The Human Resource Management Club, also known as SHRM at Ship, received the 2019-2020 Superior Merit Award from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) for their efforts in providing growth and development opportunities to student members.

The Superior Merit Award is designated specifically for SHRM student chapters who implement about a dozen different activities during the year. Chapters are recognized based on: chapter operations, chapter programming and professional development of its members, support of the human resource profession, and SHRM engagement.

SHRM at Ship members went above and beyond to achieve this designation. They arranged speakers and panel discussions, attended professional development workshops, published monthly newsletters, participated in internships, engaged in philanthropic, community-based activities, and promoted the human resources major and profession at campus career events.

Graduate of Red Land High School and now senior human resources management major, Samantha Black, could not be prouder of the club and its officers. “It is amazing what less than fifteen students can do when we all work together for a common goal.”

Black is the current president of SHRM at Ship, but thanked last year’s E-Board and SHRM president, Eliza Fullerton, for successfully running the chapter amid the pandemic. She also shared appreciation for SHRM’s advisor, Dr. Vicki Taylor, for helping the club “thrive,” and the College of Business for its contribution to the club’s success.

Taylor commends her students for gaining national recognition and receiving the Superior Merit Award. She also praised them “for their commitment and the time they allocated from busy academic work schedules.”

Dr. John Kooti, dean of the John L. Grove College of Business, extended his congratulations as well. “We are extremely proud of the Human Resource Management Club and Dr. Taylor for their commitment to excellence, which earned them this distinguished award,” said Dr. Kooti.

Black strongly believes achieving the Superior Merit Award positively impacts more than just Shippensburg University.

“To be nationally recognized with hundreds of human resource professionals watching makes me hopeful for not only our students at Shippensburg, but all the other university students who will be looking for jobs here in the next few years.”

SHRM at Ship students should be incredibly proud, but the work does not stop here. They hope their efforts this year will lead to the 2020-2021 Outstanding Merit Award.

If last year is any indication, SHRM at Ship’s future certainly looks bright.