W. P. Carey, ADP collab gives human resources students a leg up

A new collaboration between Arizona State University and leading global management services company Automatic Data Processing (ADP) will allow W. P. Carey School of Business students seeking a bachelor’s degree in human resources to leverage the company’s cloud-based human resources management software, ADP Workforce Now.

Utilizing the same training curriculum as ADP clients, undergraduates will learn best practices on an industry-leading human capital management platform. This invaluable practice provides firsthand experience using best-in-class technology, reinforcing the school’s commitment to both students and employers.

Management and entrepreneurship Lecturer Eric Knott has integrated the platform into his “compensation in organizations” class. Knott explained that ADP Workforce Now is woven into the curriculum throughout the semester, allowing students to interact with test data in one of the market’s most widely used platforms.

“It doesn’t get more real-world than this,” he said “Students will graduate with the ability to use ADP solutions in their everyday work, giving them a leg up when they hit the job market. Students will complete the class with both practical knowledge and practical experience.”

Human resources senior Adelisa Graca is a student in Knott’s class. She agreed, saying, “Being exposed to ADP's technology has shown me the value of having an excellent and user-friendly HRIS software. I appreciate the professional development, as I was free to explore ADP Workforce Now and can take this experience with me into my professional work life.”

Division vice president and general manager of global shared services at ADP Laura Lynn Smith said that the company is proud to join forces with W. P. Carey to help the next generation of human resource professionals expand their knowledge base.

“Real-world experience can go a long way in preparing students for the workforce and setting them up for success,” she said. “We’re honored to have a hand in fostering human capital management talent.”

Michele Pfund, associate dean for undergraduate programs at W. P. Carey, appreciates the collaboration with ADP through this process.

“ADP is helping W. P. Carey in our mission to educate tomorrow’s business leaders,” Pfund said. “Students will be better prepared for wherever their goals take them due to this hands-on experience.”

Knott hopes to expand the university’s use of the platform in the future, eventually making it available to both majors and nonmajors who take classes in human resources. Students will also have the opportunity to pursue an ADP professional certification after completing available curriculum.