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David Dahlgren, '08. Dave Dahlgren chose to attend the HRIR program at the University of Minnesota because he “enjoyed the application of statistics, adult learning and training, industrial psychology and economics to the workplace." Graduating in December 2008 from the part-time program, Dahlgren currently works as SAP HCM Consulting Manager with Accenture. He previously held positions with the University of Minnesota, SAP America, Pragmatek Consulting, and The Toro Company. He says the program prepared him for his career in human resources by offering “excellent instructors and topics with a focus on current regulations, events and issues.” He joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors because, “I enjoyed my days at the U of Minnesota and throughout my adult lifetime, I’ve always been an active campus supporter.” He offers this advice to current students: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help from classmates and colleagues, or to offer help to others. You will find that within the HR community there is an incredible amount of formal and informal knowledge sharing that will allow you to keep informed, stay fresh, and retool throughout your career.”

Mary Jo Flan, '96. After graduation, some people don't take on the career their diploma intended for them. Part time/evening graduate Mary Jo Flan chose to work with companies such as MCI/WorldCom, Qwest Lifetouch, and Korn/Ferry International-Leadership and Talent Development in non-HR positions. "It [the MA-HRIR program] taught me to think and to apply knowledge to various areas," she said. "HR impacts all areas of organizations and we need to think broadly." Flan joined the CHRLS Alumni Association Board to help ensure beneficial connections continue to be made with current students, alumni, CHRLS and the business community. "With the world of work going through many changes, there are many professionals, including me, who are looking to take advantage of on-going opportunities to learn and connect," Flan said. Her advice to students is "to learn from your education and experiences. It's the combination that will create your value to organizations in the future."

Kathleen Grosskopf, '02, Acquity Group. "I chose the HR-IR program at the University of Minnesota because it offered the most in terms of professional development through both a great location in a major city as well as the ability to take additional MBA courses in a top program," said Kathleen Grosskopf. She graduated in 2002 from the full-time program and works as a Senior Manager of Compensation.She said she feels the program prepared her well for her career in HR. "In addition to the academic development through the program, I was able to obtain real word experience through internships and a field consulting project," she recalled. "This gave me the ability to apply what I was learning while still in a full-time program." A desire to stay connected with other HR professionals led to her decision to join the Alumni Association Board of Directors. "I think it is important to stay connected to other HR professionals and have the opportunity to give back to a program that provided a strong foundation to my career," she said. "I hope to have the ability to share what I have learned during and after my time in the program with others." Speaking of sharing, her advice to current students is: "Make the most of every opportunity you have while in the program," she said. "This is your time to build the network that you will have for the rest of your career."

Susan Hoffman, '82, 3M. Sue Hoffman entered the MA-IR program immediately after completing her B.S in Business from the University of Minnesota. "HR-IR was my primary area of interest during my undergraduate studies," she said, "and psychology was also an interest area." Hoffman graduated in 1982 from the full-time program and currently works as a Global Talent Acquisition Manager for 3M. "The program prepared me (for a career in HR) by exposing me to the varied areas of HR, and the thought leaders in the profession who were on the faculty," she said. She joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors to "contribute back to the program, the University and the community in an additional way," she noted. Her advice to current students? "Take advantage of your time in school; build networks; and be open to continuous learning." Hoffman adds that she's looking forward to learning and working with "the great team of Board members."

Carrie Johnson, '97, True North Groups Institute. Carrie Johnson chose to attend the HRIR program at the University of Minnesota because she decided her early career in sales would not fit her for the long run. "After a lot of reflection, assessment and informational interviewing, I decided to go into human resources," she said. "[The U of MN HR/IR program] was highly-rated. It gave me the flexibility to take classes part time and ease out of my sales career." Graduating in 1997 from the part-time program, Johnson currently works as the executive director at True North Groups Institute. She held previous jobs at American Express, Ameriprise, and other small businesses prior to her HR career. She said the MA-HRIR program gave her a solid foundation in all of the basics of human resources and that she was able to "immediately apply what I was learning." Johnson joined the CHRLS Alumni Association Board because she wants to give back to a program that has been meaningful in her professional life. She is curious to find out more about what is working well and where the Board can continue to make things better. Her advice to students is to "pursue work that you love, not what is expected of you, or what fits for someone else."

Kirk Keeney, '11, Wells Fargo. Keeney, a part time graduate of the HRIR program, currently works at Wells Fargo as a human resource consultant. He has held previous positions as the managing recruiter at Superior Search and a recruiter at Evenium. Keeney joined the HRIR program at the University of Minnesota because he wanted to garner a broader base of HR knowledge. "[The MA-HRIR program] provided me a lot of the underlying theory on why certain things are done and how certain things could be done better," he said. He joined the CHRLS Alumni Association Board because several colleagues at Wells Fargo had served on the board and had spoken highly of their experience. "I also am always eager to work and network with individuals from other companies and industries," he said. Keeney's advice to students is to "have a sound understanding of the challenges the business is facing, the direction the business is going and the barriers that may prevent the business from attaining its goals."

Michelle Kurtz, '09, Target. When she began the part-time program, Kurtz had been working in HR for over 10 years. “The program refreshed my learning and prepared me for leadership roles with greater scope and responsibility,” she said. Kurtz works as an Operations Manager at Target, and previously worked for Coca-Cola Enterprises. She chose the HRIR program at the University of Minnesota because of its “strong national reputation, the part-time option, and the strong MBA program for electives,” she says. She joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors because “I want to volunteer with groups that make sense in my life. Education is a priority for me,” she says, “and giving back to the university where I earned my masters degree makes sense.” She encourage current students “to work hard in your classes and take full advantage of the wide variety of experiences and viewpoints you’ll have with your fellow students. Maintain a balance with the rest of your life,” she continues, “and find ways to incorporate what you learn in class into your professional life.”

Bethany Labuz, '06, AonHewitt Associates. “The MA-HRIR program has provided me with foundational knowledge in all areas of HR,” said Bethany Labuz. “The statistics course helped me significantly as I have since specialized in compensation.” Labuz graduated in 2006 from the full time program, and works as a Global Rewards Consultant with AonHewitt Associates. She’s also worked for Health Care Service Corp. and Buck Consultants. She joined the CHRLS Alumni Association Board in 2010, and shares this advice with students: “Learn from each other’s real life experiences as much as possible in class; study and understand the business that your company is in as it will build instant credibility with the business leaders you support; become adept at compensation as it links to all areas of HR; and think globally!”

Yogita Naik, ’02, AIG. Yogita Naik graduated from the full-time program in 2002 and is currently a Global HR Head, Senior HR Business Partner for Enterprise Risk Management. She said she choose to attend the program when she was completing a graduate degree from University of Mumbai, India and working for Johnson and Johnson. "I realized early on that I had strong technical skills in organization behavior and psychology," she said, "and I needed to strengthen my business acumen as an HR professional. The HR/IR program seemed to strike a good balance between research/application and HR/Business, and this was offered with a global perspective." She continued, "the HR/IR program is well regarded in the HR field and I was certain it would prepare me well and open up better opportunities for a young professional interested in pursuing a global HR career path in Fortune 500 corporations." She shared some advice for current students: "This is one of the most interesting times of your life where you are not only gaining professional and technical skills in HR/IR but if you pay attention, you will learn bigger life lessons. Have fun, make friends that will last you a lifetime, make mistakes, and enjoy the ride."

Andrew Powers, '09, Chevron. Andrew Powers graduated in 2009 from the full-time program and currently works as a Labor Relations Advisor at Chevron. “I chose to attend the HRIR program at the University of Minnesota because I felt it necessary to obtain higher education in the HR field, and the program is consistently regarded as one of the best HR graduate programs,” he said. “It was my main objective to learn from top professors, be exposed to various business concepts and obtain an education very applicable to my career interests." His advice to current students? “The MA-HRIR program at the University of Minnesota is considered one of the top-caliber schools,” he says. “You will be exposed to some of the most intelligent and helpful professors; be a sponge and pick their brains as much as you can. You will also be surrounded by some of the smartest and professional students in the world; be a sponge and pick their brains as well! These connections will last you throughout your whole career!” He is looking forward to serving on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. “I believe networking and continuous improvements to the program will ensure its success and the production of high caliber HR professionals,” he says. “I look forward to contributing in many different ways and hope to continue the success of alumni relations.”

Taryn Shawstad, '88, Chevron Corporation. Shawstad, currently a general manager of total remuneration at Chevron Corporation, chose to attend the HR/IR program at the University of Minnesota because she realized she needed additional technical knowledge to be successful. The program provided her with practical information on how to identify and address gaps in people processes that impact business success. She joined the CHRLS Alumni Association Board to "give back to a program that was instrumental in preparing me for my career." Her advice to students? "In addition to doing well at your coursework, take the time to establish a network of professional contacts that will help you the rest of your career."

Kathy Smith, '93, HR Service Team. Kathy Smith is a senior partner at HR Service Team and graduated in 1993 from the full time MA-IR program. She believes that the degree with the two Plan B papers and oral exam prepared students for operating at a high level, even in an entry level HR position. She joined the CHRLS Alumni Association Board in 2010 because “I have always wanted to be involved,” she said.

Samantha South, '10, IBM. "The MA-HRIR program prepared me with a strong knowledge base of HR theories/practices as well as business principles which enables me to look at my work more holistically and from different perspectives," said Samantha South. Graduating from the MA-HRIR program at the University of Minnesota in 2010, she is now working in workforce analytics at IBM and also interned with AMSOIL. She chose to attend the program at the U of M because she found the program offered a balanced curriculum as well as a strong focus on internship and career placements. South decided to join the CHRLS Alumni Association Board because she appreciated the programs that the Alumni Association put on while she was a student and wants to do her part to give back. Her advice to students is "to surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking and deliver above and beyond the basic requirements for your projects."

Rochelle "Chel" Stewart, ’10, Comcast. Chel Stewart graduated from the part-time program in 2010, and says she chose to earn her MA-HRIR degree for "a number of reasons: top reputation, former HR leaders attended and were impressed, the ability to take MBA courses to broaden my studies, and the high caliber of professors." She currently works as HR Director for Comcast, and has held positions with Pillsbury, Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the University of Minnesota. "I was already in my HR career when I attended the program," she said. "It provided the theory behind the practice as well as broadened my knowledge base." Joining the Alumni Association Board of Directors gave her "an opportunity to learn and share best practices while giving back to the community and my alma mater, as well as network with HR leaders from a variety of organizations," she noted. And for current students she offers this advice: "Stay connected with classmates, take a variety of courses, and remember that the program provides the valuable theory behind your HR practice." She also has a professional development tip: "Attend the annual HR Tomorrow Conference, where you can gain meaningful information and education while networking!"

Erika Williams, ’00, Baxter Health. "The HRIR program actually found me," Erika Williams said. "I was recruited during a graduate career fair and for three years I received information from the University of Minnesota," she said, "never thinking I would actually attend or end up graduating from one of the top HR programs in the U.S." She chose to attend not only because of the strong program, "but because of the conversations that I had with John Fossum, and the excitement in talking to a classmate who graduated from the same college and was already completing her first year in the HRIR program." She found that the program gave her a solid foundation of theory, "which helped me handle the real situational work issues which you can never learn from a book," she notes. Joining the CHRLS Alumni Association Board gives her the opportunity to be able to show her appreciation, and give back the knowledge that she’s gained over the last 11 years. To current students she says, "Spend this time nurturing who you are as a person. Know who you are and what you stand for, because there will come a time when you will be challenged in all of these aspects, and it will be up to you to show others who you are." Great advice, indeed!

Jacqueline Williams-Roll, '95, General Mills. Inc. Williams-Roll, a 1995 graduate, was enrolled in the part-time MA-HRIR program as she worked her full-time job, and switched to the full-time program during her last semester. She is currently Vice President of the Human Resources-International Division at General Mills, Inc., and has also worked at Jenny Craig International. "I wanted to go to a top 3 ranked program that was embedded within the business school," she said of her time in the HR/IR program at the U of M. Williams-Roll said the program gave her the fundamental skills and experiences that she needed to begin a career in HR and felt the connection with the business school was important for exposure with Fortune 100 companies. She joined the CHRLS Alumni Association Board because she "is interested in giving students the 'real scoop' when it comes to working within the field of human resources today." Her advice to students? "You will receive some of your best learning from other students who are currently working with great companies and/or your HR internships. Try to leverage opportunities like this to get perspective and connections that you can't find in textbooks."

Patricia Wyffels, 92, Hitachi GST. Wyffels is Senior Director, Global Talent Acquisition at Hitachi GST. She has worked with diverse industries including technology, biopharmaceutical, agricultural products and non-profit organizations. Wyffels previously served as Global Manager, Human Resources for Chevron Oronite Company LLC.

HR Tomorrow Conference

Friday, April 19, 2013

As an Alumni Board, we also coordinate this annual conference to provide a venue for the exchange of ideas, a professional and academic learning experience and an on-going connection to the CHRLS. This is a premier event that attracts over 300 attendees each year, and offers professional development as well as the opportunity to network with alumni, faculty and peers in the HR and business community.

The CHRLS Alumni Association Board of Directors is committed to the ongoing professional growth of alumni, current students and other HR practitioners through professional development events. In 2012-2013, we will be offering a free workshop series on a variety of topics.

 

Workshop Three - "The Expatriate Experience"

Tuesday, May 7, 2013
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. (Refreshments and networking will begin at 5:30 p.m.)
Room 2-206, Carlson School of Management
321 - 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Please join the CHRLS Alumni Association and guest speaker Pamala Pappas Stanoch, President and Founder of The Athena Group International, for a fascinating look at the four different cycles of the Expatriate: the Selection Process; Signs of Success; Training and Development of the Employee in their Role; and Re-Patriation.

Speaker:

Pappas Stanoch founded The Athena Group International, a consortium of global talent designed to meet the needs of clients expanding their global operations, in 2003. The Athena Group provides coaching, strategy, global network design, and other resources to its international clients. She also founded Window on the World, Inc., to serve as a cross-cultural communications organization.The speaker completed a B.A. in French and in Foreign Language Education, a B.S. in International Relations, and a master's degree in Cross-Cultural Communications from the University of Minnesota and the Universite' Catholique de L'Ouest, Angers, France.

Schedule:

• 5:30 p.m. - Networking and Light Refreshments
• 6:00 p.m. - Workshop Presentation
• 6:45 p.m. - Questions & Answers, Wrap-up and Close

Webinar Option

This free workshop will also be available through Webinar to those unable to attend in person. When registering for the workshop you'll be prompted to select that option; additional log-in information will be sent closer to the date.

Click here to watch a video of the workshop. Pam Pappas Stanoch's slides are available here.

 

 

Workshop Two - "From Minneapolis to Mumbai: Key HR Learnings"

Tuesday, February 5, 2013
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. (Refreshments and networking will begin at 5:30 p.m.)
Room 2-206, Carlson School of Management
321 - 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Please join the CHRLS Alumni Association and guest speaker Rebekah Ferguson, Human Resources Director at General Mills, for a fascinating look at her two-year global assignment with General Mills in Mumbai, India. She'll provide an overview of GBS (Global Business Solutions) India, and highlight various HR focus areas including recruiting, retention, learning and development, compensation and benefits, and culture. She'll also share some of her expatriate experiences, and will allow plenty of time for Q&A.

Speaker:
Rebekah Ferguson has been with General Mills for 15 years, in a variety of HR leadership roles, across multiple U.S. manufacturing locations, World Headquarters, and a global assignment in Mumbai, India. She is currently HR Director for the Finance organization. Ferguson attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree from the School of Labor and Employment Relations.

Schedule:

• 5:30 p.m. - Networking and Light Refreshments
• 6:00 p.m. - Workshop Presentation
• 6:30 p.m. - Questions & Answers, Wrap-up and Close

Webinar Option

We are excited to be able to offer a Webinar option to those unable to attend in person. When registering for the workshop you'll be prompted to select that option; additional log-in information will be sent closer to the date.

Click here to watch a video of the workshop. Rebekah Ferguson's slides are available here.

 

 

Workshop One - "International HR: A Global Perspective"

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. (Refreshments and networking will begin at 5:30 p.m.)
Room 2-206, Carlson School of Management
321 - 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Have you ever wondered what International HR is all about? Join us on Tuesday evening, October 23, for an engaging discussion on the topic. Our guest for the evening is Paula Cooney, Director of HR Strategic Programs for the H.B. Fuller Company. Paula will provide insight into her HR experiences from an international perspective, and will discuss selection, job elimination, working across countries with vastly different employment laws, and her experience as an ex-patriate in the U.S.

 

Speaker:
Paula Cooney is currently the Director of HR Strategic Programs for H.B. Fuller Company and is responsible for world-wide people growth including talent management, leadership development and employee engagement. Prior to joining H.B. Fuller Company she spent 13 years with Intel Corporation in a variety of human resource positions, including Director of the Intel Learning & Development, a global organization charged with enhancing Intel performance. She joined Intel Ireland in 1997 and completed two expatriate assignments in the US before moving permanently in 2004. Prior to joining Intel in 1997, Paula was an Employee Relations Executive with the Irish Business & Employers Confederation, an associate lecturer in the National College of Industrial Relations in Dublin, and started her career in the Houses of Parliament in Ireland. Paula holds a Diploma in Personnel Management from the National College of Industrial Relations in Dublin, Ireland, and a Masters in Human Resource Management & Industrial Relations from the Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, University College Dublin.

Schedule:

• 5:30 p.m. - Networking and Light Refreshments
• 6:00 p.m. - Workshop Presentation
• 6:55 p.m. - Wrap-up and Close

Webinar Option

We are excited to be able to offer a Webinar option to those alumni unable to attend in person. When registering for the workshop you'll be prompted to select that option; additional log-in information will be sent closer to the date.

Click here to watch a video of the workshop.

 

The CHRLS Alumni Association Board is committed to the ongoing professional growth of alumni, current students and other HR practitioners through professional development events. In 2011-2012, we offered a free workshop series on a variety of topics.

Workshop Two - Total Employee Engagement: How Do We Get That?

Wednesday, May 2, 2012
5:00 to 6:30 p.m. (Refreshments and networking will begin at 5:00 p.m.)

We know our employees are not fully engaged, but may not have an action plan to turn this around. Organizations are becoming more adept at measuring employee engagement, but acting on the data and achieving an ongoing highly engaged workforce is still a challenge for many HR professionals.

Through qualitative research and a live case study at a Fortune 500 company, our speaker has developed a continuum which defines the stages of employee engagement. She will share this continuum with us along with the critical foundational elements that must be present at an organization to drive high engagement. Lastly she will discuss the levers found to have the greatest impact on achieving and maintaining the optimal level. There will be opportunities for questions, discussion, and sharing best practices across organizations.

Speaker:
Kathy Carlson is currently the Director of Learning and Development at General Mills, Inc. (GMI). She has been in the learning and development area for nearly ten years and prior to that held roles within the quality organization of GMI for 13 years.

Kathy earned her Ph.D. in Human Resource Development from the University of Minnesota. She also holds an M.S. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Minnesota, and a B.S. in Chemistry and Business from the University of Wiscsonsin - LaCrosse.

Her current affiliations include ASTD, ASTD Director's Forum, Conference Board on Employee Engagement, and Fredrickson Round Table. Her certifications include Hogan Assessment, e-learning, Instruction Design, Generations in the Work Force.

Schedule:

• 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. - Networking and Light Refreshments
• 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. - Speaker Presentation with Q&A

Webinar Option

We are excited to be able to offer a Webinar option to those alumni unable to attend in person, thanks to the generosity of AonHewitt. When registering for the workshop you'll be prompted to select that option; additional log-in information will be sent closer to the date.

There is no cost to attend this event, but registration is requested. Please RSVP by April 27.

Workshop One - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Social Media (But Were Afraid to Ask)

Thursday, October 27, 2011
8:00 to 10:00 AM (Breakfast and networking will begin at 7:30 a.m.)

Don't miss this great opportunity to gain insight on the influence of social media on core HR functions, from recruiting to workplace conduct to how team members from your company are representing themselves in the virtual space (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.) of social media. We welcome three experts in the field who will share their perspectives into what is currently happening, and what to anticipate with respect to social media. They are:

• Sukie Crawford - Senior Process Business Partner, Target
• Julie Melander Holmes - Senior HR & Employment Law Consultant, Trusight
• Gene Sheih - Senior Counsel, Wells Fargo & Company

WebEx Option

We are excited to be able to offer a WebEx option to those alumni unable to attend in person, thanks to the generosity of AonHewitt. When registering for the workshop you'll be prompted to select that option; additional log-in information will be sent.

There is no cost to attend this event, but registration is requested. Please RSVP by October 24 here.

2013 Alumni Mentorship Program

The CHRLS Alumni Association is now soliciting participants for the 2013 Alumni Mentorship Program, which will run from February through December 2013.

Students interested in being matched with an Alumni Mentor can apply here. Alumni interested in being matched with a Student Mentee may register here. A Kick-Off event will be held in early February; watch this site for further information.

To read more about how the Mentorship Program has benefitted both students and alumni, check out this article.

 

2012 Alumni Mentorship Program

At last year's Kick-Off, guest speaker Holly Whitcomb, from 3M's Mentoring Program, shared ways to build a successful mentoring relationship before turning it over to the Mentorship Committee for additional tips and information. A planning handout was provided to help Mentors and Mentees easily schedule future meetings and topics. Check out photos from the Kick-Off event, too.

For questions, please contact hrmentor@umn.edu.

 

Centerpoint is a publication for alumni, friends, faculty, and staff of the Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies, and is published and mailed two times per year.

Membership in the CHRLS Alumni Association is open to all HRIR graduate and undergraduate alumni; there is no application process or membership fee, and graduation is not required.

To serve on the CHRLS Alumni Association Board of Directors, members must have completed all requirements of the MA-IR or MA-HRIR program and been granted their degree. Contact Anne Obst at obstx011@umn.edu or 612-626-9748 for more information.