Our SHRM Dulles Chapter was proud to be featured in a George Mason University news story highlighting how HR professionals engaged students at The Costello College of Business at George Mason University.

What the event looked like

SHRM Dulles Student/Emerging Professional Liaisons, Cindy Parker and Christine Sullivan, coordinated the experience, designing an hour-long panel discussion followed by an hour of structured networking and small-group conversations. The event took place during the March chapter meeting.

How SHRM Dulles members engaged with students

Several chapter leaders helped bring the conversation to life. SHRM Dulles  board members Dorion Baker, Tricia Kleber, and Christine Sullivan served as panelists, sharing their career paths, day-to-day realities of HR work, and practical advice for students exploring the profession. The event design also welcomed additional SHRM Dulles members as non-panelists, so even more students could connect with practitioners during the structured networking segment. The session intentionally blended career exploration with hands-on relationship building.

Students came prepared – and leaned in

One of the standout elements of the program was how intentionally students were prepared to participate. Ahead of time, students built short professional bios, drafted thoughtful questions for the panel, and created a simple networking plan – including who they hoped to meet and how they would follow up. During the event, students were encouraged to actively contribute by asking questions, speaking with multiple HR professionals, and capturing key takeaways through a brief reflection or professional social post.

Why this matters

Events like this reflect what we value most: supporting the next generation of HR professionals through honest conversation, practical guidance, and real connections. We’re grateful to Professor Cindy Parker, the students at The Costello College of Business at George Mason University, and every SHRM Dulles member who helped make the panel and networking experience possible. This event is a shining example of how our professional chapters can support local colleges and universities and build bridges between the HR classroom and the HR community.