October 7, 2008
For Immediate Release
For an Interview:
Pat Forbes
(801) 863-8740
In the inaugural meeting of Utah’s first College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) chapter on Oct. 2, Utah Valley University’s Dr. Pat Forbes, executive director of human resources, was elected president of the organization’s newest chapter.
CUPA-HR is a national association for those in higher education human resources professions. Its mission is to provide essential knowledge, resources and connections to enhance the higher education community. The association serves more than 10,000 higher education human resources leaders at more than 1,600 institutions.
"CUPA-HR has a wealth of information and experienced colleagues that are a part of a nationwide effort to enhance the human resources field," said Craig Gardner, director of human resources at Salt Lake Community College and the new past president of CUPA-HR Utah. "The new Utah chapter will open up expanded opportunities for collaboration and professional development for all the employees of various higher education human resources departments in the state."
In the past few years, Utah higher education human resources personnel have been anxiously waiting for a CUPA-HR chapter to be established in Utah. With the collaboration of colleagues involved in higher education human resources, the new chapter has become a reality.
"This has been a long time coming! Many years and many people have been involved in making this chapter happen," Forbes said. "It is a great leap forward for Utah to finally have a voice within CUPA-HR. Being a part of this national organization allows us to move forward much further as human resources professionals."
UVU showed support for human resources personnel as it hosted the inaugural meeting of CUPA-HR Utah. Dr. Forbes’ involvement sets UVU as an institutional leader in the growth of the human resources profession. Approximately 40 human resources personnel attended the meeting, during which the chapter was officially established. CUPA-HR Utah will now organize the approximately 92 CUPA-HR members in the state.
Serving with Forbes in the Utah chapter are elected officers BrandE Faupell (President-Elect), executive director of human resources at Utah State University; Craig Gardner (Past President) director of human resources at Salt Lake Community College; Ric Higbee (Treasurer), human resources director for the David Applied Technology Center; and Wendy Sabir (Secretary), compensation coordinator for the University of Utah.
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College Marketing Contact:
Erin Spurgeon
(801) 863-6807
Written by:
Britnee Nguyen
(801) 863-8504