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.
Society of Human Resources Management 2024-2025 Chapter Leaders
Barbara McKinnie – President
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Barbara McKinnie is a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in Human Resource Management. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Strategic Human Resource Management with a concentration in Diversity and Inclusion Management at Athens State University. Barbara has served as a caregiver, caring for the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and the underserved population, which encouraged her desire to pursue HR. Serving the community and receiving care revealed the need for more capable and compassionate individuals within the sector. This led her to become an avid volunteer and volunteer advocate. She has served as a program director, developer, educational advocate, and tutor, helping to develop and spearhead youth and outreach ministries throughout the Midsouth and North Alabama. Barbara is passionate about empowering youth to become self-sufficient, responsible adults through academic and spiritual development and serving their families and community.
Barbara has volunteered and helped organize such programs as Hearts for the Homeless, Beyond Blessed, the Empty Bowl project, and Iron-Sharpens-Iron. Barbara served as the PTA President and Vice President at several elementary schools in Athens, Alabama. These opportunities allowed her to serve on the Parent Advisory Board and Athens City School Parent Liaison Board, and recently as a Student Advisor for the Limestone County Human Resource Management Chapter and as Co-Creative Executive for the CenterPoint Learning Center.
Barbara is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, serves as President of the Athens State SHRM Student Chapter, and is a member of Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business at Athens State University. Barbara is a recent widow and mother to four homeschooled children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, and organizing.
Sharifah Abubaker – Vice President of Student Relations
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Hello everyone! My name is Sharifah Abubaker. I am majoring in human resource management with a double minor in international business and marketing. My anticipated graduation date is Spring 2025. After completing my BS, I plan to pursue my master’s degree in human resources management. I have lived in Madison, AL for the past 15 years. I work as an office administrator/HR assistant for Griffin Industrial Contracting Company. When I am not working, I enjoy watching football and baseball. I enjoy playing sports, going to the gym, and spending time with family and friends. In addition to being an officer in the Athens State SHRM Student Chapter, I am a member of the national SHRM organization, a Bonner Leader with Athens State, a member of the NSLS, a PTK member, and an Athenian Ambassador. Being part of these great organizations has allowed me to attend conferences, build my network, make great relationships, and gain valuable skills for my post-graduation career. I am honored to serve as an officer of the student chapter of SHRM. I encourage all HR majors and minors to join SHRM. If you have any questions about joining SHRM, please get in touch with me.
Ashley Powers – Director SHRM Merits
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I am a Junior at Athens State University, and I am majoring in Human Resources Management with a minor in Marketing. I have always had a passion for recognizing and celebrating excellence which influenced me pursuing the role of Director of SHRM Merit Awards. I look forward to contributing to the growth of the ATSU SHRM Student Chapter!
Savannah Graner Cornelius – Director of Communications and Chapter Information Systems
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I’m a Human Resources Management major with an anticipated graduation date of Fall 2025. I am an Athens State SHRM Student Chapter officer, a SHRM national member, and a Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Association and Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society member. I am originally from Madison, AL, and moved to NYC a month after graduating from Bob Jones High School to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. I completed the 2-year conservatory program in 15 months and now hold a conservatory certificate in Musical Theatre. I lived in NYC for 7 years, where I met my husband and some of my closest friends. My husband and I moved back to my hometown a few years ago and welcomed our amazing daughter into the world in April of 2022. My passions include travel, music, and theatre. I have performed in several musicals and cabarets across Manhattan and performed in and directed shows in the Huntsville and Madison communities. I have also performed in Rome and Naples, Italy, and the Vatican with a mass chorale. In my spare time, I love to travel and experience different cultures. Some of my favorite destinations include Italy, Cyprus, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Greece, and Germany. I look forward to adding more destinations to my list this year, including a trip to Ireland!
I am honored to serve the ATSU SHRM Student Chapter and am excited about all the fantastic events and speakers we have lined up for the 2024-2025 school year. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about ATSU SHRM and I encourage anyone interested in HR to join our organization!
Trudy Rudolph – Secretary
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I am an executive housekeeper at IHG Hotels, where our mission is to create Great Hotels, that Guests Love by providing True Hospitality to everyone and becoming the hotel company of choice for guests and owners.
I recently graduated from Athens State University with a BS in Religion and an MS in Strategic Human Resource Management. After 13 years of team building, coaching, and recruiting, I’ve advanced to the position of strategic skilled adviser at DEIB. My accomplishments include a 4.0 GPA and admission into The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). I am excited to contribute my passion and enthusiasm to this exciting SHRM chapter. Fun fact: When I’m not working or studying, I like to travel with my two adult daughters through the perspective of my youngest daughter’s business (THIS WAY CREATIONS). Every year, for one week during Thanksgiving, we see her talent through each city we visit, its culture, and its beauty.
Coleen Driggers – Treasurer
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Hello and welcome to everyone! My name is Coleen Driggers, and I am currently pursuing a BS in business, majoring in Human Resource Management with a minor in accounting. In addition to being a member of the ASU SHRM leadership team and National Chapter of SHRM, I am also a member of the ASU Accounting Club. I anticipate graduating Spring of 2025. I am currently enjoying work as an assistant in the HR department at The Orthopedic Center here in Huntsville with the goal of learning everything I can from a generalist position, while I finish my studies at ASU. I feel blessed and grateful to have this incredible opportunity, as through it I’ve gained incredible mentors in my chosen field which I know will provide invaluable knowledge and tools to see my career thrive.
I have previously attained a degree in culinary arts and worked for the better part of a decade in various restaurants in Tuscaloosa and Huntsville in the roles of line and prep chef, sous chef, pastry chef, and private chef. While I thoroughly loved cooking for people and sharing my joy of food with those around me, it proved to be an unsustainable career for me physically.
After I married my high school sweetheart, we moved to the Huntsville area and gave myself the time and grace necessary to re-examine my skills and desires in life, which would ultimately lead me here! After I complete my undergraduate degree, I plan to work a little while to gain experience and knowledge before settling into a master’s program, although recent rounds of encouragement from my new mentors may sway me into that course sooner than originally anticipated! My passions in hobbies vary from season to season, but consistently include hiking, fishing, camping, kayaking, painting, and drawing, and pestering my cats. I do not currently have children, but my husband and I look forward to that chapter when it comes to us. We have several nieces and nephews that we love to spoil! I am honored and delighted to serve as the Treasurer for the Athens State SHRM chapter and encourage anyone studying HR to join both the local and national chapters to take advantage of the incredible opportunities found in each. If you have any questions about joining SHRM, please do not hesitate to contact me or any of our officers.
For more information, contact:
Gary Valcana, MBA
Associate Professor of Management- Phone:256-216-5374 Phone:256-216-5374
- Email:Gary.Valcana@athens.edu
- Department:College of Business
- Office:
Sanders Hall, Room 214
Tina Camba, MBA
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