Human Resources Videos

Managing HR on Campus: Data, Culture, and Courage at the Executive Table

The episode spotlights George Washington University’s Chief People Officer, Sabrina Miner, as she outlines the university’s HR agenda amid a rapidly evolving higher‑education landscape. Recorded at the Sherm Executive Network Visionary Summit, the conversation frames HR as a 24‑hour operation that must balance corporate efficiency with public‑sector caution while navigating budget constraints and enrollment pressures. Miner details four strategic pillars for the year: succession planning across all tiers, a revamped performance‑management system tailored to five generational cohorts, enhanced well‑being through workplace‑flexibility task forces, and a costly health‑benefits transition. To curb soaring insurance premiums, she is spearheading a regional benefit consortium that could shave 12‑15% off costs, while also negotiating a new provider contract. Concrete innovations include an accrual‑based annual leave program that eliminates “use‑or‑lose” frustrations, and the People Service Center—a one‑stop hub that automates offers, promotions, and reporting, lifting data‑accuracy to 97% and slashing time‑to‑fill. Miner also highlights AI‑assisted resume screening and a data‑centric decision‑making culture that tracks vacancy pipelines and informs strategic moves. These initiatives signal a shift toward data‑driven, flexible HR models that other universities can emulate to control costs, improve employee experience, and future‑proof leadership pipelines in an increasingly competitive academic market.