Annual PASSHE HR Conference Connects Professionals Throughout System at West Chester University
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) hosts an annual conference to connect employees in Human Resources departments across the system with one another. This year’s conference, held at West Chester University, brought more than 100 HR professionals from all system universities and the chancellor’s office to campus to network and attend educational sessions.
The event, "Building Stronger Connections," highlighted the importance of personal and professional relationships in HR and their critical role in the success of students and employees throughout the PASSHE system, said Jaime Whitcomb, WCU’s organizational development manager and one of the conference organizers.
“This year’s conference exceeded our expectations,” Whitcomb said. “It was wonderful to see colleagues sharing innovative ideas and collaborating so effectively. Their energy and enthusiasm throughout the three days of the conference were inspiring, and it’s clear these connections will drive positive changes across our institutions.”
The idea of building connections resonated deeply with attendees, underscoring the essential role of connections in HR – connecting employees to their rights, entitlements, and each other.
One of the attendees, Phillip Amarante, PASSHE’s system payroll director, emphasized the value of in-person interactions, especially in a post-COVID world where many employees work remotely.
"It’s great to have in-person connections,” he said. “Here you reconnect with colleagues you have meetings with online. Getting to know colleagues on a personal level is helpful – when you have that connection, it builds a better working relationship”
The conference had two tracks: Advancing Functional Knowledge and Employee Engagement and Well-Being. Advancing Functional Knowledge focused on enhancing our expertise in the operational and strategic aspects of HR, Payroll, and Labor Relations, while the Employee Engagement and Well-Being track highlighted ways to create and maintain environments that support happier and healthier employees.
Whitcomb hosted two sessions, one with Scott Sherman, WCU’s executive director of
human resources. One presentation was "Performance Management Strategies for Success,"
where they emphasized the ideas of aligning individual objectives with organizational
goals to enhance motivation, engagement, and job satisfaction. They also stressed
using regular feedback and platforms like LinkedIn Learning to provide accessible
training and development opportunities.
"We know that happy and healthy employees perform better,” Whitcomb said during the presentation. “Our job is to help individuals be the best version of themselves in the workplace, and performance management is deeply connected to that goal.”
Anita Weaver, a benefits manager from Shippensburg University, said she enjoyed the session and appreciated the conference’s networking opportunities.
“It’s helpful to see what my other coworkers in the field are doing to address challenges in HR,” she said.
Sherman said the conference did well to foster stronger connections among HR professionals across the PASSHE system.
“The shared insights, renewed relationships, and collective commitment to excellence will undoubtedly enhance the effectiveness of HR practices and, ultimately, the success of students across the Commonwealth,” he said. "We’re all in a competition for talent. By connecting and fostering a strong community, we can create environments where every employee understands their role in the bigger picture and feels motivated to contribute to the success of our institutions."