IMPROVING HUMAN RESOURCES PRACTICES IN SUPPORT OF STRATEGY

Education Reform Now (ERN) is a non-partisan, nonprofit think tank and advocacy organization that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K-16 public education, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families. ERN’s Human Resources (HR) department enlisted a Capstone team to assess the impact of its recently implemented strategic plan initiatives, identify organizational gaps within existing HR processes, and create strategies for the next phase of ERN’s strategic plan. The team conducted a literature review and environmental scan on best practices for employee onboarding and retention, conducted interviews with eight senior leaders, and launched a survey to solicit feedback from ERN’s 45 employees on implementation and future priorities. Using this data, the team produced a report outlining recommendations on how to improve HR processes around employee recruitment, onboarding, and retention, while incorporating principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.