Position(s): Graduate Student, Department of Psychology (Organizational Specialty)

About Mr. Axelrad: Stephen Axelrad received a Master's of Science degree in organizational psychology from Saint Louis University (2001) and Bachelor's of Science degree in psychology from Tulane University (1998). He is currently working towards receiving his doctoral degree at Saint Louis University in organizational psychology. Stephen has assisted and directed multiple research studies in the areas of social and organizational psychology. In addition, he has performed multiple consulting projects with human resource departments of local companies. The focus of these projects has been the design and evaluation of training and development programs in areas such as supervisory development, interpersonal skills, organization-wide orientations, and high-skill technical operations.

Interests and Experiences in Organizational Learning: Stephen brings a number of important knowledge and expertise, from research activities, in the following areas: formation and change of work attitudes (i.e., job satisfaction) and organizational climate (i.e., tone and quality of interrelationships among employees). Recently, he has participated in projects, sponsored by the Center for Organizational Learning & Renewal, which involve the application of organizational learning principles and techniques in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Stephen is primarily interested in how training and development activities can trigger organizational learning principles (i.e., mental models and systems thinking) in organizations. In his words, he states, "I think it is important to find ways how organizational learning processes can be understood, disseminated, and practiced throughout the entire organization. Training and development programs, as well as, relationships between supervisors and subordinates, have the potential to be powerful mechanisms that facilitate the transition of a more traditional organization to a learning organization." Stephen's ability to understand and integrate abstract and complex concepts, and articulate these concepts to others represents a couple of his most distinguished attributes.