CPP Student Spotlight: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Chapter

by Mya Brossoit

The College of Professional Programs is proud to highlight the EWU Student Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) at Eastern is a community of passionate students who share an interest in Human Resources. SHRM exemplifies the influential connections between EWU alumni and Human Resource professionals that are available to students seeking new development opportunities. The organization seeks to create meaningful networking opportunities for students to gain advice from current business leaders and employees working in Human Resources today.

Although the chapter has only been active at Eastern for one year, the club has not ceased to pursue success in a multitude of ways. One way they have contributed to the community is when SHRM partnered with Beta Alpha Psi to sponsor a workshop during EWU Diversity and Inclusion Week entitled, “Strategies for Embedding DEI in Business Practices,” led by Kim Davis, an HR professional and Senior Director for Diversity and Inclusion at EWU.

Jake Condon, EWU SHRM Club President, describes another impactful experience SHRM had from their attendance at the HR Leaders of Tomorrow conference in Juneau, Alaska this April:

There, we were again able to take a corporate tour and speak with the leaders at Sealaska, as well as different breakout sessions to learn more about HR and how to make ourselves better professionals.

Their greatest accomplishment however, is the meaningful connection the chapter has made with the successful water resource management company, Itron. They also attended a corporate tour of Itron where they heard stories from current HR professionals and what their role is in the company. From this relationship, SHRM networked with the SHRM Gonzaga Chapter and academically developed their group’s professionalism while visiting the global business.

On providing advice to current and future students, Jake states that:

…one of the most important things to get out of college is successful networking. If you are able to build positive relationships with successful people, and people that will be successful, so many doors open up to you. Our organization is a great place to do just that, with an advisor that wants nothing more than to see us succeed.

Current club advisor Eldonna Shaw-Davis has been incredibly supportive of SHRM members, helping to find funding to offset student travel costs to the HR Leaders of Tomorrow Conference, with the assistance of the Inland Northwest SHRM chapter (INSHRM), and getting the EWU SHRM chapter started last year.  Looking towards the future, SHRM has goals of delegating new students to lead the EWU chapter, and invest in their mission further. They hope to expand their chapter and attend more Leaders of Tomorrow conferences in the coming years.

Jake holds great enthusiasm for staying in touch with SHRM members after graduation:

After I graduate, I hope to stay in touch with the group as much as I can. I think what we have accomplished so far is great and I believe it will only get better and I’d love to continue to be a part of it.

The College of Professional Programs applauds SHRM for their commitment to professional development and learning!

EWU’s SHRM chapter is currently recruiting and multiplying their number of members in preparation for next year’s group. To find out more about the Society for Human Resources Management chapter at Eastern, visit their EageSync page here: https://eaglesync.ewu.edu/shrm/home/