Laura Oliver

Laura A. Oliver, PhD

406 Rain Cloud Trail; Harker Heights, TX 76548

(254) 781-8671 •

SUMMARY

  • Over 15 years of experience in human resourcemanagement, includingrecent modifications in the Affordable Care Act, overtime regulations, and planning for changes in HR regulation due to the transition of administrations in Washington D.C.
  • Superior expertise in career development, pay for performance programs, employee morale and satisfaction, and affirmative action plans
  • Higher education professional that practices active learning and is able to employ a variety of teaching techniques, including lectures, discussions, mock trials, group work, simulations, guest speakers, and field trips
  • Awarded instructor of the year in 2012

Education

PhD Management– Human Resource ManagementNovember 2016

Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Overall GPA 3.75/4.00

Dissertation: Work Breaks, Employee Morale, and Satisfaction in the Restaurant Industry

Master of Arts, Human Resource ManagementMay 2011

Webster University - Fort Bragg, NC

Overall GPA: 3.92/4.00

Member of Delta Mu Delta Honor Society

Thesis: Pay for Performance Programs

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration in Human Resource ManagementAugust 2008

Hawaii Pacific University - Honolulu, HI

Overall GPA: 3.67/4.00

Graduated Cum Laude

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Employee MoraleEmployee SatisfactionEmployee Relations

Work BreaksAutism in the WorkplacePay for Performance Programs

Teaching Experience

Adjunct Business Instructor, McLane College of BusinessAugust 2016 - Present

University Mary Hardin-Baylor

•Teachundergrad, bachelor level courses, such as Communicating in Business and Introduction to Business

•Designed and developed curricula and planned course content and methods of instruction

•Develop and deliver engaging hands-on lessons to undergraduate adult students using a variety of teaching techniques, including lecture, discussions, and visual aids,

•Observe and evaluate student’s work to determine progress, provided feedback, and make suggestions for improvement

•Integrate academic and vocational curricula so students obtain a variety of skills and knowledge

•Use designated learning management system,Canvas,for academic record keeping and to interact with students

Adjunct Business Instructor (On-Line)July 2014 - Present

Adjunct Business Instructor (Fayetteville, NC) Feb 2012-April 2014

Miller-Motte College

•Taughtthe following courses for diploma, certification, associate degree, and bachelor degree programs: Career Development, Career Management, Business Law, Principles of Management, Business Organization, Customer Service, Managerial Finance, Management & Supervision, Public Policy and Administration, and Business Policy

•Followed given syllabi and developed engaging, hands-on lesson plans that utilized a variety of teaching techniques, such as lecture, discussion, visual aids, guest speakers, and mock trials

•Provided quality instruction to student’s that surpass projected outcomes, which results in receiving average course evaluation scores of 3.9/4.0from students

•Engaged students in daily discussions, and provided students with feedback within 48 hours of due dates

•Used designated learning management system, Engrade, Moodle, and Campus Vue for academic record keeping

•Collaborated with Career Services to create resume and cover letter samples for students

•Received Instructor of the Year Reward for 2012

•Facilitated staff and faculty focus group to create consistent communications across different departments

Adjunct Business InstructorAugust 2014 – May 2016

Nashville State Community College

•Courses taught for associate degree programs: Introduction to Business, Human Resource Management, Business Law, Business Ethics, Money and Banking, Organizational Development

•Enhanced existing curricula to facilitateengaged learning through lectures, discussions, assignments, simulations, group projects, and guest speakers

•Observed and evaluated student’s work to determine progress, provided feedback, and made suggestions for improvement

•Integrated academic and vocational curricula so students obtained a variety of skills and knowledge through simulations, ethical dilemma problem solving exercises, viewing current events, and re-evaluating business decisions made by business leaders around the world

•Used designated learning management system D2L for academic record keeping and to interact with students

Hybrid Teaching Assistant (Clarksville, TN) Feb 2015-Sept 2015

Miller-Motte Technical College

•Assisted the online coordinator with ground campus students who were taking on-line classes

•Conducted open lab hours acting as tutor/mentor for students on campus that took on-line classes

•Utilized Moodle to guide students on improvement measures to be successful in on-line classes

•Contacted students who had not followed the attendance policy per ACICS and MMTC guidelines or who were under performing and documenting all contact in Campus Vue

•Designed and developed an APA and time management workshop for students

•Created and established weekly report matrix to calculate students grades and attendance

Adjunct Business Instructor Oct 2014 –March 2015

Miller-Motte Technical College - Clarksville

•Courses taught for associate degree program: Principles of Management, Customer Service

•Followed given syllabi and developed engaging, hands-on lesson plans that utilized a variety of teaching techniques, such as lecture, discussion, visual aids, and field trips

•Used designated learning management system, Engrade, Moodle, and Campus Vue for academic record keeping

  • Provided faculty training for peers on various subjects

Additional Professional Experience

Owner/Operator August 2014-Present

LAO Consulting, LLC

  • Provide consultation and guidance to individuals and organizations on best human capital management practices
  • Advise on various HR issues, including employee morale, satisfaction, and retention
  • Guide clients on state and federal HR policies and practices, including recent updates, such as changes in the Affordable Care Act and overtime regulations

Owner, OperatorJan 2012 –Feb 2014

Anything But Cakes, LLC

•Bake orders according to customer’s specifications while abiding by local, state, and federal laws.

•Prepare formulas for different types of cookies, cupcakes, and breads

•Use Quick Books Pro to track sales, inventories, supplies, taxes, and all company paperwork.

•Follow local, state, and federal laws and guidelines for baking, taxes, and business practices.

•Estimate bakery needs, order and maintain adequate supplies for baking operations

Human Resource ManagerNov 2001 - Mar 2005

URS Corp.

•Responsible for benefits administration, affirmative action reports, weekly paperwork and payroll for 200+ employees

•Coordinated and implemented in-processing of all new hires and conducted new employee orientation on company programs and benefits

•Taught ethics training for new employees and assisted teaching ethics training to all employees annually

•Managed employee relation issues and rendered resolutions

•Managed personnel records, company/military policies and briefed employees on all changes

•Duties included all human resources functions, payroll, data entry, and other office duties

Volunteer Experience

Family Readiness Group (FRG)Leader, US ArmyMar 2005 - April 2012

•Supervised the committees, groups and functions for a FRG of over 300 members for morale, cohesion, communication, unit cooperation and the well being of company personnel and their families

•Delegated FRG responsibilities to 10+ volunteers in order to promote participation in FRG activities and accomplishment of FRG objectives

•Taught and assisted teaching FRG classes to spouses and soldiers

•Identify needs or unique problems of unit families and provided timely and critical working solutions

•Acted as a company FRG spokesperson for communicating 300+ family members and soldier’s concerns and ideas to the company commander and battalion level FRG

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • The Pacific Institute Workshop
  • Fully trained on Moodle, D2L, Canvas, and MyManagementLabs
  • Continuing Education Courses
  • Preparing and Creating Lesson Plans
  • Compliant Communication with Students
  • Time Management
  • Career Management
  • Managing the Adult Classroom
  • Teaching Gen Y Students
  • Effective Teaching Strategies
  • Adult Learning Theories
  • Student Retention Methods
  • Class Management Strategies
  • Faculty In-Service Training
  • Dealing with difficult students
  • Classroom management
  • Software Programs: Engrade, Campus Vue, and Moodle
  • LIRN Network
  • Student Retention
  • Google Apps

WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING DELIVERED

EngradeAPA FormatStudent engagement and motivation

Career SkillsTime ManagementInterview Techniques

Professional Affiliations

Member, Society of Human Resource Management / 2005-Present