Curriculum Vitae - Adrienne A. Isakovic, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP ... · Curriculum Vitae Adrienne A. Isakovic, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, HRMP PO Box 127788 ... (thesis) process, and active sponsor

CV of Adrienne A. Isakovic, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, HRMP

Curriculum Vitae

Adrienne A. Isakovic, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, HRMP PO Box 127788

Abu Dhabi, UAE +971 50 338 4928 [email protected]

Website: www.adrienneisakovic.com LinkedIn: ae.linkedin.com/in/adiisakovic Twitter: @adiisakovic

Professional Excellence Summary

Currently serve as Professor in the Doctor of Management in Research and Executive MBA

programs at Universitas Pelita Harapan, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Currently serve as Lead Faculty Member in the Master’s of Human Resource Management

program at Walden University, USA.

Currently serve as Mentor (i.e., Dissertation chair) for 11 DBA students and as Dissertation

Committee member for 10 DBA students at Capella University, USA, and teach Quantitative

Research Methods to DBA students.

Served as Assistant Professor of Human Resources, focusing on teaching undergraduate and

graduate students majoring in HRM through blended learning, supervising a graduate learner

in the dissertation (thesis) process, and active sponsor and supervisor of student

presentations and papers at professional conferences.

The founding Manager tasked with creating HR units in Learning & Development and

Organizational Development in three organizations (to include two academic institutions).

Comprehensive experience in practitioner/managerial roles in Human Resources in the

United Arab Emirates in both private and government organizations, including as Acting

Director and Vice President, Office of Human Resources.

Extensive experience teaching in colleges and universities in the U.S.A., Saudi Arabia,

Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Consultancy experience in the higher education community in the MENA + India region.

Presented and published both in scholarly and practitioner venues.

Extensive university committee, administrative and service activities.

Winner of awards for Research, Global HR Leadership, Teaching Excellence, and University

Service.

Authored curriculum for and taught in face-to-face and online formats, including the creation

and development of eLearning modules and videos.

Consistently rated as excellent by both students and training participants (evaluations

available for review).

Conducted corporate training in both private and government sectors on topics including

leadership and management development, performance management, cross-cultural

adjustment, team building, and software packages.

http://www.adrienneisakovic.com/

2 CV of Adrienne A. Isakovic, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, HRMP

Academic Qualifications

Ph.D., Organization and Management, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A. 2010 (GPA 3.93) Dissertation Title: The academic expatriate in the United Arab Emirates: A new lens through

which to view expatriate sociocultural adjustment Committee: Dr. Mary Forseth Whitman, Chair Dr. Mark Mendenhall, Committee Member Dr. Cyd Strickland, Committee Member

M.S., Organization and Management, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A. 2006 (GPA 3.91) M.S. Ed., Multilingual/Multicultural Education, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, U.S.A. 1997 (GPA 3.95) B.A., International Studies, summa cum laude, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, U.S.A. 1995 (GPA 3.92)

Asian Studies Certificate, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, U.S.A. 1995 (GPA 4.0)

Certificate of Completion, Basic Korean Language Course (47 weeks), Defense Language Institute,

Presidio of Monterey, CA, U.S.A. 1988 (GPA 4.0)

Professional Certifications

Senior Certified Professional (SCP), Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)

Human Resource Management Professional (HRMP), HR Certification Institute

KornFerry/Lominger Leadership Architect 101

KornFerry/Lominger Voices360 Feedback and Coaching

KornFerry/Lominger Interview Architect

Only certified administrator for the Global Competencies Inventory psychometric assessment

in the GCC, which measures global leadership competencies for managing differences and

diversity.

Honors and Awards

ICDE Prize for Innovation and Best Practice under the theme of Impact for paper (co-authored with Allan McNaught) Supporting Learning Through the Use of Self-Reflection Blogs: A study of the experience of blended learning students in the UAE, Tianjin, China, October 2013

Selected as Best Practice Exemplar at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University for my use of learning reflection blogs with graduate students, Dubai, UAE, February 2013

Global HR Leadership Award, 20th World HRD Congress, Mumbai, India, February 2012

Regional HR Leadership Award, 10th Asia Pacific HRM Congress, Bangalore, India, September 2011

Award of Teaching Excellence, International Language Institute, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, May 2002

Award of Appreciation for Service, International Language Institute, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, May 2002


“Above and Beyond” Service Recognition Award, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE, June 2001

Exchange student at Nankai University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, full scholarship from the University of South Florida, 1994.

Outstanding Graduating Senior, Department of Government and International Relations, University of South Florida, 1994.

Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society (invited as only junior-level student from College of Arts & Sciences), University of South Florida, 1993

Phi Kappa Phi Book Scholarship, 1993

College of Arts & Sciences Faculty/Staff Scholarship, University of South Florida, 1993

Sigma Iota Rho, Honor Society for International Studies, 1993

College of Arts & Sciences Honor Society, 1993

Continual Dean’s List ranking through undergraduate and graduate studies

Research Grants

Awarded: The road to performance for female expatriate service workers in the UAE. Internal grant, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, 5,000 AED, academic year 2012-2013. Principal Investigator.

Academic/Teaching Positions

Lead Faculty Member, Master in Human Resource Management Program, Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. October 2014 – present

o Mentor faculty on best practices for engagement and learning with students in the MHRM program

o Teach MHRM6110: Talent Management o Teach MHRM6330: Benefits and Compensation

Professor, Doctor of Research in Management (DRM) and EMBA Program, Universitas Pelita Harapan, Jakarta, Indonesia, August 2014 – present

o Mentor (i.e. Dissertation Chair) for 6 DRM students specializing in HRM topics for research o Creating and teaching the following DRM online class modules:

o Foundations of Management Theory o Organization, Management and Learning Theory o Human Capital Management and Transformation Theory o Organization Culture, Performance and Reward Management o Talent Management – Theory and Practice

o Teach EMBA modules on HRM, OB, Leadership, and Change Management


DBA Mentor and Professor, Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. January 2013 – present

o Mentor (i.e. Dissertation Chair) for 6 DBA students majoring in Human Resource Management, or Leadership in the DBA program. Dissertations which have been successfully defended include:

o How Does National And Organizational Culture Affect Talent Retention At The Integration Stage Of An International Merger And Acquisition In Asian, European, And North American Regions?

o Marketing Matters: A Quantitative Study On Whether Online Universities' Use Of Different Marketing Messages In Advertising Can Affect Hiring Managers' Perceptions Of Online Degrees

o The Propensity To Pursue Executive Coaching: The Variables Of Self-Efficacy And Transformational Leadership

o Human Resource Office Grievance Procedures: Trust Versus Intent To Quit o Dissertation 2nd Committee Member for 10 DBA students majoring in Human Resource

Management in the DBA program o Professor for DB8050 – Advanced (Quantitative) Research Methods class o SME: wrote curriculum for new DBA course DB8055 Research Design and Methodology o Professor for PHB8024 – Advanced Research: Mixed-Methods Research Design class in

Spring Quarter 2013 for Ph.D. program o October 2013-present – IRB Board Member and Reviewer

Assistant Professor of Human Resources, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Dubai, UAE, August 2012 – January 2015.

o Supervised only Master’s in HRM dissertation (Reflections on the Determinants of Voluntary Turnover Among Emirati Employees in the UAE Private Sector by Omayya Z. Kaplan)

o Supervised only HBMSU submission in the 2nd UAE Undergraduate Student Research Competition (May 2014).

o Supervised one student paper and seven student poster presentations at the 2014 7th Quality Conference, Dubai, UAE (March 2014).

o Coordinator for M.Sc. degree in HRM o Courses taught:

Master’s Level: Recruitment and Retention Training & Development Human Resource Management International Human Resource Management Dissertation I & II Bachelor’s Level: Introduction to Management Recruitment & Selection Applied HR Policies HRM Capstone (run as a bachelor’s thesis) Internship

o Program and curriculum design, to include creating HRM class curriculum from scratch for each of the classes I have taught

o Academic advising for average of 60 (mix of undergraduate and graduate) learners each semester

o Coordination of joint program with AHRI, the Australian HR professional body, which awards certificates and diplomas in HRM.


Adjunct Professor, Executive MBA Program, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi, UAE, February 2012 – June 2012

Course taught:

o EMBA 655: Strategic HR Management and Leadership Lecturer, UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE, August 2003 – June 2004

Courses taught:

o Upper-level academic writing classes (included on-line Blackboard component)

Graduate Teaching Assistant (.5 FTE), Fall 2002, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, U.S.A.

o As part of a team, created and implemented an On-line Writing Laboratory (OWL) in

WebCT designed specifically to give remedial instruction to students who take required undergraduate business communication classes. Duties included concept creation and development, resource research and location, specific module and assessment writing.

(held this position concurrently with .5 FTE Research Assistantship during enrollment full-time in MBA program; voluntarily dropped Spring 2003 due to prioritization of research)

Instructor and Teacher Trainer, August 2001 – August 2002, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, U.S.A.

Courses taught:

o Advanced Writing for ESL Students o Research Skills for ESL Students o Multimedia ESL (student-centered, technology-driven, independent learning class;

self-initiated and created) o Graduate Academic Writing (for international Ph.D. students) o Workshop for visiting EFL secondary school teachers from Kumamoto, Japan

Instructor, August 1999 – June 2001, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Courses taught: o Academic Writing o Research Skills o Critical Thinking Skills I & II (each course semester-long; self-initiated and created)

English Instructor/Materials Developer, September 1997 – June 1999, Institute of Public Administration, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Courses taught:

o Advanced Reading for Banking (self-authored textbook) o Intermediate Reading for Secretaries (self-authored textbook) o English Grammar, four separate levels o Preparatory Oral (self-authored textbook) o Elementary Oral (self-authored textbook) o Intermediate Listening

Instructor (Part-time), March 1997 – August 1997, Center for Intensive English Studies, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, U.S.A.

Courses taught:

o English for Academic Purposes, all skill levels and subjects


Research-only Positions Research Associate II (.5 FTE, grant funded), Spring 2003, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, U.S.A.

o Wrote The employment of people with disabilities: A modular training curriculum.

Funded by the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of education.

(held this position during enrollment full-time in MBA degree program; voluntarily dropped Summer 2003 due to relocating to United Arab Emirates)

Research Graduate Assistant (.5 FTE), Fall 2002, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, U.S.A.

o Researched and developed a table of tax incentives for hiring individuals with disabilities as well as rated qualitative factors used in one of the survey instruments for the 2003 SHRM research monograph Employer Incentives for Hiring Individuals with Disabilities (acknowledgement given).

o Assisted in a project funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, which examined Why Employers Don’t Hire the Disabled: A Survey of the Literature. Significant contribution included conducting and documenting a comprehensive literature review.

(held this position concurrently with .5 FTE Teaching Assistantship during enrollment full-time in MBA degree program; converted into grant-funded Research Associate II position)

Graduate Assistantship in Asian Studies (.33 FTE), Fall 1995, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, U.S.A.

o Research and program assistance provided to Director of Asian Studies.

(held this position during enrollment full-time in M.A. Asian Studies degree program; voluntarily dropped Spring 1996 due to changing into M.S. Ed. degree program in the College of Education)


Publications (Current H-factor of 3 on Google Scholar, 46 current citations)

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles Alzouebi, K., and Isakovic, A.A. (2014). Exploring the Learner Perspective of Social Media in Higher

Education in the United Arab Emirates. Global Education Journal, 2014(2),13-32. Isakovic, A.A. and McNaught, A. G. (2013). Supporting Learning Through the Use of

Self-Reflection Blogs: A study of the experience of blended learning students in the United Arab Emirates. Open Praxis, 5(4), 355-363.

Isakovic, A. A. and Whitman, M. F. (2013). Self-Initiated Expatriate Adjustment in the

United Arab Emirates: A Study of Academics. Journal of Global Mobility, 1(2), 161-186. Isakovic, A. A., and Al Mansoori, F. (2012). Tips & Toes: A Total Rewards Strategy Fuels

Growth. Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies, 2(8), 1-10. Whitman, M.F. and Isakovic, A.A. (2012). Can Personality Traits Influence International

Experience Success and Stress Management Strategies of Organizational and Self-Initiating Expatriates? Journal of Global Business Management, 8(1), 102-110.

Reynolds, A. A. (2005). An examination of the goodness-of-fit between the expatriate

adjustment model and self-selecting expatriates. Journal of Economic & Administrative Sciences, 21(2), 52-67.

Book Chapters Isakovic, A.A. (2014). Investing in human capital through training & development: An

experiential learning framework. In M.A. Gonzalez-Perez & V. Taras (Eds.), Palgrave Handbook of Experiential Learning in International Business. London: Palgrave McMillian.

Sheetz, D., and Reynolds, A. A. (2011). A pound of flesh every day: The effect of doctoral study on

the work-life balance. In C. Coombe, S. A. Rmalieh, & L. Stephenson (Eds.), Leadership and Management in ELT: Perspectives From the Gulf. Dubai, UAE: TESOL Arabia Publications.

Reynolds, A. A. (2005). Educational technology in the Middle East. In Howard, C., et al. (Eds.),

Encyclopedia of International Computer-Based Learning (pp. 717-723). Hershey, PA: Idea Group Reference.

Published Conference Proceedings Jabreen, F., and Isakovic, A.A. (2015). Exploring the Communication Styles at the Workplace: A UAE

Perspective. International Conference on Organization and Management (ICOM), Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 2015.

Teh, J., Al-Dhaafri, H., and Isakovic, A.A. (2015). Entrepreneurial Attitudes and Intentions of Dubai

Students. 9th Asia-Pacific Business Research Conference, Singapore, November 2015. Isakovic, A.A. (2015). Emiratization. Part of the special topic panel presentation Middle East North

Africa: Facts, Misconceptions and Opportunities for International Business Research. 2015 Annual Meeting of the Academy of International Business, Bangalore, India, June 2015.

Isakovic, A.A., and Whitman, M.F. (2013). One size does not fit all: Evidence for tailoring

HRM practices for self-initiated expatriates in the United Arab Emirates. 2nd International Conference on Emerging Research Paradigms in Business and Social Sciences. Middlesex University, Dubai, UAE, November 2013. ISBN: 978-9948-20-593-7.


Isakovic, A.A., Whitman, M.F., and Al Mansoori, F. (2013). The road to performance for female expatriate service workers in the UAE. The 2013 Academy of International Business – MENA Chapter Conference Proceedings, East Meets West, Cairo, Egypt, January 2013. ISSN: 2220-4539.

Whitman, M.F., and Isakovic, A.A. (2012). A theoretical comparison of traditional expatriates and self-

initiating expatriates stress and adjustment: A model for future research, Global Business and International Management Conference Proceedings, Atlanta, Georgia, US, January 2012. ISSN: 2155-1219.

Reynolds, A. A. (2010). An empirical comparison of traditional expatriates and self-initiating

expatriates: Implications for future research. The 2010 Academy of International Business-MENA Chapter Conference 1st Conference Proceedings, Manara – Reigniting Growth. Dubai, UAE, December 10-12, 2010. ISSN: 2220-4547.

Other Publications Isakovic, A.A. (2016, forthcoming). Expatriates, Self-Initiating (SIEs). In M. E. Mendenhall, Ed.

International Leadership: A Reference Guide. Mission Bell Press. Isakovic, A.A. (2016, forthcoming). Expatriates, Academics. In M. E. Mendenhall, Ed. International

Leadership: A Reference Guide. Mission Bell Press. Brooks, A. A. R. (2003). The employment of people with disabilities: A modular training curriculum.

Funded by the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education. Distributed by the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Wichita, Kansas.

Lengnick-Hall, M.L., Gaunt, P.M., and Brooks, A.A.R. (2003). Why employers don’t hire people with

disabilities: A survey of the literature. Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Wichita, Kansas; available at http://www.cprf.org/whyemployersdonthire.htm.

Brooks, A. A. R. (2002). Women in the Emirati military: Spearhead of change. Military Review, 82(2), 103-104.

Brooks, A. A. R. (1998). Saudi Arabia presents particular challenges to women. TESOL Placement

Bulletin, 8(5),5-6. Brooks, A. A. R. (1997). Learning strategies as learning inhibitors for Chinese speakers. Tallahassee,

FL: Florida State University. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED411680)

Presentations (without Published Proceedings)

Academic/Scholarly Isakovic, A.A., and Whitman, M.F. (2014). One size does not fit all: Evidence for tailoring

HRM practices for self-initiated expatriates in the United Arab Emirates. Middlesex University Dubai Research Seminar Series, Dubai, UAE, April 2014.

Isakovic, A.A., and Al Mansoori, F. (2014). Implications of the adjustment curve on

designing HR support practices for self-initiated expatriates. 7th Quality Conference in the Middle East, Dubai, UAE, March 2014.


Al Tukmachy, H., and Isakovic, A.A. (2014). Best practices in pre-departure expatriate training at Nokia Dubai: A cast study. 7th Quality Conference in the Middle East, Dubai, UAE, March 2014.

Isakovic, A.A., and McNaught, A. (2013). Supporting Learning Through the Use of Self-

Reflection Blogs: A study of the experience of blended learning students in the UAE. 25th Global Conference of the International Council on Open and Distance Education. Tianjin Open University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, October 2013.

Academic Expatriate Sociocultural Adjustment: Challenging Assumptions. Research Seminar Series,

Abu Dhabi Men’s College, Higher Colleges of Technology, April, 2011. The academic expatriate in the United Arab Emirates: A new lens through which to view expatriate

sociocultural adjustment. Research Colloquia Series, Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research, Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 2010.

The missing expatriate: An examination of the goodness-of-fit between the expatriate adjustment

model and self-selecting expatriates. The Third International Conference on Globalization, Technology, and Sustainable Development. Al-Ain, UAE, November 2005.

Learning strategies as learning inhibitors for Chinese speakers. The Thirty-First International TESOL

Convention and Exposition, Orlando, Florida, March 1997. Chinese literacy and second language learning: A roundtable discussion. Moderator and Presenter,

Florida State University, November 1996. Corporate/Practitioner HR Hacks for Entrepreneurs. 60th Annual International Council for Small Business World Conference,

Dubai UAE, June 2015 (Invited Speaker). From “Yes, Let’s Do It” to “Yes, We Did It”: Ensuring Your Engagement Initiatives Come to Fruition.

2014 HR Employee Engagement Forum, Dubai, UAE, December 2014. (Invited speaker). Using HR Metrics to Drive Business Results. HR Conference at Al Ain Women’s Conference, Al Ain,

UAE, May 2014 (Invited Speaker). How To Write An HR Policy That Supports Your Organization's Culture. HR for Startups and SMEs

Forum, 2013 Middle East HR Summit and Exposition, Dubai, UAE, October 2013. (Invited speaker).

Assessment Methods In Selection And Recruitment: What Really Works And What Doesn’t.

Recruitment and Talent Acquisition Forum, 2012 Middle East HR Summit, Dubai, UAE, November 2012. (Invited speaker).

Expatriate sociocultural adjustment: What every HR manager needs to know. 20th World HRD

Congress, Mumbai, India, February 2012 (Invited speaker). Development and implementation of a successful orientation program for self-initiating expatriate

employees. SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 2011 (Invited speaker).

Is your university a 21st century university? SunGard Higher Education Middle East Users Group

(SMEUG) conference, Dubai, UAE, November 2009. The virtual generation: The technological and social drivers of higher education students today.

SunGard Higher Education Middle East Users Group (SMEUG) conference, Dubai, UAE, November 2009.


Meeting higher education challenges: Creating connected communities for learners and developing compelling relationships with potential students. Bahrain Higher Education Executive Meeting: Performance Matters, Manama, Bahrain, February 2009.

The integrated relationship learning curve: Communication is vital (with H. Gulru Alsaja). SunGard

Higher Education Middle East Users Group (SMEUG) conference. Dubai, UAE, December 2006.

Creating effective end-user training for Banner HR. SunGard Higher Education Middle East Users Group (SMEUG) conference. Dubai, UAE, December 2006.

Obtaining a post-graduate degree at a distance: How to choose the right program for you. Al-Ain

Chapter of TESOL Arabia, February 2004.

Committee Service

Walden University, Minneapolis, MN, USA, Summer Semester 2015 – present

Member, Academic Integrity Committee Capella University, Minneapolis, MN, USA, Winter Quarter 2014 – present

Member, DBA Faculty Development Committee

Member, Scientific Merit Review Advisory Committee Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Dubai, UAE, Fall 2012 – Fall 2014

Member, QFD Committee for mapping course goals and program outcomes for all courses in BHRM and MHRM programs – Spring 2013

Member, Technical Committee, 7th Quality Conference – 2014

Plenary Chair, and session Chair, 7th Quality Conference - 2014 Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Spring 2011

President’s Community Development Strategic Planning Subcommittee – this group provides recommendations to the President for actions and strategic plan wording as required to build and sustain an organizational culture of innovation and excellence that serves and includes all university community stakeholders.

Facilities Planning Committee – responsible for the planning and allocation of space and facility resources on the Khalifa University temporary campus as two other tenants vacate University buildings and requirements for further classroom, office, laboratory, and other administrative space are met.

UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE, Spring 2004.

UAE University New Faculty/Staff Orientation and Support Services Work Group – worked on a complete overhaul of the university-wide new faculty and staff orientation process.

Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Spring 2000.

Curriculum Committee Member – responsible for English support curriculum in the General Education and major track courses of Information Sciences.


Administrative Service

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Dubai, UAE, Fall 2012 – Fall 2014

Coordination of Master’s in HRM program

Coordination of Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) FHR program

Internal Grant Application Review

Syllabus revision for undergraduate and postgraduate HRM courses

Provide information from AIB-L listserv to colleagues regarding conferences and calls for papers

Coordinator for Associate (adjunct) faculty information and record-keeping UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE, 2003-2004.

Supervised the new teacher mentoring program, including all administrative duties of same.

Co-authored a survey instrument regarding new teacher satisfaction with the HR in-processing component, statistically analyzed data and produced written report of same.

University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, USA, 2001-2002.

Developed, implemented, and supervised the International Language Institute computer laboratory.

Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 1999-2001.

DynEd Records Manager/Campus Trainer – responsible for maintaining accurate daily student records for 15 IEP sections, dissemination of records to teachers, as well as comprehensive teacher training on the DynEd software program (Spring 2000).

Visa Coordinator – responsible for all aspects of coordination in the administration of entrance skill-based exams required of all students entering the General Education program (Spring 2001).

IEP Slow Track Coordinator – responsible for all aspects of coordination duties for 180 students in year-long intensive English program (Fall 1999).

Institute of Public Administration, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 1997-1999.

Program Coordinator -- responsible for all administrative and disciplinarian duties related to a particular student group in a program.

Assistant to the ELC Coordinator – performed administrative duties such as class scheduling, student rosters, grade templates, etc.

Center for Intensive English Studies, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA, March – August 1997.

Curriculum Assistant – conducted a center-wide needs assessment and initiated a reorganization of the center’s program goals and objectives, implementing changes in the curriculum to reflect the results of the needs assessment.

Extracurricular University Service

Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 1999-2001.

Founded and faculty sponsor of the ZU Stitching Club, an extracurricular club on the Abu Dhabi campus of Zayed University. Taught, advised, lectured (history), and mentored club members, which at club peak numbered close to 50. Members included students, faculty and staff. Club projects were featured in the UAE press in both English and Arabic publications.

During Spring Academic Festival, taught six extracurricular classes: five sections of “The Art of Cross-Stitch,” and one section of “Introductory Chinese.”


External Service to the Profession

Session Chair, Asian Academy of Management ICOM2015 Conference (OB Track)

Ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Global Mobility, 2012-present

Reviewer for the Academy of Management Conference, August 2013 (HR and OB divisions)

Reviewer for the Academy of Management Conference, August 2014 (HR and Management

Education divisions)

Reviewer for the Academy of Management Conference, August 2015 (HR and Management

Education divisions)

Reviewer for the Academy of International Business Conference, June 2014 (tracks: People

and Careers in Cross-Cultural Business and Organization, Management and Human

Resources of the MNE

Reviewer for the Academy of International Business Conference, June 2015 (tracks: People

and Careers in Cross-Cultural Business and Organization, Management and Human

Resources of the MNE

Reviewer for the 3rd AIB-MENA Conference, January 2013

Liaison to the UAE and Human Resources, Higher Education Teaching & Learning Portal,

2012-present

Member, Editorial Advisory Board, The Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning,

2012-present

Judge, SHRM Foundation Student Scholarship 2013 and 2014 Competitions

Debate member, live debate on “Should Firms Allow Employees Flexibility to Work From

Home?” at http://www.arabbusinessreview.com (March-April 2014).

http://www.arabbusinessreview.com/


Professional Positions

Senior Trainer and SME Consultant, Bluevisions Consulting/Institute of Management, Australasia and MENA region, February 2015 – present

o Provide HRM expertise in a consultative role to private and public organizations in the UAE on a contract basis.

o Conduct management and leadership training sessions for selected clients on a contract basis.

Advisor, Strategic Workforce Planning and Retention, Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 2011 – July 2012 Manager, Organizational Development, November 2009 – November 2011 Acting Vice President, Office of Human Resources, July 2011, February-March 2012, April 2012 Acting Director, Office of Human Resources, July-August 2010, December 2010, and April 2011 Highlights included:

Introduction and inclusion of behavioral competency library and model into full employee lifecycle (i.e., recruitment and selection, performance management, development, retention strategies)

Internal thought leader and coach at all levels around employee engagement and retention

Internal expert on expatriate and cross-cultural management and adjustment

Development of individualized Emirati Career Development Program

Advisor to Khalifa University Spouse Resource Group

Establishment of Organizational Development function, overseeing Learning & Development (both Faculty and Staff), Performance Management (Staff), facilitation and coordination of Academic Leadership Retreats

Creation of UAE National Fresh Graduate Professional Development Program to include program design, curriculum writing and delivery (training modules delivered to date: The University as an Organization, Work Ethics, Critical and Creative Thinking)

Authorship of substantial sections of Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual

Project Manager of writing of the institution-wide Policies and Procedures Manuals, including membership of Draft Policy Volumes Review Committee (remainder of committee is the President’s Executive Committee)

Led preparation of 2012 HR budget request (2.8 million AED, to include institutional centralized training funds)

Management of full HR Services and Systems function (April to September 2010)

Management of full Recruitment function (May to September 2010, June to November 2011)

Full onboarding of new President, Dean, and Department Chairs

Creation and Lead of robust pre-departure and on-site orientation program for international hires, to include follow-up satisfaction surveys and focus groups

Assisted HR Director in research, calculation and implementation of new faculty compensation scales

Assisted HR Director in mapping current staff to new compensation grid using Hay Group methodology

Research and creation of new Schedule of Faculty and Staff Benefits Consultant, Business Development, Learning & Innovation, SunGard Higher Education, Dubai, UAE, October 2008 – November 2009 Highlights included:

Consulted with executive, management and functional teams to develop an in-depth understanding of the higher education institution’s business, structure, practices, challenges and requirements within the context of the customer’s sector


Conducted formal and informal research, including surveys, focus groups, and forums, to identify and highlight current trends, issues, and directions in the higher education community

Consulted with functional HR teams to determine best practice alignment of business processes for full talent management lifecycle, with integration points for solution fit and utilization

Consulted with functional HR teams to plan and develop solution training strategy and materials for all end-user stakeholders, to include the use of e-learning, formal instruction, on-the-job training and other blended delivery methods

Presented SunGard Higher Education solutions to potential partners and prospects including discovery due diligence for the requirements of the proposed solution presentation, preparation of the presentation, delivery of the presentation scenarios and development of sales messaging with Sales

Developed and executed responses to queries from partners, prospects and clients which took the form of informal requests or more formal RFI/RFP documents

Assisted Marketing Manager, International with the planning, organization and execution of two annual Regional User Group conferences (attendance 350+ at each)

Manager, Learning and Development, Alfahim Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE, October 2007 – October 2008 Alfahim is a private, family-owned organization headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates with an employee count of 1300+. The Group business portfolio includes top automotive brands (Mercedes, Jeep, as well as aftermarket workshops), travel and tourism, property management and development, hospitality, oil fields servicing, and industrial cables and accessories. I was hired into Alfahim to set up a centralized Learning and Development unit from scratch. My key areas of focus for 2008 were building up the L&D back-office capabilities with a focus towards greater knowledge dissemination throughout the organization; creation and implementation of a Group-wide competency-based performance management culture; formal development of the supervisor and management cadre; and building the program template for the organization’s Emiratization efforts. Highlights included:

Conducted Group-wide Learning Needs Analysis at the executive and mid-managerial level.

Introduced and supervised formal Performance Management process, to include creation and delivery of introductory performance management workshop for 130+ employees from first-line supervisors through CEO’s; mentored CEO’s and GM’s in setting SMART objectives; communicated policy and procedures throughout entire Group; analyzed and reported progress update of Group 2007 end-of-year performance review completion and 2008 targeted objective setting.

Reintroduced and held custodianship of the SuccessFactors performance management software system, to include: reconfiguration of system to promote better efficiency and business practices; trained 29 business unit representatives to conduct training on system throughout the Group (two rounds of training sessions held); created training aids for the same; created eight e-learning modules for use in self-learning by all Group employees on system processes.

Facilitated strategy roll-out and brainstorming sessions for group, divisional and business units from all portfolio businesses (headed by Executive Management Team, SBU GM’s and departmental managers respectively).

Initiated formal outsourcing procedures for selecting training vendors for requested business unit needs.

Oversaw outsourced training delivered (Customer Service Skills for 390 touch-point staff; English Language Skills for 60 staff, MS Office 2007 for 8 staff, Basic Arabic Language Skills for 28 staff).

Built and roll-out of Alfahim Management and Leadership Development Program:


o Tier I, the Executive Leadership Program, is in place, with the first off-site retreat facilitated by external consultancy and follow-up sessions facilitated by myself. Preparations were underway for the second off-site retreat.

o Tier IV, Entry-Level Management Program, delivered in June and August 2008 (with follow-up individual mentoring and further sessions from September – December); curriculum written and delivered in-house by myself and the L&D Specialist.

o Tiers II and III were in the planning stage at time of my departure.

Coordinated internships for UAE nationals and expatriate students in both Shared Services and in technical training in automotive workshop.

Constructed detailed 2008 action plan and budget requirements for the Learning & Development unit, including financial and learning ROI metrics. Full budgetary requests approved; oversaw all L&D spending for the Group.

Solicited and reviewed vendor product demonstrations of Learning Management Systems.

Hired support staff (one L&D Specialist and one L&D Administrator).

Assisted Manager, HR Policies & Systems with job analysis for Hay Integrated Reward Management Project.

Independent HR Consultant, Dubai Aerospace University, Dubai, UAE, March – June 2007 Deliverables included:

Compensation and benefits structure for DAE University faculty positions

Qualifications, competencies, and job descriptions for faculty and dean positions

Offers of Employment and Contract templates for faculty and dean positions

Quality assurance consulting in accordance with UAE Ministry of Higher Education accreditation guidelines

Edited and amended DAE University Faculty Handbook

Cross-cultural training packet for induction/orientation program Professional Development and Learning Manager, UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE, March – October 2007

This position at the university is charged with the development of a previously nonexistent professional development and learning initiative for all university employees in non-faculty positions.

Highlights included:

Creation and chair of steering and operational committees for the Professional Development and Learning Initiative, drawn from Dean/Executive level membership (completed)

Creation of first ever competency-based model for both professional development and performance management (in progress at time of departure)

Creation, rollout and delivery of Workplace Relations Skills Certificate program for full-time university employees (75 percent content completed, marketing tools created)

Sourcing and implementation of comprehensive web-based Talent and Learning Management Software package, to include integration with current university e-learning platform (competing vendors selected and proposals solicited)

Development of organizational development programs and materials for use by internal business units (initial outline and proposal created)

Development and implementation of comprehensive training and development program to include all employees from Executive level to line employees (see above certificate program)

Coordination and migration of professional development policies and practices with current performance management system (started, in progress at time of departure)


Development of strategies to measure the return on investment of professional development program (KPI's, including financial, identified)

Develop annual budget proposals, maintenance of annual 1.2 million AED Professional Development budget (in progress at time of departure)

Delivery of training initiatives, or where appropriate, select appropriate external vendors for same (in progress at time of departure)

HRIS Specialist (Project Specific), UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE, May 2006 – February 2007 Highlights included:

Member of Core HR Team (three-person) which built and implemented, inclusive from conception to go-live, new organization-wide ERP, HR component (SunGard Banner) in a six-month time frame.

Authored and delivered training on Banner HR to functional HR end users (full system usage), and division level staff (query usage, time entry, and report generation). Training delivered through an online, interactive multimedia classroom in Blackboard, face-to-face sessions, and on the job training.

DBA of interim database in FileMaker Pro used for position control and employee headcount during transition from old in-house information system to Banner.

Supervised HRIS System database functionality and maintenance with respect to rules and validation tables, and security access (by department and individual).

Ensured integrity and control of demographic and employment data through auditing processes and managing HRIS security.

Generated periodic and ad-hoc reports, statistical summaries and business analyses on metrics related to strategic and budgetary planning, employee headcount, salary information, turnover, position control, classification, Emiratization planning, among others.

Managed, maintained, and created and delivered training for end-users on PeopleAdmin e-recruitment system.

Manager, Human Resources – UGRU, UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE, July 2004 – May 2006

This position led a quasi-independent HR department which served a stand-alone academic unit of approximately 400 faculty and staff.

Highlights included:

Provided leadership, direction and support in the development, maintenance and delivery of sound policies and procedures relating to all functional areas of Human Resources, including recruitment and staffing, salary & benefits administration, position control, job classification, documentation control, training & development, succession planning, and HR business systems.

Developed and headed new faculty and staff initiation and orientation activities, resulting in a documented increase of customer service satisfaction from 54% to over 80% in all surveyed areas.

Project chair and director for unit-wide organizational change initiative.

Created and conducted training sessions for faculty and staff on cross-cultural orientation and adjustment, soft skills, administrative skills, and leadership development.

Authored and conducted service delivery feedback surveys and institutional climate surveys, to include full statistical analysis and report production on the same.

Authored content and assisted in the design for a new Human Resources website.


Training Background

Strategy, Leadership and Management

Executive Leadership Program (Alfahim Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE) o Participants: Managing Director, 2 CEO’s, 10 Group General Managers o Facilitated follow-up sessions based on off-site retreat conducted by external

consultancy firm o Topics included organizational change, organizational communication, strategic

planning

Strategy Realignment and Rollout (Alfahim Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE) o Participants: Automotive executive management and mid-level management teams;

Property and Travel division executive management and mid-level management teams

o Facilitated Product Leadership strategy roll-out and brainstorming sessions for all portfolio businesses

Management and Leadership Development Program (Alfahim Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE) o Participants: 60 line managers and supervisors from 39 different countries o Curriculum self-authored and delivered in-house (assisted by L&D Specialist) o Modules Delivered: Supervisory Roles and Responsibilities, Time Management,

Interpersonal Communication Skills, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Delegation Skills, Building and Leading a Team, Assessing Performance Standards, Managing Poor Performance, Effective Feedback, Developing Staff Potential, Setting Performance Standards, Writing SMART Objectives for Results

Performance Management

Performance Management Workshop (Alfahim Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE) o Participants: 130+ employees from first-line supervisors to CEO’s and Group General

Managers o Curriculum self-authored and delivered in-house o Modules Delivered: Assessing Performance Standards, Managing Poor Performance,

Effective Feedback, Developing staff Potential, Setting Performance Standards, Writing SMART Objectives for Results

Diversity and Cross-Cultural Adjustment

Diversity in the Workforce (for employees of du telecommunications company, Dubai, UAE) o Participants: 60 Emirati employees from various business units of du o Curriculum self-authored and delivered in-house o Topics covered: cultural diversity, communication skills with diverse employees

Cross-Cultural Adjustment (UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE & Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research, Abu Dhabi, UAE)

o Participants: 125+ new faculty members and spouses in orientation program o Curriculum self-authored and delivered in-house o Topics covered: Dimensions of culture, deep-seated vs. surface culture, perceptions

of time, communication patterns, implications for work, teaching, social interactions Team Building

Team Building (UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE) o Participants: 25 employees from different departments tasked for ERP

implementation team o Curriculum self-authored and delivered face-to-face o Focus included team building and cross-department communication


Accreditation of Colleges and Universities

Accreditation of Colleges and Universities (UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE) o Participants: 15 academics and functional HR employees involved in recruitment of

faculty o Curriculum self-authored, training materials produced and delivered face-to-face o Focus included how to determine accreditation status of colleges and universities in

the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, and Europe to determine validity of faculty applicant credentials

ERP Systems and Software Packages

SuccessFactors Performance Management (Alfahim Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE) o Participants: 29 business unit representatives designated as Trainers to disseminate

training throughout full Group of 1300 employees o Curriculum self-authored, to include workbooks, training aids, and narrated e-learning

videos available to employees through company intranet

Banner HR (UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE) o Participants: 15 functional Department of Human Resources end-users; 60+

divisional staff including Executive Academic Leadership o Curriculum self-authored, to include workbooks, training manuals, on-line resources,

interactive multimedia and on-line assessment exercises in Blackboard, and narrated training videos

o End-user training included on-line self-paced modules and face-to-face sessions

PeopleAdmin eRecruitment System (UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE) o Participants: 10 academic end-users involved in recruitment of new faculty o Curriculum self-authored, to include workbooks and training manuals o End-user training delivered face-to-face

DynEd Language Software (Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE) o Participants: 35 English teachers + 180 undergraduate students

o Trainer and records manager for Abu Dhabi campus

o End-user training delivered face-to-face


Military Service

Interrogator/Korean Linguist (97E), U.S. Army, various locations, USA, August 1987-March 1991

Noncommissioned Officer (Sergeant), Honorable Discharge.

Interrogation Team Chief -- trained and evaluated personnel in interrogation, interpretation techniques, and performed document translations using the Korean language. Provided training to front line infantry soldiers on proper prisoner of war handling.

Training and Operations NCO -- coordinated training schedules for 108 personnel at various military sites in the western states including arranging logistical and medical support needs for the same. Conducted briefings for executive offices, and supervised a support staff.

Cross-trained in 1991 with Criminal Investigation Command, duties included undercover narcotics work and criminal investigations of domestic abuse.

Professional Affiliations

Academy of Management Academy of International Business Society for Human Resource Management American Society for Training and Development Past member of Chief Learning Officer Magazine Intelligence Board

Languages

English (native), Korean and Mandarin Chinese (previously highly conversational, although dormant use for past several years), Arabic (survival), German (survival)

References

Provided upon request.

Documents

Curriculum Vitae - Adrienne A. Isakovic, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP ... · Curriculum Vitae Adrienne A. Isakovic, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, HRMP PO Box 127788 ... (thesis) process, and active sponsor