“To whom much is given, much is required.” This is the guiding principle for the Nash-Kamat family, and it is truly apparent in their words and actions.
A 2009 graduate of the School of Labor and Employment Relations, Mara Kamat currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at Great Lakes Cheese in Cleveland, OH. Mara and her husband, Aaron, currently live outside of Cleveland with their two daughters. They attribute their unwavering support from one another and their family to getting them where they are today. When asked what piece of advice they would give current students, they advised students: “We could have never written the career path that Mara has actually taken. The best advice to offer is to be open to the opportunities that present themselves and take advantage of them. With drive, a hardworking demeanor and a supportive partner you can achieve both career success and personal fulfillment.”
Mara has always been passionate about human resources and business functions, as evident in her plethora of diverse experiences. During her undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University, she studied business administration with a specialization in human resources and international studies. Following an internship with Abercrombie & Fitch Co., she decided to further develop her skillset by getting a master’s degree from LER. Once in the program, Mara’s hard work and determination led her to obtain a graduate assistantship position as well as a highly coveted internship with General Electric (GE). She remained with GE for five years then worked as the director of human resources at Phillips, before ultimately landing her current role at Great Lakes Cheese.
The couple reflect fondly on Mara’s time at LER, and still hold many of the memories made and relationships formed there closely to their heart. When asked what their favorite memory was, many things came to mind. They reminisced on social gatherings, friends from Mara’s cohort, and the amazing support system and network provided through LER. This realization led them to seek ways to give back to a program that had given so much to them. After speaking with LER alumni and close friends, Michael (MHRIR 05) and Christine (MHRIR 06) Walsh, they realized how seamless the giving process was and were determined to give back.
This led to the creation of “The Nash-Kamat Family Scholarship Endowment,” which will provide an incoming LER student with extra money to help defray their tuition costs. Recipients will be females that demonstrate a strong work ethic and dedication to the community, with an undergraduate degree in Business. Mara and Aaron hope that this scholarship can help propel the career of another student the same way that LER helped Mara.
Reflecting on their contribution, the Nash-Kamats were pleased with the ease with which they could set up a legacy. They mentioned that they’d wanted to begin giving back and finding a way to make an immediate impact, but thought that was something complex and difficult, or something that only happened at the end of your career. “With the support of each other, and with guidance from the School, we were excited to see how we could easily begin to provide support for those who come after us,” Mara said.
The Nash-Kamat family established a $30,000 endowment, with pledge payments stretching over three years. There are many different alumni supported scholarships available for our students, including endowments, a current use scholarship, or, supporting previously established general scholarships, such as the LER Scholars Fund. To learn more about student scholarship opportunities, please contact Cory Hatfield at coryhat@illinois.edu or 217.300.2056.
The School is extremely thankful for Mara and Aaron, their family, their continuous support, and the impact that they have made on future students. We are appreciative of the family’s gift and their desire to uplift and support the LER family.