Organizational Leadership Program Moves to School of Business
Effective July 1, 2006 the Department of Organizational Leadership became part of the School of Business.
The move reflects Woodbury’s strategic focus on leadership education as well as that of the School of Business on all aspects of leadership in diverse types of organizations, including private and public, profit and non-profit. The stature and professional accreditation of the School of Business also will further enhance the credibility of the undergraduate and graduate Organizational Leadership programs.
“The Department of Organizational Leadership has experienced tremendous success since its establishment in 2002. The move to the School of Business helps to ensure our continued success by positioning the program both internally and externally as a program that develops leaders at all levels of management in the public and private sectors,” says Yael Hellman, Ed.D., chair, Department of Organizational Leadership.
“I am pleased to welcome the Department of Organizational Leadership to the School of Business and am confident that this transition will better align the program with the resources and leadership necessary to facilitate its mission,” says Andre B. van Niekerk, Ph.D., dean, School of Business. “I look forward to working with Dr. Hellman, whose able stewardship of the department has resulted in measurable success, and with the organizational leadership faculty to take this program to the next level.”
The organizational leadership program focuses on the understanding of human behavior both in general and within organizations. The program promotes better understanding of the principles of effective leadership, organizational structure and communication, ethical behavior and decision-making principles, communication processes, and principles of effective management.
The cornerstone of the program is an innovative partnership with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the County of Los Angeles. This partnership, formed at the start of the program in conjunction Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department University, provides bachelors and masters degrees in organizational leadership to sheriff’s department personnel and other county employees at special tuition rates and in off-campus locations. This partnership has led to more than 50 sheriff’s personnel and other county employees receiving degrees since the programs inception. The Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership is also available to the general public.
The transition of the program to the School of Business is the likely precursor to the launch of a new academic center focusing on providing public sector and non-profit leaders with the tools needed to address the emerging issues of critical importance in Southern California, and emphasizing public and private partnerships.
The Department of Organizational Leadership is the sixth undergraduate and second graduate program under the auspices of the School of Business.