Craig Nathanson, Ph.D.
2023 Human Resources Professionals Awards
by Gary Quackenbush, for North Bay Business Journal, Nov. 27, 2023
“I coordinate and teach HR certificate programs as well as certificate programs in professional and sustainable skills and humanistic leadership at Sonoma State University’s School of Extended and International Education,” said Craig Nathanson.
Nathanson developed The Humanistic Leadership Model and the Joyful Work Model and works with organizations to introduce humanistic leadership approaches when working with people. He has taught classroom and online graduate and undergraduate programs since 2001 at universities in Asia, North America, and Europe.
How has your leadership influenced positive change in your organization?
“Having led Sonoma State HR certificate programs for 5 years and seeing 500 students graduate, I aim to ensure that graduates come away with new practical ideas, up-to-date content, and networking opportunities they could use immediately in their pursuit or development in the HR field and related areas.”
Nathanson’s teaching aims to enable students to develop new ideas and have greater self-confidence.
“I’ve been inspired by my students as they seek out new learning and opportunities,” he said. “Our students graduate with new skills and approaches in HR, how to better lead themselves and others through our humanistic leadership program, and how to develop career skills in our sustainable skills certificate
What advice do you have for those considering an HR career?
“Select a niche that interests you the most and focus all your energy on learning and obtaining practical experience. Exciting HR areas are emerging, such as people's well-being, learning and development, remote work and teams, data analytics, digital transformation, communication, and accommodation of future ways of work.
He noted that traditional HR areas will always be relevant, such as employment law, compensation, recruitment, and the subject of his research — humanistic leadership and enabling joy at work.
About Craig
From his bio: Craig Nathanson is the Program Coordinator for the Human Resources Certificate Program, Advanced Human Resource Management Certificate Program, Humanistic Leadership Certificate Program and Sustainable Professional Skills Certificate Program at Sonoma State University. He is an Adjunct Lecturer in the School Of Business and Economics at Sonoma State University, and is an educator, author, speaker and coach for mid-life development.
Nathanson has been teaching online graduate and undergraduate programs since 2001 at several universities in North America and Europe. In addition, he is a visiting lecturer in Vietnam in partnership with Solvay Brussels School of Economics, Brussels, Belgium. Dr. Nathanson is also an adjunct faculty for the University Of San Francisco, Johnson and Wales University, San Francisco State University and a contributing faculty for the Continuing Education division of Cal State University East Bay.
Craig Nathanson, Ph.D.
Sonoma State University
Sonoma County
Project coordinator, HR Resource Certificate Program, Sonoma State University School of Extended Education
1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-664-2880
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