Founded in 1851, the University of Minnesota is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. As one of the most comprehensive universities in the world, it combines academic excellence with groundbreaking research and community engagement
54890
total students
39556
undergraduate
15334
graduate
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aau member
r1 doctoral
land grant
public ivy
big ten
UMN provides comprehensive career development through extensive research opportunities and industry partnerships. The university offers personalized career coaching, extensive employer connections, and specialized programs through college-specific career centers
These are the expert instructors who will be teaching you throughout the course. With a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience, they’re here to guide, inspire, and support you every step of the way. Get to know the people who will help you reach your learning goals and make the most of your journey.
HR Analytics Expert and Personnel Economics Scholar
Dr. Alan Benson serves as Associate Professor in the Work and Organizations Group at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. from MIT Sloan School of Management and a B.S. from Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Through his Coursera courses "Managing Employee Compensation" and "Human Resources Management Capstone: HR for People Managers," he helps students understand modern compensation strategies and HR management principles. His research focuses on people analytics and personnel economics, analyzing HR data to improve organizational decisions about hiring, promotions, and compensation. His work has been published in prestigious journals including the Quarterly Journal of Economics and Academy of Management Journal, and featured in major media outlets like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. As Academic Director of Minnesota's Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations program, he combines academic excellence with practical business applications. His expertise spans compensation strategy, negotiations, and HR analytics, making complex organizational concepts accessible to students while maintaining rigorous academic standards.
Mindfulness Expert and Integrative Healthcare Specialist
Dr. Alex Haley serves as Assistant Professor and Mindfulness Program Lead at the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality & Healing. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science, JD, MBA, and MS from the University of Minnesota, and a BA from Carleton College. His expertise spans mindfulness practices, embodiment, behavior change, and virtual reality learning environments. Through his Coursera course "Mindfulness in Integrative Healthcare," he helps healthcare professionals understand and implement mindfulness-based interventions. His training includes completion of a four-year program through the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock Meditation Center under mentors Joseph Goldstein and Guy Armstrong. With over 15 years of meditation practice and extensive training from institutions including the Center for Mindfulness and the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute, he combines academic research with practical application. As a founding member of the Mindfulness for Students network and retreat leader, he continues to advance mindfulness education while maintaining active research in clinical applications and virtual reality learning environments