The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the leading voice of the HR profession.
The Athens State Student Chapter allows students to gain access to an immense information resource at the local, regional, state, and national level and to have opportunities to meet HR practitioners so as to develop personal contacts and networks. The organization also offers professional development workshops, access to HR conferences, and creates visibility for recruitment for HR internships and permanent HR opportunities.
SHRM has over 70,000 professional and student members in more than 425 professional chapters and over 300 student chapters nationwide. With the award-winning SHRM publications, you can keep current on issues and trends affecting the workforce and shaping the workplace.
As a student member, you are eligible and strongly encouraged to attend the Tennessee Valley Professional Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management monthly professional meetings. The Tennessee Valley Chapter is the Athens State University SHRM professional chapter sponsor. You will meet and interact with HR practitioners representing most of the employers in the North Alabama area. Through networking, research has shown that 60% to 70% of jobs are found by making these types of personal contacts.
Athens State University Society of Human Resources Management 2021-22 Chapter Leaders
Holly Baker – President
I am a Human Resource Management major with a minor in Gender and Multicultural Studies. I anticipate graduating in the Fall of 2023. I am currently the Assistant Director for a local non-profit and volunteer Administrator of DE&I for a large Texas-based animal rescue. I’m also a big sister for Big Brother Big Sisters of the Tennessee Valley. I am originally from Huntsville and have lived throughout Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisiana. I relocated from Birmingham back to Huntsville in 2019. I have a 10-year-old daughter who is my own private comedian. I’m also mom to a feisty but loveable mixed-breed dog, a temperamental cat, and a docile bearded dragon. After I complete my undergraduate degree, I plan to pursue a MS in Strategic Human Resource Management with a concentration in Diversity and Inclusion Management. My passions are DEI&B, animals, the disenfranchised, cross-stitching, hiking, camping, and the outdoors. I am honored to serve as the president of the Athens State's SHRM chapter, a Peer Mentor, and a member of the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society. If you’ve landed on this page, you’re in the right place. Please email me for more information! It is an honor to serve in our school and community through this wonderful organization. Please reach out with any questions about joining or learning more about how the ASU SHRM Student Chapter can benefit you.
Tiara Samuels – Vice-President
Greetings all, my name is Tiara Samuels, and I am majoring in Human Resource Management with a minor in Business Administration. My anticipated graduation date is Spring 2023. I am honored to be the recipient of the Athenian Excellence Scholarship awarded through Athens State University along with The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers – Gayle Davis Scholarship and The Denver and Willistine Betts Endowed Scholarship awarded through Athens State University Foundation. In addition to being a member of the Athens State Student and National Chapters of SHRM, I am also a member of Peer Mentors, Bonner Leader Program, and Sigma Alpha Pi-National Society of Leadership and Success. I have two kids who bring me so much joy, Tahjee' and Tahjeria. I am a proud and active member of Remnant Church located in Athens, Alabama. Now more than ever, I highly recommend joining SHRM. It is an excellent opportunity to network, build relationships, and engage with fellow students and other HR professionals near and far while expanding current skills and polishing the areas that need improving.
Amy Naymon – Director of Communications and Chapter Information
After a very long hiatus, I have returned to Athens State University to complete my second bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management. It was amazing coming back because I was welcomed back and even remembered by some staff members from several years ago. I am the Glasgow Presidential Scholarship recipient through the Athens State University Foundation. I am a member of the student chapter of SHRM as well as the National Chapter. I am currently the office manager at Aire Serv of Huntsville, where I am getting to put some of my newly acquired human resources skills into practice. I am originally from Huntsville but lived in Asheville, NC, for 21 years. I am passionate about helping others in the community in a variety of ways. I also enjoy assisting friends with their small business social media promotion. I am an avid reader and dream of writing the "great American novel" one day. When I'm not busy with all those things, I am usually curled up with one of my two cats watching a cooking show on tv.
Kimberly Wilcox – Director of Community and Corporate Relations
I am majoring in Human Resources Management and slowly working toward graduation in 2024. I worked as a human resource professional for 20-plus years with a big box retailer. I am currently an independent contractor collaborating with several companies at the Walker County Bevill Field Airport as a licensed property and casualty agent for aviation insurance. I’m also a travel agent. This choice of work allows me and my sweet, understanding husband, Jimmy, to provide 24-hour care to my mother, who is currently in hospice. I am a member of the Athens State Student and National Chapters of SHRM. I am a member of Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business. I currently live in Winston County and have family and friends in the Huntsville area. I have a huge flock of parrots that I love and care for daily. They all keep me very entertained with their shenanigans. It is my honor to be a part of this fantastic organization. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about joining or would like to learn more about the Athens State University SHRM Student Chapter can be a benefit to you.
Janice Underwood – Director of SHRM Merits
Hello, my name is Janice Underwood and I bring you greetings from Gadsden, AL where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with two Associate degrees from Gadsden State Community College. I received an academic scholarship from Athens State University to pursue a BS degree in Human Resource Management where I am projected to graduate in the Spring of 2024. I was recently inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Association Honor Society. I am also a member of Alpha Beta Gamma National Business Honor Society, Phi Beta Lambda Business Organization, The National Technical Honor Society, and now, the local and national chapters of SHRM. Outside of academics, I enjoy working remotely from home and participating in passion projects such as Habitat for Humanity, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and fundraising for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library partnership with United Way. It is so important to get involved and immerse oneself in the community. I am highly honored to be this year’s Director of SHRM Merits and look forward to serving my chapter with pride and commitment.
Sharifah Abubaker – Director of Student Relations
Greetings to everyone, my name is Sharifah Abubaker, and I am currently majoring in Human Resource Management with anticipated graduation date in 2024. After completing my BS, I plan to pursue a graduate degree in Human Resource Management and Business Administration. I am originally from Michigan and moved to Alabama as a teenager with my family where I graduated from Sand Rock High School. I have lived in the Madison area for the past 15 years and love the area. I am currently working as an office Administrator for Griffin Industrial Contracting Company. When I am not working, I enjoy watching football and baseball. I enjoy being outdoors and experiencing new things. In addition to being an officer in the Athens State SHRM student chapter, I am a member of the national SHRM organization. SHRM is a great organization that makes networking easier and provides great resources for HR professionals. I am honored to serve as the Director of Student Relations in the SHRM student chapter. I encourage all HR majors and minors to join SHRM. If you have any questions about joining SHRM please contact me.
For more information, contact:
Gary Valcana
Interim Dean / Associate Professor of Management & Department Chair- Phone:256-216-5374 Phone:256-216-5374
- Email:Gary.Valcana@athens.edu
- Department:College of Business
- Office:
Sanders Hall, Room 114
Tina Camba
Assistant Professor of Management/HR Management- Phone:256-216-5371 Phone:256-216-5371
- Email:Tina.Camba@athens.edu
- Department:College of Business
- Office:
Sanders Hall, Room 219