USU MHR and MBA Grad Student Receives Meisinger Fellowship

Joshua Hoffmann of Logan, Utah, is the winner of the 2018 Susan R. Meisinger Fellowship for Graduate Study in HR. 

The award, created in 2009 to help develop the next generation of HR leaders, provides funding for students pursuing a master's degree in human resources. The fellowship provides the recipient up to $10,000, which is renewable for one year for a total of up to $20,000.

Hoffmann is pursuing a master's degree in HR and an MBA from Utah State University's Jon M. Huntsman School of Business in Logan, Utah.

“A master’s degree in HR will give me a deep layer of knowledge surrounding critical functions, best practices, emerging trends, effective HR strategies and how to apply these elements to help businesses succeed in a changing and competitive business environment,” Hoffmann said. “An MBA in business analytics will equip me with business acumen and enhance my understanding and utilization of decision science and the tools available to help inform business and HR strategies and improve organizations.” 

He began his HR career in 2005 in Richmond, Va., where he was an unemployment specialist helping individuals develop skills needed to find a job. Hoffmann earned a bachelor's degree in English with a concentration in technical writing from Utah Valley University in Orem, where he graduated magna cum laude. He is a member of the Bridgerland SHRM chapter in Logan, Utah. After completing his graduate studies, he will join United Services Automobile Association's (USAA's) HR team in San Antonio. USAA is a Fortune 500 group of companies specializing in diversified financial services.

The fellowship is named in honor of Susan Meisinger, who served as the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM's) president and CEO from March 2002 until her retirement in July 2008. The SHRM Foundation announced the recipient of this year's fellowship Nov. 16 at SHRM's Volunteer Leaders' Summit, which was held at the National Harbor in Maryland.