Most specialty areas in higher education have an association where colleagues from across the country come together to share best practices, challenges, updates, and most importantly, take the opportunity to network.  Human resources has a variety of associations available to engage in networking and sharing of ideas and challenges, with the most impactful being offered through the College and University Professional Association or Human Resources (CUPA-HR).  CUPA-HR offers a unique opportunity for HR professionals in higher education to connect and collaborate with HR professionals from other institutions who face similar challenges and whose best practices and ideas align with the work we do at WSU.  WSU participates in volunteer work with CUPA-HR through state and regional board representation and regular participation in events held in-state and nationally.

In April this year, WSU was represented at the national CUPA-HR conference by Alex Bevington, Carla Fitzgerald, Laura Hamilton (current Washington Chapter Board Member/Treasurer), Paul Fleming McCullagh, and Teddi Phares (current Western Region Board Member).  In addition to their attendance at the event, Laura Hamilton, and Paul Fleming McCullagh were invited to present at the conference, marking the first of what we hope to be many topics led by WSU at a CUPA-HR conference. 

Laura and Paul presented an overview of the 2023 Elevating Cougs Conference and the successful efforts to combine two events into one and ensure the event was an inclusive opportunity for all employees at WSU.  The Elevating Cougs Conference was well received by the WSU community and will continue its second annual offering on October 22-23, 2024 (to learn more about this year’s Elevating Cougs Conference, visit the Elevating Cougs 2024 website). 

Laura Hamilton led a second session at the CUPA Spring Conference where she presented a case study and overview of Employee Engagement processes, utilizing lessons learned from prior institutions, and highlighting how historical processes and practices influenced the current structure of the Employee Engagement processes at WSU. 

WSU will continue to represent the organization and provide expertise through three sessions to be offered at the 2024 Washington CUPA-HR Chapter Annual Conference in Ellensburg, WA.  Presenters from WSU include Heather Burchell, Holly Ashkannejhad, and Laura Hamilton.

Content Credit: Laura Hamilton, Learning and Organizational Development Manager