Students from across Texas will converge at the University of Houston-Downtown to attend the Texas Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Student Conference & Competition April 10-11. There, students will attend lectures and panels, network, and participate or observe a team case study competition.
UHD was selected for this honor by a statewide search committee thanks to the efforts of Management Assistant Professor Dr. Chris Zhang, who has served as UHD SHRM faculty advisor since 2024. The conference presents UHD the opportunity to demonstrate the value of a Marilyn Davies College of Business education to peers, industry leaders, and prospective graduate students.
“Professors are not only knowledgeable but also caring and empathetic, fostering meaningful connections with their students,” wrote Tony Rivas, UHD SHRM President, when helping Dr. Zhang pitch UHD as the next conference host . “This personalized, supportive environment is something special, and I believe we should proudly share it with the rest of Texas. By hosting the Texas SHRM Student Conference & Competition, we have the opportunity to showcase our exceptional campus culture, dedicated faculty, and strong Gator pride, leaving a lasting impression on all participants.”
The event itself is an exciting peek into the real-world challenges that HR professionals regularly contend with. Jhyrom Edralin, UHD SHRM Marketing Director and 2025 Team Captain, said the conference last year, “not only enhanced my knowledge but also motivated me to become a more proactive and forward-thinking HR professional.”
This year the keynote speaker is Eloy Leibas, former UHD SHRM president, MDCOB Graduate School alumnus, and talent recruitment expert for the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation. Programming includes presentations from a variety of seasoned HR professionals and speeches from Provost Deborah Bordelon and MDCOB Dean Jonathan Davis, as well as a panel of emerging professionals. One of the panelists, Jorge Bautista, helped UHD SHRM take home first place in 2024.
Other past UHD participants have praised the competition for pushing them to step out of their comfort zones by engaging in public speaking, thinking agilely under pressure, and collaborating creatively.
This year’s undergraduate UHD SHRM team will be led by Team Captain Ethan Valdez and coached by Management Assistant Professor Dr. Shovna Tripathy. The graduate team will be captained by Denise Berrones and coached by Management faculty Jayci Pickering. Good luck, Gators!