KNOXVILLE—Debbie Mackey, senior lecturer of management at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been selected as the 2014 National Faculty Advisor of the Year by the Society for Human Resource Management.

Mackey was selected from more than 60 nominees nationwide. She is the first person from UT to win this award since its inception in 1997.

“Debbie earning this prestigious honor is a tremendous feat,” said Terry Leap, head of UT’s Department of Management.

To qualify, nominees need at least 10 years of work experience in the human resources field and must be involved in activities that involve SHRM student members, the community and human resource business professionals.

Mackey has been working with SHRM since she chartered UT’s chapter in 2002.

“SHRM is a great resource for my students, and the UT SHRM chapter has gotten involved in every aspect and level of SHRM,” Mackey said. “Working with students is fun and rewarding, and SHRM has enhanced the experience.”

Rachel Dix, a 2013 human resource management graduate and current UT law student, said Mackey’s enthusiasm and dedication are inspiring to her students.

“I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award than her,” Dix said. “Dr. Mackey is a great role model, and she has positively impacted the lives of countless students over the years. She helped shape me into the woman I am today.”

In addition to being UT SHRM’s faculty adviser, Mackey is director of UT’s Human Resource Management master’s program.

SHRM has about 600 student chapters nationwide with a membership of more than 15,000 human resource professionals. UT SHRM has won the Southeast Regional Business Case SHRM Competition for the past two years and has been named the top chapter in the nation since 2012.

For more information about UT SHRM, visit https://shrm.bus.utk.edu.