Thriving mentorship program among many benefits for Polk State HR Club
Whether it’s Future Business Leaders of America, Student Government Association or the STEM Club, Polk State College – through the Student Activities and Leadership Organization (SALO) – has many networking opportunities that broaden students’ horizons. One of those is the Polk State College HR Club.
The HR Club is chartered by the national HR organization, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and is affiliated with the local SHRM Mid-Florida chapter. With 30 current members, the club consists mostly of students in the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Supervision and Management Program.
Of those, several are pursuing a concentration in Human Resources. Recently, Polk State students have taken advantage of a mentorship program that pairs students with working professionals who are part of the Society for Human Resources Management’s (SHRM) Mid-Florida chapter.
“The mentoring program speaks directly to the objective of the HR Club,” said Shaneeza Mohamed, club president. “We get insight into what it takes to manage effectively from real-world professionals. It’s a great networking opportunity.”
The mentorship program
One of the guidelines of the program is that the mentor and mentee meet at least once per month – either in person or virtually. The mentors provide guidance on things that will help the mentees professionally, including help with resumes and mock interviews. Initially, a joint initiative between SHRM Mid-Florida and Polk State, the program, now in its second year, has expanded to include Florida Southern College. The current cohort consists of 20 mentors and 23 student mentees.
“The mock interviews are huge,” Mohamed added. “You’re being grilled on the substance of your expertise. When you’re talking about HR, you’re talking onboarding, training, payroll and more. Having this resource is invaluable. It’s great to see how much this program has expanded over the last year. We hope it eventually expands to other colleges as well.”
Daisy Penaloza, treasurer for the Polk State HR Club, recently traveled to Tallahassee for the 15th Annual Florida SHRM Legislative Conference with her mentor, Ashly Woosypiti.
“It was such a rewarding experience,” Penaloza exclaimed. “I got valuable insights into HR policy and how a bill becomes a law. It helped me professionally. One quote that stuck out to me was that HR is ‘about policy, not politics.’”
In addition to being Vice President of Administration for SHRM’s Mid-Florida chapter, Woosypiti is the Human Resources Director for the Town of Oakland, Fla.
“Ashly has been an exceptional mentor,” Penaloza shared. “She has been incredibly supportive and accessible whenever I need guidance. Through her mentorship, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the importance of thoughtful, strategic decision-making. Opportunities like this are helping lay the foundation for my long-term goal of pursuing a leadership role.”
Mohamed, the president of Polk State’s HR Club, was paired with SHRM Mid-Florida chapter president Vickie Krolak. Krolak is also the Senior HR Business Partner at iHire, a company that provides HR operational support to small and medium-sized businesses.
“Vickie is passionate about HR and has so much experience,” Mohamed said. “Getting her as my mentor was like hitting the jackpot. SHRM Mid-Florida has mentors with diverse areas of expertise and backgrounds. I can’t say how much I value that.”
Polk State’s BAS Program
Penaloza earned her Associate in Arts from Hillsborough College in 2017 before enrolling in Polk State’s Supervision and Management Program in 2022. Set to complete her degree this summer, she’s currently in the Business Administration concentration, but wants to return to complete the HR concentration. That decision, she said, came after speaking with friends in the HR field.
“HR is about helping others – whether it’s discussing labor laws or benefits,” Penaloza explained. “That’s where my passion is – for people.”
Mohamed worked in human resources and as an administrative assistant for nearly 25 years in New York and earned about 30 college credits during the 1990s. In 2015, she and her husband moved to Florida and started a real estate investment business. With a passion for HR, she decided to resume her education at Polk State in 2023 and earned an Associate in Arts in 2024. Mohamed expects to graduate with her BAS in Supervision and Management with a concentration in Human Resources during the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 Semester.
“I decided that HR was my forte,” Mohamed reflected. “Being able to interact and work with people in this field has fueled my drive to get back into the workforce. The (Polk State BAS) program has a lot of online options that allow me the freedom to take care of all my other responsibilities and work at my own pace. Even though it’s online, the program has great instructors. The response time is great, and they do a great job of making themselves available to the students.”
Other HR Club benefits
In addition to the mentorship program, being part of the HR Club comes with the opportunity for SHRM membership. Mohamed noted that SHRM Mid-Florida does not charge a membership fee for students who are SHRM student members. Matina Wagner, Polk State Business Professor and SHRM Mid-Florida Committee Chair for Professional Development and Certification, is the club’s co-advisor, along with Jose Perez, fellow Polk State Business Professor.
“I’m part of a strong professional community here,” Penaloza added. “Matina Wagner consistently encourages us to keep learning and growing. It’s a collaborative environment where everyone supports one another’s success.”
During each of the club’s monthly meetings, a guest speaker provides insight into the HR field. One of the previous guests was Erica Smith, Director of Business Development and Public Relations at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. The club also collaboratively gives back with periodic service projects.
“I’m learning so much and developing professionally,” Penaloza concluded. “This is an investment in my future. If you want to be part of a supportive community, love people and want to help your fellow employees in your future career, Polk State is the place for that.”