#SHRM19 Interview with Villanova University

 

 

This 2019 SHRM Annual Conference and Exposition is with Villanova University, and is promoting their Master’s of Science in HR Development. Below is a quick Q&A with the faculty.


Who is Villanova Human Resource Development!? Tell us everything, just as you would someone approaching your booth and asking you this question at SHRM ‘19 in Las Vegas.

The Graduate Programs in Human Resource Development at Villanova University is a Master’s of Science Program in HR Development.  Villanova HRD is committed to developing global thought-leaders in HR who drive high performing, inclusive organizations and create meaningful work experiences.  Started in 1980, the Villanova HRD Master’s Program was of the first HR Masters programs in the country. With more than 2500 graduates, our program offers a vast regional and growing national network of HR professionals in a variety of industries.

The Villanova HRD online program allows students the flexibility of online learning with the connection and personal attention of a traditional program.  Classes are offered year-round, every 8 weeks and students attend a live class session each week of their class to discuss and learn from their professors and peers.  The live class session allows students to develop a deeper understanding of the course material and lasting relationships with their professors and peers.

The program can be specialized to your personal career goals, offering 4 certificate programs within the master’s degree.  Each certificate is tailored to an important area in the HR field to allow students to develop a specialization within the degree.  Certificates can be earned independently or in conjunction with the master’s program. Certificates are offered in HR Analytics & Research, HR Leadership, Organization Development and HR Business Partner.
 

Let us in on the magic. What’s the development process like at Villanova? How do you utilize your own tech and processes to educate your employees?

Our program is taught by HR practitioners bringing theory to life!  All of the Villanova faculty hold an advanced degree in their field with many years of real-world HR experience or research.  Many of our faculty are still current senior and executive-level HR professionals who bring real-world experiences into the classroom!

What are the biggest challenges companies face when educating their employees? How do they overcome those challenges?

One of the biggest education challenges for organizations is simply time!  With growing business demands and the increasingly fast-paced world, making time for employees to learn can be a challenge.  Beyond time, finding ways to link that learning to career development that is tailored to individual goals for employees in a meaningful way can also be a challenge.  But research tells us that when organizations make the time and support employees’ developmental goals, the organization creates an environment of trust where employees are then more motivated to do better work.  
 

What do you wish more HR professionals and recruiters knew about HR development?

HR has transitioned from being a transactional function within the business to being a strategic partner.  We’ve all heard (and are likely tired of) the old saying, “HR needs a seat at the table.” Well, we have it! HR is officially at the table and that means that HR professionals need to understand how to create the right HR solutions that link to business strategy and the organization’s mission.

The Villanova HRD program is centered around this philosophy of HR professionals driving business results through the greatest asset of the business, it’s people!  We are educating HR professionals on how to support, motivate, develop and leverage people in the business to drive results. Our students learn the research that supports this philosophy and gain experiences to explore the application of these beliefs and the foundations of strategic HR in our classrooms.
 

How important is employee education in employee retention?

Employees today, especially high achievers, want to feel like they are growing and developing and personally finding meaning in their work.  The SHRM19 Annual Conference theme of Creating Better Workplaces is centered around this idea. Better workplaces today are ones where employees feel they are able to contribute in a meaningful way and grow personally. This is part of our vision for our students in the Villanova HRD program, to create meaningful work experiences for their employees in high-performing organizations.
 

For anyone who won’t be able to make it to the Villanova HRD booth in Las Vegas, what do you want them to know?

With an active student SHRM chapter, an HR podcast called HR Tea, and dozens of networking opportunities for students, there is always something happening in Villanova HRD.  We would love to connect with you on Twitter or Instagram, @VillanovaHRD.   

If you have been considering an advanced degree in HR, connect with us to learn about our HR Graduate Programs and the Villanova difference!  Visit our website at villanovau.com, attend an upcoming virtual information session, or give us a call to talk about your interest, 855-300-1473.
 

Villanova Booth 1771

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