This week, we are spotlighting Madalyn Stephens, a second-year student in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management (IOHRM) program. Madalyn received her undergraduate degree from Old Dominion University, where she double majored in Psychology and Biology.
Journey to IOHRM
As an undergraduate student, Madalyn was initially interested in a clinical path, driven by a desire to help people. After taking I-O psychology courses, she found that the field offered a different but equally meaningful path. The more she explored it, the more she recognized that making an impact on people's lives could look different from what she had initially imagined, and she decided to apply to App State's IOHRM program.
Madalyn came into the program without many expectations. She knew the coursework would be challenging and engaging, but beyond that, she kept an open mind. That openness has paid off. The program has far exceeded what she anticipated, particularly in the sense of community it fosters. Small class sizes have allowed for collaboration and learning, and her cohort has exceeded every expectation she had when she walked in.
Exploring Interests as a Student
Several courses and experiences have stood out to Madalyn during her time in the program. She especially enjoyed partnering with App State's HR department on a Training and Development project, which gave her the opportunity to apply classroom concepts in an organizational setting and to communicate her work professionally. She also found the Job Analysis assignment in Staffing particularly engaging, as it allowed her to apply course concepts in practice. During her first year, Madalyn participated in a consulting project through App State's Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) chapter, where she gained her first hands-on experience with the consulting process and worked collaboratively with a team toward a final deliverable. She has also served on the HR Science Safety team for both years of the program, taking on different roles and partnering with a large company to analyze their organizational data and inform workplace safety outcomes. These experiences have helped her learn how to set professional boundaries, advocate for the people she leads, and balance completing work while genuinely caring for her team
Madalyn’s thesis, “The Hidden Cost of Entry: Workplace Hazing’s Impact on Organizational Commitment and Group Cohesion,” examines how workplace hazing experiences influence organizational commitment and group cohesion, as well as the role individual characteristics such as self‑efficacy and negative affectivity play in shaping these outcomes. The project has been one of the most formative experiences of her graduate career. Engaging in the research process from start to finish has strengthened her ability to manage long-term projects and work through challenges. A source of support throughout the thesis process has been her faculty advisor, Dr. Tim Huelsman. Whether she needed to work through a research challenge, process a setback, or simply talk through a difficult stretch, she has valued the mentor relationship they have built and knowing she could count on him throughout the process.
The program has helped Madalyn move beyond theoretical interest and discover what she genuinely enjoys doing in practice. She arrived with a general sense of her interests, but the breadth of what the program covers introduced her to areas she had not anticipated, some of which turned out to align closely with her strengths. "No matter your mindset when you come in, you get exposed to so much," she said. "It expands your understanding of what I-O is and how you can do strategic HR and make a real impact in the field."
Favorite Part of the IOHRM Program
For Madalyn, the highlight of her time in the program has been her cohort. As graduation approaches and students look back on photos from when they first arrived, the growth is easy to see. "I feel so lucky to have my cohort," she shared. "There is such a high level of support that, in terms of academics, I do not think I have had before." Being surrounded by people who are just as invested in the field and in each other's success has made the experience both professionally and personally meaningful.
Advice for Prospective Students
Madalyn's advice for incoming students centers on self-advocacy. She encourages prospective students to have a sense of their own boundaries and working style before they arrive, and to get comfortable communicating them to peers and faculty. "It looks different for everyone," she noted, "but if you are able to advocate for yourself and what you need, the people around you will be proud of you for it." She also wants future students to know that mistakes and feedback should not be feared, as they are part of the learning process.
Current Plans After Graduation
As Madalyn looks toward graduation, she has three main priorities. First, she is committed to staying in close contact with the connections and community she has built throughout the program. Second, she is focused on finding a role that is the right fit, where she can make a genuine impact on employees and the organization she works for. Third, she plans to stand firm on the foundation the program has given her, even amid the uncertainty of the job search.
The IOHRM program has prepared Madalyn for this next chapter not only through knowledge and technical skills, but by helping her develop a clearer sense of her own strengths, values, and what she is looking for in a career.
