HR & Org Development Online Programs

Breaking Generational Curses Through Education

By Conner Mackowiak | July 27, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

The fifth century Chinese philosopher Laozi once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” For Kenovia Haggerty, that single step was more of a leap of faith.

Kenovia lived in Houston, Texas with her husband, JaRon, and their two beautiful children, Kylah, and JJ. The two had built a good life together; respectable careers, thriving children, and a home. But what happens when “good enough,” is no longer enough? For Kenovia, that moment of self-discovery sparked one day, at her job right before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenovia graduated college with a passing GPA and had accepted a job as a steppingstone to future opportunities. After spending some time in that role, Kenovia began to realize the limitations of what her current skillset could offer an employer, and where she could take that career with some additional human resources education. Knowing that graduate school was likely in her future, she began conversations with her husband (who was also preparing to start graduate school) about what the next chapter of their lives would entail.

Their journey to success was a long, winding road that lasted about 2 years, fraught with trial and tribulation, taking them far away from their home state and any kind of family support. The beautiful result of these efforts was two highly accomplished individuals that together have cemented and solidified their manifestation of a lifetime of opportunity, both for themselves and for their family.

Overcoming barriers

Kenovia had some doubts; her undergraduate academic background was not the strongest when she began applying to master’s programs. With concerns about how her GPA could impact her acceptance into master’s programs, the application process to other schools was daunting. Kenovia said, “[I] had some transferable skills from being in banking and in management, but none in HR, so I saw the online Master of Science in Human Resources and Organization Development (MS HROD) program at UofL as an opportunity to fill in some of those gaps. Then I thought that I would be able to log in when I needed to, and I’d have that support to get through it.”

Kenovia did not receive a ton of initial support from her family; some in her extended family felt that graduate education would only lead to more student debt, and that pursuing additional education was not the wisest endeavor. Her biggest supporter was JaRon, who encouraged her to consider all options and choose whichever one would provide the most growth opportunity for their family. Though they would be studying at different institutions, they would be undergoing the journey together. “It was very important for us to find a program that was SHRM-aligned, because her goals were to circumvent this learning curve so that [she] can move up quickly, and become more marketable,” JaRon notes.

Taking the first step

For Kenovia, a pivotal conversation was with Ron Sheffield, Ed.D., and the program director for UofL’s online MS HROD program. Sheffield provided her with the comfort and knowledge that she would be supported throughout her endeavors to achieve an MS in HROD degree. “He was awesome. I just felt like, OK, this could be a little family here. If I need help, I’ll be able to get it and that this program could fit into the type of lifestyle I was about to have,” Kenovia notes. Another pillar of support in this journey was the faith in God the couple shared together. “Me and my husband believe in making sure that our decisions are led by us praying and taking our time with things. Our big prayer was to find a program that could fit our new lifestyle.”

JaRon had already been accepted with a full-ride scholarship to an MBA program at a different institution in Bloomington, and with Louisville being located relatively close, the two packed up their lives in Texas and made the long journey north, arriving at their new, temporary home in Indianapolis. From there, the two settled into their new routine, juggling their education with the needs of work and their children. Kenovia, especially, had to manage life as a self-described “temporarily single parent,” except for instances where JaRon was able to return from Bloomington to spend time with the family.

Getting to the goal line together

Years of effort and hard work finally paid off this summer, when Kenovia finally graduated with a MS in Human Resources and Organization Development from UofL, and JaRon graduated with an MBA. Now, the two can look forward with confidence and momentum to all that is coming next for their family, with a world of opportunity in front of them.

When asked about what they would recommend to others in a similar situation, Kenovia shared, “Prioritize your time, and if you do have a partner, keep the lines of communication open about everything that you’re feeling, because we had some really hard times trying to keep us together with trying to keep the goal at the forefront.”

For the time being, the two are moving again, heading up to Chicago to take on this next chapter in their lives. Kenovia plans to work out of a Merchants Bank of Indiana branch near their new home. “I do feel like the program is helping advance my career. I started off as a HR analyst initially and then I just got promoted this year to HR generalist. Right now, I am helping with orientation, training, and all these different things that I can do. I feel like UofL’s online program gave me the confidence I needed.”

We are grateful to Kenovia for sharing her story with us; she and JaRon have worked together to craft a life story they are proud of. “We feel like we broke some generational curses with both of us having the education that we have and our kids being able to see that and that is rewarding,” Kenovia and JaRon note. They are a living testament to the fact that, no matter where you are in life, you can dream big, accomplish your goals, and better your family’s future.

If you want to take the next step in your life’s journey like Kenovia, you can click here and learn more about the Master of Science in Human Resources and Organization Development online program at UofL.

Online M.S. in HR and Organization Development, The handbook is changing prepare for the future of human resources

[Infographic] The Human Resources handbook is changing

By Brooke Whitaker | December 3, 2021 | Comments 0 Comment

Prepare for the future of HR.

“As the world gets back to work, we know it won’t be business as usual. HR leaders are the ones who will put workplaces back together…”

-Johnny Taylor, President and CEO of the Society for HR Management

Whether we like to admit it or not, COVID and the “Great Resignation” have forever impacted the workplace and employees’ expectations. These mixed in with other evolving factors have human resource professionals everywhere facing new challenges for organization development.

So, how do we tackle these challenges straight on and structure the future’s better-than-before organization for employers and employees alike? By expanding expertise and skills in data-driven decisions, find and keep qualified talent, as well as ensuring the workplace is inclusive and safe for employees’ physical and mental health. This is of course easier said than done, but with the University of Louisville’s Master’s in Human Resources and Organization Development program, you can develop these skills and more to be effective and stay agile among the societal changes.

Why choose UofL’s online Master’s in HR and Organization Development?

Skills learned can be immediately applied to your everyday work
Renowned and engaged faculty and staff who are committed to helping each student meet their educational goals
Flexible, 100% online coursework so you can balance education with work and life priorities
Our SHRM-aligned curriculum ensures the program aligns with Society for HR Management’s standards as well as prepares you to take the SHRM-CP exam
U.S. News and World Report ranks UofL’s online graduate education programs as some of the best across the nation
Special opportunities and rate reductions for eligible military service members and federal employees

Learn more about UofL’s online master’s in HR and Organization Development program here.

Shine brighter: Get the credit you deserve with UofL Online’s CBE Program

By admin | March 19, 2019

When Rachel McClain was researching options to go back to school and found the online healthcare leadership program at the University of Louisville (UofL), she knew it was exactly what she needed. “It instantly made me smile,”she said. “It was perfect.” Indeed, it was a perfect match.

For Program Director Lee Bewley, the feeling was mutual. “Our first introduction to Rachel McClain was great,” he notes. “She had several years of experience working in the healthcare field and she had the time to focus on her own development.”

Rachel went to work in the healthcare industry after earning her associate’s degree. “I was making what I thought was decent money at the time and it didn’t require me to have a degree,” she says. But what she calls “extenuating circumstances” changed her perspective on everything.

Turning darkness into light

“I woke up one morning and it was really blurry,” Rachel explains. “I ended up losing feeling in my face and, ultimately, I had a stroke.” She was in recovery for six months afterwards and says the entire experience led her to think about her journey and the path she wanted to follow.

“It definitely changed how I thought about life,” she says. “That’s when I really took the turn and said no time like the present. It’s time to go back to school.”

Helping her shine

When Rachel compared schools, she says “UofL was top on the list.” She found the right fit with UofL’s online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership & Learning with a focus on Healthcare Leadership —the university’s first Competency-Based Education (CBE) program.

The 100% online CBE program recognizes previous college credit hours and work experience, and Rachel had both. She could also customize her education and move at her own pace, as UofL’s CBE program gives students the ability to test out of courses for which they master certain competencies and progress through their degree based on knowledge they still need to acquire. “I was able to finish a course and then immediately start one up within 72 hours,” she notes.

Lee Bewley was impressed with Rachel’s skills and experience as she progressed through her program. “What we found as Rachel was going through the courses is that she had already developed a number of healthcare leadership and management competencies,” he says. “Our role was to provide her with the incremental development and one-on-one support necessary for successfully demonstrating those competencies and earning credits toward her degree.”

Rachel’s experience from the beginning and throughout the program was excellent. “From my success coach to financial aid, everyone that I spoke to it was incredible,”she shares. “They were motivating, they were supportive, and they were encouraging.”

Both the people at UofL and the design of the program helped her get her degree faster. “I was able to finish this online program in about ten months because it was tailored to me specifically,” she explains. “It provides so much flexibility that it’s kind of a no-brainer.”

A brighter future

Rachel’s story highlights her own unique circumstances, but many adult learners and professionals seeking a flexible path to finish their degree can relate to her story. The opportunity to customize your learning experience from start to finish, show what you know and get the credit you deserve is open to anyone with the right background.

Incoming students can transfer 36 hours or more of General Education credits from any regionally accredited institution. In addition, the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) course allows you to obtain credit for professional knowledge and skills developed in your career. That can mean earning up to 48 credit hours tuition-free, which lets you save up to $23,856 over the course of the program.

The remaining 12 courses (36 hours) to complete the degree are offered in two formats:

Flex Pace gives students 32 weeks to move through the program, providing more flexibility and self-direction. The curriculum is based on the National Center for Healthcare Leadership’s (NCHL.org) competency model, which is one of the leading industry standard models for healthcare executive competencies development.
Set Pace is structured on 8-week traditional terms but still offers flexibility in the length of time it takes to complete the program. Students can finish their degree in as little as three intensive semesters or in as many as are needed.

No matter which option you choose, what’s important is taking the first step on your journey to a bachelor’s degree. Returning to school and reaching her goal has given Rachel a sense of accomplishment and purpose. “This program has definitely prepared me for the future, and it’s given me confidence to pursue things that I wouldn’t have pursued in the past,” Rachel says. “It’s given me a degree and that was what I really wanted. It’s an amazing feeling; I feel empowered and I feel confident.”

Follow Rachel’s lead. Customize your learning experience from start to finish, show what you know and get the credit you deserve. Let UofL Online bring campus and career advance to you with the online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning – Healthcare Leadership program.

Find out more and apply today!

This blog post was originally published on Insider Louisville.

The road to success starts in all different places

By admin | March 1, 2019

Amy Lear (pictured above) started her college degree 20 years ago, but put it on hold to support and raise her family. When her son was ready to start high school, she knew it was time to go back. “I had that expectation for him to go to college,” she says. “I wanted to lead by example.”

Amy met with an advisor at UofL and, after talking about her goals and experience, the advisor told Amy she had the perfect program in mind to build on her background and career goals — the online B.S. in Organizational Leadership & Learning (OLL).

During his time in the military, Robert Carlson attended college, but didn’t graduate. After leaving the service, he took time to reflect on his life and career goals. “It wasn’t so much how to make money because I knew that I had skills that would be marketable,” he explains.

Instead, he was more focused on who he wanted to become and what he wanted to do, questions he says he didn’t have answers for when he first went to college. Robert says he attended another university to finish his degree but it wasn’t the right fit. That’s when he discovered the OLL program through UofL Online and knew he’d found what he was looking for.

Building Confidence, Reaching Goals

Amy and Robert had very different paths, but both had the drive to finish their degrees with the benefit of work and life experience. “The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership & Learning is a perfect program for adults with some college but no degree,” says Assistant Professor Matt Bergman. “We acknowledge what you have done within the workforce and translate that into academic credit.”

In the OLL program, validation of knowledge, skills and competencies starts with the first major course — Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). The PLA course helps students evaluate and document their learning from work experiences, college credits and specialized training to receive up to 48 credit hours (the equivalent of 16 courses). It not only helps students accumulate credit hours, it also helps build their confidence.

“The process is amazing,” says Matt. “It helps dig into their experiences and their evolution within the workforce.”

“To stop and evaluate those 20 years and really see those accomplishments that you probably take for granted was huge,” says Amy. “To have the opportunity to have 28 hours go towards my college degree and not have to pay the additional fees or attend those additional classes was amazing.”

A Supportive Learning Community

Matt says his favorite part of every semester is hearing the students’ stories and learning their reasons for returning to school to finish their degree, whether it’s career advancement or personal fulfillment. While the “why” varies, he says the OLL program is designed to support each student’s individual success.

“We have a solidarity movement in our program. We will lift each other up, we will create the space to make this a priority in your life and to fulfill the long-held dream of finishing your college degree,” he explains.

All of the full-time faculty in the OLL program have industry experience that directly links to the concepts taught in the classroom, but what makes the program stand out is the dedication to helping each student understand and be able to apply what they learn. “If I had a question, they immediately responded in email,” says Amy. “If that question needed to be answered in person, we were setting up a time and meeting face to face.”

And because the program is 100% online, students can access courses and tools from anywhere and create a schedule that works best for them. It allows students to complete their degree on their terms, with the option to accelerate their degree completion to just three intensive semesters.

For many students, the B.S. in Organizational Leadership & Learning is the degree they need for professional and personal growth, but it also provides an excellent foundation for advancing to the online Master of Science in Human Resources and Organization Development, or other graduate program that fits their career path.

Moving Forward, Fulfilling Dreams

“My wish for our students when they graduate is to fulfill their life’s dreams,” say Matt. “That sounds hokey but it is so true, because with that piece of paper, they have opportunities that were not available to them prior to graduation.”

“Participating in the OLL program really did change the course of my life,” Robert says. “If you want to be surrounded by people who get it and who respect the experience you have and who will help you continue on your trajectory, continue moving forward, then it’s the right program to get into.”

UofL Online can bring the campus to you with the online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning. Find out more and apply today.