Mitchell Gurick, Ph.D.

Dr. Mitchell Gurick is an Adjunct Faculty member at San Francisco Bay University with academic and professional expertise in human resource management, leadership development, and organizational change. He brings experience from both higher education and global technology organizations, integrating theory and practice to support student learning and professional growth.

Dr. Gurick holds a Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change from Pepperdine University, where his doctoral research examined learning technology professors’ experiences with National Science Foundation (NSF) external grant funding in higher education. His academic work focuses on leadership, organizational dynamics, ethics, and cross-sector collaboration. He also holds a master’s degree in Organization Development and a bachelor’s degree in business-focused career and technical education.

Professionally, Dr. Gurick has extensive experience in human resources and people operations. He spent nearly a decade at Google in progressive HR roles, including People Consultant, HR Program Manager, and People Partner, leading global organizations through leadership development, performance management, organizational design, and people strategy. Dr. Gurick currently serves as a member of the HR staff at OpenAI, where he contributes to fostering a people-centered culture and expanding global people operations.

As an educator, Dr. Gurick has taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses in leadership, organizational communication, adult development, and life planning. He has served as Adjunct Faculty at San Diego Christian College and as a Graduate Assistant and Teaching Assistant at Pepperdine University. His teaching emphasizes adult learning theory, reflective practice, and helping students align personal purpose with professional development.

Degrees and Certifications:

• Ph.D., Global Leadership and Change
  Pepperdine University
• M.S., Organization Development
  University of San Francisco
• B.S., Career and Technical Education (Business)
  Eastern Illinois University

Courses Taught:

• HRM531 Human Resource Management
• AI501 Management and Leadership in AI
• APP102 How to Design Your Life: A Journey Through Personal Epistemology

Publications:

Selected Academic Journal & Research Publications

1. “AI at Work: Leading Ethically Through Transformation, Insight, and Innovation,” Hawaii International Conference for Education, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 2026
2. “Thriving at the Intersection: Psychological Safety and Representation in Artificial Intelligence (AI),” International Leadership Association Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, October 2025
3. “The End of Management As We Know It: AI as the New Executive Partner,” Engagement Management Scholarship Conference Panelist, Malibu, California, September 2025
4. “Harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Leveraging AI to Transform Workforce Productivity and Socioeconomic Dynamics,” Hawaii International Conference for Education, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 2025
5. “AI-Powered Job Search: Tools and Tactics to Stand Out from the Crowd,” San Francisco Bay University, Fremont, California, December 2024
6. “Navigating Change and Trust Building: Examining the Impact of Organizational Dynamics and Followership in Times of Transition – A Continuation,” International Leadership Association Conference, Chicago, Illinois, November 2024
7. “Navigating Change and Trust Building: Examining the Impact of Organizational Dynamics and Followership in Times of Transition,” Global Followership Conference, Glasgow, Scotland, April 2024
8. “Applied Behavioral Sciences Theoretical Framework: Leadership, Power, and Politics in Business Education,” Hawaii International Conference on Education, Kona, Hawaii, January 2024
9. “Reimagining Higher Education Funding: Obtaining Grants for Doctoral Students: A Global Perspective,” International Leadership Association Conference, Vancouver, Canada, October 2023
10. “Research Prospectus: Higher Education Funding Model that Incorporates the Triumvirate of Education, Business, and Government Supported by the Leadership–Followership Paradigm,” American Educational Research Association (AERA), Chicago, Illinois, April 2023
11. “Digital Coalition Development & Online Social Media Engagement: Mastering Student Prevention Efforts Virtually,” Higher Education Center for Alcohol, Other Drugs & Violence Prevention, May 2022
12. “Organization and Community Intelligence in Smart City Leadership and Beyond,” International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavioral Research (IOSSBR), August 2021