In late March, the Master of Science in Management and Human Resources (MSMHR) program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business, hosted more than a dozen chief human resource officers and senior HR professionals from across Tennessee for an exclusive Executive HR Leadership Roundtable. The event brought together industry leaders, including representatives from AESSeal, Cigna, DeRoyal, KUB, Pilot Flying J, Summit Health and Volkswagen, and MSMHR students for an afternoon of networking and in-depth discussion on the most current, pressing topics in the HR field.
Strengthening Networks and Opportunities
The executive roundtable opened with welcoming remarks from Lane Morris, Haslam’s associate dean of undergraduate studies and student affairs and the Fisher Professor of Innovative Learning, and Russell Crook, head of the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, First Horizon Foundation Distinguished Business Professor and Cheryl Massingale Business Faculty Scholar. Ed Stanworth, with Hadrian Executive Search, and Ann Hatcher, with Thrivence Consulting, facilitated the event’s agenda, leading participants through dynamic conversations centered on leadership development, emerging workforce trends and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in HR practices.
Following the roundtable discussions, MSMHR students and HR professionals engaged in a dedicated networking session. According to Jackie Jacobs, director of the MSMHR program and teaching professor, the opportunity to connect directly with industry leaders is a cornerstone of the program’s mission.
“The Executive HR Leadership Roundtable was a way to create more pathways to job and internship opportunities for our students, elevate the Haslam MSMHR brand and reputation and deliver tangible value to our industry partners,” she said.
Building Bridges Between Academia and Industry
Industry attendees affirmed the event’s merits, praising the chance to share experiences and interact with both their industry peers and the next generation of HR professionals coming up through Haslam.
Alex Nicoll, general counsel and chief human resources officer at AESSEAL, said, “The roundtable allowed industry leaders to discuss and learn from each other, provided good perspective to the students and facilitated networking with the rising leaders from UT.”
Jodi Lytle, manager of learning and development with Volkswagen of America, Inc., echoed this sentiment, saying, “Attending the roundtable was a valuable experience. Discussing leadership development and AI provided great insights into our current workforce. It was a unique opportunity to learn and network with seasoned HR leaders, and I was honored to be part of the event.”
As the HR landscape continues to evolve, events like the Executive HR Leadership Roundtable serve as vital touchpoints for bridging academic learning with real-world leadership. By fostering dialogue between students and seasoned professionals, Haslam continues to position its MSMHR program as a catalyst for innovation, professional growth and strategic collaboration.
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