WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
WGU SHRM Virtual Student Chapter
You Won't Want to Miss Out on These SHRM Opportunities!
Are you taking full advantage of your opportunities in the WGU College of Business?
If you're pursuing a WGU business degree, the Society for Human Resource Management is a great place to make connections and get opportunities.
As a business leader, SHRM membership will help you stay informed on innovative and forward-thinking practices surrounding today’s global workforce. You can benefit from SHRM membership with educational events and webinars, guest speakers, networking opportunities, resume building opportunities, connections to other WGU students in business, and much more! Learn more about what SHRM offers at www.shrm.org.
As a member of the world’s largest HR association, your affiliation with SHRM gives you access to incredible resources. Whether you are already a HR or business professional or planning on becoming one, SHRM offers various tools to aid you on your career path, such as:
- The Competency Self-Assessment (CSA) to help you identify your strengths and places where further development is needed.
- The Development Activity Wizard and Competency Development Plan, where you receive personalized instruction to aid you in your goal of becoming an HR expert.
SHRM Scholarship
Apply today for the exclusive $2,500 WGU
SHRM Leadership Scholarship!
Not Already a WGU Student?
Apply today so you can be involved in the WGU
SHRM Virtual Student Chapter.
Upcoming Educational Events for 2023
January 24, 12 to 1 pm MT – “Leveraging the Power of Relationships in Career Development” with Daniel Horgan from SHRM
February 6, 12 to 1 pm MT – “Eligibility and Preparing for the SHRM-CP” with Demetrius Norman from SHRM
March 6, 1 to 2 pm MT – “American Sign Language: Basics of ASL and Inclusive Application of Best Practices for HR Professionals” with Dana Cobbs from WGU
March 7, 8 to 9 am MT – “Avoiding Burnout: How Culture Impacts Well Being” with Julie Turney from HR@Heart Consulting
March 14, 2 to 3 pm MT – “Disability Inclusion Strategies” with Ben Trockman from Change for Balance
April 6, 2 to 4 pm MT – “WGU SHRM - People and Culture Fireside Chat” with Jose Ocano from Best Friends Animal Society
April 12, 12 to 1 pm MT – “A Career in Total Rewards - Everything You Ever Wondered and More!” with Megan Nail from NFP Insurance Brokerage
April 25, 1 to 2 pm MT – “Dominating the Workplace as a Veteran: Are you Ready?” with Trina Norman from WGU
April 28, 1 to 2 pm MT – “Unlocking Talent Through Leadership Development & Coaching” with Aditi Patil from Wipfli
May 9, 11 to 12 pm MT – “Benefits of Getting Involved with Your Local SHRM Chapter” with Debra Gates from WGU
June 28, 12 to 1 pm MT – “To Get the Job, You Gotta Get on Camera: Video Resumés & Your Future” with Alton James from WGU
July 11, 12 to 1 pm MT – “Day in the Life: HR Director” with Dr. Patricia Morgan from WGU
August 21, 12 to 1 pm MT – “Eligibility and Preparing for the SHRM-CP” with Demetrius Norman from SHRM
August 24, 4 to 5 pm MT – “DEI Strategy and the Role of HR as Advocates” with Meagan Wells from Boeing
September 13, 230 to 330 pm MT – “WGU Career Services: Are You Leveraging Their Resources?” with WGU Career Services
September 21, 2 to 3 pm MT – “Annual Trivia Competition – WGU SHRM and WGU National Black MBA Association”
October 10, 2 to 3 pm MT – “Day in the Life: HR Business Partner” with Kirk Daines from WGU
November 8, 230 to 330 pm MT – “HR Career Prep Boot Camp” with WGU Career Services
December 7, 2 to 3 pm MT – “Annual Open Chapter Meeting” with WGU SHRM Executive Council
Past Events
SHRM Student Membership
Your SHRM Student Membership will give you access to a wide array of valuable resources covering HR- and business-related topics, including:
- Weekly SHRM-hosted webcasts
- Discounts on SHRM-sponsored resources comprised of seminars, conferences, certification prep, books, and more.
- Subscription to HR Magazine and SHRM e-newsletters.
- Regular updates on changes in U.S., state, and local compliance regulations.
- Membership in the SHRM Connect Community.
- Visit www.shrm.org/students for more information and to obtain SHRM student membership.
WGU SHRM Student Benefits
Make sure you take advantage of the invaluable opportunities that are available to members of our WGU SHRM virtual student chapter!
- Collaborate with seasoned HR professionals.
- Work towards achieving the distinction of the SHRM Student Chapter Merit Award.
- Network on LinkedIn with fellow WGU SHRM virtual student chapter members, as well as the members of 250 other SHRM student chapters across the country.
- By chartering the WGU SHRM virtual student chapter, develop highly marketable leadership skills.
- Increase your business and HR knowledge by participating in WGU SHRM virtual student chapter webinars and events.
- Make your WGU degree even more affordable by applying for the WGU SHRM Leadership Scholarship, valued at up to $2,500.
Awards and Merits
SHRM awarded the 2021-2022 Superior Merit Award designation to the Western Governors University SHRM student chapter for providing superior growth and development opportunities to its student members.
SHRM awarded the 2020-2021 Merit Award designation to the Western Governors University SHRM student chapter for providing excellent growth and development opportunities to its student members.
SHRM awarded a 2019-2020 Honorable Mention Award designation to the Western Governors University SHRM student chapter for providing great growth and development opportunities to its student members.
The Society for Human Resource Management has analyzed WGU's Human Resource Management bachelor's degree and found that it aligns with SHRM's recommended minimum standards, integrating the HR components that are most relevant for new human resource professionals.
Why Join WGU's Virtual SHRM Student Chapter?
"WGU's Virtual SHRM chapter has given me a supportive outlet where I can ask questions, learn and connect with my peers and advisors, and even get reminders about upcoming webinars, jobs and internships! Since joining, I have been able to take advantage of so many more opportunities that I didn't even know were available to me."
—Katerina LaRo
"To become a member in the SHRM WGU Virtual Chapter is to create and enhance not only the engagement of yourself in the industry, but emphasize the importance of networking in Human Resources. As a person who has first-hand experience in the benefits of collaborating with other HR professionals, the Chapter creates an environment where people are able to interact with one another for the first time with seasoned and incoming members of the workforce. This blended audience approach can create information sharing, career opportunity and collaborative learning."
—Terrance Rosales
“It’s amazing what you can learn from others in your industry. A big part of HR is staying up to date and the best way to do that is communicating with your peers. The WGU SHRM group is great for sharing helpful advice, ever changing employment laws, and other valuable resources with other students.”
—Yolanda Pirela
"I initially joined SHRM because it was a great way to socially connect with other online students in my field. What I didn't expect were the additional resources that have been useful in my day to day role in HR. I have found valuable articles, training, and networking opportunities that have helped me expand my career. I encourage others to participate and learn more about WGU's SHRM chapter."
—Cindy Berry
Join the WGU SHRM Virtual Student Chapter Today
In order to join the WGU SHRM virtual student chapter , you'll need to currently be enrolled at WGU and be a SHRM Student Member. If you have a current SHRM professional membership, you would need to change to a student membership in order to join the chapter. If you have questions or concerns about switching from a professional membership to a student membership, you can speak with a SHRM representative at 1.800.283.7476. The WGU SHRM virtual student chapter number is #5773.
See WGU SHRM Students in Action
WGU SHRM members are making an impact throughout the SHRM community.
Not a SHRM Student Member?
The first step is to join.
Chapter Mission Statement
The WGU SHRM Virtual Student Chapter exists to connect students to the professional Human Resource community; to provide a place for mutual learning, networking, and support; to strengthen the link between students and professional association membership and benefits; and to provide an atmosphere of ongoing, creative learning and application related to human resource principles and practices.
Student Executive Council Meetings for 2022-2023
- May 18, 2022 - 3:30 to 4:30 pm MST
- July 20, 2022 - 3:30 to 4:30 pm MST
- October 19, 2022 - 3:30 to 4:30 pm MST
- January 25, 2023 - 3:30 to 4:30 pm MST
To send the Executive Council items for discussion or request to attend a chapter meeting, please email the faculty advisors at wgushrm@wgu.edu no later than one week before the scheduled meeting.
Student Executive Council Members
Ashley Thompson, President
Ashley Thompson is an HR Recruitment Specialist of a just over a year with experience in profit and not-for-profit organizations. She is currently working on her undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management. She has served in the US Navy as a military police office for eight years, prior to her start at WGU. Ashley would describe herself as passionate about her career and family. Ashley and her partner currently reside in Upstate New York and are proud parents of two children. In her spare time, she enjoys family trips and volunteering! She looks forward to meeting and supporting more of our members.
To contact Ashley, email atho457@my.wgu.edu.
Debbie Vaughn, Chapter Ambassador
"My name is Debbie Vaughn and I live in Mitchell, South Dakota … Home of the World’s Only Corn Palace. I am a non-traditional student by day, and in my spare time I have a small private bakery out of our home and I am also an Independent Health Coach. For over fourteen years I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for six and a half counties in my area of the state. I have always loved to help people so my goal for this SHRM chapter appointment is to serve and to make a difference where I can. I am married to Gary and we have a daughter who is about to turn 21. She is also an online student. We are cat people at our house, but we all also love dogs. We love football, fishing and traveling."
To contact Debbie, email dvaug75@my.wgu.edu.
Faculty Advisors
Ashley Dugger, Primary Faculty Advisor
Dr. Ashley W. Dugger began her career in higher education leadership and has since focused on operational leadership and human resource management. Ashley holds a Doctorate of Business Administration with a focus in management, as well as her SHRM-CP certification. She joined WGU as the Program Chair for the HR Management degree in 2019, and currently serves as the Associate Dean and Director for HR programs in the College of Business at WGU. She also has extensive experience as a faculty member at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and has focused her faculty work primarily with adult learners in online education. Ashley has presented for organizations such as ACBSP, Online Learning Consortium, SHRM, and CUPA-HR. Her work has been published with HR Professionals Magazine, Talent Management, Chief Learning Officer, and Higher Ed HR Magazine.
Sean Wall-Carty, Faculty Co-Advisor
Dr. Sean Wall‐Carty holds a PhD in Human Resources Management from North Central University. He also earned an MBA in Human Resources Management, a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, and an associate degree in Business. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Phoenix. His prior experience includes graduate level college teaching, leadership seminars, training classes, and consulting. Sean’s corporate experience includes a blend of supporting the human resources functions for profit retail businesses and children focused non‐profit missions. His personal mission is to provide guidance and support in every interaction with optimism and clarity for positive student outcomes and have a great time doing it!
To contact the faculty advisors, please email wgushrm@wgu.edu.
Business School Reinvented
The WGU SHRM Virtual Student Chapter exists to connect students to the professional Human Resource community; to provide a place for mutual learning, networking, and support; to strengthen the link between students and professional association membership and benefits; and to provide an atmosphere of ongoing, creative learning and application related to human resource principles and practices.
