Human Capital Development M.S. Alumni

Elizabeth Beckham

Master's Degree Obtained: 2005

Bachelor's Degree: Software Engineering Technology, The University of Southern Mississippi

Elizabeth is currently the Safety Training Manager at Turner Industries Group, LLC. She is certified as an Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) from the National Safety Council. The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certified her as a “Master Trainer” and she also received the Certified Knowledge Manager certification from KMPro. When asked about her thoughts on the program, Elizabeth said: “I like the range of topics included in the curriculum. The content that I have found most applicable in my career are ISD, HRD theory and research, evaluation methodology, and survey design. I enjoyed the certificate program since it was a recap of all of the skills provided in the regular program.”

Donnie Bond

Master's Obtained: 2008

Bachelor's Degree: Education- The University of Southern Mississippi

Donnie is currently the Director of Learning and Performance at Coast Electric Power Association.

Donnie's thoughts on the program: The knowledge and the amount of awesome contacts gained is, without a doubt, what I love the most about the program!!!

Tyia Brooks

Master's in Workforce Training and Development Obtained: 2013

Master's Degree:  Education- The University of Southern Mississippi

Bachelor's Degree: Liberal Arts- The University of Southern Mississippi

Tyia has been an employee of the Office of Financial Aid at the University of Southern Mississippi for sixteen years.  While initially beginning her career as administrative support, Tyia was eventually promoted to Senior Verification Specialist and currently holds the position of Assistant Director.  Additional experience includes scholarship clerk for the LeBonheur Children’s Hospital Foundation in Memphis, TN and Scholarship Advisor for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Catherine Campbell

Currently enrolled in Human Capital Development Ph.D. program at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Master's Degree Obtained: 2004

Bachelor's Degree: Chemistry, Mississippi State University

Cathy Campbell has extensive experience as a training and development professional with Chevron Corporation. She has designed and implemented key initiatives for leadership development, accountability through performance management, employee development, multi-source feedback, and diversity. Cathy is the Learning and Development Area Team Leader for Chevron’s largest manufacturing facility. Cathy earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry and mathematics and held various technical positions in addition to positions in human resource development. She is a Certified Training Professional by the Jack and Patti Phillips Workplace Learning and Performance Institute at The University of Southern Mississippi. As a member of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), Cathy was a speaker at the 2001 ASTD International Conference in the area of organizational development.

Robert Dunnam

Master's Degree Obtained: 2007

Bachelor's Degree: Office Systems and Technologies- Mississippi State University

Robert now works at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College where he serves as the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services.

Robert recalls his strongest memory of the program: “My strongest memory of the program is our first in person session in Long Beach occurred the weekend before Hurricane Katrina. The world of most of my classmates and professors was turned upside down. It was a compressed semester but we managed. Drs. Gaudet and Annulis were helpful, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. I intentionally use the phrase work with because they were more like colleagues than professors, which was a new experience for me.”

Donald Gambrell

Master's Degree Obtained: 2007

Bachelors's Degree: Biology/Psychology- University of Mississippi

Don is currently the owner of Interact Development Solutions. In addition to offering customizable training solutions to businesses, he  offers any individual and/or business online, individual, self-paced learning based on interactive simulations for any Microsoft Office applications.

Don's thoughts on the program: "I liked the executive format utilized in the MSWTD program. The course of study offered a good mix of online and hybrid ground classes. It enabled me to complete the program in only two semesters (plus one course during a summer session) while still working full-time. I felt the instruction was excellent and challenging."

Michelle Fleming

Master's Degree Obtained: 2011

Bachelor's Degree: Business Administration- The University of Southern Mississippi

Michelle is a Student Services Coordinator at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Her mastery project, Working on Wellness (WOW!), was to develop a worksite wellness program for USM Gulf Coast.  Michelle was the 2010-2011 class of Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities for USM Gulf Coast.

John Kmiec

Ph.D.: Human Capital Development- The University of Southern Mississippi- 2010

Master's Degree Obtained: 2006

Bachelor’s Degree: Human Resource Management- Faulkner University

Dr. Kmiec serves as research associate at the Jack and Patti Phillips Workplace Learning and Performance Institute at The University of Southern Mississippi. He is a 27 year veteran of the United States Air Force, having retired in the highest enlisted grade of Chief Master Sergeant. John has broad experience training, educating, evaluating and developing human capital resources in order to improve work processes, products, services, productivity and performance. John’s performance improvement accolades include the United States Air Force Chief of Staff Team Quality Award and the Rochester Institute of Technology/USA-Today Quality Cup. He is a Phillips Return-On-Investment Certified Professional and an American Society for Training and Development Mississippi Chapter Gulf Coast Lighthouse Unit board member.  As a graduate student, John was recognized as the 2009 Outstanding Graduate Student in the USM College of Science and Technology and one of the Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities in 2010.

Heidi Jenkins

Master's Degree Obtained: 2012

Bachelor's Degree: Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management- Michigan State University

Heidi is currently employed with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College as a Workforce Development Trainer.

Chris Lawrence

Currently enrolled in Human Capital Development Ph.D. program at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Master's Degree Obtained: 2010

Bachelor's Degree: Speech Communication- The University of Southern Mississippi

Chris is currently a Lead Curriculum Developer with Huntington Ingalls Industries.  He has over 20 years of training experience and has spoken to over 200,000 students. He is convinced that the strategic advantage for today's corporations, is the human development initiative and wants to be a part of helping employees to perform their best.

Chris' thoughts on the WTD/HCD programs: The hybrid format of the program at USM is the perfect blend of online learning and interactive peer learning, the best of both worlds. Also the practical applications are immediate. Very little theoretical learning that may or may not ever be used. Additionally, the facilitated instruction illustrates the best of Adult Learning Theory that we carry back to the workplace.

Darrell Lewis

Master's Degree Obtained: 2008

Bachelor's Degree: Education- Louisiana State University

Darrel Lewis serves as the Operations Training Manger for the Brock Group, a specialty construction contractor headquartered in Houston, TX with locations throughout North and South America, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada. Darrel is responsible for developing, designing, facilitating, and evaluating various training programs, ranging from Management/Leadership to Craft Development, for Brock's 15,000-plus employees. Darrell is certified as a “Professional in Human Resources.” (PHR)

Lindsey Lewis

Ph.D.: Human Capital Development- The University of Southern Mississippi- 2011

Master's Degree Obtained: 2007

Bachelor’s Degree: Speech Communications- The University of Southern Mississippi

Dr. Lewis is the Workforce and Economic Development Specialist for the Pearl River Community College Workforce Education.  She also serves as an adjunct Speech Communications instructor.  Lindsey was selected for the 2009 Leadership Pinebelt Class and currently serves on the programs steering committee.  She is also a certified DiSC trainer and has completed the USM Training and Development Certificate program.  Lindsey is Vice-President of Professional Development for the Pinebelt ASTD Chapter and is director of the Pearl River County Distinguished Young Woman program.

Tracey McDade

Master's Degree Obtained: 2012

Bachelor’s Degree:  International Studies- Wheeling Jesuit University

Tracey is currently employed with First Bank and Trust in New Orleans as Manager, Organizational Development.  Prior to joining the bank, Tracey has worked in the field of workforce development as both an in-house and external consultant for a variety of private and not-for-profit organizations.  In those positions, she was responsible for designing and implementing a full range of corporate HR and professional development programs in such areas as leadership development, communication, diversity, team-building, onboarding, IT and other professional development workshops. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, serves as a board member of the New Orleans Chapter of the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD).

Janea McDonald

Currently enrolled in Human Capital Development Ph.D. program at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Master's Degree Obtained: 2008

Bachelor’s Degree: Human Resource Management- University of South Alabama

Janea McDonald is currently the CEO of Edge Consulting, LLC, a human capital consulting firm.  Janea has over 15 years of human resource related experience.  She is a certified HR professional (PHR) through the Society for Human Resource Management as well as a certified training professional through the Jack and Patti Phillips Workplace Learning and Performance Institute at The University of Southern Mississippi.  In addition to her position with Edge, Janea also teaches at William Carey University and serves as a graduate assistant in the human capital development department of Southern Miss.  She is currently a board member with the Lighthouse Chapter of the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD).

Mark Olin

Master's Degree Obtained: 2005

Bachelor’s Degree: Environmental Science, United States Military Academy (Westpoint), 1994 
Additional Education: U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

Mark is currently employed by the United States Army as an Operations Officer of the United States Army in Europe. Mark is a career Army officer and has served eighteen years including tours in Germany, Korea, Kuwait and Iraq.

 
Here are Mark’s thoughts on the program: “As a specialist in training, I found the course refreshing and brilliantly executed. It opened my eyes to whole new aspects of how to further develop, train, and most importantly, educate our human capital. Though my current profession has not forced me to use many of the technical aspects of the course, the knowledge gained has allowed me to more effectively lead, train, and build cohesive teams and organizations. I have nothing but the highest praise for Doctors Gaudet and Annulis along with all the other faculty. The knowledge, skills, and abilities you develop in this course will make a positive difference in any profession, occupation, or business--understanding and enhancing the human dynamics and performance in your organization.”

Dianna Perkins

Dianna is currently pursuing her Ph.D in Human Capital Development at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Master's Degree:  Workforce Training and Development- The University of Southern Mississippi

Bachelor's Degree: General Studies- University of Louisiana- Lafayette

Dianna is currently a Informatics Education Coordinator at Lafayette General Medical Center where she has been employed for more than 27 years.  During her numerous years at Lafayette General Medical Center, she has assumed many responsibilities, including but not limited to, department supervisor, assistant manager of registration, liaison between the hospital and for-profit entities, educational analyst and trainer of satellite physician office personnel. 

Utilizing her work experience and graduate studies, Mrs. Perkins has been able to combine new skills with old, enhancing her work environment through the application and implementation of newly learned techniques and delivery methods.

Dianna's thoughts on the program:  "Although I have had some delays, this program has been extremely enjoyable and has enhanced my abilities to live my dream and follow my career path. During a resent behavioral based interview which included a panel of 10 people, I was very comfortable discussing training and implementation, evaluation, organizational change and ROI. The confidence occurred because of the knowledge and skills obtained from both the Master's and PhD programs."

Michael Perry

Master's Degree Obtained: 2007

Bachelor's Degree: Business Administration- Houghton College

Michael is currently a Senior Instructional Designer with the University of Mississippi Medical Center.  He is also certified in Epic EpicCare Ambulatory.

Michael's thoughts on the program: "I'm a simple guy who wanted to be deliberate about entering the field of training and development. The Workforce Training and Development program at Southern was my vehicle to getting there. I had an incredible experience in the program; the goal of the professors was to take a "pracademic" approach. As a result, all of my classes were very relevant. We all worked hard and learned a lot. My salary actually doubled by the time I graduated from the program!!"

Jeff Revette

Master's Degree Obtained: 2009

Bachelor's Degree: Counseling Psychology- William Carey University

Jeff is currently an active member of the Army National Guard as a Property Book Officer, 1108th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group.

Jeff's thoughts on the program: "I enjoyed the program with special emphasis on the mentorship done by the professors. I liked the classes, both web-based and the in-person ones; both were relevant and found myself challenged in both settings.

There was not much I didn't enjoy about the course; on a personal note, I had many external challenges while taking this course of study and can attest that if I can complete the course work, most anyone else can! So don't delay, or put it off...YOU CAN DO IT!!"

Clay Sweet

Master's Degree Obtained: 2013

Bachelor’s Degree:  Mass Communications- The University of Southern Mississippi

Clay is currently employed at the Coast Electric Power Association as a residential energy representative. Clay has also had a career in color commentary for Pearl River Community College.

Chaise Switzer

Master's Degree Obtained: 2012

Bachelor's Degree: History- The University of Southern Mississippi

Chaise is currently learning the welding trade with Huntington Ingalls at an entry level in hopes of using his degree for the training department or talent management.  He plans to begin the  Human Capital Development Ph.D. program in a couple of years.

Chaise's thoughts on the program: "I love the instructors and my fellow peers in the program. The program is like a family. Unlike other college classes, I got to know and developed personal relationships with the people that were in the program. The executive format is really convenient in balancing work and school."

Kristen Williams

Master's Degree Obtained: 2012

Bachelor’s Degree:  Public Relations- The University of Southern Mississippi