The Ohio State University

MHRM

Alumni Profiles

We are proud to say that Fisher’s alumni body is one of the largest and most active in the world. We asked some MHRM alums to reflect on their experience at Fisher and how it has made a difference in their career.

		Diego Denegri Class of 2009 Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Compensation Analyst Columbus, Ohio
Diego Denegri Q and A Quick bio I recently graduated from a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling. I previously completed a Master's in Labor and Human Resources. Because my interests were always combining HR with Psychology, I was recently hired at a private practice that focuses on injured workers through the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. I am excited about the challenges and growth opportunities this new stage in my career will bring! Q: How do you feel your Fisher MHRM degree has helped you in your career thus far? A: It has allowed me to understand the nature of work, along with all the nuances that make up managing human capital. The program introduced me to the world of business and enabled me to apply my people skills to real-world situations. Q: What advice would you give someone that is considering pursuing the MHRM program at Fisher in comparison to different graduate programs and universities? A: The program takes students through the core HR functions and also includes courses that set solid business foundations. This is crucial, as HR professionals must speak the same language as upper management to make their ideas work. More and more companies are looking for HR professionals with strong business acumen, and few programs out there provide what the MHRM program at Fisher offers. Q: What is one of your favorite memories during your time at Ohio State? A: There are many, many great memories during my studies that could be named. One that stands out is the challenge that taking the Six Sigma elective represented for me. The amount of statistics involved forced me to go outside my comfort zone and allowed me to view problems from a completely new perspective. Our group project involved a real life situation at a local company that required us to use Six Sigma practices. The amount of work and hours devoted to the assignment were both enjoyable and educational. Aside from the academic achievements, I also made friends and connections that will last a lifetime and will always remind me of my time at Fisher.

		Melanie Dotson Class of 2004 Sequent Client Account Manager Columbus, Ohio
Melanie Dotson Q and A Quick bio I maintain regular communication with a diverse client base across Ohio and throughout the U.S (approximately 100 clients). I cultivate positive, meaningful relationships with client principles and key contacts. I discover areas of client need to add value to their business and possibly generate additional business for Sequent. Q: How do you feel your Fisher MHRM degree has helped you in your career thus far? A: The time I spent at Fisher gave me a lot of preparation for the corporate world that I wouldn't otherwise have. I enjoyed working on projects with real companies, learning about those companies and networking within those companies. It allowed me to be exposed to the business world and HR Departments within large local companies but still within the comfort of the Fisher family. Q: What advice would you give someone that is considering pursuing the MHRM program at Fisher in comparison to different graduate programs and universities? A: Look for a place that makes you comfortable and makes you feel at home. I grew up in a town of less than 1,000 people in Pennsylvania and moved to Columbus, knowing no one. However, I made that leap because I loved the vibe I got when I visited Ohio State. While the Ohio State campus can be large and daunting, spending about 95 percent of my time within the Fisher campus made it feel like a much smaller campus. You see the same people day after day and start to form relationships that last a lifetime. Q: What is one of your favorite memories during your time at Ohio State? A: The best memories I have are with the friends that I made while in the MHRM program. I made many lifelong friendships that all started because we sat beside each other in class, then started studying together, working on projects together, and going to football games together.

		Jennifer Gardner Class of 1993 Part-Time Student Highlights Family of Companies Vice President, Human Resources Columbus, Ohio
Jennifer Gardner Q and A Quick bio I am Vice President of Highlights Family of Companies. You may know one of our magazines (Highlights for Children) from your own childhood. Our company publishes books, magazines, and materials for children in the U.S. and internationally. In addition, we have an education arm of our business focused on providing classroom text books, professional development, and books and products for use by educators throughout the US and internationally. Q: How do you feel your Fisher MHRM degree has helped you in your career thus far? A: I truly value my degree—it has provided a strong HR foundation and is relevant to every-day application on the job. Q: What advice would you give someone that is considering pursuing the MHRM program at Fisher in comparison to different graduate programs and universities? A: The Ohio State University has the best faculty—they are recognized experts in their field. They have invaluable connections in the business community. This, coupled with their first-hand and personal knowledge of their students, provides program participants with invaluable connections to the business world. So, whether you are currently an HR professional looking to build your HR muscle or coming to the program straight from undergrad studies—you will find quality, dedicated professors who can help you meet your personal, academic and professional goals. Q: What is one of your favorite memories during your time at Ohio State? A: Everything about my experience at Ohio State was positive! I loved my professors and classmates. The classes were relevant. It was one of the best experiences of my professional career!

		Denise Kestner Class of 1999 Part-Time Student Human Resources Instructor/Consultant Columbus, Ohio
Denise Kestner Q and A Quick bio I teach at several colleges and universities, both at the graduate and undergraduate level. In addition, I have an independent consulting practice in the human resources field. Q: How do you feel your Fisher MHRM degree has helped you in your career thus far? A: The MHRM degree has provided me with the foundation in the field of human resources that I would have never obtained anywhere else. The MHRM degree provides me with a multitude of opportunities from a professional standpoint given that relatively few individuals in the field of HR have such an educational background. Q: What advice would you give someone that is considering pursuing the MHRM program at Fisher in comparison to different graduate programs and universities? A: Not only does The Ohio State University enjoy a widely known name as it relates to their football team, they have an excellent academic reputation as well. This reputation spreads across the U.S. so regardless of where you want to live or what aspect of HR you find of interest, the degree will provide you with the education and exposure that will enhance your resume. Again, very few individuals aspire to become a subject matter expert or serve in a leadership capacity within the HR field but if you do...the MHRM degree will permit you the opportunity to reach those objectives/goals. Q: What is one of your favorite memories during your time at Ohio State? A: I had a wonderful group that I had the pleasure and privilege of working with throughout many of my courses. They were intelligent and impressive individuals that made me want to be an even better practitioner in my field. Q: Any additional information you would like to share about your thoughts on the Fisher MHRM experience? A: If anyone is considering the degree, I would be first in line to tell you that it is worth every dollar spent in tuition. The return on investment for this degree is impressive. From what I've heard, the courses and professors have gotten even better since I graduated. I'd be willing to do it all over again!

		Terina J. Matthews Class of 1998 HR Business Partner Yum! Brands, Inc. Louisville, Kentucky
Terina J. Matthews Q and A Quick bio Terina Matthews is a HR Business Partner with Yum! Brands in Louisville, Ky. She holds two master's degrees from The Ohio State University with a MA in Higher Education from the College of Education and a MHRM degree from Fisher. She holds an undergraduate degree in Middle School Education from the University of Louisville. After graduating from UofL Ms. Matthews went on to teach Middle School Math and Spanish before returning to pursue graduate education at The Ohio State University. Terina worked at Ohio State for 12 years as both a graduate student and full-time employee. She worked in various roles within Ohio State Student Affairs for nine years and served as the Associate Director for MBA Recruitment and Admissions within Fisher for three years. Terina departed the Ohio State in 2005 to develop the MBA recruiting program for Limitedbrands before starting with Yum! Brands in 2008. Terina was honored at the 2009 Fisher College of Business Individual Diversity Award winner as well as the 2009 Ohio State Outstanding Alumni receiving the Josephine Sitterle Failer Award for volunteerism to Ohio State and the student community. Q: How do you feel your Fisher MHRM degree has helped you in your career thus far? A: The relationships that I have built and maintained having been a student at Fisher has helped me in my career tremendously. Having the ability to call on faculty and staff in the business college when I am faced with a work issue or question and the immediate responses that I receive is incredible. Additionally, the courses that I took in the program truly helped me to build my foundational knowledge of HR and I often refer to my books when faced with a challenge. Finally, the networking amongst Fisher and Ohio State alumni makes me secure in the fact that if I am ever in need of career advice or career opportunities I have a large network upon which I can draw from. Q: What advice would you give someone that is considering pursuing the MHRM program at Fisher in comparison to different graduate programs and universities? A: I have spoken to several prospective MHRM students to convince them to attend Fisher as their graduate program of choice. What I have said is that you get a large school feel within a small program; the attention and dedication that you receive from faculty and staff within Fisher is amazing and the opportunity to network at a variety of events during your time at on campus will assist you in securing your internship/job. To that end, the prospective student that I spoke to many times via email and phone to convince to come to Fisher from California is living proof of this. Not only did she decide to attend Fisher, she will be interning with my company during the summer 2010. Q: What is one of your favorite memories during your time at Ohio State? A: I graduated from Fisher before it was located in the beautiful buildings in which it is now housed. I am excited to see the new facilities and the state-of-the art technology that current students are having the opportunity to take advantage of. I am delighted to know that Fisher students are able to compete with students from any graduate program. As for memories at Ohio State, wow… not certain where to start, there were lots of football games won during my time on campus and if I had to pick one great moment it would be graduating from the Ohio Stadium in both 1996 and 1998. Q:Any additional information you would like to share about your thoughts on the Fisher MHRM experience? A: The name recognition of both Fisher and The Ohio State University will take you wherever you would like to go in life! I am living proof of that!

		Steve Shaffer Class of 1982 Human Resources Director for the Windows Development Group and Internet Explorer and the POC Director for Windows and Windows Live Microsoft Corporation Redmond, Wash.
Steve Shaffer Q and A Quick bio I am responsible for the HR business plans and implementation for the Windows Devlopment and Internet Explorer teams. I also am accountable for establishing and building our organizational capabilites in the Windows and Windows Live division of the Microsoft. All of this includes a broad range of impact on our people including but not limited to employee relations, performance mangement, talent management, succession planning, change management, executive coaching, compensation, and organization effectiveness. Q: How do you feel your Fisher MHRM degree has helped you in your career thus far? A: The MHRM degree opened doors for me. It provided a foundation from which I was able to build my career and allowed me to immediately obtain a critical role in a major company. Q: What advice would you give someone that is considering pursuing the MHRM program at Fisher in comparison to different graduate programs and universities? A: I would look to the program that not only offers a critical view of current HR thinking, but also provides a view of what the future of HR maybe. I would also look to a program that not only emphasizes strong business acumen, but a global view of talent and business. Q: What is one of your favorite memories during your time at Ohio State? A: The memories tend to run together in a positive manner. As with most OSU alumni, I am sure the football games on Saturday and the electricity around campus on game day. In addition, it was the sharing of ideas with classmates in the Ohio Union after class. I very much appreciated my graduate assistantship where we focused on workforce planning for the state of Ohio. The opportunity to work on that project was very much appreciated and enjoyed.

		Ty Shepfer Class of 2009 Shell Oil Company HR Analyst Houston, Texas
Ty Shepfer Q and A Quick bio II support a client group including the Health, Safety, Security and Environmental group and the Learning and Development group which comprises about 100 employees including both hourly and salary personnel. Q: How do you feel your Fisher MHRM degree has helped you in your career thus far? A: My MHRM degree enabled me to get a job with the largest company in the world. The two-year degree doubled my salary and enabled me to work in a more strategic HR position within the company. Q: What advice would you give someone that is considering pursuing the MHRM program at Fisher in comparison to different graduate programs and universities? A: Take a close look at the resources that the program has to offer. Ohio State is a university of unbelievable size and magnitude and with these characteristics comes truly unimaginable opportunities. During my time in the MHRM Program I had the opportunity to study in China and take courses of interest outside of Fisher. Q: What is one of your favorite memories during your time at Ohio State? A: It was a humbling experience to have the opportunity to give the student address at the Fisher Graduation Ceremony. My best experience had to be sitting on the bench for the 2007 National Championship game in basketball against Florida. I served as a manager for the team for four years. Q: Any additional information you would like to share about your thoughts on the Fisher MHRM experience? A: The Fisher MHRM experience puts students up close and personal with real-life HR issues that you will face when join the corporate world. The academic experience at Fisher prepares you for the challenges that lie ahead.

		Jeremy Sampsell Class of 2000 HR Manager Global Procurement ExxonMobil Fairfax, Virginia
Jeremy Sampsell Q and A Quick bio I started my career with ExxonMobil in January 2001 as a HR Generalist in New Orleans supporting the U.S. East Production Company, including on-shore and off-shore operations. In 2003, I moved to Gas & Power Marketing HR based in Houston. In January 2005, I became HR Manager for the Beaumont Polyethylene Plant and in 2006 became Beaumont Area HR Services Manager supporting area HR processes for the Refinery, Chemical, Lubes, and Polyethylene plants located in Beaumont, Texas. Jeremy is currently the HR Manager for Global Procurement in Fairfax,Virginia. Q: How do you feel your Fisher MHRM degree has helped you in your career thus far? A: The Fisher MHRM degree provided a solid foundation upon which I have built a long-term career that provides me with continuous development and professional challenge. Q: What advice would you give someone that is considering pursuing the MHRM program at Fisher in comparison to different graduate programs and universities? A: Don't look anywhere else...from the faculty to the facility, this program has it all! Q: What is one of your favorite memories during your time at Ohio State? < strong>A: I have many wonderful memories from my MHRM program experience. Specifically, available faculty and much of the class would get together at least once a quarter to socialize. I had a chance to get to know many of the outstanding faculty members and build friendships with classmates from all parts of the world. I wouldn't trade my time in the MHRM program for anything. Q: Any additional information you would like to share about your thoughts on the Fisher MHRM experience? A: If you are looking for a highly rated Human Resources Masters program, one from which top companies recruit top-notch Human Resources professionals, then the Fisher MHRM program is the place for you. I am not sure I knew just what I was getting into when I set foot on campus, but I definitely know what I got out of it... a life changing decision!

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