College of DuPage names new director of learning and organizational development

With more than 30 years of experience in building and overseeing employee development programs, Judy Coates brings broad expertise to her new position as director of learning and organizational development at College of DuPage.

During her 13-year tenure as the college’s learning and organizational development manager, Coates has directed the Employee Development Center and managed essential college-wide initiatives including annual all-college compliance training, staff performance evaluations and DEI training.

Her leadership played a pivotal role in instituting staff development days, now a cornerstone for fostering relationships within the COD community.

“These events are more than just skill-building sessions,” she said. “They’re about creating a sense of belonging and camaraderie among our staff. I’m excited to further grow these efforts and create an even more dynamic and supportive environment for all our employees.”

Coates’ dedication to employee development spans over three decades, starting with her role as a program manager at Arthur Andersen. Prior to joining COD, she served as the director of program development at DeVry Inc., where she led a team of instructional designers, media developers and project managers in creating online courses.

"Working in adult learning early on in my career set the stage for my future,” she said. “As I moved on in my career, I missed the employee development aspect of the job, which eventually led me to find a home at COD.”

COD Vice President of Human Resources Bill Dial said Coates’ expanded role underscores the institution’s commitment to employee development and professional growth.

"Judy’s dedication as a leader will support COD’s SLRP Pillar of Organization Culture by continuing to empower all employees through high impact professional development and growth opportunities,” he said. "I look forward to her positive impact as she introduces new ways to engage employees, ensuring our College remains a dynamic environment for both employees and students alike.”

Coates’ passion for professional development is a driving force behind her work.

"When I can help employees make a difference in their job, it’s incredibly motivating,” she said. "Whether it is helping an employee grow professionally or handle difficult situations in the workplace, I want to be there to provide the resources they need.”

Looking ahead, Coates aims to leverage her extensive knowledge of the college’s ethos to lead future initiatives. She is committed to enhancing employee engagement and further elevating the effectiveness of the College’s training and development programs.

“It’s essential that every employee sees the value in our development opportunities and feels empowered to grow professionally,” she said.

Coates has a compelling call to action for the COD community:

“Live with intentionality. Do things on purpose. If we are intentional, we can achieve a lot.”