YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Student Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management at Youngstown State University has earned the 2023-24 Superior Merit Award for providing superior growth and development opportunities to its student members. 

The YSU SHRM Student Chapter has received the national recognition for seven of the past eight years.

The merit award program encourages the development of more effective student chapters and distinguishes outstanding activities and projects. Chapters are recognized based on operations, chapter programming and professional development of members, support of the human resource profession and SHRM engagement.

Over the past academic year, YSU SHRM students hosted a case competition open to all majors in which teams competed to solve an HR case study. They organized presentations and discussions with featured speakers from Ogletree Deakins Law Firm, Meijer, Philips Edison & Co. and Procter & Gamble. Additionally, the group volunteered at The Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley and conducted fundraising efforts, including a basket raffle that set a record for amount earned in a single fundraiser.

YSU SHRM students will continue to create employer panel discussions, participate in company site visits and hold numerous networking opportunities for students.

The group also partners with the Western Reserve Professional SHRM Chapter to offer events such as alumni nights and joint meetings that support professional networking and development opportunities.

“This award honors the exceptional accomplishments in our student chapter’s operations and recognizes our dedication to offering valuable programs and opportunities to our human resource members and students,” says Kimberly Pleva, the faculty advisor for the YSU SHRM Student Chapter. “It also acknowledges our ongoing commitment to developing future HR business leaders. We take great pride in our chapter’s achievements and appreciate the support of the student officers and members, the Western Reserve Professional Chapter and the Williamson College of Business Administration in the promotion of our student organization.”

Pictured at top: Student officers and members of the YSU Society for Human Resource Management hosted a casual networking night with members from the Western Reserve Professional Chapter of SHRM connecting students, alumni and professionals. (Image: YSU)