Human and Organizational Leadership Development
HOLD Mission
The Human and Organizational Leadership Development (HOLD) program prepares graduates to understand, lead, and work effectively with diverse stakeholders across and within organizations. The curriculum provides students with a grounding in the science of leadership development, organizational and leadership theory, quantitative and qualitative social science research methods, and data-informed decision-making. Students will gain insight into various organizations, including school districts, businesses, non-profits, and government agencies committed to cultivating clients’ and workers’ capacities. HOLD graduates will be skilled collaborators and communicators, keen observers of social structure and dynamics, and careful data consumers and analysts.
HOLD offers a program of study that builds upon scholarship in education, social science, policy, analytics, and leadership. The HOLD major mixes theory and practical skills that drive organizational improvement. The program uses applied research and experiential learning — including interdisciplinary projects and assignments, leadership programs, and a capstone project – to help deepen students’ understanding.
Message from the Program Director
Friends and Family of HOLD, it has been a pleasure to serve our Carolina and UNC School of Education communities as the program director for the Human and Organizational Leadership Development (HOLD) program. Over the past three years, I have met students, faculty, staff, and practitioners who have been enthusiastic about the program’s promise and delivery. This annual report enables us to reflect on our program’s launch as we enter a phase of continued growth and learning with a foundation set in our curriculum and holistic support of students.
In the past three years, we have graduated two exceptional cohorts of students who have contributed to the program as willing participants and trailblazers in a new degree program. Our success story lies in the stories our alums share about their programs. Our alumni have found professional graduate programs and employment in human resources and at colleges, universities, and nonprofits leaning on their solid foundation of organizational leadership and development coursework. The program continues to be a space where learning revolves around the research-topractice cycle. Our students’ capstone projects highlight how classroom learning applies to various workplace environments and helps them contribute in a way that moves organizations forward. Starting from an enrollment of 22 in Fall 2021, we know that our promise of applied learning opportunities will continue to equip the 75 currently enrolled to support organizations to thrive in ever-changing contexts.
Our successes have not been without challenges. The top three anticipated majors at Carolina are biology, business, and psychology. As a new major, it is challenging to gain relevance with
students; however, we know what makes Carolina students stand out is often their commitment to the growing and realizing potential wherever they go. We have strengthened our narrative about the promise of effective leadership in all organizations, which is bound by a commitment to building the capacity of the individuals who work within these organizations.
The highlights throughout this annual report could not have been part of our story without the help of many – from the faculty who worked on developing the program to the inaugural class who welcomed the opportunity to share feedback throughout their experiences, and all the graduate students, faculty, and staff who make the HOLD experience what it is. Career treks, leadership panels, capstone projects, networking events, and a strong sense of community are only possible with many in the campus community and the surrounding community.
We look forward to exploring new ways to enhance the learning experience in and beyond the classroom and building an alum network that reflects the HOLD program’s impact. Thank you for being part of the HOLD program so far. We look forward to engaging with you as we take the program to new heights.
Sincerely,
Jemilia S. Davis, Ph.D. HOLD Program Director & Clinical Assistant Professor
Student Profile
The students in the Human and Organizational Leadership Development (HOLD) program are as diverse in their academic pursuits as they are in their personal experiences, creating a vibrant and dynamic learning environment. Many HOLD majors pair their leadership studies with second majors like Public Policy, Economics, Communication Studies, or Psychology, while others pursue minors in Conflict Management, Creative Writing, Business Administration, and more. This variety allows students to approach organizational leadership through multiple lenses, drawing from fields that deepen their understanding of how individuals and groups operate within systems.
In addition to their academic diversity, many students are also members of Honors Carolina, where they further challenge themselves through rigorous coursework and honors thesis projects. Their commitment to academic excellence is evident in how they integrate the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE) career readiness competencies and the Organizational Development Network (OD Network) global framework into their learning.
These students are keen observers of social structures, collaborators who excel in team-based work, and critical thinkers who engage deeply with leadership theories. Whether it’s through their capstone projects or elective courses, HOLD students reflect on how their interdisciplinary studies, from philosophy to media and journalism, enhance their ability to lead with equity and datainformed decision-making.
HOLD students’ personal backgrounds add another layer of richness to the program. Hailing from Murphy to Manteo, NC, as well as different states, and even countries, their experiences navigating diverse cultural contexts prepare them to be global leaders. Many students take advantage of study abroad opportunities, bringing international perspectives back to the classroom, which further enriches discussions on leadership and organizational change. This blending of academic rigor, experiential learning, and diverse personal histories allows HOLD students to emerge as thoughtful, equity-minded leaders ready to take on challenges in a variety of organizational settings, from non-profits to global enterprises.
Program by the Numbers
72 Students Currently Enrolled
24 Class of 2024
19 Class of 2023
In addition to HOLD, our students bring a range of interests and valuable perspectives to our classrooms. On UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus, our students are double-majoring or minoring in the following academic disciplines:
Coursework
The HOLD major is designed to equip students with a profound understanding of leadership, organizational theory, and development across various settings, including educational and nonprofit sectors. The curriculum encourages critical thinking, social science research applications, and experiential learning to enhance organizational effectiveness and cultivate skilled leaders.
The core coursework begins with EDUC 257, where students tackle foundational aspects of inquiry and data applications within organizational contexts. They focus on measuring and analyzing real-world issues and leadership processes that drive organizational improvements. EDUC 309 expands on this foundation by exploring various leadership styles and philosophies, stressing the importance of self-awareness and service-oriented leadership. As students progress, courses like EDUC 357 and EDUC 472 delve deeper into organizational and community development mechanics and the strategies for implementing systemic improvements at scale. These classes prompt students to analyze organizations’ genesis, successes, and failures and engage in improvement research projects tailored to their interests or in collaboration with field practitioners.
Courses such as EDUC 505 and EDUC 508 sharpen focus on leadership nuances in educational and nonprofit settings, emphasizing equity and cultural competence. These courses
challenge students to confront their biases and understand the impact of inclusive leadership on organizational dynamics. The academic journey peaks with EDUC 585 and EDUC 695, integrative experiences that meld academic theory with real-world application through internships and capstone projects. These courses are designed to consolidate the student’s learning and to showcase their mastery of the skills acquired throughout their studies, preparing them for impactful leadership roles.
Complementing the core curriculum, diverse interdisciplinary elective courses allow students to explore youth development, educational policies, social justice, and organizational communication. These electives enable students to investigate the influences of family and community on youth in various contexts, delve into educational policy-making, or examine social justice in educational practices. Courses addressing specific demographic or thematic concerns, such as the Latinx experience in education or ethics in educational settings, further enrich the curriculum. These electives broaden students’ perspectives and empower them to integrate these insights into their major focus, tailoring their educational path to align with personal interests and career aspirations. This comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach ensures that HOLD majors graduate well-prepared to initiate and lead transformative changes in educational and nonprofit organizations.
Launched in 2021, the HOLD program offers students the opportunity to develop their communication and organizational skills while gaining valuable experiences for leadership careers through cross-listed courses in Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and Departments of Communication, Public Policy, and Sociology. This multidisciplinary major provides hands-on experiences for aspiring leaders in various fields, including human resources, education policy and administration, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.
HOLD Core Coursework Description
Inquiry and Data Applications
Foundations of Leadership
Organizational and Community Development
System Improvement and Implementation at Scale
Leadership in Educational/Nonprofit Settings
Equity, Leadership, and You
Activating Human Organizational Leadership and Development
Human Organizational Leadership and Development Capstone
This course focuses on the organizational context within which leaders work, and the internal reform initiatives that leaders leverage for organizational improvement. Using analysis, discussion, and reflection, students will examine real issues confronting organizational leaders and the processes of inquiry that leaders use to address these issues. Students will study several foundational topics in social science research with application to organizational life.
A three-credit seminar on leadership styles, philosophies, and issues related to leadership. Each class will overlap these concepts (topical or theory/practice, service, and self-awareness.)
In this course, we make organizations an object of study. Together, we will ask: Where do organizations come from? What accounts for their success and failure? And, most importantly, what can each of us do to make the organizations that we are part of better serve us all? Organizations include hospitals, nursing homes, schools, neighborhoods, clubs, and various workplaces.
A collaborative, experiential, and data-driven course for understanding and facilitating organizational learning and change. Students will complete an “improvement research project” based on their own personal interests and/or in partnership with practitioners in an organizational setting. Students will direct their course of study around three core questions: What is the specific problem I am trying to solve? What change might I introduce and why? How will I know whether the change is actually an improvement?
Introduces students to a research-based, highly practical understanding of leadership frames/ styles prominent in educational/nonprofit organizations. Emphasizes continued student engagement with various leadership models and principles.
This course was developed to confront and address questions of global cultural competence and self-critique. Culturally competent leaders work to understand their own biases and patterns of discrimination.
This course provides an integrative learning experience that prepares students to apply academic learning acquired in previous coursework to real-life situations likely to be encountered in the internship experience and throughout their careers. The project-based approach is intended to culminate learning about human development and organizational theory and provide an opportunity to practice and prepare for their capstone experience.
This course provides an integrative learning experience in which HOLD students apply academic learning acquired in previous coursework to real-life situations encountered in the field. The internship serves as the capstone of the HOLD major, requiring senior students to demonstrate mastery of the skills learned in the HOLD major. Students are required to complete a Human Organizational Leadership and Development project that will be shared in both written format and an oral presentation.
Student Feedback
Items below describe HOLD graduates’ agreement (Agree and Strongly Agree) about core competencies derived from the HOLD curriculum.
“One of the amazing things about HOLD is that it can be applicable to multiple industries, organizations, and opportunities. For me, I have found a passion in working with people, and HOLD has helped me navigate relationships and understand behavior in organizations. I have gained an expertise in organizational behavior, which allows me to look at a structure from the outside while being on the inside.”
“I’ve learned how to address and analyze issues in organizations through different models. For example, from a Human Resources, political, symbolic, and structural model. I’ve also learned how to analyze an organization’s equity efforts and see if it truly establishes a sense of belonging in the organizational culture.”
“I’ve learned how to articulate my leadership style, skills, and overall ‘who I am.’ to employers. Leadership tests that we took in EDUC 309 gave me the language to speak about my positive qualities in a job interview that led to my current position.”
"I did an HR internship and realized that HOLD had equipped me to do many of the tasks that were designated for me, such as conflict resolution and dealing with structural change in the organization."
HOLD Capstone
The HOLD Capstone Symposium brings together students and partner organizations to showcase collaborative projects designed to address organizational needs and support learning and human development across various sectors. Each student, applying theories and competencies from the HOLD curriculum, works on impactful initiatives alongside professionals in diverse fields, ranging from education and non-profits to technology and government.
In both 2023 and 2024, students supported partners through a variety of tailored projects. In education and community development, several capstone projects focused on improving accessibility and engagement for underserved populations. Examples included career readiness initiatives with the McNair Educational Foundation and college advising support for underrepresented students with Duke University’s College Advising Corps. Similarly, projects in technology and human resources, such as those with Red Hat and Toshiba, involved implementing automated processes, developing leadership training, and refining recruitment and onboarding programs
to enhance efficiency and inclusivity. Many students worked with non-profit organizations to advance social causes, from refining anti-racist educational resources to creating volunteer recruitment strategies in refugee support services. These projects were instrumental in helping partners expand their impact, engage their communities, and improve their internal processes. For example, students collaborating with the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Boys & Girls Clubs developed trauma-informed policies and sustainable outreach plans, directly benefiting community members and organizational resilience.
The HOLD Capstone Symposium serves as a milestone for students, underscoring the HOLD program’s commitment to leadership development and practical, equity-driven solutions. Through these projects, students demonstrate how academic learning can meet real-world challenges, providing valuable contributions to their partners while gaining insights and skills that will shape their future careers.
Capstone Partners
HOLD leadership and faculty members have cultivated relationships with a number of organizations across sectors and fields that align with students’ professional aspirations.
Ericsson
CollegeBound Foundation
Coalition For Non Profit
Housing and Economic Development
The Josh Neuman Foundation
Salvio’s Pizzeria
BMW
Girls on the Run
UNC Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice
North Carolina Coalition Against Violence
Leadershape
North Carolina Teaching Fellows
Carolina Performing Arts
Versado Training
Community Organizing for Racial Equity
Durham Children’s choir
Therapy for Black Girls
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
we are
Solimar International
UNC Undergraduate Admissions
Versado Training
North Carolina Study Center
Room to Read
Boy Scouts of America
UNC Campus Safety
Participate Learning
Carolina Leadership Academy
Organizational Leadership and Learning EdD
Jury-X
Yoga Village
The Community Church of Chapel Hill
UNC Operational Excellence Kelaca
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Chatham County Schools
NXTWork
proofpoint
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chambor of Commerce
The Hunt Institute
Expand Coaching and Consulting
Toshiba
North Carolina Department of Justice
Chapel Hill Cooperative Preschool
Boys and Girls Club of Durham and Orange Counties
Phillips Middle School
Emily K Center
The Hunt Institute
Carolina Low Vision
UNC Athletics
Public Schools Forum of NC
North Carolina Botanical Garden
Graced INC.
Carolina Center for Public Service
Mother Infant Research Studies
Rhizome
Carolina Women’s Center
APCO Worldwide Topia
Capstone Supervisor Reflections
1. Application of Skills and Rapid Growth: Supervisors consistently noted the remarkable application of academic skills to real-world scenarios and significant personal and professional growth during internships. Students were praised for their efficiency and innovation, reflecting the dynamic capabilities our curriculum fosters. Students not only met the basic requirements of their internships but also brought innovative ideas and made impactful contributions to their organizations.
2. Leadership and Initiative: Many students were frequently lauded for exceeding expectations in their leadership roles, demonstrating proactive engagement and seamless integration into professional settings.
3. Professional Readiness and Versatility: Several students were described as being ready for professional environments from the outset, showcasing their preparedness through rigorous coursework and capstone experiences. They were particularly noted for their exceptional communication skills and adeptness at managing complex tasks.
4. Employability: Our students’ readiness and skillset led many site supervisors to express a strong desire to hire them if opportunities were available. Students have been hired immediately after their capstone due to their outstanding contributions and applied skills.
Programming
Career Treks, Leadership Panels, and More
HOLD offers transformative experiences that help students explore careers and professional paths outside the classroom. Through our Career Treks, HOLD students have the unique opportunity to network, connect, and engage with industry leaders across diverse sectors. These treks are designed to deepen students’ understanding of potential career paths, apply their classroom knowledge in realworld contexts, and build a network of contacts and mentors for future endeavors. Here’s a snapshot of our recent Career Treks, which have already impacted our students and the organizations we partner with:
Ed2NC and NC State Government
In partnership with the N.C. Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) and Carolina’s University Career Services, HOLD students embarked on a Career Trek to the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh. Nearly 30 students met with professionals from over 10 state agencies, including the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and the N.C. Department of Transportation. This experience allowed students to learn about career pathways within state government and see how their HOLD training could be applied to careers in public service. “Career Treks offer students a glimpse into their future,” said HOLD Program Director Jemilia Davis,
Career Treks: Bridging Classroom Learning with Real-World Experiences
Ph.D. “It’s about seeing HOLD’s versatility and students’ ability to fit into various impactful roles across government.”
Red Hat
Students also explored the vibrant, communityfocused culture of Red Hat, a leading opensource software provider based in Raleigh. The trek featured a tour of Red Hat’s headquarters, an interactive session with the director of North America Transformation Services, and networking with UNC alumni. Students experienced firsthand the open-source ethos that drives Red Hat’s innovations and learned how a commitment to collaboration and shared knowledge can fuel global change in technology, showcasing how HOLD’s core competencies align with leadership practices at Red Hat.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Students were able to trek to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, where they gained insight into the role of strategic
philanthropy in nonprofit organizations and networked with Morehead’s leadership team. The visit included a unique opportunity to experience Carolina Skies in the full-dome theater and a case study application led by Morehead Director Todd Boyette on thoughtful philanthropy. These activities underscored the importance of HOLD’s strategic thinking and leadership skills, equipping students to make meaningful impacts in public service and nonprofit sectors.
These Career Treks offer HOLD students invaluable opportunities to explore diverse career options, network with professionals, and develop a sense of direction for their post-graduate careers. They also allow organizations to connect with motivated, skilled, and visionary students ready to contribute to their fields. Together, our Career Treks bring the curriculum to life, exemplifying how the HOLD program builds career-ready leaders prepared to make a difference.
Jayna Ellis, Grace Keel, and Zinny Ubezonu, class of 2023, reunited for a life after HOLD panel discussion led by their former professor, Dr. Ethan Hutt, to reflect on how HOLD shaped their personal and professional journeys.
Grace, a community outreach coordinator at AGI in Virginia Beach, integrates volunteer events into corporate culture, applying her HOLD and her psychology coursework to enhance community and organizational engagement.
Jayna, a brand coordinator for Therapy for Black Girls, combines her HOLD and communication studies background to champion mental health advocacy and professional development for Gen Z Black women through digital media.
Zinny, now pursuing nursing, highlighted her leadership in founding UNC’s OneAfrica and her focus on serving underserved populations, demonstrating the program’s relevance across
diverse fields.
The panelists discussed their motivations for choosing HOLD, emphasizing how its focus on leadership, community, and organizational dynamics aligned with their aspirations. They credited capstone projects—such as Grace’s family engagement strategies for refugees, Jayna’s work with mental health media, and Zinny’s research on healthcare access for marginalized women—for giving them realworld confidence and clarity in their career paths.
In advice to current students, they stressed the value of connecting with peers, engaging faculty, and applying classroom lessons to practical challenges. Their stories showcased HOLD’s transformative impact, inspiring future leaders to innovate, collaborate, and drive change across industries.
Alumni Panel