YSU SHRM student chapter earns Superior Merit Award for seventh consecutive year

The Society for Human Resource Management student chapter at Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration has earned the 2025-26 SHRM Superior Merit Award, its seventh consecutive national recognition and ninth in the past decade.

The SHRM Student Chapter Merit Award program recognizes chapters that provide outstanding growth and professional development opportunities for their members. Chapters are evaluated on operations; chapter programming and member professional development; support of the human resource profession; and SHRM engagement.

Many chapter members are students in YSU’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Human Resource Management program, which is aligned with SHRM’s curriculum standards through the SHRM Academic Alignment Program.

During the 2025-26 academic year, the chapter hosted its annual HR case competition, giving students the opportunity to apply their HR knowledge to a real-world business challenge. Members also strengthened the chapter’s partnership with the Western Reserve Chapter of SHRM through an HR Alumni-Professional Mixer and an on-campus speaker event featuring HR author John Bernatovicz. The chapter welcomed four HR professionals as guest speakers at its meetings and hosted the Western Reserve Chapter’s board on campus for a strategic planning session.

Beyond campus, members visited area high schools to conduct mock interviews and help students develop their résumés. The chapter placed second overall at the Ohio HR Games and received a Certificate of Congeniality. Members also organized a campus hygiene drive to benefit fellow YSU students.

“This award reflects our commitment to providing meaningful programs, professional development and opportunities for students interested in human resources,” said Kimberly Pleva, faculty adviser for YSU SHRM. “We are especially proud of the experiences that help our students build connections, develop professionally and prepare to become future HR and business leaders.”

Pleva credited the chapter’s student officers and members, along with the support of the Western Reserve Chapter of SHRM and the Williamson College of Business Administration, for the chapter’s continued success.

SHRM also recognized the chapter’s leadership at the national level. “The members of our SHRM student chapters represent the next generation of HR leaders, and their passion, talent, and commitment are vital to the future of our profession,” said Johnny C. Taylor Jr., president and CEO of SHRM. “The accomplishments of the YSU SHRM student chapter reflect the innovation, leadership, and dedication that will shape tomorrow’s workplaces. I applaud their success and ability to drive innovative programming, professional development, and a deeper interest in HR.”

The 2025-26 chapter officers were MiaCarmela Barber, president; Casey Jenkins, vice president; Madelynn Hanna, treasurer; Austin Smith, secretary; and Lily Donatelli, social media coordinator.

Throughout the year, YSU SHRM connected students with HR professionals through employer panels, company site visits and networking events, in partnership with the Western Reserve Chapter of SHRM.