Lauren Price, class of 2028, recalls when she first learned about Temple University’s Society for Human Resource Management (TUSHRM).
“I just entered my freshman year as a human resource management major and was at Temple Fest,” Price explained. “I was so excited to learn about TUSHRM and knew immediately I wanted to get involved.”
Fast forward just a year and half later, and Price is now the group’s president.
TUSHRM, a student professional organization (SPO) at Temple University’s Fox School of Business, dedicates itself to supporting students who are pursuing careers within the human resource (HR) industry.
On top of providing an additional level of HR knowledge, the group works to provide human resource management majors (and other interested students) with a community of like-minded peers. Another important pillar of their group is to connect students to current HR industry professionals and access to opportunities such as internships or full-time jobs at top regional companies including Aramark, Comcast and the Lincoln Financial Group.
“Our common goal is to help members feel prepared, confident and like they have a strong community behind them,” Price said. “My goal for my presidency is to continue providing our group with a foundation of education, social and professional development opportunities and growth in their academic careers.”
Weekly in-semester meetings also feature HR professionals and experts (including some from the Temple and Fox School community) as guest speakers. Topics have previously focused on crisis management, compensation and benefits, international interviews, and designing and implementing training programs.
Price believes these are important events for all members.
“Ensuring that our members are connecting with HR professionals is a pillar of our efforts—it allows them to build meaningful connections within the field before they even reach the point of entering it,” Price said.
“Whether it is these kinds of sessions, or our annual HR Professions Fair, that extra level of connection and industry education helps students be that much more knowledgeable and industry ready.”
The success in their mission has extended beyond the Temple community, too. For the 2024-25 academic year, it was bestowed an “outstanding merit award” for their work by the Society for Human Resource Management, their parent affiliated chapter.
The award recognizes a group’s dedication to professional development, innovative programming and engagement within the HR field. It also honors the chapter’s efforts to provide future HR professionals with important steps to launch their careers.
The students appreciate the support they receive from their academic leaders as well.
“I am always amazed at what a great group of welcoming, smart and fun to work with students that TUSHRM attracts,” said Debra Casey, an associate professor of instruction and faculty advisor of the group.
“Not only is the group always planning strong programming, but it’s evident that each year’s leadership builds upon the next—as talented as these current students are, I’m humbled to see how much they continue to grow their leadership and campus presence each year.
“Overall, they demonstrate a great ability to learn from each other, group advisors, faculty, alumni and human resource professionals. They are a key part of the Fox community.”