Dr. Lisa O Hara

Biography

Lisa Johnston O'Hara is an Associate Clinical Professor at the Smeal College of Business, Penn State University, where she has been a faculty member since 2011. Her primary teaching focus is on human capital-related fields, with courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Her areas of expertise include organizational behavior, human capital management, performance management, and talent management, all aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management standards. Before her tenure at Penn State, she designed and taught courses in managerial communication and human resource management for undergraduate and MBA students. In addition to her teaching duties, Dr. O'Hara is actively involved in student mentorship and committee participation within the college. Her research interests are centered on virtual communities, online teaching and learning outcomes, performance management, and employee coaching. She holds a PhD in Instructional Design & Technology from the University of Pittsburgh and has extensive experience in human capital roles, focusing on organizational communications and strategy alignment.

Research Interests

Courses