The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recently presented the Auburn University SHRM student chapter in the Harbert College of Business with a 2021-2022 Superior Merit Award for providing its members with outstanding activities and professional development opportunities.

“The members of our SHRM student chapters represent the next generation of HR leaders, and it’s critical to highlight the instrumental role they play in SHRM’s success,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, SHRM president and CEO. “The hard work of Auburn University 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.”

Open to all majors across campus, the Auburn SHRM chapter encourages careers in the HR field and shows students how the HR management profession works by sponsoring speakers at their monthly meetings, networking with professionals at the Alabama SHRM state conference each May, and organizing philanthropic events.

Last year, for example, the 40-plus members learned firsthand about the HR field from guest speakers with Regions Bank, International Paper, Insight Global, and Mercer.

According to Auburn SHRM faculty advisor Megan Sumners, students gain valuable networking and leadership experience by organizing the group’s events and this experience helps them land internships and job offers.

Mary Grace D'Antonio, Auburn SHRM vice president, worked as an operations intern at Target this past summer. Kennedy Beams, Auburn SHRM president, has received a full-time HR job offer from Boeing in Huntsville after interning there this past summer.

Sumners credits the Auburn SHRM enthusiastic leadership team and members for maintaining the group’s momentum during the pandemic.

“A lot of student organizations suffered through the pandemic, but we actually thrived,” said Sumners, program champion in the Department of Management, noting the members committed to abiding by the social distancing and masking requirements in order to meet in person during fall 2020. “That helped sustain our membership… and contributed to this award and the Involvement Award for Excellence in Practical Application from Auburn Student Involvement.”

About SHRM

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today's evolving workplaces. With 300,000+ HR and business executive members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 115 million workers and families globally.