Polk State HR Club recognized as one of nation’s top chapters
Members of Polk State College’s HR Club have raved about its benefits, but if it wasn’t before, the club is officially in elite company.
During the SHRM26 Annual Conference and Expo at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando last month, the club was recognized as one of just six nationally to receive the SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) Outstanding Student Chapter Award and the only state college. It is the HR Club’s first national recognition.
“Contending with other colleges and universities that have more members and more established clubs, it was a wonderful surprise,” said Shaneeza Mohamed, Polk State HR Club past president and incoming treasurer. “We were wowed. This is a total validation of our club.”
Mohamed joined SHRM President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor on stage to accept the award on Polk State’s behalf. Other winners were New York University, Portland State University, San Diego State University, the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of South Carolina. More than 60 chapters applied for the recognition.
“When we saw our name next to these big universities, it made us feel so proud and accomplished,” said Daisy Penaloza, the HR Club’s new president. “We weren’t expecting it, but we worked so hard for it. Words can’t explain how much it means.”
Mohamed and Penaloza were among four members of the Polk State chapter to volunteer at the national conference which featured nearly 400 educational sessions and keynote presentations from the likes of John Maxwell, Simon Sinek, James Marsden and Oprah Winfrey. Club co-advisor Matina Wagner and Yvonne Velez, coordinator for Human Resources at Polk State, also gave their time.
“It was a great chance to network and meet other people in (human resources),” Penaloza reflected. “Getting to have meaningful conversations with HR professionals from different backgrounds taught me so much. I felt so encouraged and made so many meaningful connections. The speeches and presentations were all remarkable and motivational.”
Recently recognized as one of the College’s Presidential Ambassadors, Mohamed offered similar sentiments.
“It’s a huge event with 19,000 attendees and many vendors,” she exclaimed. “There was so much valuable information shared, but for me, the main benefit was the networking. There were people from all over the world with a passion for HR.”
With about 30 members, the Polk State HR Club has grown significantly since its inception five years ago. Through a partnership with SHRM Mid-Florida, the club established a prominent mentorship program, which provides students with an individually assigned HR professional who serves as a mentor. The mentor and mentee meet at least once a month.
“Our goal is for every student who graduates to become a (SHRM Mid-Florida) member,” Mohamed explained. “The HR professionals at SHRM Mid-Florida are so enthusiastic about helping students. We’re so grateful for that partnership. It’s been a great two years as part of this club. I have one year left and I’m already sad it’s going to end.”
The opportunity for SHRM membership is one of the many benefits of Polk State’s HR Club. During each of the club’s monthly meetings, a guest speaker provides insight into the HR field. Advised by Wagner and Jose Perez, both business professors, the club also collaboratively gives back with periodic service projects.
“What makes the HR Club special is that I feel like I’m part of a team,” Penaloza added. “Matina works so hard to create networking opportunities and building professional relationships that have proven invaluable. This is a community where you feel connected, recognized and valued.”
Many of the club’s members are in the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Supervision and Management Program. Since 2022, the program has offered a concentration in Human Resources Management. The concentration was recently aligned with SHRM curriculum standards, meaning it has been designed to meet competencies and knowledge areas recognized by the leading professional association in the human resources field.
“We have advisors who are truly committed,” Mohamed concluded. “I’m astounded by the amount of time they spend with us, helping us grow, providing volunteer opportunities and guiding us. They’ve inspired us to give more of ourselves.”