Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders Program

Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders


Thank you for your interest in the Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders program. The application period for the 2024-25 program year has ended. The application period for the 2025-26 program year will open in January 2025.

The goal of the Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders program is to identify potential CUPA-HR leaders from across the country that have shown exemplary leadership and initiative within higher ed HR and exhibit the desire to play an active role in advancing the profession. Invited participants will have the unique opportunity to engage in problem-solving work groups and develop deep networks with peers while gaining an inside look at CUPA-HR's operations and structure. Throughout the program, participants are encouraged to serve the association in a leadership capacity, lending a fresh and informed perspective.

Application Deadline: January 26, 2024
Notification: By April 29, 2024

Program Objectives

To provide a 12-month experience to selected participants to:

  • Engage in leadership/competency development and program opportunities within CUPA-HR;
  • Be part of a cohort that provides peer interaction and connection with CUPA-HR leaders as an integral part of the learning experience;
  • Build awareness of CUPA-HR's operations, structures and leadership opportunities; and
  • Serve the profession in a leadership capacity within the association – at the national, region and chapter level.
Who Should Apply?

To be eligible for the Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders program, applicants must be:

  • Employed by a CUPA-HR member institution;
  • Willing and able to commit to the required time as provided in the program requirements;
  • Fully supported by your direct supervisor to participate in all program components;
  • Committed to using your leadership to support CUPA-HR’s strategic priorities and serve the association in a leadership capacity; and
  • Willing to remain engaged with CUPA-HR at the conclusion of the program in a volunteer leadership or mentoring capacity.
Program Requirements

Selected emerging CUPA-HR leaders must agree to:

  • Participate in association leadership events, which can include virtual and in-person sessions or conferences. (CUPA-HR covers reasonable airfare, hotel and other costs to attend and participate in any required in-person event);
  • Attend CUPA-HR’s Association Leadership Program (ALP) in July. The ALP offers Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders an orientation to the program and the association, as well as the opportunity to connect with other CUPA-HR leaders from across the country. (CUPA-HR will cover registration, hotel and reasonable airfare for program participants);
  • Engage in a CUPA-HR leadership project/experience during the fiscal year and, to the degree possible, participate in CUPA-HR activities at the national, regional or chapter level;
  • Participate in monthly calls scheduled throughout the program year;
  • Share feedback on how to improve the Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders program; and
Cost

For participants, this program is essentially free. CUPA-HR pays for all costs directly associated with the program, including event registrations, travel, meals and accommodations for participants.*

*Some limits may apply.

If you have questions about the Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders program, contact CUPA-HR at [email protected].

Past Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders

2023-24
  • Andrew Horovitz, Director of Talent Acquisition, University of Colorado Boulder
  • Evan J. Jewsbury, Chief Human Resources Officer, Tulsa Community College
  • Becky Landry, Director of Human Resources, Lone Star College
  • Vivian Lee, Associate Director, Human Resources, Stanford University
  • Courtney McCarthy, Assistant Director, Employee Relations, Yale University
  • Patricia Wooten, Human Resources Divisional Director, Virginia Tech
2022-23
  • Laura Good, Assistant Director of Human Resources and Benefit Systems Manager, University of Mount Union
  • Beth Muha, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, American University
  • Allyson Mullin, Executive Director of Human Resources, Alvernia University
  • Krista Vaught, Assistant Director, Employee Learning and Engagement, Vanderbilt University
  • Angela Wurtsmith, Executive Director of Human Resources, Colorado Mountain College
2021-22

Meg Arnold (2021-22)
Nicole Englitsch (2021-22)
Jamee Harrington (2021-22)
Shannon Raum (2021-22)
Taylor Zeilinger (2021-22)

2020-21

Ayesha L. Kidd (2020-21)
Deborah Shivers (2020-21)
Aaron Copley‐Spivey (2020-21)
Tammy Gouger (2020-21)
Natalie Trent (2020-21)
Marie DeWalt (2020-21)
Sheri Jungman (2020-21)

2019-20

Bonnie Dennler (2019-20)
Mike Noll (2019-20)
LaDonna Watts
(2019-20)
Paula MacDonald
(2019-20)
Christina Brogdon
(2019-20)
Carolyn Llorens
(2019-20)

2018-19

Melanie Desantis (2018-19)
Jacob Lathrop (2018-19)
Sujata Malhotra (2018-19)
Keyashia Sheppard (2018-19)
Diana Sobczynski (2018-19)
Jewel Washington (2018-19)

2017-18

Darrell Easley (2017-18)
Kenneth Nelson (2017-18)
Lauren A. Rubitz (2017-18)
Marc Serrett (2017-18)
Erik Smetana (2017-18)

2016-17

Shenita Brokenburr (2016-17)
Roger Brown, Jr. (2016-17)
Sheraine Gilliam (2016-17)
Justin Lacy (2016-17)
Alicia Pendleton (2016-17)
Ashley Soublet (2016-17)

For current Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders program participants only.