SIUE Hires Chambers as Director of Human Resources
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Interim Vice Chancellor for Administration Bill Retzlaff, PhD, has named Carl L. Chambers as the university’s next director of Human Resources (HR). Chambers will assume the role on January 1, 2023.
An SIUE alumnus, Chambers will return to his alma mater with more than 15 years of progressive human resources and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) experience within multiple industries in both private and public sectors.
“I am excited to welcome Carl back to SIUE to lead our HR division,” said Retzlaff. “Carl’s skillset and knowledge of human resource practices and processes that he has developed since he was a student at SIUE will enhance our organizational structure and culture.”
“The opportunity to return to my alma mater in this role is humbling, surreal and a tremendous honor,” said Chambers. “SIUE is a special place. The University is an epicenter for affordable higher learning and development for youth and adults in the St. Louis Metropolitan region. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the SIUE community at this pivotal time in history. ”
“I envision an HR Center of Excellence (COE) that provides collaborative HR business partnerships that understand each department’s core function and advises, coaches and provides HR counsel,” he added. “I welcome the opportunity to serve in collaboration with Chancellor James T. Minor, Interim Vice Chancellor for Administration Bill Retzlaff and SIUE community members to provide leadership from an HR lens in the pursuit of human excellence where every person has purpose and value.”
Since 2018, Chambers has served as a principal for Human Value Initiative, LLC, providing EDI training design, development and implementation. Chambers has also served in various HR roles at Tillamook Bay Community College, Oregon Youth Authority, Oregon State Department of Police and Tillamook County Creamery Association.
Originally from Centreville, Chambers graduated from Cahokia in 1989. Chambers earned a bachelor’s in business administration from SIUE in 1995. He earned a master’s in human resource development from Villanova University in 2017 and a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification.
Photo: SIUE Director of Human Resources Carl L. Chambers.