By Rebecca Wyatt Thomas, OU Web Writer
Oakland University’s Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) was named a Superior Merit Chapter for the 2007-08 academic year, as well as being honored as one of the top 10 Outstanding Chapters of the year by the national committee.
“This was a particularly special year to receive a superior merit award and outstanding student chapter award because the application process changed dramatically and took on a new process — a bit more difficult than the previous application,” said Ally Kelly, president of OU’s SHRM chapter. “We have received the Superior Merit award for eight consecutive years, but this was the first year that we were named in the top ten for our outstanding student chapter. It truly is an honor to receive the award and it dignifies the work our student organization is committed to providing to Oakland University and the surrounding community.”
SHRM is the largest professional association devoted to human resource management. SHRM provides human resource professionals with resources to advance the profession. OU’s student chapter of SHRM carries out the mission of the national organization while providing students with the opportunity to learn about human resources as a profession.
In order to be considered for the Superior Merit award, the students of SHRM must submit an application demonstrating how they support the mission “to develop more effective student chapters, and to promote outstanding activities and projects by student chapters in four areas: Basic student chapter requirements, chapter programming and professional development of members, support of the human resource profession and partnership with SHRM.”
OU’s chapter application provided details of the group’s service project at Lighthouse PATH of Oakland County, which provides long-term housing and support to help women achieve self-sufficiency and a healthy family environment for their children.
“The service project was titled ‘A New Year, A New You!’ and it included a professional clothing drive and a resume/interview workshop for the women of Lighthouse PATH. We had an overwhelming response from our fellow students, faculty and staff during our professional clothing drive where we collected more than 20 bags of work appropriate clothing,” Kelly said. The resume and interview workshop was held in February. Participants were able to ask questions and have their resumes review by members of OU’s SHRM chapter.
“We had anticipated receiving the Superior Merit award, but receiving the Outstanding Student Chapter award was a wonderful surprise,” Kelly said.
OU’s chapter has nine students that serve on the executive board. There are a number of other students who participate in SHRM activities, including 50 members in the organization’s Facebook group.
“We offer speaking meetings, workshops, community service projects and co-sponsored events that usually tie into the human resource profession,” Kelly said. Last year the group learned about human resource management at the Detroit Zoo, resume and interview tips, talent development, retirement and available human resource certification.
Any student with an interest in human resources can get involved with SHRM. For more information, contact the SHRM advisers, Lizabeth Barclay at Barclay@oakland.edu or Karen Markel at markel@oakland.edu. The SHRM mailbox is located in the Center for Student Activities office, 49 Oakland Center.