Master of Human Resource Management

Our recently admitted HRM students are both traditional learners and working adults with education in business, human resource management, psychology and social services, teaching and more. Average professional work experience at the time of admission is 8 years. Average undergraduate GPA for incoming students is 3.32.  Many students are advanced professionals furthering their own knowledge and careers. Below is just a sampling of our diverse student body:

Joann Puccino is a M.S. in Human Resource Management student in her third semester. She holds a bachelor's degree in Science/Cytotechnology from Thomas Jefferson University. Joann has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She is currently a Cytotechnologist/Histotechnologist at Reading Hospital – Tower Health. She is also a student member of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) and the president of WCUHRA (West Chester University Human Resource Association) for the 2019 -2020 school year.

Lauren Krieger (Breen) is a M.S. in Human Resource Management student in her third semester. She holds a BA in Psychology and a minor in Human Resources from Kings College. Lauren is currently a Business Product Analyst focusing on Talent Acquisition and Outreach for the Information Technology Department at FedEx Services.

Melanie Culbertson is a M.S. in Human Resource Management student in her third semester. She holds a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. Melanie is currently a Performance and Talent Manager at Citadel FCU and has over 14 years’ professional experience in the field.

Kelsey Organ is a M.S. in Human Resource Management student in her third semester. She holds a BS in Psychology from Stevenson University and a MA in Clinical Psychology from West Chester University. Kelsey is currently a Professional Testing Center Coordinator at West Chester University.

Natalie Oster is in her last semester of the MBA program with a Certificate in Human Resource Management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Maryland. Natalie has more than 18 years' experience coordinating programs and managing projects for non-profit and heath care organizations. She currently works on community health initiatives as a Health Promotion Specialist for Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.

Kate Bove '18 is a recent graduate of the M.S. in Human Resource Management program. She is a senior manager for employment, information & risk services at West Chester University. Kate has more than ten years of experience in HR. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Logistics from Pennsylvania State University.

Michelle Reyes '18 is a recent graduate of the M.S. in Human Resource Management program. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from Villanova University and recently earned a graduate certificate from West Chester University in Public Administration. Michelle is currently a full-time student working as a research graduate assistant for the department of Public Policy and Administration. Michelle also serves as the human resources department representative for the Graduate Student Association and as Vice President for the university's Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) chapter. Most recently, Michelle completed a year of service as a Leadership Fellow of the College of Business and Public Management. She is currently a ProBono Case Manager and Mortgage Foreclosure Volunteer Coordinator at Philadelphia VIP. 

Jeffrey Price '19 is a recent graduate from the MSHRM program. Jeff is a Society for Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional. He holds a master’s degree in Music from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in Music from West Virginia University. He is a Military Veteran who served several years as a Company Commander in the United States Army. He currently works as a faculty member at Fairmont State University and in Human Resources with the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

Kelly Fetterolf ‘19 is a recent graduate of the MSHRM program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Arts/Psychology from Rhode Island College. She has several years’ experience working in operations, management and talent acquisition recruitment. Kelly currently works at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA as a Human Resource Representative. 

Our most recent Master of Business Administration and MS Human Resource graduates report their career outlooks.  85.7% report they are employed in a career-oriented job in business and human resource management. The remaining 14.2% are employed but are actively seeking a new position in their field. 33.3% of our recent graduates surveyed report they earn incomes over $100,000, of which 11.9% earn more than $150,000 annually. 28.5% earn between $80,000 - $100,000 annually.

West Chester University Human Resources Association (WCUHRA) is a student-affiliated chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, or SHRM. The purpose of the WCUHRA is to provide opportunities for students interested in human resources to connect with other students and HR professionals in the region to learn more about the dynamic field of HR. The group promotes the exchange of work-related experience of established business professionals with the theoretical academic perspectives of student and faculty members through open forums and information exchanges.

WCUHRA sponsors two meetings per semester that are open to all students. Membership is free to interested students. However, students who are serious about pursuing a career in HR are strongly encouraged to join the National SHRM as student members.

WCUHRA members can participate in the many HR activities throughout the year, including:

Participation in local SHRM chapter meetings
Networking opportunities
Scholarship opportunities
Resume workshops
Guest speakers

Our most recent West Chester University Human Resource Association (WCUHRA) meeting welcomed Gretchen E. Adams, the Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Tower Health located in Reading PA as the guest speaker.  Gretchen spoke about the field of human resources, the challenges of attracting and retaining employees especially with the low rate of unemployment, how to overcome the challenges of talent acquisition, and touched on some “hot” topics that human resources professionals are facing today such as the potential barriers of using Artificial Intelligence (AI).  

From left to right: Joann Puccino, WCUHRA President; Gretchen Adams, VP of Talent Acquisition, Tower Health; Heidi Lichty, WCU MS in HRM Student

To request more information, contact the WCU Human Resource Association today.