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Nine UOG alumni earn SHRM-CP credential

Nine UOG alumni earn SHRM-CP credential

Nine UOG alumni earn SHRM-CP credential


6/10/2021
“As soon as I took my first HR class, I wanted this certification. My instructor, Dr. Joann Diego, mentioned it a couple times in class, and it was always something I wanted.” — Iris Guinto, MedPharm Group (2019 BBA, 2020 SHRM-CP)
“When Dr. Colfax first told me about the certification and the alignment between UOG and SHRM and that no student had gotten it yet, I wanted to be part of that first batch. It also validates the HR program that UOG has in terms of having sufficient preparation for a certification like this.” — Jonathan Pablo, ASC Trust Corp. (2018 BBA, 2020 SHRM-CP)  
“This certification reminds me to trust myself in this role — that even in such a dynamic and demanding career field, I will be able to handle the challenges thrown my way.” —Vanessa Laurora, MedPharm Group (2020 BBA, 2020 SHRM-CP)
“Having this certification means new doors and better opportunities for my career in the field of human resources. It shows me that I am capable of more than I had previously thought […]” — Victor E. Urbano, Lotte Duty Free Guam (2018 BBA, 2020 SHRM-CP)  
“This certification allowed me to level the playing field in the competitive area of human resource management. […] I felt that I was on the same level as hundreds of other fresh college graduates entering the workforce and lagging behind the thousands of seasoned professionals already in the talent pool. With my minimal experience, I knew I needed to diversify my portfolio, and this certification gives me that leverage and credibility.” — Louise M. Garcia, CPL Pacific LLC (2020 BBA, 2020 SHRM-CP)
“Being a SHRM Certified Professional proves my credibility, competencies, and professional standing in the ever-changing workforce. […] Everything I needed to learn was right here on Guam ... at home.” — Carly Champaco-Munoz, Pacific Daily News (2020 BBA, 2021 SHRM-CP)
Audre Xiong
“This certification means that the knowledge that I have attained from the university, my experience, and that those who have taken the time to mentor me are effective. […] The greatest resource is people and I believe there is always an opportunity to learn from those you encounter.” — Audre M. Xiong, StayWell Guam Inc. (2015 BBA, 2021 SHRM-CP)
Resty Albeza
“[It was a] great learning experience and helped me understand procedures and workplace topics that businesses have. Without taking this concentration, I would be the one asking the questions, but I'm glad I can answer those questions instead.” — Resty Albeza, Docomo Pacific (2015 BBAA, 2021 SHRM-CP)
Cameron Dudkiewicz
 “All the work I put in, the knowledge I've gained during my time at UOG and in my profession in HR post-graduation, it was all worth it. I've studied to become a professional with actual credibility.” — Cameron Dudkiewicz, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (2017 BBA, 2021 SHRM-CP)  
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UOG alumni who passed the SHRM-CP exam in 2020 and 2021.

The field of human resources in Guam is quickly gaining more certified professionals as graduates of the University of Guam's business administration program continue qualifying for and passing the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) exam, including nine more in 2020 and 2021.

The SHRM-CP exam is a four-hour, 160-question professional certification exam, and passing signifies that an HR professional has current, relevant, and globally applicable skills for managing a company’s or organization’s employees and establishing its HR policies.

“The general expectation for passing this comprehensive professional certification examination is about 30%–40% for full-time professionals who have been working in the HR field for at least four years,” said Richard S. Colfax, a now retired human resources professor and long-time faculty advisor for the UOG student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. "It is exciting and rewarding to know that so many former human resources and SHRM chapter students are excelling in the business community in HR roles."

Applying to take the SHRM-CP exam is more common among those already in the workforce, as there is a requirement of one to two years' experience in an HR role. But several UOG alumni have earned the credential earlier, following the alignment of UOG's human resources concentration with the SHRM association, spearheaded by Colfax in 2018, which made it possible for UOG students to qualify for the exam in their final semester and better position themselves for the workforce.

Seniors at UOG, as a SHRM-approved human resources degree program, are eligible to apply for the exam as long as they have at least 500 hours of practical HR experience that can be certified by the program’s faculty. The students can accumulate the required hours of experience through internships, special projects, research, or a full- or part-time job in an HR role.       

“This certification allowed me to level the playing field in the competitive area of human resource management,” said 2020 graduate Louise M. Garcia, who passed the exam in December and is now working as a human resources assistant for CPL Pacific LLC. “I felt that I was on the same level as hundreds of other fresh college graduates entering the workforce and lagging behind the thousands of seasoned professionals already in the talent pool. With my minimal experience, I knew I needed to diversify my portfolio, and this certification gives me that leverage and credibility.”

The growing list of UOG graduates with the SHRM-CP credential includes: 

  • Resty Albeza
  • Carly Champaco-Munoz
  • Jeremy Copple
  • Cameron Dudkiewicz
  • Louise M. Garcia
  • Iris Guinto
  • Vanessa Laurora
  • Jaedine Manglona
  • Nicole Mesa
  • Jonathan Pablo
  • Austin Terlaje
  • Victor E. Urbano
  • Audre M. Xiong

Study human resources at UOG

Upcoming students wanting to pursue the field of human resources can do so through the Business Professional Pathway of the Bachelor of Business Administration program.