Master of Science in Human Resource Development — Testimonials

The Professional MS HRD program at the University of Houston provided a strong, practical foundation that I have carried throughout my career in oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing. Its emphasis on real-world application made it easy to translate what I learned directly into the workplace.

From training design to performance improvement, the skills I developed have remained relevant and adaptable across industries. I have applied them in safety-focused learning and development roles, where effective programs require more than policies and procedures—they require engaging, well-designed learning experiences that build awareness and influence behavior.

The program reinforced that learning is an ongoing process that drives performance, strengthens culture, and helps prevent incidents. That perspective has guided my approach from designing training early in my career to leading EHS learning and development at a strategic level. It continues to shape how I invest in people, performance, and safety.

—Kelvin Williams, Senior Director of EHS Learning and Development, GAF

The Professional MS HRD program at the University of Houston was a defining turning point in my career. After earning my BA in Sociology, I knew I wanted to focus on developing people and organizations, but I had not yet discovered the field of human resource development. The program opened a path that aligned with my interests and strengths. What stood out most was the faculty’s deep investment in student success. The professors challenged us to think critically, grow professionally, and apply learning in meaningful ways. The program also provided a strong foundation in instructional design, adult learning theory, change management, and research methodology—skills that continue to guide my work more than 15 years later. Since graduating, I have led nonprofit volunteer initiatives, designed learning programs for technical and software audiences, and directed customer training and go-to-market education strategy for a multimillion-dollar software education business.

—Alice May, Director, Customer Training, BlackLine Systems

The Professional MS HRD program at the University of Houston gave me the opportunity to advance my career while balancing full-time work. With a background in psychology, I saw a direct connection between my I/O psychology studies and the program’s focus on creating meaningful human impact. I also valued learning alongside professionals from diverse industries who shared a passion for developing people. Courses in Organizational Development and Leadership Development had a lasting impact on my career. They strengthened my ability to navigate organizational change, support employee growth, and serve as a strategic partner to the business. While completing my degree, I secured my first HR role, and the career momentum continued through new opportunities and promotions. The program’s community was equally meaningful. The friendships I built with my cohort continue today, and I remain active in the UH community through networking and recruiting events.

—Marilynn Nguyen, HR Business Partner, USA & Canada, Vopak, Class of 2018

Moving to the United States was both exciting and challenging. Although I had earned undergraduate and graduate degrees and gained professional experience in India, immigration-related restrictions created a significant gap in my career and made it difficult to re-enter the workforce. My turning point came when I joined the Professional MS HRD program at the University of Houston. The program strengthened my skills, restored my confidence, and gave me a renewed sense of purpose. With the support of the faculty and the program’s alumni network, I secured an internship that launched my career in human resource development. Despite continuing challenges, the education and foundation I gained at UH gave me the confidence and resilience to pursue new opportunities. The program’s thoughtful curriculum, dedicated faculty, and strong professional network made it a transformative experience that continues to shape my career and work today.

—Gayathri Narayanan, Instructional Designer, SLB, Class of 2018

The Professional MS HRD program at the University of Houston transformed how I approach learning, organizational change, and business challenges. The program strengthened my ability to design learner-centered solutions, analyze performance gaps, collaborate with stakeholders, manage change, and evaluate learning impact. Since graduating, I have applied these skills across telecommunications, higher education, software, healthcare, and managed care. Today, as an Instructional Designer at Centene, I collaborate with cross-functional teams and vendor partners to create engaging, accessible learning experiences that support learner success and business outcomes. The program reinforced my belief that learning is not simply about transferring knowledge; it is about enabling people and organizations to grow, perform, and prepare for the future.

—Deepak Uniyal, Instructional Designer, Centene Corporation, Class of 2019

The Professional MS HRD program at the University of Houston expanded my perspective beyond frontline restaurant training and into leadership, organizational development, performance improvement, and talent strategy. The program challenged me to measure learning effectiveness and business impact, develop strong leaders, connect talent development to organizational priorities, and lead complex learning initiatives from strategy through implementation. Today, as a Senior Training Specialist at CDM Smith, I lead leadership development programs, digital adoption initiatives, and enterprise learning solutions. The Professional MS HRD program fundamentally changed how I think about developing people, leading change, and creating measurable organizational impact.

—Hilary Rainbolt, Senior Training Specialist, CDM Smith, Class of 2019

The Professional MS HRD program at the University of Houston transformed my career and perspective on leadership, learning, and organizational development. I enrolled to advance in corporate America, but graduated with the knowledge, confidence, and vision to pursue a much broader path. The program provided a strong foundation in leadership development, organizational effectiveness, instructional design, and human performance improvement. Through faculty guidance and hands-on learning, I discovered a passion for creating learning experiences that help individuals and organizations grow. The relationships I built with classmates, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals were just as valuable. That network continues to provide mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities that have shaped my career. When I founded JAVED Advisors in 2023, I drew directly on the principles, confidence, and connections I developed through the program. Today, I support leaders and organizations across the United States and the GCC region.

—Sehar Javed, CEO and HR Consultant, JAVED Advisors, Class of 2019

Moving to Houston and pursuing the Professional MS HRD program at the University of Houston were two pivotal leaps of faith that reshaped my career. The program expanded my understanding of adult learning, organizational change, and the role of HR as a strategic partner to the business. Its systems-level perspective broadened my view of what was possible and planted the early seeds of entrepreneurship. Today, as a fractional HR leader, I apply the principles I gained through the MS HRD program to help organizations navigate growth with clarity, intention, and a human-centered approach. The program gave me the confidence and perspective to build a career aligned with the impact I want to make.

—Theresa Kialoa, Owner, Talent Acceleration Partners LLC, Class of 2019

The Professional MS HRD program at University of Houston fundamentally shifted how I think about organizations, people, and performance. It pushed me beyond traditional HR thinking toward a strategic, systems-level perspective — one grounded in human performance, evidence-based decision making, and the discipline of diagnosing before designing. The program’s focus on organizational development and change leadership gave me the tools to not just react to organizational change, but to architect it — whether a company is scaling rapidly or navigating a merger or acquisition. Today, I apply those same frameworks to drive workforce strategy and build the organizational capabilities that move businesses forward.

— Souzi Weiland, Vice President, People and Culture, Signal Energy, UH HRD advisory board member, Class of 2010

The Professional MS HRD program at University of Houston was a pivotal turning point in my professional journey. The curriculum equipped me with the strategic frameworks and change management methodologies that I use daily to navigate complex organizational shifts. What sets this program apart is its focus on the intersection of people and performance. It challenged me to look beyond traditional HR functions and instead focus on how learning technology and talent development drive real business outcomes. For any practitioner looking to transition from a technical role to a strategic leadership position, this program provides the essential tools, network, and credibility to make that leap.

—Will Brown, Senior Manager, Learning Technology, Research & Insights, & Talent Development. HP Inc.

The Professional MS HRD program at University of Houston truly transformed how I lead, design learning experiences, and drive workforce development. With the knowledge and tools gained through the program, I’ve built initiatives that empower professionals and strengthen organizations—from launching learning platforms that connect students with recruiters to leading leadership development programs recognized for their impact on promotion and performance. Today, as a Training Coordinator for the City of Houston, I create innovative learning experiences that help employees adapt, grow, and thrive. The MS HRD program equipped me with the foundation to build leaders, design talent pipelines, and lead change across organizations.

—Jessica Gonzalez, Training Coordinator, City of Houston, HR & Leadership Development, Class of 2019

The Professional MS HRD program at University of Houston transformed how I think about organizations, performance, and people. As an engineer, I entered the program seeking to expand beyond technical expertise and develop a more strategic, systems-oriented perspective. Courses like instructional design reshaped how I approach learning and performance, guiding me toward a career focused on enablement—helping people learn and perform at scale. That foundation has taken me across industries, from designing learning programs at Amazon Robotics to leading global operations at AWS. The program taught me to ask better questions, understand the business behind challenges, and build strategies that scale. Today, I’ve come full circle, teaching in that same program and helping other professionals experience the same transformation I did.

—Alejandra Moreno, Senior Program Manager, AWS International Expansion, UH Adjunct Faculty,  Class of 2014

The Professional MS HRD program at the University of Houston provided a rich mix of techniques and tools to approach organizational effectiveness and leadership through a multidisciplinary lens. I learned not just how to deliver effective solutions, but how to impact strategy end-to-end: researching, influencing, using technology to scale, understanding the importance of change management, and leveraging data and analytics. As companies continue to embark on various forms of transformation, the ability to take a holistic perspective is invaluable. The MS HRD program enabled me to connect people across functions, systems, and even geographies to create a unified focus.

—Chantelle Nash, Director, Training and Enablement, BAE Systems Inc., Class of 2012