HRD PhD Ambassador: Coby Dillard

Coby Dillard
2nd year PHD Student
Tyler, TX
Email: cdillard@uttyler.edu
LinkedIn

Profile

Coby Dillard is both a PhD student in Human Resource Development and the Director of Military and Veterans Affairs at the University of Texas at Tyler, where he leads efforts to support student veterans, service members, and their families. As a Navy veteran, Coby’s work focuses on improving the academic experience for military-affiliated students. His career in higher education began in 2010 at Tidewater Community College in Virginia, where he held various roles supporting military students, before continuing his work at Regent University and UC Santa Barbara. Coby is a certified Clinical Military Counselor and a graduate of Leadership Tyler Class 37, with active memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Education

• Tidewater Community College (2012; AS)
• Norfolk State University (2015; BS)
• Regent University (2017; MA)

Current Position

Director, Military & Veterans Affairs (UT Tyler)

Why I chose UT Tyler?

I chose UT Tyler for the challenge presented by both the HRD program and its faculty. Coming
from both a military and counseling background, going into the field of human resource development presented the opportunity to build on my skills as an interdisciplinary researcher. My research interest involves examining the behaviors of military affiliated individuals within organizations, and how those behaviors influence their retention.

Fun Fact

I am probably one of the campus' biggest soccer fans! My "fun" research interest is the intersection of soccer, leadership, and organizational change.