One dashboard, many solutions: Oracle modernizes HR at the AIU

By Will DeShong

The digital overhaul in the human resources and business offices at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) over the past decade has brought a new level of efficiency to the way it serves employees. The software at the center of the shift away from filing cabinets to cloud-based convenience is Oracle.

The AIU uses Oracle applications to allow employees to easily update their personal information, manage their timesheets, enroll in online professional development courses, and elect benefits, all from one dashboard. Likewise, it allows the human resources and business offices to more easily monitor these variety of functions for more than 1,200 employees spanning numerous bargaining units and employee classifications.

“When you’re managing a workforce of our size, with so many different roles and responsibilities, having a centralized, intuitive system like Oracle is a game changer,” said Erin Koebel, director of Human Resources. “It streamlines how we support our employees and ensures consistency across the board.”

The annual open enrollment period for benefits is one of the key processes that depend on Oracle. The software guides employees through an open enrollment “journey” that outlines the benefits available to them during the upcoming year. This journey is adjusted to meet an employee’s classification, ensuring that they only receive information relevant to them.

“We have a wide range of employee groups, from teachers to professional staff to administrators, and their benefits vary,” Koebel said. “It’s critical that each employee gets clear, accurate information that applies specifically to them.”

Just as students benefit from flexible learning environments, educators and staff can now engage in professional development beyond the traditional classroom. A robust Learning application provides an easy way for employees to complete online training offerings, including requirements such as Title IX and annual Act 55 Safety and Security sessions.

The AIU also uses a third-party vendor, Vector Solutions, to provide a library of hundreds of professional development courses for employees. This library covers a wide range of topics, from courses applicable to all employees—like preventing workplace discrimination—to those tailored to specific roles, such as a road safety course for transportation drivers.

“We also offer courses focused on classroom management, trauma-informed care, and student engagement strategies, which are especially valuable for educators,” Koebel said. “Having everything in one place makes it easier for staff to find what they need to grow in their roles.”

Oracle Learning provides staff across all departments with consistent, accessible training through flexible pathways and real-time content updates that traditional in-person seminars and printed materials can’t easily match.

Recruitment has also been modernized through the Oracle Recruiting Cloud, which powers the AIU’s new career website launched in July 2025. The platform facilitates collaboration between the AIU’s talent acquisition team and hiring managers across the agency, enabling them to co-manage job postings, review applications, and coordinate interviews more effectively.

“We’re in constant communication with hiring managers to ensure that job postings are accurate and that we’re identifying the right candidates efficiently,” said Victoria Dunlop, supervisor of Talent Acquisition. “Oracle allows us to work together seamlessly across departments.”

Once a job posting is approved, it is easily scheduled to be posted to the AIU’s public careers website. The platform then provides convenient tools for talent acquisition specialists and hiring managers to use to view applications, schedule interviews, and complete the hiring process all the way through employee onboarding.

“The onboarding process starts even before an employee’s first day,” Dunlop said. “With Oracle, we can provide preboarding materials, collect documentation, and ensure a smooth transition into the organization. It sets the tone for a positive experience from day one.”