NHRMA Award for Graduate Student Excellence (honoring Sharon Koss)
Purpose
This award recognizes up to two graduate students who have performed outstanding service to the HR profession in the best tradition of Sharon Koss.
Sharon Koss was passionate about developing HR professionals through continuing education and advancing the profession in the Pacific Northwest. She served for many years in LWHRA and NHRMA, developing HR professionals and students at the local chapters, student conferences, NRHMA HR Foundations, and SHRM national events. She served as a faculty advisor for SHRM for over 15 years and over 19 years as faculty for the NHRMA HR Foundations. Sharon received the “Distinguished Member” award from NHRMA in 1993 and again in 2004. She was elected president of HRCI’s National Board in 1997. Sharon’s book “Solving the Compensation Puzzle: How to Link Performance with Pay” has been a top-selling book at the SHRM bookstore.
Eligibility for Nomination
Nominee must meet the following criteria to be eligible for nomination:
- Member of a SHRM student or professional chapter in Alaska, Oregon, or Washington
- Enrolled in a graduate degree program at a college or university in the NHRMA region at any time during the most recent academic year and maintained good academic standing
- Has not received this award previously
Award Criteria
To be considered for the award, the nominee must meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate the following:
- Leadership experience related to the pursuit of a career in Human Resources (may include leadership in student groups, student chapters, professional SHRM chapters, SHRM state councils, NHRMA, Toastmasters, etc.)
- Experience as it relates to student learning, such as student or professional projects, internships, or work experience (if any)
- Dedicated service to the local community (for example, volunteer work)
- At the discretion of the selection committee, may request student written responses to the selection committee and/or telephone interview for finalists
Application Procedure
All nominations are to be made using the Graduate Student Excellence Award Nomination Form. Prior to submitting a nomination, please review the eligibility and award criteria and make sure you have all the required documents saved in MS Word format for uploading. Information required in the nomination form:
- Student information
- Name
- University
- Master’s or Doctoral Program
- Year in program
- Phone Number and Email
- Nominator information
- Name (must be a SHRM member, college advisor, or a self-nomination)
- Phone Number and Email
- Nomination Statement or Recommendation Letter (500 words; must be completed by either a SHRM member or Advisor and indicate evidence of the nominee’s satisfaction of all award criteria.)
Immediately upon submitting the nomination, directions will be provided for the student to complete and submit a 500-word Statement of Service and Professional Goals. This statement should include information on service to student and/or professional chapters, internship and/or work experience, community and volunteer service, professional goals, etc.
At the discretion of the selection committee, finalists may be interviewed (either via a written request or telephone) if additional information is desired
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Recipients will receive the following:
- $500 scholarship
- SHRM Student-to-Professional membership (2 years) or one year of SHRM Professional membership
- A certificate commemorating the award
- Picture and article summarizing the achievement on the NHRMA website and social media
- Recognition at the NHRMA Annual Conference for the recipient and the advisor
This award does not include the cost of attendance at the conference for the award recipient or their advisor. However, NHRMA offers a reduced registration rate for students and their advisors.
SUBMITTING NOMINATIONS
Submit nominations via the Graduate Student Excellence Nomination Form by June 15, 2026. Allow time for nominees to submit their statement of service and professional goals. The link for submission is visible once the nomination is submitted.
QUESTIONS
Contact the Awards Director at: awards@nhrma.co.
