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December 30, 2015

Professor Julie Gedro New President-elect of AHRD

Julie Gedro
Professor Julie Gedro Photo/Empire State College

Julie Gedro, a professor of business, management and economics based at the college’s East Syracuse location, has been elected president-elect of the Academy of Human Resource Development.

AHRD has become a leading organization among human resource development scholars globally.

"Being elected to the board is certainly a personal honor, since it is determined by the will of your peers. More importantly, being elected as president-elect is a profound professional opportunity to help lead the future of our beloved professional organization and, by extension, the HRD field as well," said Ronald Jacobs, a professor of human resource development at the University of Illinois and president of the Academy of Human Resource Development, announcing Gedro's election.

Her term as president-elect will become effective in February 2016 at the conclusion of the annual AHRD Conference of the Americas, held in Jacksonville, Fla. Gedro will then begin a six-year commitment: two years as president-elect, two years as president and two years as past president.

Selected by a nominating committee to be put forward as the candidate for president-elect, she was elected by the AHRD membership though an electronic vote and received notification of the results on Dec. 18.

“Being elected president of AHRD is a highlight of my career and I am humbled and thrilled to serve in this capacity,” said Gedro. “Human resource development research helps us understand how people grow and develop in their careers. It helps us understand how to develop great leaders. It helps us acquire insights into optimal individual and organizational performance. HRD research has the potential to inform training and development programs that are positive, engaging, ethical, productive, merit-based and inclusive.”

Gedro has expertise in:

  • adult education: critical theory, LGBT issues, adult learning, social capital
  • business ethics: pedagogy, workplace issues, corporate social responsibility, employee rights
  • human resource management: compensation, recruitment and selection, performance management, expatriate management, workplace civility
  • human resource development: LGBT issues, critical theory, training design, instructional design, leadership, sustainability.

She has a B.A. in economics from the College of William and Mary; an MBA in Information Systems from Kennesaw State University; and a Doctorate of Education in Adult Education and Human Resource Development from the University of Georgia.

Gedro is a 2014 recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities.

In 2015, AHDR recognized Gedro with its "Cutting Edge" award, which recognizes work that presents a new or innovative approach to thinking about human resource development, for her paper "Considering the Relationship Between Identity and Career Development and the Implications for HRD Practice and Research."

Gedro is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) by the Society for Human Resource Management. Formerly a human resource management and development practitioner in finance, technology, and telecommunications, Gedro's work is informed by theory and practice. Her research focuses on leadership, ethics, equity and productivity in organizations.