Christian Cook

Certifications and Designations
PROSCI Certified Change Management Professional (CM)
CPHR (Chartered Professional in Human Resources)
SHRM – SCP (Society for Human Resource Management, Senior Certified Professional)
ICD.D (Institute of Corporate Directors, Director designation)
MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) Step I & II Certified Facilitator
Certificate (seminar series) in Adult Learning, MRU (Continuing Education)

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Christian Cook is a full professor of Human Resources in the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University. Her academic focus and expertise are HR strategy, leadership development, employee and labour relations, adult learning, and workplace dynamics.​ Following her successful five-year term as Academic Director of MRU’s Academic Development Centre (2020–2025)—where she led campus-wide initiatives such as the renewal of the campus wide learning management system and served as the inaugural chair of the University's Artificial Intelligence Working Group—Dr. Cook returned to full-time faculty in the Bissett School of Business.

Before her career in higher education, Dr. Cook spent close to two decades working across large, international organizations. A dedicated leader in her field, this year marks her 25-year milestone as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). She also holds the Senior Certified HR Professional designation (SHRM-SCP) and the Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D), reflecting her deep commitment to strategic leadership and governance excellence. She draws heavily on this dual background—combining rich practitioner experience with active research—to deliver engaging university classes, workshops, and frequent local and national media commentary.

​Active in institutional governance, Dr. Cook serves on the MRU Board of Governors ​(and Finance and Property Committee), and has held roles as a councilor in General Faculties Council (GFC), chair of the GFC Teaching and Learning Committee, vice chair of the MRFA Negotiations Committee, grievance officer, Joint Diversity and Equity Committee member, MRFA representative on the University Benefits Committee, and member (section planning chief) of the University Emergency Operations Committee (EOC). Her broad contributions to the university community have been recognized with both the 2017 MRFA Teaching Excellence Award and the 2026 MRFA Excellence in Service Award. She has contributed extensively to organizations like CPHR Alberta (currently vice chair of the Discipline and Ethical Standards Committee), the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation (director and chair of HR and Governance Committee), and the Women in Need Society (chair of multiple committees and served as Board Chair).

Research interests: the Future of Work, professional identity, workplace dynamics, employee burnout, expatriation and repatriation, employee and leader development, transformative learning. Available for: Quality assurance or accreditation/program reviews, expert media commentary, Honours or graduate supervision/committees.

Teaching Experience (MRU)
Strategic Human Resource Management
Employee Relations
Organizational Learning & Development
Recruitment & Selection
Introduction to Human Resources
Management Principles & Practices

Recent/Current MRU Service
Councillor, General Faculties Council (GFC)
Chair, Teaching and Learning Committee (TLC)
Chair, BBA HR Program Review
Chair, Celebrate! Teaching and Learning
Member, Academic Working Group (team assembled to address academic response to Covid-19)
Member, Learning Management System (LMS) Renewal Project Steering Committee
Business Lead, Learning Management System (LMS) Renewal Project
Vice Chair, MRFA Collective Bargaining/Negotiations Committee
Board Member, Journal of Transformative Learning (USA) Editorial Board