After an unexpected delay due to Hurricane Helene in the fall semester, the annual HR Summit has returned stronger than ever on April 10th and 11th, under the inspiring theme: “A Dawn of New Possibilities.” Hosted by the IOHRM program at Appalachian State University, this year’s summit brought together students, alumni, faculty, and HR professionals for two days of innovation, reflection, and collaborative learning. Despite the rescheduling, the support from our sponsors this year never wavered. We are grateful and thank them for their flexibility, commitment, and belief in the mission of the HR Summit. Their continued partnership helped make this event possible.
The day began with an opening keynote from Dr. Kalifa Oliver, who set the tone by challenging attendees to reimagine the future of HR by focusing on recentering the ‘Human’ in Human Resources. Following this, our very own Dr. Shawn Bergman led a powerful session on the possibilities of current technology, AI, and ChatGPT, informing attendees on the impact of using modern AI in a strategic and ethical way. Throughout the morning and afternoon, attendees participated in a variety of engaging breakout sessions, with topics ranging from Navigating Tough Conversations to Implementing HR Technology. These sessions, led by professionals across industries (including some of our alumni!), provided valuable insights, practical tools, and a space to exchange ideas on the most prominent HR challenges of today. The afternoon also featured a session with Alanna Dingler, who shared her personal experiences and perspectives on building better partnerships between talent acquisition and HR. The conversation was lively and authentic, with the rock-paper-scissors activity engaging everyone in a fun and memorable way that perfectly illustrated the session’s message. The summit then concluded with a closing session by Ron Garrow, which blended research and experience to discuss current remote work trends and how they align with business goals.
Thank you to all the presenters, sponsors, alumni, students, and faculty who made this event possible, and to every guest who attended, whether in person or virtually. This year’s Summit reminded us that even with unexpected changes, our community’s passion for growth, inclusion, and innovation remains constant. We look forward to seeing you at the next HR Summit!
