Graduate Student Alumni Spotlight

Human Resource Development

Holly StambaughStudent Name:  Holly Stambaugh

Program: Master of Human Resource Development

Hometown: Waco, TX

Undergraduate Institution: Texas Tech University

Why did you choose to attend UT Tyler?

When I completed my undergrad I thought that I was done. At the time I had little desire to enter into a Masters program. I just wanted to get married and become a mother. Years later I had two children and a career I did not enjoy. I felt like I was in a rut.

Then something life changing happened. In January 2015 I lost twins to a rare ectopic pregnancy. This changed my perspective on how I looked at life and the type of person I wanted to be. I had a desire to do something for me. I had always loved working with people and I felt that I could give back to the community if I could somehow find a way to change my career to human resources. That is when I ran across the UT Tyler HRD Graduate program. I thought it would be a good learning opportunity to discover more about human resources and ideally help lead me into a new career in human resources. I entered in HRD graduate program in August 2015.

What are your career goals and how does your graduate program support them?

I took a year off to focus on my education, but started to get the urge to return to the workforce. In March of 2015 I landed my first HR job as the HR Staffing administrator for an East Texas school district. Nine months into the position there was a shift in staff and the HR Director role opened up. At that point I was told that I had been doing a great job and that they would like me to step in as the Interim HR Director. Such an honor to be given that opportunity. I look at it as not just a great career opportunity, but a way to learn more about human resources which I love so much.

My career goals are to continue to be successful in HR roles and to try to guide and mold young HR professionals who are looking for a leader or a mentor to help them along their career path. I want to bring the “human” into human resources. The people in my graduate program have always been courteous, helpful and professional. I have made friendships with both students and professors alike. The advisors have done an amazing job walking me through what worked best for me as a busy mother of two, wife and full time employee. Without the people in my program I do not feel I could have succeeded like I have.

What do you like most about UT Tyler?

UT Tyler is a great place to attend for any level of education one wishes to seek. Anytime I have called for help I have always been talked to with respect and kindness. All of my questions have always been promptly answered and I have been guided excellently along the way. The professors have been courteous and fair and the students I have had the honor of attending class with are one of a kind. I will always look back on my time here with pride.

Update:

After graduating, I moved to DFW and took a job as the Director of HR for a school district and I’ve since been promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer. Completing the program opened a lot of doors for me and I’m forever grateful.

Find out more about our Master of Human Resource Development degree

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