Center for Human Motivation, Learning, and Development (HML&D)

Welcome to the homepage for the Center for Human Motivation, Learning, and Development at The University of Denver. On this page, you will find brief description of our research activities, the people in our center, and our facilities. The Center's Director, Dr. Barbara McCombs welcomes your questions and comments.

The Center conducts "applications-driven" research, development, and evaluation in the areas of human motivation, learning, and development so that research-validated principles can be used to enhance human potential and performance. The Center draws on the multi-disciplinary expertise of University of Denver faculty and other recognized experts and organizations working in the same areas.

Center activities are directed at teachers and learners of all ages, kindergarten through college and beyond. Learner- and person-centered models for addressing human motivation, learning, and development needs are applied to research, development, and evaluation activities within a living systems framework. Specific areas of focus in which the research-validated learner-centered principles and practices are applied include:

• Professional Development
• School Violence Prevention
• Systemic Educational Reform
• Personal and Organizational Change

The Center is involved in R&D projects with K-12 school systems, higher education teacher education programs, and evaluations of national educational program and system reform models. In addition, Center staff are leading a local and national learner-centered youth violence prevention initiative with the support of a multi-disciplinary group of University of Denver faculty and administrative staff.

Center staff have expertise in theory and research applicable to the areas of human motivation, learning, and development. In addition, staff have expertise in research and evaluation methodologies including research models, statistics, and methodologies appropriate to quantitative and qualitative research designs. In addition to permanent Center staff with degrees in educational psychology and social work, the Center employs University faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students as appropriate to the needs of specific projects. Outside consultants are also used as appropriate as well as partner organizations with expertise that compliments and expands that of Center staff and matches client needs.

Center Director, Dr. Barbara McCombs, Ph.D.