Centerpoint Newsletter February 2023
The Georgianna Herman Library – a place for knowledge and community
The Georgianna Herman Library started out as the IRC Reference Room in 1945 at the same time the Industrial Relations Center (IRC) was established. The original purpose of the IRC Reference Room was to “achieve improved industrial relations in the community by making available up-to-date knowledge about industrial relations topics to all concerned parties.”
Georgianna Herman with the Library’s first computers
The name was changed to the Herman Reference Room in 2004 to honor Georgianna Herman’s 2001 retirement. Georgie, as she was fondly known, was the beloved director of the Reference Room from 1953-2001. When the Reference Room moved to its new space in the Carlson School in 2008, it took on a new name -- the Georgianna Herman Library -- to better describe and reflect its purpose.
In a 2019 blog post about the Herman Library, Georgianna Herman was quoted as saying “The bigness of the University isn’t always comfortable. I think of the Reference Room as a haven where people can study and think in the comfortable safety of a smaller space.”
Brenda Lucy, the current director of the library, states “I see the library’s mission as twofold –The Herman Library is not only a place to build knowledge but a place where students build community and relationships - relationships that last a lifetime. My mission is to create an environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and creates a safe space for the cultural and professional development of students, faculty, and staff. We strive to provide students with the information they need to achieve their highest academic potential and help them acquire the research skills necessary for lifelong learning. In my tenure as director, I am equally proud of two things -- the library as a place of community and the library as a place of learning."
Photo reflecting the open-floor plan and collaborative workspace created with a recent remodel
Recent remodeling has created a more open and collaborative workspace in the library. When asked about her vision for how the library can serve current and future students of the Carlson School, Brenda stated “In this ever-changing educational landscape, we need to be nimble and be able to serve the needs of our students where they are. This can be achieved in many ways. The first is to create a warm, welcoming, and collaborative space and learning environment. Second, continue to provide access to a diverse set of resources, educate and advise users in the research process, and finally, partner with faculty, instructors, and staff in the development of programs that enhance in-class learning.”
If you stop in the library on any given day or week, you might see individuals quietly studying and doing research, groups meeting to talk about group projects, students working on homework together, students playing chess, a potluck lunch to celebrate a holiday, or a dance party. This is exactly what we want to create – a welcoming and comfortable environment for students, staff, and faculty to gather, collaborate and learn.
Program News
Following a comprehensive program review, the MHRIR program is updating the curriculum and degree requirements to better reflect the current competitive environment for graduate human resources education. We developed the latest updates to our curriculum with feedback from current students, employers, businesses, and of course, alumni. Based on extensive discussions, we will be offering a streamlined version of the program starting fall 2023 that will require fewer credits overall.
The educational experience at the Carlson School will be just as rigorous, inclusive and effective as it always has been while allowing students to finish more quickly and take their learning to work sooner. The biggest program changes are:
- a streamlined degree program of 40 credits (previously 49);
- a shorter timeline for all students, with full-time students able to graduate in as little as three semesters and part-time students in approximately three years, on average; and
- an extended Experiential Learning capstone course in which students collaborate on live cases with area businesses, nonprofits, and public sector organizations.
The foundational core curriculum remains the same. Additionally, we have a continued requirement for electives both in HR and in disciplines such as business, public health or training education to ensure that our students have a well-rounded and diverse educational experience. Options for study abroad and learning with classmates from around the world are still fundamentals of the program. If you have any questions about the updated program, feel free to contact us directly.
WOrg Faculty member earns a spots on Poets & Quants Top 50
Kudos to Professor Pri Shah for being part of the latest Poets & Quants Top 50 Undergraduate Business Professors. Professor Shah made the list for making a meaningful impact on her students.
Shah shared with P&Q her reflections on the honor and what teaching means to her. Learn more about the award and Pri Shah here.
Work and Organizations Department Faculty Noted for Research Project Currently Underway
A research project focused on job transitions without a college degree is currently underway by Work and Organizations Department faculty Associate Professor Le (Betty) Zhou, Professor Connie Wanberg, and Assistant Professor Abdifatah Ali. Their research is featured in the Winter 2023 Discovery at Carlson magazine. Learn more here.
Mentor Program Kicks Off A New Year
The Mentor Program launched a new year of mentoring at the kick off event held on December 1st. This year, 30 student mentees were paired together with MHRIR alumni mentors to provide an opportunity for students to connect with experienced HR professionals and share insights on HR and business, discuss current HR trends and topics, and discuss potential issues or questions. Mentors and mentees will have a full calendar year (January 2023 through December 2023) to connect with and learn from each other.
In January, the Mentor Program also launched a new resource for mentors and mentees - monthly mentoring tips sent via email. The goal is to provide ideas for possible discussion topics, structure for meetings, and tips on how to be a good mentor/mentee in order to facilitate and grow the relationships over the course of the year.
Join Us at the 43rd HR Tomorrow Conference!
Friday, April 21, 2023
Carlson School of Management
Join us for the 2023 HR Tomorrow Conference: Shaping the Future of HR! If the past two years have taught us anything, it is that organizations must anticipate the unexpected and prepare to pivot at a moment’s notice. To effectively influence and lead organizations into the future, HR must be at the forefront of cultivating and shaping HR itself.
The 2023 HR Tomorrow conference will engage in a dialogue around strategic HR leadership. Through a series of dynamic and interactive sessions, the conference will equip human resources professionals at all levels with the insights and information needed to shape our future.
Featured keynote speaker:
Jodie Douglas, VP HR of Endeavor Air. In her role as Vice President, Human Resources, Jodie is passionate about maintaining a workplace culture that celebrates and recognizes the success of employee efforts, while also providing competitive compensation and benefits. Jodie has a BS in Human Resources and holds her SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. Prior to Endeavor, Jodie held executive leadership roles in aviation at Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, and Aviation Technical Services.
Topics addressed at the conference will include:
- broadening diversity and inclusion to include equity and belonging
- attracting and retaining top talent
- continued HR transformation
- professional development
We look forward to seeing you in-person this year with plenty of opportunity to network with your peers across the HR community.
Registration opening Mid-February, watch your email!
Want to get the latest news from the CHRLS? Wondering who the next 1st Tuesday speaker will be? Interested in seeing photos from campus? Stay connected with your alma mater by following our social media sites:
The Georgianna Herman Library – a place for knowledge and community
The Georgianna Herman Library started out as the IRC Reference Room in 1945 at the same time the Industrial Relations Center (IRC) was established. The original purpose of the IRC Reference Room was to “achieve improved industrial relations in the community by making available up-to-date knowledge about industrial relations topics to all concerned parties.”
Georgianna Herman with the Library’s first computers
The name was changed to the Herman Reference Room in 2004 to honor Georgianna Herman’s 2001 retirement. Georgie, as she was fondly known, was the beloved director of the Reference Room from 1953-2001. When the Reference Room moved to its new space in the Carlson School in 2008, it took on a new name -- the Georgianna Herman Library -- to better describe and reflect its purpose.
In a 2019 blog post about the Herman Library, Georgianna Herman was quoted as saying “The bigness of the University isn’t always comfortable. I think of the Reference Room as a haven where people can study and think in the comfortable safety of a smaller space.”
Brenda Lucy, the current director of the library, states “I see the library’s mission as twofold –The Herman Library is not only a place to build knowledge but a place where students build community and relationships - relationships that last a lifetime. My mission is to create an environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and creates a safe space for the cultural and professional development of students, faculty, and staff. We strive to provide students with the information they need to achieve their highest academic potential and help them acquire the research skills necessary for lifelong learning. In my tenure as director, I am equally proud of two things -- the library as a place of community and the library as a place of learning."
Photo reflecting the open-floor plan and collaborative workspace created with a recent remodel
Recent remodeling has created a more open and collaborative workspace in the library. When asked about her vision for how the library can serve current and future students of the Carlson School, Brenda stated “In this ever-changing educational landscape, we need to be nimble and be able to serve the needs of our students where they are. This can be achieved in many ways. The first is to create a warm, welcoming, and collaborative space and learning environment. Second, continue to provide access to a diverse set of resources, educate and advise users in the research process, and finally, partner with faculty, instructors, and staff in the development of programs that enhance in-class learning.”
If you stop in the library on any given day or week, you might see individuals quietly studying and doing research, groups meeting to talk about group projects, students working on homework together, students playing chess, a potluck lunch to celebrate a holiday, or a dance party. This is exactly what we want to create – a welcoming and comfortable environment for students, staff, and faculty to gather, collaborate and learn.
Program News
Following a comprehensive program review, the MHRIR program is updating the curriculum and degree requirements to better reflect the current competitive environment for graduate human resources education. We developed the latest updates to our curriculum with feedback from current students, employers, businesses, and of course, alumni. Based on extensive discussions, we will be offering a streamlined version of the program starting fall 2023 that will require fewer credits overall.
The educational experience at the Carlson School will be just as rigorous, inclusive and effective as it always has been while allowing students to finish more quickly and take their learning to work sooner. The biggest program changes are:
- a streamlined degree program of 40 credits (previously 49);
- a shorter timeline for all students, with full-time students able to graduate in as little as three semesters and part-time students in approximately three years, on average; and
- an extended Experiential Learning capstone course in which students collaborate on live cases with area businesses, nonprofits, and public sector organizations.
The foundational core curriculum remains the same. Additionally, we have a continued requirement for electives both in HR and in disciplines such as business, public health or training education to ensure that our students have a well-rounded and diverse educational experience. Options for study abroad and learning with classmates from around the world are still fundamentals of the program. If you have any questions about the updated program, feel free to contact us directly.
WOrg Faculty member earns a spots on Poets & Quants Top 50
Kudos to Professor Pri Shah for being part of the latest Poets & Quants Top 50 Undergraduate Business Professors. Professor Shah made the list for making a meaningful impact on her students.
Shah shared with P&Q her reflections on the honor and what teaching means to her. Learn more about the award and Pri Shah here.
Work and Organizations Department Faculty Noted for Research Project Currently Underway
A research project focused on job transitions without a college degree is currently underway by Work and Organizations Department faculty Associate Professor Le (Betty) Zhou, Professor Connie Wanberg, and Assistant Professor Abdifatah Ali. Their research is featured in the Winter 2023 Discovery at Carlson magazine. Learn more here.
Mentor Program Kicks Off A New Year
The Mentor Program launched a new year of mentoring at the kick off event held on December 1st. This year, 30 student mentees were paired together with MHRIR alumni mentors to provide an opportunity for students to connect with experienced HR professionals and share insights on HR and business, discuss current HR trends and topics, and discuss potential issues or questions. Mentors and mentees will have a full calendar year (January 2023 through December 2023) to connect with and learn from each other.
In January, the Mentor Program also launched a new resource for mentors and mentees - monthly mentoring tips sent via email. The goal is to provide ideas for possible discussion topics, structure for meetings, and tips on how to be a good mentor/mentee in order to facilitate and grow the relationships over the course of the year.
Join Us at the 43rd HR Tomorrow Conference!
Friday, April 21, 2023
Carlson School of Management
Join us for the 2023 HR Tomorrow Conference: Shaping the Future of HR! If the past two years have taught us anything, it is that organizations must anticipate the unexpected and prepare to pivot at a moment’s notice. To effectively influence and lead organizations into the future, HR must be at the forefront of cultivating and shaping HR itself.
The 2023 HR Tomorrow conference will engage in a dialogue around strategic HR leadership. Through a series of dynamic and interactive sessions, the conference will equip human resources professionals at all levels with the insights and information needed to shape our future.
Featured keynote speaker:
Jodie Douglas, VP HR of Endeavor Air. In her role as Vice President, Human Resources, Jodie is passionate about maintaining a workplace culture that celebrates and recognizes the success of employee efforts, while also providing competitive compensation and benefits. Jodie has a BS in Human Resources and holds her SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. Prior to Endeavor, Jodie held executive leadership roles in aviation at Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, and Aviation Technical Services.
Topics addressed at the conference will include:
- broadening diversity and inclusion to include equity and belonging
- attracting and retaining top talent
- continued HR transformation
- professional development
We look forward to seeing you in-person this year with plenty of opportunity to network with your peers across the HR community.
Registration opening Mid-February, watch your email!
Want to get the latest news from the CHRLS? Wondering who the next 1st Tuesday speaker will be? Interested in seeing photos from campus? Stay connected with your alma mater by following our social media sites: