work has been published inHuman Resources Management, Human Resources Management Review, Journal of Organizational Behavior,andLeadership & Organization Development Journal.

  • Dena Lang

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Penn State
    • Degree
      MBA, Johns Hopkins University
    • Degree
      B.S., Mechanical Engineering, West Virginia University

    Dr. Dena Lang is associate director of Engineering Leadership Research. Her professional experiences and research interests range from facilities design to research that applied engineering and molecular biology approaches to study the skeletal response to mechanical loading. Additional research interests have included the investigation of relationships among the indoor environment, occupants, and energy usage. Dr. Lang's current research interests focus on identifying, assessing, and developing key skills, knowledge, and attitudes required for engineers to effectively lead others.

  • Patricia Macko

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      MSIT, Instructional Technology, Bloomsburg University
    • Degree
      B.S., Business Administration, Bloomsburg University

    Dr. Patricia Macko is an adjunct faculty member for Penn State World Campus as well as Workforce Education and Development programs. She is also president of the Macko Consulting Group, a consulting practice specializing in leadership and organization development. Dr. Macko is an experienced health care and financial industry practitioner. She has worked as an organization consultant for the past 10 years. Her research interests include organization development, leadership development, competency modeling, and talent development.

  • Jennifer Siford-Myers

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development (OD/HRD), Penn State
    • Degree
      M.S., Criminal Justice, Boston University
    • Degree
      B.S., Occupational Education, Human Services, Wayland Baptist University

    Dr. Jennifer Siford-Myers is a practitioner in the field of HRD/OD in the public sector. She has also served as an instructor for the Professional Personnel Development Center at Penn State. Her research interests are employee engagement, organization development, process improvement, and data analysis. Dr. Silford-Myers is the author of multiple publications focused on organization development, employee engagement, and health care. A recent publication (2017) is Assessment and Diagnosis for Organization Development: Powerful Tools and Perspectives for the OD Practitioner.

  • Michele Newhard

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.S., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.A., Ancient Greek History, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.A., Classics, Penn State

    Dr. Michele Newhard's teaching and research interests include appreciative inquiry, positive psychology and positive emotions, strengths philosophy, systems thinking, intergenerational communication, coaching, and team-building. She has developed and taught graduate courses in the basics of appreciative inquiry, appreciative inquiry coaching, and appreciative leadership. Dr. Newhard has published work on appreciative inquiry, succession planning, work-family balance, and job burnout. She is also a certified life and mentor coach, as well as a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.

  • Jong Gyu Park

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      Ph.D., Business Administration - Organization and Human Resources, Sungkyunkwan University
    • Degree
      MBA, Sungkyunkwan University
    • Degree
      B.A., Business Administration, Sungkyunkwan University

    Dr. Jong Gyu Park is an assistant professor of management at Penn State Altoona. He was a management consultant at Deloitte and Willis Towers Watson, where he managed and administered various human resources and strategic management consulting projects. His areas of interest and research include shared leadership, ethical leadership, and leadership development in the organization. He has published several articles in refereed journals, such as Journal of Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management Review, and Personnel Review.

  • Gerald Post

    • Degree
      Ed.D., Training and Development, Adult Ed., Organizational Development, Northern Illinois University
    • Degree
      M.A., Communications, University of Illinois
    • Degree
      B.A., Communications, Elmhurst College

    Dr. Gerald Post specializes in adult learning, organizational development, and accelerated learning, and leadership programs for many organizations. He has published articles and a book, and has built several corporate universities. He has held positions of vice president, director of training, or project manager, as well as taught for various northern Illinois secondary education schools. Currently, Dr. Post consults and serves as a visiting professor for various colleges and universities, and has received the Top 125 Training national recognition.

  • Matthew Raup

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.S., Instructional Technology, Bloomsburg University
    • Degree
      B.S., Information Technology, Juniata College

    Dr. Matthew Raup has extensive experience as an IT leader and specializes in organizational change management and employee engagement. He works for the Department of Defense (DoD) as the chief of the business intelligence division at Tobyhanna Army Depot. Having worked as a leader in the IT industry for more than 18 years, he has had first-hand experience leading large organizational changes and implementing new technologies. He has also managed IT at both the K–12 and higher education levels and was a member of the U.S. Army National Guard 2nd 112th Army Infantry Division.

  • William Rothwell

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Education, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
    • Degree
      M.A.B.A., Business, Sangamon State University, Springfield, IL (now the University of Illinois at Springfield)
    • Degree
      M.A., English, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
    • Degree
      B.A., English, Illinois State University, Bloomington

    Dr. William J. Rothwell, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CPLP Fellow, is professor of workplace learning and performance in the Workforce Education and Development Program, part of the Department of Learning and Performance Systems, on the Penn State University Park campus. As one of the founders of the MPS in ODC program, he had many years of experience in OD before becoming a faculty member in 1993. His research interests center around organization development, talent management, and succession planning. He is the author of 110 books and more than 200 articles.

  • Angela L. M. Stopper

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Human Resources and Organization Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.S., Workforce Education and Development, Human Resources and Organization Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.S., Marketing and International Business, Penn State

    Dr. Angela L. M. Stopper is an instructor of workforce education and development for Penn State World Campus. She is an experienced workforce education practitioner and academic, having spent her 20+ years working in executive education and learning and development organizations. Currently, she is the Chief Learning Officer at University of California, Berkeley, and a frequent speaker with leading industry groups, including the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

  • Mark Threeton

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.S., Higher Education, Kansas State University
    • Degree
      B.S., Technical Education, Pittsburg State University

    Dr. Mark Threeton is an associate professor of learning and performance systems and coordinator of career and technical teacher education within the workforce education and development program at Penn State. He consults, teaches, and conducts research in the areas of training and development, facilities management, occupational safety, and experiential learning to promote enhanced learning and skill development. His research has been published widely in scholarly research journals and books. He holds extensive credentials across education and training. Prior to joining the Penn State faculty, he was a technical educator and professional in the field of automotive technology.

  • Hyung Joon Yoon

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.A., Adult Continuing Education, Korea University
    • Degree
      B.Ec., Food and Resource Economics, Korea University

    Hyung Joon Yoon, SPHR, CCSP, has gained multinational experience in such countries as the United States, South Korea, and Morocco as a researcher-practitioner. His specialties include facilitating OD through career development, assessing individual and organizational strengths, and facilitating a participatory strategic planning process. He has presented his research findings more than 50 times in more than six countries, and he received the Individual Greatness Award (Franklin Covey Greatness Award) in recognition for the creation of measurable change in an organization in 2006.

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