Dr. Githens' curriculum vita

Dr. Githens' web site

Educational Background

• PhD, Human Resource Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008
• EdM, Human Resource Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2004
• BS, History, Illinois State University, 1999
• BS, Religious Studies, Lincoln Christian College, 1999

Teaching Areas

• Undergraduate Level: Workplace and Information Ethics, Program Exit Experience (Capstone)
• Graduate Level: Organizational Change and Consulting, Organizational Analysis, Advanced Theory in Human Resource Development, HRE Integrative Capstone Seminar

Research Interests

My research is centered around fostering humane, accessible, and diverse workplaces through workforce and human resource development. Specifically, I focus on:

• Creating diverse and humane organizations that function optimally
• Increasing access to self-sustaining careers through postsecondary and community-based workforce development
• E-learning and distance education

Honors and Awards

• William E. Nagel Alumni Award, University of Illinois - Human Resource Education, 2010
• Evans Doctoral Scholar, University of Illinois – Human Resource Education, 2007-2008
• William Chandler Bagley Fellow, University of Illinois – College of Education, 2006-2007
• Robert Tomlinson Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Research, and Service, University of Illinois – Human Resource Education, 2005

Professional Activities & Interests

• Assistant Editor, New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 2011-present
• Editorial Board, Advances in Developing Human Resources, 2009-present
• Editorial Board, Career and Technical Education Research, 2009-present
• Manuscript Reviewer, Human Resource Development Quarterly, 2008-present
• Manuscript Reviewer, Human Resource Development Review, 2008-present
• Manuscript Reviewer, New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 2007-present

Selected Publications

• Cumberland, D., and Githens, R.P., (in press). Tacit knowledge barriers in franchising. Jounral of Workplace Learning.
• Githens, R. P. (2011). Diversity and incivility: Toward an action-oriented approach. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 13 (1), 40-53.
• Ghosh, R., & Githens, R. P. (2011). Online contract training: Applying organization theory to reconcile competing missions within community colleges. Human Resource Development Review, 10(2), 180-197.
• Githens, R. P. & Sauer, T. M. (2010). Going green online: Distance learning prepares students for success in green-collar job markets. Community College Journal, 80(6), 30-33.
• Maurer, M. and Githens, R. P., 2010. Toward a re-framing of action research for human resource and organization development: Moving beyond problem solving and toward dialogue. Action Research Journal, 8(3), 267-292.
• Githens, R. P. (2009). Power relationships in fostering a collaborative community in a non-profit professional organization. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 22(5), 413-429.
• Githens, R. P. and Aragon, S. R. (2009). LGBT employee groups: Goals and organizational structures. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 11(1), 121-135.
• Githens, R. P., Dirani, K., Gitonga, J. W., & Teng, Y. T. (2008). Technology-related research in HRD publications: An analysis of content and metaperspectives from 2000 to 2006. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 19(3), 191-215.
• Githens, R. P. (2007). Older adults and e-learning: Opportunities and barriers. Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 8(4), 329-338.
• Githens, R. P. (2007). Understanding interpersonal interaction in an online professional development course. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 18(2), 253-274.