HR Management Professor earns internationally-accredited certification

Kimberly Pleva, lecturer of Human Resources, Organizational Behavior, and Management in the Williamson College of Business Administration, has earned senior level certification through the Society for Human Resource Management & Human Resource Certification Institute.  

Before joining Youngstown State in her current role, Pleva, a two-time YSU alumna, established a professional career spanning sixteen years in Human Resources with Parker Hannifin Corporation, a Fortune 500 company and the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems. She was most recently the division human resource manager at Parker’s Hose Products Division, where she was responsible for a national team of HR professionals and the overall strategic leadership of human resources in areas such as organization design, workforce planning, performance management, employee relations, and learning & development. 

“By pursuing the certifications of SHRM-SCP and SPHR, I am able to keep current and relevant in the field of HR, build on my professional expertise, and appropriately advise students interested in each accrediting body of certification,” states Pleva. 

Through pursuing these certifications, Pleva ensures that course content aligns with HRCI areas of focus and that students are well-prepared to be Human Resource Management professionals. 

HRCI is the longstanding certification for HR professionals, which provides a fully accredited credential, and strong recognition in business globally.  The HRCI exams cover the following areas: business management & strategy, human resource development, employee & labor relations, workforce planning & employment, compensation & benefits and risk management.  

The Society of Human Resource Management began offering certification exams several years ago. Assessments are competency based, strategic, and accredited by the highest standards in testing.  Exams contain knowledge-based and situational judgment questions in the areas of leadership, strategy, interpersonal skills, and HR specific knowledge in the broad areas of people, organization and workplace.  Additionally, of course, exams are backed by the largest HR professional organization in the world, SHRM.