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Highlands University Student Chapter Receives Merit Award from Society of Human Resource Management

students in SHRM chapter smile at camera

Dr. Melanie Zollner, second from left, poses with students in the New Mexico Highlands University SHRM Student Chapter.

Chapter recognized for providing student opportunities

September 24, 2022

Las Vegas, NM, September 22, 2022—The student chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) at Highlands University received a 2021-2022 Merit Award from the international SHRM organization for their excellence in programming opportunities for members.

Dr. Melanie Zollner, Assistant Professor of Management and faculty sponsor for the NMHU SHRM Chapter, said SHRM student chapters provide learning and networking opportunities to students majoring or minoring in business and to graduate students in the School of Business.

“It’s a big deal that we received this award because we are competing with other student chapters in the United States,” Zollner said. “SHRM is the largest Human Resources professional organization, with 300,000 members worldwide. Last fall, five of our students attended the annual conference and last spring, two students attended the state conference. So far this year four students have attended a professional chapter conference.”

The SHRM Student Chapter Merit Award program recognizes student chapters that demonstrate a high level of engagement. NMHU received the Merit Award due to offering speaking events, book clubs, networking opportunities, and conference opportunities, among other activities. Recent events have included a presentation on investing, career mentoring workshops, and presentations on networking.

“The members of our SHRM student chapters represent the next generation of HR leaders,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, SHRM president and CEO. “The hard work of the NMHU SHRM Chapter shows the future of the profession is, indeed, in good hands. I applaud their accomplishments and ability to foster innovative programming, development, and interest in HR as we navigate changing workplaces.”

The New Mexico Highlands University SHRM Chapter’s next event is a book club reading series to discuss Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.’s book, Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval. The first meeting for the book club will take place on October 13 at 5 p.m. at Donnelly Library and on Zoom. All events are free and open to the public.

According to Zollner, SHRM Student Chapters provide many opportunities for students, including knowledge, experience, social capital, and mentorship.

“I am very proud of our chapter. I’m very proud of our students and proud of the activities that we do,” Zollner said.

For inquiries about events, or for business students interested in learning more about the SHRM Student Chapter, contact melzollner@nmhu.edu.