Learning | Connecting | Mentoring
2023-24 Ignite Class
CUPA-HR’s Ignite program is sponsored in part by:
Gian-Karlo Alvarez, HR Business Partner
University of Central Florida
I took an unusual path into higher education HR. My first full-time role at the university was in career services managing a work experience program. In that role I managed the recruitment, selection and employee relations issues for student workers and was the primary contact for managers. In this role I learned the basics of recruiting, but more importantly developed an understanding of what it takes to build relationships and trust. While I love working in higher education, my passion continues to be human resources. I’m passionate about human resources and committed to growing in higher education HR. I’m eager to learn and willing to put in the effort needed to contribute not only to my own development, but to the development of others.
Bona Bame, Classification and Compensation Consultant
North Carolina State University
I am passionate about HR, specifically in higher education. I stumbled into this career field in 2016 after spending time bouncing around from various jobs in athletics and a short stint in an administrative role. Once I found human resources though, I knew this was my field. I knew that I wanted to make a career in this area of work, so I went back to school (while working full‐time) and obtained my master’s in human resources. I then studied for (and passed!) the PHR, all while advancing from an entry‐level HR position to HR specialist to my current role. I am confident that I can make a difference in this field, and that I have what it takes to be a future leader in higher ed HR.
Jennifer Eckert-Dennison, Associate Director of Human Resources
State University of New York at Cortland
I have found a home with communicating and I am able to communicate in a way that eases tensions and helps people. I have been able to create an environment where colleagues, employees and supervisors feel comfortable speaking with me and trust what I am advising and/or consulting about. During the last few years, the role of HR really has expanded. HR is very important, and we need to be able to provide the most recent information to provide guidance and consulting appropriately. We keep hearing that we need to do more with less, and this is where HR becomes very important. I feel that my strengths in HR have already helped our department continue to be successful as an HR team on our campus.
Chelsea Hall, Human Resources Generalist, Business Services Division
University of Pennsylvania
I am truly a "people" person. My ability to build relationships and establish trust with candidates, employees and managers has made me very successful in engaging, recruiting and retaining talent. After nearly four years in talent acquisition, I stepped into a generalist role. While recruitment and talent acquisition still hold a special place in my heart, stepping into a role that, frankly, scared me has been the best decision I have ever made in my career! In just a few short months, my new position has challenged me to grow, develop and trust myself, and today I am more confident and prouder of myself than I could have imagined.
Mariah Hotard, Manager of Talent Acquisition and Development
Rhodes College
I’m excited about expanding my HR knowledge in higher education and further developing my career within the industry. I love getting involved, meeting new people, networking, brainstorming and learning. I am a dedicated hard worker who loves improving processes and myself while helping others. I believe collaboration is key to development and growth not only for an individual but for their organization. I plan to share the knowledge gained through this program with others at Rhodes College and bring light to more innovative and efficient processes.
Kelsey Kinzie, Project Coordinator
Tulsa Community College
I am excited and energetic when it comes to human resources and higher education. I love learning, especially about HR, and I love collaborating with others. Although I’m new to human resources, I think my history in customer service has given me a strong background. Customer service is so very important in HR. We have to know how to work internally, externally and hear what people are really saying. People have to trust us, believe us and rely on us for the answers. I want to be an advocate and safe place for employees. I will use everything I learn through this program to be a better teammate, resource for campus, employee, employer — all the above!
Jenna Perez, Director, Employee Relations
Rowan University
Studying and passing the SPHR exam solidified my desire to work in HR and exposed me to areas that I wish to explore. The core of my experience in human resources resides in Title IX and OEE investigations. Although challenging, I see an investigation as a means for relationship building and mitigating risk. What continues to excite me is the ability to interact with employees, problem solve and connect individuals to resources. As a cultural architect, I not only possess the tools needed to resolve conflict, I share those tools with leaders who are facing difficulties. Through discussing policies, processes or communication strategies, I have a voice in improving the work environment of our employees.
Kiana Porter, Talent Development Specialist
Drexel University
Prioritization of the whole person is at the center of my work. This means fostering fruitful learning and development opportunities for the individual and not just the employee. My goal is to cultivate a culture that is rooted in well‐being, inclusivity and a zest for the work that we do. I thrive in environments where I can be my authentic self, build connections with others, and create safe spaces for them to show up as their authentic selves. I am excited to be a part of the higher education community, as well as make an impact beyond my university.
Bianca Price, Employment Customer Service Supervisor
Michigan State University
As a high achiever, I strive for the best. Proactively seeking and applying feedback from others and participating in professional development is the cornerstone of my success. This program will shape the contours of my professional career in a way that allows me to thrive while preparing me to pay it forward. It will be a catalyst for understanding my motivational drivers and establishing a personal leadership style that can impact my university for years to come. I look forward to this unique opportunity to expand my knowledge, learn from my peers and expand my network.
Alex Reyes, Talent Acquisition Advisor
University of California, Berkeley
As a talent acquisition advisor in the higher education field, I am consistently involved in groundbreaking and dynamic HR developments, particularly around attracting and retaining some of the country's top talent. I have a strong educational background in HR and bring irrepressible energy and curiosity. I am interested in refining my skills and hope to gain insights that take me outside of my frequent job duties, expand my network beyond UC and help me grow into a leader to help build confidence in others and ignite their skills. I'm confident that I can contribute to the mission of higher education and HR's place at the table.
Erika Salcedo, HRIS Technician
California State University-Bakersfield
My higher ed HR career is only beginning. I just completed my first year of working in the human resources department at Cal State University of Bakersfield, and I am eager to learn more about the higher education system. I have always enjoyed engaging with the people I work with and the people I serve through work. Prior to working in higher education, I worked in K‐12 education for the biggest school district in Kern County. There, I had the opportunity to serve an enormous population. Through my engagement, I was able to build trust with the community I served and was awarded the Human Resources Trust Champion Award in 2019. I am ready to use my passion for serving others to ignite this spark in me to grow as a professional and as an individual and to expand my skill set so that I can better serve the community here at CSUB.
Alicia Smith, HR Recruitment Coordinator
Jefferson College
I have had a handful of non‐educational positions in my career, and I have never felt more supported and encouraged to grow than I do in higher education. I joined Jefferson College as administrative specialist five years ago. Since then, I have found a passion for this work. One of my top five strengths from CliftonStrengths Finder is “strategic.” My brain is always thinking of creative alternative ways to enhance a work process or fix a problem, and I am not afraid to speak up and offer ideas or solutions. My other CliftonStrengths is “learner.” I want to continue to learn and improve, and I am always trying to push myself to grow. I am excited to further my HR knowledge, take my first steps into leadership, and grow my desire to help others.