Meet the Lead Instructor/Course Expert
Rachel Haywood is a Business and Human Resources instructor at U.S. Career Institute, where she teaches across the HR and business curriculum, specializing in employment law, compensation and benefits, talent development, labor relations, organizational behavior, and workforce readiness. She has brought more than 20 years of combined experience in leadership, compliance, coaching, employee development, and military service.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management/Marketing from Columbia Southern University and is a member of the Omega Nu Lambda National Honor Society (Eta Chapter), recognizing academic excellence in online education. Prior to transitioning into education, she proudly served nearly 20 years in the United States Army with multiple deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her military experience shaped her values around mentorship, accountability, and service which are principles she carries into her work with students every day.
Her teaching philosophy centers on empowerment through practical, career-focused learning. Rachel believes education should open doors and create opportunities, especially for adult learners navigating career transitions or advancement. She is passionate about building learner confidence, strengthening workforce skills, and helping students connect academic knowledge to real-world application.
In addition to teaching, Rachel is also an entrepreneur and founder of Divine Embrace LLC, a human resources consulting and training company, and 17/20 Collective, a mission-centered lifestyle brand. Originally from Georgia, she enjoys writing, mentoring, building new creative ventures, and spending time with her family. She remains committed to lifelong learning and to helping students build sustainable, purpose-driven careers.