Katie Thiry, PhD
Department Head, Department of People Management Professions
Biography
Dr. Katie Thiry is a Professor and Department Head for the Department of People Management Professions in the College of Professional Advancement at the University of Arizona Global Campus. As a Fulbright Specialist, Dr. Thiry partners internationally to advance academic development and global exchange initiatives, reinforcing her commitment to transforming higher education and driving equitable student outcomes. Dedicated to continuous growth, Dr. Thiry earned the “Ensuring Equitable Student Success in Higher Education” certification from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, deepening her expertise in student-centered success strategies. She is also a founding Board Member of the Center for Women’s Leadership (CWL), where she co-established the CWL Mentoring Program to empower women in leadership through connection, collaboration, and professional development.
Dr. Thiry holds a PhD in Education (Training and Performance Improvement specialization) from Capella University, a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from St. Catherine University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Wisconsin. A recognized expert in human resources, Dr. Thiry has earned multiple credentials, including the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Talent Acquisition and Workplace Investigations Specialty Credentials, and the People Manager Qualification (PMQ) from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). She is also a Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) through the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI), a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI), and a Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) from the Association for Talent Development (ATD). Additionally, she is a Certified Trainer in Leadership Development and Customer Service through the Miller Heiman Group and holds a Training Needs Assessment Certification from the University of St. Thomas.
With over two decades of experience in human resources and organizational learning, Dr. Thiry has held leadership roles including Manager of Human Capital Development, Training and Performance Improvement Consultant, and Senior Training Specialist. She has partnered with diverse organizations to design and implement impactful learning initiatives, enhance team effectiveness, and manage enterprise learning management systems (LMS). These experiences have strengthened her belief in the power of technology to elevate both learning and workplace performance.
Professional Affiliations
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
- International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI)
- Association for Talent Development (ATD)