HR ORGANIZATION LED BY SULLIVAN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Southern Indiana human resources organization that has been led by a Sullivan University professor has been recognized with a national HR award.

The Southern Indiana SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), announced that it has earned the 2019 Pinnacle Award from SHRM in recognition of its high achievements advancing the profession of human resources. Dr. Marilyn Faulkenburg, a Sullivan University professor in the school’s Graduate School Human Resource Leadership Program, has been involved with the Southern Indiana SHRM Chapter since it was founded 12 years ago. 

Dr. Faulkenburg is a former chapter president, the immediate past president, and has served on the board of directors for six years and was president when the award-winning initiative was developed.

“This is a prestigious award that we are honored to receive,” Dr. Faulkenburg said. “I was very excited to know the hard work from the entire board was being recognized on a national level. I know the program we were recognized for will better serve HR professionals in all 19 counties we serve in Southern Indiana.”

The Southern Indiana SHRM Chapter was honored in the Medium and Large Category for “SISHRM Remote Access”. According to SHRM, in 2018, the chapter adopted a new electronic form of delivering monthly chapter meeting content, giving HR professionals in the 19 surrounding counties greater access to recertification credits and the ability to be part of a chapter remotely. The “Remote Access” initiative led to the formation of small-group HR meetings in towns and cities, resulting in a rise in membership.

“The people of our chapters and state councils are among the most dedicated and passionate professionals in HR,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, President and CEO of SHRM. “That makes it difficult to select just twelve winners. But the great work done by this year’s recipients truly speaks for itself. From relief outreach in the wake of Hurricane Michael, to addressing domestic violence and assisting underserved communities, each winner translated big ideas into local actions – and made a real difference.”

Winning programs, selected from 75 applications, received a $1,000 prize given by Paychex Inc., which is the sponsor of this year’s Pinnacle Awards. The award was presented at SHRM’s Volunteer Leaders Business Meeting (VLBM) in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Teresa Daniel, Dean of Sullivan University’s Human Resource Leadership Program and Professor, described Dr. Faulkenburg as engaging and enthusiastic.

“She really knows her stuff,” Dr. Daniel said. “So students tend to respond very positively to her approach because they respect her so much.”

“Dr. Faulkenburg is a consummate professional with a lot of HR and leadership experience,” Dr Daniel continued. “Her gregarious personality and depth of knowledge command respect from everyone she meets, so I am not at all surprised that the Southern Indiana chapter would be doing work at a level that would be recognized nationally.”

Dr. Faulkenburg said the HR program at Sullivan University follows the core competencies of SHRM. 

“The local SHRM chapters support HR students and HR professionals,” she said. “HR students can be assured the local chapters are supportive and innovative to better serve them as a student and then as an HR professional.” 

Dr. Daniel said the award “confirms what I have known for many years, that we have highly talented faculty teaching in our program who are both scholars and practitioners.”

“In combination,” she said, “this ability to focus on both theory and practice helps our students to leave the program better prepared to immediately make an impact in their work as HR practitioners.”

About Sullivan University

Sullivan University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Sullivan University or visit them online atwww.sacscoc.org.

The University offers numerous certificates, diplomas, and degrees in career-orientated programs, ranging from business, pharmacy, human resources, I.T. and cyber security, supply-chain management, culinary and baking and pastry arts, hospitality studies, conflict management, nursing, allied health sciences, HVAC-R, interior design, and legal studies. Sullivan University has campuses in Louisville and Lexington, an extension in Fort Knox on the U.S. Army Post, and Learning Centers in Louisa, Carlisle and Mayfield. Sullivan University also has many programs available partially or wholly online. For more information, visit www.sullivan.edu.

About SHRM

SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With 300,000+ HR and business executive members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 115 million workers and families globally. Learn more at SHRM.org and on Twitter @SHRM.