Inaugural CHRO eager to lead Miami’s human resources department
Jessica Palatka joins the university from role with Department of Commerce
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Published
Jessica Palatka is Miami University's inaugural chief human resources officer.
Inaugural CHRO eager to lead Miami’s human resources department
•
Published
Growing up in a military family, Jessica Palatka was used to living in different places. By her count, she’s moved more than 20 times.
So, when friends asked if there were any concerns going from fast-paced Washington, D.C., to the more rural Oxford, Ohio, for her new role as Miami University’s inaugural vice president and chief human resources officer, Palatka was quick to answer.
No hesitation whatsoever.
“I hope everyone knows how excited I am,” Palatka said. “I am an outdoors person, and within minutes of visiting Oxford, I found myself on a covered bridge on a trail. It’s gorgeous.
“I was walking around campus and hearing the history of the buildings. Two buildings were next to each other, and one was built in the 1800s and the other in the 1900s. They looked like they were built on the same day.”
Palatka joins Miami from the Department of Commerce (DOC), where she’s served as the chief human capital officer and director of Human Resource Management.
As a member of the DOC’s Senior Executive Service, Palatka provided leadership, developed policies, and directed programs in all aspects of human resources and human capital management and administration for all bureaus of the DOC. That covered nearly 58,000 employees across all 50 states, every U.S. territory, and more than 88 countries.
Palatka officially begins her new role at Miami on Aug. 1.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jessica Palatka to Miami University as our inaugural vice president and chief human resources officer,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said. “Jessica has the necessary experience and vision to lead this energizing and innovative time for human resources at our institution as part of the MiamiTHRIVE initiative.”
Palatka earned a Bachelor of Science cum laude in Management Science and Statistics, Decision, and Information Technology in 2000 and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management in 2006 from the University of Maryland. She’s also worked as an adjunct associate professor for the University of Maryland Global Campus, teaching courses in Human Resources and Business.
“The energy around a university is always incredibly contagious, and I’m looking forward to that,” Palatka said.
“I’m excited to return to an academic setting, and take what I’ve learned in my current role and previous roles and apply that at Miami.”
This new role, and the centralization of Miami’s Human Resources structure, was developed through the MiamiTHRIVE strategic planning process. In March, it was announced that Brent Shock, special assistant to the president, would lead the newly consolidated team as interim chief human resources officer during the hiring process.
The Human Resources Office supports all HR functions throughout the university, including HR strategic programs and partnerships; HR operations and services; and HR compliance.
Listening and learning are two things at the top of Palatka’s to-do list.
“I want to learn my surroundings, learn the challenges, and learn the environment,” Palatka said. “I’m looking forward to sitting with the staff and hearing from them about our work and their visions for our future. For the first 100 days, I plan to spend a lot of time listening and absorbing so that the actions we take are built on a strong foundation.”
So, when friends asked if there were any concerns going from fast-paced Washington, D.C., to the more rural Oxford, Ohio, for her new role as Miami University’s inaugural vice president and chief human resources officer, Palatka was quick to answer.
No hesitation whatsoever.
“I hope everyone knows how excited I am,” Palatka said. “I am an outdoors person, and within minutes of visiting Oxford, I found myself on a covered bridge on a trail. It’s gorgeous.
“I was walking around campus and hearing the history of the buildings. Two buildings were next to each other, and one was built in the 1800s and the other in the 1900s. They looked like they were built on the same day.”
Palatka joins Miami from the Department of Commerce (DOC), where she’s served as the chief human capital officer and director of Human Resource Management.
As a member of the DOC’s Senior Executive Service, Palatka provided leadership, developed policies, and directed programs in all aspects of human resources and human capital management and administration for all bureaus of the DOC. That covered nearly 58,000 employees across all 50 states, every U.S. territory, and more than 88 countries.
Palatka officially begins her new role at Miami on Aug. 1.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jessica Palatka to Miami University as our inaugural vice president and chief human resources officer,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said. “Jessica has the necessary experience and vision to lead this energizing and innovative time for human resources at our institution as part of the MiamiTHRIVE initiative.”
Palatka earned a Bachelor of Science cum laude in Management Science and Statistics, Decision, and Information Technology in 2000 and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management in 2006 from the University of Maryland. She’s also worked as an adjunct associate professor for the University of Maryland Global Campus, teaching courses in Human Resources and Business.
“The energy around a university is always incredibly contagious, and I’m looking forward to that,” Palatka said.
“I’m excited to return to an academic setting, and take what I’ve learned in my current role and previous roles and apply that at Miami.”
This new role, and the centralization of Miami’s Human Resources structure, was developed through the MiamiTHRIVE strategic planning process. In March, it was announced that Brent Shock, special assistant to the president, would lead the newly consolidated team as interim chief human resources officer during the hiring process.
The Human Resources Office supports all HR functions throughout the university, including HR strategic programs and partnerships; HR operations and services; and HR compliance.
Listening and learning are two things at the top of Palatka’s to-do list.
“I want to learn my surroundings, learn the challenges, and learn the environment,” Palatka said. “I’m looking forward to sitting with the staff and hearing from them about our work and their visions for our future. For the first 100 days, I plan to spend a lot of time listening and absorbing so that the actions we take are built on a strong foundation.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about MiamiTHRIVE? Visit the website for more information.
