This final episode of Season 5 brings together the current president of AHRD, Dr. Seung Won Yoon of Texas A&M University, the current president-elect of AHRD, Dr. Joshua Collins of the University of Minnesota, and the president of AHRD from 2020 to 2022, Dr Laura Bierema of the University of Georgia. The conversation is facilitated by the current past president of AHRD Dr. Khalil Dirani of Texas A&M University. The four discuss how to respond to challenges to HRD academic programs including:

• What is the current climate like for HRD academic programs in the United States, and what factors are most influencing the climate?
• How did we get to this point – what’s a brief history of HRD academic programs in the United States?
• Looking ahead, where do you see this going – how do you see HRD academic programs changing in the next few years?
• How can HRD academic programs respond to the current and upcoming challenges, and what new opportunities could emerge?
• What role can AHRD play as a professional organization to support HRD academic programs as they face these challenges?
• and much more.

For full details on the HRD Masterclass series, visit hrdmasterclass.com, and for the bios of the guest scholars visit allbypodcast.com/deib.

For more information on the Academy of Human Resource Development, visit ahrd.org.

This episode is sponsored by The Academy of Human Resource Development: Are you ready to transform HRD in 2026? Join the Academy of Human Resource Development at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott in Irving, Texas, from February 11th to 13th 2026 for the 33rd International Research Conference in the Americas! Whether you’re a seasoned professional or first-time attendee, the 2026 AHRD Conference is your gateway to professional development, community, networking, collaboration, and actionable solutions. Registration is now open at www.ahrd.org.