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.

Recent articles

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.

Alexandre Ardichvili at home. Photo Credit: Jayme Halbritter

CIDE programs well-represented at CIES 2024

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Comparative and International Development Education graduate programs will be well represented at CIES 2024, March 6-7 online and 10-14 in Miami, FL. 26 sessions will feature students, faculty, and alumni.

Nicole Dillard named Emerging Technologies Faculty Fellow

Nicole Dillard, assistant professor of human resource development in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, was selected to be a Faculty Fellow in the 2024-25 Emerging Technologies Faculty Fellowship Program (FFP).

Upcoming events

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 Defense: Doris Espelien (ES)

PhD Candidate Doris Espelien, Evaluation Studies, will present "What evaluators say it means to be an evaluator: A mixed-methods study of evaluators' professional identity" in person and online via Zoom on April 16 2024, 11am.

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!

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