EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
After consideration of outstanding applications from graduate and undergraduate
candidates throughout the South Central Region, four winners were awarded the 2009
Excellence in Education Scholarship. These winners are truly the best of the best, and
their achievements deserve congratulations.
The award selections were based on accomplishments in human resources, academics,
campus and community involvement and recommendations from professors, advisors
and/or employers. These students were recognized at The HRSouthwest Conference and
Exposition.
Ashwini Joshua
Ms. Joshua is pursuing her PhD in Applied Technology and Performance Improvement at
the University of North Texas (UNT) at Denton, TX. Her research interests include
cross-cultural training and training evaluation. She holds two Masters degrees, one in
Industrial Psychology and the other in Management.
Ms. Joshua has taught psychology and management undergraduate courses in a
prestigious college in Mumbai, India. She also freelanced as a trainer with different
institutions, both corporate and educational.
At present, Ms. Joshua is a research assistant at the Department of Learning Technologies
at UNT. She is also the Mentoring Coordinator for UNT SHRM and looks forward to
working closely at building relationships in the corporate world and the community.
Arthur Joshua Kim
A.J. graduated from Utah State University in May 2009 with an undergraduate degree in
Psychology, and a minor in Chemistry. He is currently enrolled in the Masters of Science
in Human Resources program of the John M. Huntsman College of Business at Utah
State University, which he will complete in December of 2010.
During his senior year at Utah State, AJ was a member of the state and regional first
place HR Games. A.J. is happily married to his wonderful wife, Alona Lee Kim, who he
thanks every day for her continual support.
Mariya Gavrilova
A native of Sofia, Bulgaria, Gavrilova is completing a Master of Science degree in
Applied Technology, Performance Improvement at the University of North Texas in
Denton, TX. Her research interests include diversity training, belief and attitude
formation, employee retention, employee motivation, leadership development, and team
dynamics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in
Marketing and another in Management from Missouri Southern State University in
Joplin, MO. In addition, she has a Bachelor of Science degree in Spanish. Mariya passed
her PHR exam in June 2008.
Being an active member of organizations such as the American Society for Training and
Development (Fort Worth), the Dallas Human Resource Management Association, and
the Organization Development Network allows her to remain current in the field of HR
and expand her professional network and continuously improve. She currently serves on
the Educational Sessions Committee for the HRSouthwest Conference held in Fort Worth
each October and has been elected the Vice President of Programs for the 2009-2010
academic year for the local UNT student chapter (UNT SHRM).
Christopher King
Born and raised in Houston, TX, Chris journeyed six hours northwest to Abilene
Christian University to pursue his higher education. A thirst for knowledge led him
through three other degrees before discovering the field of Human Resources. Now
spurred on by his professor, SHRM Student Chapter Advisor and mentor, Malcolm Coco,
he will be graduating with a degree in HR Management this May. Chris was elected
President of the ACU SHRM chapter for three consecutive years and Treasurer of the
ACU Ultimate Club for two. He will graduate with a 3.8 GPA.
These scholarship recipients will each receive a $1,000 grant, plus proceeds from the
HRSouthwest Silent Auction and an honorarium given by HRSouthwest in honor of the
Educational Session speakers. We wish these students and all of the candidates who
applied for this scholarship continued in both educational and professional endeavors.