LSU School of Leadership and Human Resource Development

10/02/2026

Yesterday, SLHRD faculty came together for our Curriculum Quality & Innovation Retreat to take on one big question: What should define an SLHRD education over the next five years?

Instead of starting with what we already offer, we started with how work is changing. Faculty brought real job postings and alumni career stories to the table, and the conversation kept returning to a few themes: AI literacy paired with strong critical thinking, ethical leadership, emotional intelligence, communication, and the ability to apply learning in real-world settings.

The goal is simple: graduates at every level (bachelor's, master's, and PhD) who bring both expertise and humanity to their work.

Thank you to our faculty for a day of bold thinking, and to Interim Director Dr. Petra Robinson and Associate Director Dr. Oliver Crocco for leading the work. More to come!

09/25/2026

Thank you, Maj. Gen. Ron Richard, USMC (Ret.)!

On Sept. 22, the LSU alum ('68) spent the morning with about 75 students in the Huey P. Long Fieldhouse Ballroom, including Dr. Edward Gibbons' LHRD 3071 class, LSU ROTC cadets, and our SHRM and NSLS chapters.

His lessons were simple, but hard to live:
▪️Respect is earned through your behavior, not your title.
▪️Do the right thing when no one is watching.
▪️From the bottom of an organization to the top, look after one another.
▪️Speak to the janitor in the same tone you use with your boss.

Thank you to Dave Lombardo of LSU's Leadership Development Institute and Dr. Edward Gibbons for helping make this visit happen.

Read the full story: https://tinyurl.com/27zrhlkt

09/22/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Terri Ricks on delivering the opening keynote at AAACE’s 2026 Virtual Conference — celebrating 100 years of adult education! 🎉

Dr. Ricks, Senior Assistant Dean for CHSE Administration and a proud graduate of our own SLHRD PhD program, shared a message about seeing people’s “Hidden Capacity” — the potential in each of us that’s often hidden, not absent.

We’re proud to see LSU leadership shaping national conversations in adult education.

Geaux Ricks, geaux LSU! 🐯💜💛

Full story on our website: https://tinyurl.com/2as5r6jc

08/31/2026

Big congrats to Grace Mahfouz, a doctoral student in our School of Leadership & Human Resource Development! 🎉

Grace just received a $2,000 research grant from the Louisiana Nature & Health Alliance (LSU Chapter) to support her dissertation, which explores how leadership can inspire employees to think creatively about sustainability in the workplace.

The funding will help Grace compensate study participants — meaning a bigger sample, stronger data, and research that goes further. We can't wait to see where this leads!

08/25/2026

Once a Tiger, always a Tiger 🐯

Dr. Andraé Holliday Jr. walked onto LSU's campus in 2012 as a nutrition major. Fast forward to today: he's got FIVE degrees, THREE certificates, and he's teaching right here in SLHRD — the same program that shaped him.

His secret? "Mentorship is my passion, and people are my purpose." 💛💜

Click to see the journey — and go read the full Q&A to hear how he went from student to instructor (and yes, his dad has just as many degrees — guess it runs in the family).

Full story: https://www.lsu.edu/chse/news/2026/holliday.php

08/23/2026

Please join us in welcoming two new Instructors to SLHRD's online programs, who joined us this past June!🎉

Dr. Vanessa Claus brings a passion for student learning and career development, with a background spanning HR, organizational development, and even entrepreneurship in interior design. She holds a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Beth Hyatt joins us with a background in hospitality leadership and HR, plus experience as managing editor of Human Resource Development Review. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Tyler.

Welcome to the family, Dr. Claus and Dr. Hyatt! 🐯🎉

08/15/2026

🎓✨ We were thrilled to host our Graduate Hooding Ceremony this past Thursday in the HPL Fieldhouse, celebrating our incredible MS and doctoral graduates from Leadership & Human Resource Development. Another amazing hooding event in the books!

A huge thank you to everyone who helped set up and pull the event together, your hard work made this celebration possible. We are also thankful for our always joyful Interim Director, Dr. Robinson. An additional "thank you" to our special guests, Dean Mitchell and keynote speaker, Dr. Kelli Bates.💜

And to ALL our LHRD graduates: congratulations! Your dedication, growth, and perseverance brought you to this moment, and we couldn't be prouder to send you into the world as SLHRD alumni. Geaux Tigers! 🐯

08/14/2026

Add another degree to her resume 🎓

Congrats to Chase Brock on completing her masters of leadership & Human Resource Development this summer!

07/14/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Terri Porche Ricks, PhD, JD, on her new role as Senior Assistant Dean for Administration at the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education! A proud LHRD alumna returning to help lead the college she once called home — we couldn't be prouder.

Please join us in welcoming Terri Porche Ricks, PhD, JD, to the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education as Senior Assistant Dean for Administration.

A proud CHSE alumna, Dr. Ricks earned her doctorate in leadership and human resource development from the college and now returns to help lead its continued growth and impact. With an accomplished background in leadership, operations and public service, she brings a wealth of experience to this role.

Read more about her appointment: https://www.lsu.edu/chse/news/2026/ricks-named-senior-assistant-dean.php

LSU School of Leadership and Human Resource Development

07/02/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Petra A. Robinson on her promotion to Professor! 🎉

Since joining LSU, Petra has been devoted to developing people — students, faculty, and staff alike. As Director of Faculty Affairs & Professional Development and now Interim Director of the School of Leadership & Human Resource Development, she has poured herself into helping others grow. She's worked tirelessly to secure funding for doctoral students' conference travel, opening doors to exposure and opportunities beyond the walls of academia. She's also a constant champion for using every resource available to invest in yourself — academically, mentally, and physically.

But if you ask anyone who knows her, they'll tell you Petra's true mission is simple: bring joy. It's something she insists on, finds a way to create every single day, and inspires in everyone around her. Her understanding heart and her drive to lift others up are what make her — and this promotion — truly special. 💛

👏 Please join us in celebrating Dr. Robinson on this well-deserved achievement!