SUNY New Paltz Recipient of National Superior Merit Award

NEW PALTZ — For the sixth consecutive year, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in Alexandria, VA has bestowed the 2007-2008 Superior Merit Award designation to the SHRM student chapter at the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz, the Management Association (MA). This national recognition is awarded to promote outstanding activities and projects by student chapters, as well as to recognize an exceptional year of providing opportunities for development and growth to its student members.

“I was very proud of the performance of Management Association this year,” said chapter advisor and Associate Professor of Management, Dr. Kristin Backhaus. “The officers presented a balance of academic workshops, career-related programs and community service projects. They worked hard to earn this award.”

SUNY New Paltz was one of 67 chapters throughout the nation to earn the Superior Merit Award. The Management Association was also one of two SUNY collegiate chapters to receive the designation. The 2007-2008 board members were Kristina Marsella, Craig Lecker, Shaina Miller, Marisel Lewis, Catherine Effertz, Erika DeWitt, Michelle Rosas and Lauren Guido.

Out of more than 400 active SHRM student chapters nationwide, 112 chapters submitted applications for this national award. To earn the Superior Merit Award designation chapters must complete at least 46 out of 60 activities during the merit award cycle. The SHRM student chapter merit award program, which began in 1972, recognizes chapters in the four broad areas of basic student chapter requirements, chapter programming and professional development of members, support of the human resource profession, and partnership with SHRM.

Being recognized as a Superior Merit Award student chapter is an annual strategic objective for the MA. The merit award program is used as a tool for planning activities throughout the year and a way to evaluate the association’s progress toward its goals. The Management Association receives a specialized plaque to display at the SUNY New Paltz School of Business, and is being recognized in SHRM’s publications and at its conferences.

“This award is a clear indication of the efforts of our very dedicated MA board in providing a significant number of educational programs that can easily compete with well established and large chapters from other schools across the nation,” remarked Hadi Salavitabar, dean of the School of Business. “The recognition of our Management Association’s activities demonstrates the outstanding qualifications of our students and the great leadership of its faculty advisor."

Chuck Salvetti, SHRM’s Student Programs Manager, stated, “the SHRM Student Chapter Merit Award Program continues to recognize the top student chapters, from among the more than 400 SHRM-affiliated student chapters nationwide. Recipients of the student chapter merit award have a proven track record of providing their members with networking and educational opportunities which assist their members in making transition from backpack to briefcase.”

For further information about the SUNY New Paltz Management Association please contact Kristin Backhaus by e-mail at backhauk@newpaltz.edu or by phone at 845-257-2972.