UPCOMING EVENTS

Check back for upcoming events!

PAST EVENTS:

Graduate Open House

Kevin Kelley
Senior Partner, Global Learning & Talent Management
SAP America, Inc.

Melissa H. Ksenak
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
Lockheed Martin Corporation

Rana Sachdev
HR Coordinator
Kling Stubbins

2009 Philadelphia Walk for Hope

On Sunday, September 27th, 2009, the Villanova SHRM Chapter volunteered at the 2009 Philadelphia Walk for Hope.  The day was spent coordinating the onsiteactivities and design of the finale area at Penn's Landing and rewarding every walker who crossed the finish line with their own personal medal.   

The Philadelphia Walk for Hope benefits City of Hope’s breast cancer research, treatment and education programs. The organization is one of only 40 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers nationwide and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. An independent biomedical research, treatment and education institution, they are a leader in the fight to conquer cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.

VU SHRM 12th Annual Networking Reception - Press Release

On Thursday, April 2nd, the Villanova University Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Student Chapter hosted its 12th Annual Networking Event. The Villanova Student SHRM Chapter is affiliated with the Graduate Program in Human Resource Development at Villanova University. The event was held at the historic Union League, a landmark in Center City Philadelphia. With record attendance approaching 200 guests, the event was marked by active card exchanges and gregarious networking amongst Human Resource professionals from the Greater Delaware Valley. Featured keynote speaker Joe Frick, CEO of Independence Blue Cross, delivered a riveting presentation on HR as a Strategic Partner: Moving from Transactional to Transformational.

Proceeds from the event benefited the Villanova Student SHRM Chapter and the Cyril Solomons Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship supports students who have demonstrated outstanding academic abilities, community involvement, and excellence in their pursuit of a graduate degree in Human Resource Development  (HRD) from Villanova University.

On the night of the event, Rick Anthony and Robert Connelly were presented with plaques to recognize their achievements in Human Resources and their contributions to the Villanova HRD Graduate Program. Anthony is the CEO of The Solutions Network, and has held former positions as CEO of Alexander and Alexander and Senior Vice President of Towers Perrin. Connelly is CFO of the Westtown School and was formerly the Vice President of HR for Safeguard Business Systems. Diane Perrymore, Vice President of HR for ExcelRx Pharmaceuticals, was elected chairperson of the Senior Advisory Board of the Villanova HRD Program.

This year’s event was a great success, and the SHRM Executive Board is looking forward to hosting the event again next spring. A special thank you to all who made this event possible: particularly our Sponsors, Villanova HRD Faculty and Staff, and Villanova SHRM Officers, including Kevin Balkanloo, Courtney Costigan, Jeanine DiDomenico, Emily Malinowski, and Rana Sachdev.

VU SHRM Holiday Toy Drive

Thank you to everyone who showed their support this year by donating toys to the Villanova SHRM Holiday Toy Drive.

Toys were delivered to underprivileged children through HOPE Worldwide of Wayne, PA. to make their holiday a little brighter!

Walking Away from Terrorism - Dr. John Horgan

On November 20th, we were honored to have Dr. John Horgan as special guest speaker for the Psychology of Terrorism Colloquium.  The event was co-sponsored by the Department of Psychology and Graduate Programs in Human Resources Development and held in the CEER Building on the Villanova Campus.

The purpose of his presentation was for Dr. Horgan to share his latest research on how and why members disengage from terrorist organizations and of course the psychological aspects of such behavior. To a standing room only crowd of 128 people - faculty, students, military leaders, and business people from the Tri-State area, Horgan discussed his interview techniques of former members of terrorist organizations. His research in this area is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and takes him to regions in the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, and Asia where he has interviewed 29 former terrorists along with 23 members of their families, as well as other supporters.

As one of just a few psychologists studying this phenomenon, Horgan adds value to the field of terrorism research by applying psychological research methods, as well as theories and findings from the field of human resources, to understand disengagement from radical terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda, Shining Path (Peru), and Tamil Tigers (Sri Lanka).  Currently Horgan is the Director for the International Center for the Study of Terrorism at the Pennsylvania State University.   Prior to joining Penn State, he held faculty positions at St. Andrews of Scotland and University College of Cork, Ireland. Dr. Horgan has published extensively in the area of terrorism, including a book to be released later this year, Walking Away from Terrorism: Accounts of Disengagement from Radical and Extremist Movements (NY and London: Routledge, 2008), and he holds editorial positions for the Journal of Terrorism and Political Violence, Terrorism Research, and Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling.

The colloquium was followed by a reception themed, “A Taste of Philly,” where the fare included foods and products produced in or made famous by association with Philadelphia.  Think… South Philly Italian Hoagie, tomato pie, Philadelphia Cream Cheese (cake), Herr’s Potato Chips,and Tastykakes. All products were purchased from local establishments to encourage the greater Philadelphia economy.

 

Graduate Open House

Brooke McCourt, PHR
Staffing Coordinator
Wegmans-PA Division
HRD, M.S. Dec. 2006

Deborah J. Hormann, PHR
Sr. Talent Acquisition Strategist
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
HRD, M.S. May 2008

Christopher M. Passaro, PHR
Human Resources Manager
GE Healthcare
HRD, M.S. Dec. 2008

West Chester Great Chili Cookoff

For more details on the event, please go to www.westchesterchilicookoff.com

The 11th Annual Villanova SHRM Networking Reception

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the Villanova Student SHRM Chapter's 11th Annual Networking Reception!  The Networking Reception was held at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Samuel M. V. Hamilton Building with guest speaker Mark Servodidio, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer for Avis Budget Group.  Participants of the Networking Reception included Human Resource Professionals from the Delaware Valley along with former and current graduate students in the Human Resource Development Program.  Attendees of the event were able to network with area HR professionals, experience the drama, beauty, mystery, romance and adventure on a private guided tour of the galleries at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, peruse the works of Cecilia Beaux, the beloved American Figure Painter, and attend the presentation of the Cyril Solomons Memorial Scholarship which helps fund the education of a current HR Professional.  With over 120 attendees, this event was truly a success!  Thank you!  

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors:

GOLD

Endo Pharmaceuticals

Citibank at Work

SILVER

Aqua America Inc.

Arkema

DoubleStar Inc.

PJM

Siemens

BRONZE

Philadelphia SHRM

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

excelleRx

Mercer

Nobel Learning Communities

Be a Sponsor for Next Year!
For more information, please contact Kevin Balkanloo at kevin.balkanloo@villanova.edu

Did you know?

*100% of HRD students surveyed reported the HRD Program helped them fulfill their professional objectives.

* Most of our students who interned were offered full time positions at the same company.
 
* Survey results showed a 37% increase in students' salaries after completion of the HRD Program. Salaries increased from $31,000 - $50,000 to $51,000 - $70,000.

View complete survey results.