NEW UNIVERSITY PH.D. DIRECTOR IN ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE PROGRAM

Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, has named 22-year military veteran and leadership educator Anton Shufutinsky as the new director of its Ph.D. in organization development and change (ODC) program.

The ODC doctorate program focuses on the behavioral, social and basic sciences and their capacities to transform organizations, fortify communities, discover untapped potential and increase company-wide effectiveness and well-being. It prepares professionals across industries and sectors to advance in leadership and management in their field.

An expert in strategic change, leadership development, human factors and public health, Shufutinsky worked in various high-profile roles throughout his military career. He discovered his passion for management, talent development, conflict resolution and leading change during the latter half of his active-duty service. Following his military career, Shufutinsky worked in the corporate pharmaceutical and defense industries where he led teams of engineers, health science professionals, environmental scientists and human resource specialists. His collective experience leading large teams in government, corporate and nonprofit organizations developed and honed his skills to effectively drive organizational success.

The Organization Development (OD) Network recently voted unanimously to name Shufutinsky winner of the Evolving OD Award, a tribute to successful leaders who inspire change in organizational development. He will receive the award at the annual OD Network Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, in October.

Mark Beekey, College of Arts and Sciences dean, anticipates great strides under Shufutinsky’s direction. “His decorated and impressive career will help him guide this program and its members to new heights for years to come,” Beekey said.

In a question-and-answer interview, Shufutinsky’s answer to the question “How will the Ph.D. in organization development and change program help working professionals?,” was, ‘It is an interprofessional and interdisciplinary program, bringing together many different professionals, from the highest-level managers with as many as 40 years of experience in the corporate world to junior managers who recently began their careers. Our carefully designed program bridges theory and practice, and our unique ODC labs will prepare highly capable ODC scholar practitioners. The program’s ability to connect professionals, no matter their status or role, is second to none. Students in the program are exposed to the best minds in the field of organization development, change, leadership and related fields. They will learn to lead and follow, even amidst chaos, and to effectively evaluate and improve organizational systems. Graduates will have received top-to-bottom organizational management, leadership, change and design training that will stick with them for the rest of their careers.’

As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century.

To apply to the program, contact Keith Hassell at hassellk@sacredheart.edu, 203-365-4731, or schedule an appointment with him.