Doctoral Student Wins Award for Human Resource Development Paper

Synetra Gilmer, who defends her doctoral dissertation this month at the University of Arkansas, received the Nonprofit Management Track Award from the North American Management Society for a paper she will present at the society's international conference in March.

Gilmer and her faculty adviser, Claretha Hughes, an associate professor of workforce development, will attend the three-day conference in Chicago along with LaTonya Jackson, another student who will present a paper. Gilmer will receive a Doctor of Education in workforce development education, and Jackson is also working on a doctoral degree in the same program. Hughes co-wrote both papers with the students.

Gilmer's paper is titled "Human Resource Capacity Building and Nonprofit Organizations: Addressing Potential Leadership Shortages." One of the reviewers commented that Gilmer applied human resource theory in an area in which it is not often considered, that of not-for-profit organizations. In addition to giving a presentation on her paper, she will be recognized as an award winner at a luncheon during the conference.

Jackson covered the topic, "Assessing the Need to Understand the Self-Efficacy Beliefs of Black Women Leaders in Fortune 500 Companies: Implications for Human Resource Development."

Hughes joined the College of Education and Health Professions faculty in the fall of 2004, and she directs the college's Honors Program.