WT Student Organization Wins National Merit Award

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University’s student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management recently earned a national award.

WT’s SHRM chapter earned a Merit Award for its activities in the 2023-2024 academic year, recognizing “outstanding achievements in student chapter operations and a commitment to providing meaningful programs and services to your members and HR students in your community,” said Nancy Woolever, SHRM vice president for academic, certification and student committees.

The chapter “seeks to empower students by maximizing their competitive advantages as their enter the workforce,” said Dr. Jillian Yarbrough, SHRM co-adviser and WT’s Virginia Engler Professor of Business Management.

“In addition to our events and seminars, we also equip students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need in order to pass and secure the coveted SHRM-CP Human Resources certification,” said Dr. Rahul Chauhan, co-adviser and WT’s McCray Professor of Business Management. “This certification is universally recognized by practitioners of HR as being critical for employment and demonstrates the ability to practice HR functions in most work settings.”

In its award-winning year, the chapter held its 10th annual clothing drive, a collaboration with WT’s Office of Career and Professional Development that provides free, professional clothes for students. The chapter also hosted a seminar on age-related issues in the workplace.

The chapter boasts about 40 members, mostly online students.

“This is such a remarkable achievement, and it’s a testament to the hard work, dedication and passion of the students and faculty advisers,” said Dr. Amjad Abdullat, dean of the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business.

Providing a nurturing yet rigorous educational environment for learners of all levels is a key principle of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 58 undergraduate degree programs, one associate degree, and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: West Texas A&M University's student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management recently earned a Merit Award for its activities in the 2023-2024 academic year, including its Professional Clothing Closet, a collaboration with WT’s Office of Career and Professional Development. Pictured are, from left, co-adviser Dr. Jillian Yarbrough, the Virginia Engler Professor of Business Management; president Charlee Jones, a graduate student in strategic human resources management; Jessi Barrientos, senior career services coordinator in the Office of Career and Professional Development; and Dr. Rahul Chauhan, co-adviser and the McCray Professor of Business Management.

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