The IOHRM program was proudly represented at the Appalachian Research in Business Symposium (ARBS), a collaborative conference that brings together scholars from universities across the Appalachian region, including Appalachian State University, Eastern Kentucky University, East Tennessee State University, Marshall University, Radford University, and Western Carolina University. Hosted on a rotating basis, ARBS provided an engaging platform for faculty and students to present innovative research, exchange contemporary ideas, and strengthen academic connections.
This year, IOHRM students and faculty showcased a diverse range of research projects:
- Brenna McNamara, Claire Parson, Dr. Shawn Bergman, Jamie Da Costa, and Ella Drawbridge presented Integrating AI for Scalable Workforce Readiness
- Elizabeth Russell, Caleb Pollard (IOHRM alumni), and Dr. Jack Carson presented “Leader” and “Manager” Terminology and Supervisor Incivility Perception: Much Ado About Nothing?
- Drew Sipe, Madalyn Stephens, Ailyn Sanchez Corral, Charlie Wills, Dr. Timothy Ludwig, and Dr. Shawn Bergman presented Say It Like You Mean It: Using a Large Language Model to Assess Safety Report Quality
- Tessa Trate, Dr. Jessica Doll, Dr. Tim Huelsman, and Dr. Kristl Davison presented We’re All a Family: Investigating How Diversity Interacts with Feelings of Mattering, Belonging, Work Outcomes, and Well-Being
- Leah Uteg-Winkelman, Delaney Clark, Dr. Tim Huelsman, Dr. Kristl Davison, and Dr. Jessica Doll presented Authenticity in Recruitment: Assessing the Accuracy of Career Websites in Representing Organizational Cultures
In addition to research presentations, IOHRM students also celebrated a major achievement in the Dean’s Club-sponsored Strategic Business Case Competition for the Walker College of Business. This competition challenged student teams to spend a month analyzing a complex business strategy case and present their recommendations to a panel of faculty and industry experts, strengthening their skills in research, critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. Amy Hu, Elizabeth Russell, Madalyn Stephens, and Leah Uteg-Winkelman earned first place in the graduate-level competition, taking home the top prize of $1,800. Their outstanding performance highlighted the strength of the IOHRM program in developing well-rounded scholars who excel in both research and applied business problem-solving.
Overall, ARBS was a tremendous success for the IOHRM program, showcasing the impactful work of its students and faculty while also celebrating excellence in both academic research and practical application.
