Advanced Topics for Certified HR Specialists - CHRS

Dr. Tina M. Riley, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations at Michigan State University and served as the School's Director of Professional Development and Associate Director for 20 years.

She is a results-based educator and executive coach with expertise helping individual leaders, and organizations, achieve their full potential through high-impact communications that build trust and promote inclusion and engagement.

Her engaging and holistic approach to teaching facilitates learners' ability to move from theory to practice. Her teaching style makes complex concepts accessible to graduate students and seasoned professionals alike. Dr. Riley teaches academic and professional development classes including leadership and interpersonal skills development, labor relations, developing inclusive workplaces and conducting workplace investigations.

With her passionate and engaging style, Dr. Riley develops and presents customized leadership development programs for both public and private sector organizations, from manufacturing to the courts. Organizational leaders and HR professionals from across the globe including Bahrain, Cameroon, Canada, Georgia, India, and Nigeria report finding her programs to be highly beneficial both for individuals, teams, and organizations.

Dr. Riley holds a PhD in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education, with a concentration in Communications, and a Master of Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University.

Michelle Kaminski, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Associate Director for Undergraduate Programs in the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations at Michigan State University. She works primarily in the area of labor education, teaching workshops for union members and leaders on a wide range of topics including labor law, stewards training, collective bargaining, union leadership, workplace bullying, communication skills, FMLA, and basic economics.

Professor Kaminski received the 2010 Wurf Fellowship from the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School for her work on gender and union leadership. She was editor of the Labor Studies Journal, the top academic journal in labor education. Previously, she was a bargaining unit chair with the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild Local 35, now part of CWA. She also served as University Vice President (program chair) of the United Association for Labor Education (UALE).

Bryan Davis Jr., JD and MHRLR, is an experienced labor attorney with a background focused on representation of public and private sector labor organizations in negotiating collective bargaining agreements, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory frameworks, and representing clients in labor arbitrations and matters arising before the Michigan Employment Relations Commission and the National Labor Relations Board.

In his capacity as an Assistant Attorney General in the Michigan Department of Attorney General's Labor Division, his work primarily focuses on representation of state agencies and employees, advocating on behalf of clients in administrative hearings and appellate matters, and providing legal advice on novel and/or developing areas of the law.

Melanie Zaremba, M.Ed., brings over 20 years of experience in training design and delivery to her role as the Director of Professional Development and Associate Director of Outreach at Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations (HRLR). Since joining the school in 2016 as Communications Director, Melanie has demonstrated a passion for creating impactful programs that empower individuals and drive organizational success.

With a focus on interactive and engaging learning experiences, Melanie specializes in facilitating training sessions on strategic communication, media interaction, leadership development, and career success strategies. She also teaches an Applied Organizational Leadership course at Michigan State University.

Jordyn Kravitz, MHRLR, is a Senior HR Analyst at Lumen Technologies, where she is part of the HR Leadership Development Program (HRLDP) and she is currently completing her first rotation in Employee and Labor Relations. Her work focuses on labor relations strategy, grievance resolution, and enhancing the employee experience through thoughtful HR design and collaboration.

A graduate of Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations Masters program, Jordyn has experience in talent acquisition, leadership development, and talent management across nonprofit and corporate sectors. Her recent work includes digital transformation initiatives, shared services optimization, and cross-functional learning programs. Passionate about building inclusive, engaging workplaces and advancing HR innovation, Jordyn is excited to support professional development efforts and connect with fellow HR leaders through the Advanced Topics for CHRS program.