Learning | Connecting | Mentoring
2024-25 Ignite Class
CUPA-HR’s Ignite program is sponsored in part by:
Easton Biddulph, HR Generalist for Strategic People Operations
BYU-Pathway Worldwide
My passion for higher education and commitment to my institution's mission drives my desire to participate actively and contribute meaningfully to the Ignite program. In my HR career, I've transitioned from managing broad responsibilities to specializing in employee/labor relations, employee development and identifying, recruiting and onboarding talent. Witnessing employees grow through training programs and mentorship initiatives has been immensely rewarding. While I feel I excel in these areas, there is always room for further growth and development. Through the Ignite program, I anticipate gaining valuable insights that will enhance my capabilities and enable me to contribute more effectively and make a tangible impact within our organization and beyond. I am committed to applying the knowledge and skills gained through the program to address real-world HR challenges, support our institution's growth objectives, and contribute to the advancement of higher education HR practices.
Derek Ekaitis, Staff and Faculty Relations Manager
Clemson University
I have experience in both the private and public sector, however after working in higher education for seven years, I plan to make a career out of it. I am excited about participating in the Ignite program and the great opportunities to increase my knowledge of various HR areas while also connecting with professionals in other higher education institutions. My primary job responsibility is employee relations, which is an exciting field where we cross multiple disciplines and help facilitate conversations to reduce any associated risks for the university. The Ignite program will set me up for future growth within higher ed HR and most importantly allow me to develop in areas that would help me better serve our employees and provide fruitful information.
Amanda Hedges, Senior HR Business Partner
University of Chicago
My experiences in graduate school solidified my passion for higher education. My love of learning is only rivaled by my desire to make the jobs of those around me easier and more fulfilling. Being able to bring those two passions together and become a direct part of nurturing an excellent higher education environment at the University of Chicago fills me with joy and a desire to grow my skills. When I think about how I can be more effective as a higher ed HR professional, the best thing I can do is expand and deepen my understanding of higher ed HR, and the Ignite program is a perfect opportunity. I am excited to network with other participants, leaders, speakers and facilitators of the program. I am confident that with the stronger foundation of knowledge provided by the Ignite program, I will be an even more reliable higher ed HR professional, and I’ll share the valuable insights and techniques gained through the program to help my entire HR team better serve the UChicago staff. I am excited about the opportunity to participate in the Ignite program and to take my HR practice to new heights.
Jessica Hughes, Employee Engagement and Communications Manager
The University of Mississippi
My work in HR truly sparks joy in my life. I am fortunate to be in a career that offers many moments of fulfillment each and every day. I strongly believe that being a part of the Ignite program will benefit my career and enhance my ability to make positive change at Ole Miss. I am eager to immerse myself in all things HR development with a cohort of like-minded HR professionals. I am passionate about HR, and I want to make an impact in the lives of our faculty and staff. Simply put, I genuinely care about the well-being and development of our employees and strive to see them successful in their roles. As an Ole Miss alum and lifelong fan, the people are who make this place so special.
Adrianne Jones, Performance Management and Engagement Specialist
George Mason University
I’ve worked closely with students, donors, faculty and staff at universities ranging from a small Jesuit University to the largest public university in Virginia. However, this is my first role in HR, and based on my experience thus far, I think HR is the niche within higher education that I’d like to make a career in. My exposure to HR practices has been limited, but I’m excited by the work and the opportunity to serve the members of my university. As I plan for a lengthy career in HR, I realize that I have much left to learn, and the Ignite program presents an ideal avenue to bridge this gap. This program will be a wonderful opportunity for me to grow my existing skills and challenge me to become an impactful HR professional. As an Ignite participant, I hope to gain more experience and confidence, not just for my personal benefit, but to share with my colleagues at George Mason University.
Ashley Lomma, Recruiting Manager
Smith College
I have never been more excited to be exactly where I am, supporting the mission of Smith College through the recruitment and onboarding of our staff and faculty. I believe every facet of the Ignite program is the next step in continuing my growth as an HR professional, a frontline manager and the HR leader I aspire to be. I have found the industry where my passion for my work is ignited and I will continue to challenge myself to grow, to step outside of what is comfortable and to learn from my experiences. I am excited to meet and learn from CUPA-HR leaders through the Ignite program. I look toward their mentorship to help me gain new understanding of how, individually and collectively, we can impact the higher education landscape. I have benefited and have been influenced by mentors throughout my career, and I aspire to give back and honor those who have taken me under their wing by honing my skills and helping others.
Caroline Moore, Compensation Analyst
Emory University
I am at the point in my career where I am passionate about what I am doing and enjoy the different landscape of each day. I believe in the mission of higher ed, and I want to be a part of that culture for the longevity of my career. Through the Ignite program, my hope and goal is that I would be more equipped to be a strong, impactful leader in my institution. I hope to use my passion and delight in this field to encourage others, teach future young professionals, and take as much information as I can glean back to my institution. My first job out of college was at a private company, and I never realized how simply things operated there until I came to Emory! There is so much more to learn, and I believe my career will be greatly impacted by participating in the Ignite program. Meeting and networking with HR professionals from other universities and colleges will open my eyes to different ways things can be done. We can all learn from each other and make higher ed a better place to work for all.
Turner Rafter, Talent Acquisition Professional
University of Colorado System Office
Hardworking and determined are two words that come to my mind when I think about myself and my career. I grew up in rural Missouri and was one of the first in my family to go to college. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I have always struggled to find confidence and to see positive role models that I could aspire to. I have worked incredibly hard for many years and am grateful for the support of many others to get to where I am today. I crave collaboration and opportunities to learn from others, especially as it relates to HR and higher education. I cannot think of a better place or an opportunity to grow as an HR professional than with the Ignite program. Participating in the Ignite program will expose me to so many fantastic HR professionals that I can learn so many things from. I want to learn about the best practices for work, but I also want to gain more confidence as an early-career professional, and the Ignite program will help me build confidence and create connections and opportunities for me to learn and be a better HR professional.
Alon Seal, HR Specialist
Columbus State University
I attended personnel specialist training at the Naval Technical Training Center, graduating top five of my class. Although I worked in the human resource department while in the Navy, I did not deal with much recruiting until I began working in the civilian world. Being an HR specialist at Columbus State University has been nothing short of a blessing for me. I am a high achiever, often known as a “go-getter,” and I am always striving to be the best I can be. Knowledge has no limitations, and I am eager to put in all of my available effort to become one of the most versatile HR professionals to exist. I want to mold myself into a mentor for the young woman who was in my place eight years ago, not knowing if she would ever have a “real career.” I want to become a role model for my children, showing them that anything is possible if you’re willing to commit and dedicate yourself. I can’t wait to immerse myself in the Ignite program and continue on my career journey.
Cearra Sears, Career Development Coach
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
With a dedicated commitment to higher education and its impact on our communities, I am passionate about contributing to its growth and success through continuous learning and collaboration. My journey in higher education and HR includes experiences in counseling, career coaching and staffing. I am enthusiastic about participating in the Ignite program and believe that I bring a unique blend of experience, dedication to excellence in higher ed HR, and passion for fostering career development innovation. The Ignite program presents a perfect opportunity to further elevate my contributions to higher education HR by fostering personal and professional growth. I am confident that the Ignite program will spark my creativity, challenge my strengths, and allow me to learn from peers and leaders in the field. I am eager to learn strategies and techniques to motivate and guide colleagues, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture within our HR department and UT Knoxville. This invaluable experience will help me reach my goal of having a more significant impact for staff at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Laura Sroufe, Communications & Employee Engagement Specialist
South Dakota State University
I didn’t plan to work in higher education. My passion for people, organizational development and leadership led me to a career in HR. When I first started my HR career, I worked in learning and development for a private company. Later, I had the opportunity to take a role with South Dakota State University as an HR generalist. After three years in that role, I knew I had found where I wanted to make a difference, and that was within HR in higher education. The insight and knowledge gained through the Ignite program will help me in a variety of ways and provide me with an opportunity to interact with, learn from, and engage with others in this industry, which can give me knowledge and skills directly applicable to the work happening within my university. With my experience and participation in the Ignite Program, I believe I can truly make a difference in my university and partner with leadership and other stakeholders to make SDSU a premier place to work.
Mariucy Tejada, Labor Relations Analyst
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
I am genuinely excited about participating in the Ignite program. My journey in higher education HR has been fueled by my dedication to growth. Before transitioning to higher education HR, I gained invaluable experience while working at a software company. This background has equipped me with a broad set of skills that I am eager to apply in a higher education role. While my focus in higher education HR has mainly centered on labor relations, I acknowledge the importance of expanding my expertise across other critical HR functions. The Ignite program isn’t just a learning opportunity; it’s also a chance for personal and professional growth, a platform to connect with others, and a steppingstone toward making a meaningful impact in higher education HR. Seeing someone like me in a helpful role within HR is important. We must continue to offer representation and diversity in the workplace, and I’m eager to contribute to those efforts within the field.