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  • LERve Started Here.

    2021 "LERve" Started Here.

    Feb 25, 2021 11:00 am364 views

    2021 "LERve" Started Here. We thought we'd share a few of our "LERve" stories with you all on our LER Alumni Blog, featuring Steve and Taryn Ratner, John and Kelly Ramon, and Michael and Jacer Collins.

  • Lavette Bass Norris, MHRIR 2015

    Jul 15, 2020 2:00 pm139 views

  • Fai Thompson, Online MHRIR 2019

    Jul 15, 2020 2:00 pm105 views

  • LER Student Project with UIUC Facilities and Services

    Jun 30, 2020 10:15 am39 views

    To combat the loss of a number of internships this summer, LER worked with employers to source projects to be completed for independent study credit. Fortunately, we had a “test drive” of a project during spring semester to learn about how to set up and manage projects like this with teams of students. Click here to continue.

  • 2020 "LERve" Started Here.

    Feb 28, 2020 10:00 am448 views

    February is the month of love, but here at LER, we're calling it LERve. Not only is LER the leading institute of educating future human resource professionals, we've also had our hand in starting several happy families. We thought we'd share a few of these LERve stories with you all on our Alumni Blog. Enjoy!

  • LER Welcomes Mariela Marquez as International Peer Advisor

    Jan 31, 2020 2:15 pm327 views

    We are excited to welcome LER student, Mariela Marquez, to the team as our new International Peer Advisor. We’re thrilled to have a student leader like Mariela to be a valuable resource for our international students as they tackle the obstacles of living in a new country, far away from the place they call home.

  • 2019 #LERve Started Here

    Feb 27, 2019 4:30 pm285 views

    February is the month of love, but here at LER, we're calling it LERve. Not only is LER the leading institute of educating future human resource professionals, we've also had our hand in starting several happy families. We thought we'd share a few of these LERve stories with you all on our Alumni Blog. Enjoy!

  • Welcome Rebecca Cuccurullo, New LER International Peer Advisor

    Jan 31, 2019 1:15 pm153 views

    We are excited to Welcome second-semester LER student Rebecca Cuccurullo to the team as the new International Peer Advisor. Rebecca is a veteran of the United States Navy and an emerging HR leader. Her international experience and professionalism will be a great asset as she works to provide advanced support for our international students. Here's a link to a few words from Rebecca on what she will bring to the role.

  • LER Celebrates 2018 Fall Graduates

    Dec 17, 2018 11:15 pm426 views

    On Saturday, December 15th, the School of Labor and Employment Relations celebrated the commencement of 72 students completing their Masters of Human Resource and Industrial Relations at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Follinger Great Hall. In addition to our on-campus graduates, we welcomed the second cohort of our online program and 11 of the 20 students also participated in the convocation ceremony

  • November Chicago Area Happy Hour and Luncheon

    Oct 22, 2018 12:00 pm94 views

    Join the School of Labor and Employment Relations in November for our annual fall celebrations! We'll be hosting our Suburban Chicago Happy Hour on November 15th and a downtown Chicago Luncheon on November 16th. For more information, please click here!

  • LER Hosts Annual Internship Bash

    Aug 31, 2018 1:45 pm63 views

    To wrap up the first full day of classes, we hosted our annual Internship Bash at Jupiter’s Pizza in Champaign. Our students were treated to a wonderful panel of LER Alumni who shared with them their career paths, internship experiences, recruitment tips and guidance for their upcoming interviews. We’re thankful to welcome back Cale Fulton, MHRIR 2015, Boeing; Emily Marshall, MHRIR 2012, PepsiCo; Rosa Pasillas Labak, MHRIR/MBA 2014, Raytheon Company; Anika Whiteman, MHRIR 2010 Honeywell International; and Chris Brehmer, MHRIR 2014, GE Aviation.

  • LER Welcomes News Students

    Aug 31, 2018 1:30 pm105 views

    Excitement is in the air, as we welcomed 89 new students to the School of Labor and Employment Relations on campus program and 21 new students to our online program. From the first day of their arrival, they have been engaged in group activities, CASE competitions, a community service project and the internship bash.

  • LER Welcomes 21 New Online Students!

    Aug 31, 2018 1:00 pm14 views

    The Fall 2018 online MHRIR cohort is comprised of 21 professionals. 

  • 2018 Spring Commencement

    May 30, 2018 10:30 am50 views

    On Saturday, May 12th, the School of Labor and Employment Relations celebrated the commencement of 34 students receiving their Masters of Human Resource and Industrial Relations and Justin P. Wiegand receiving his PhD of Philosphy in Human Resources and Industrial Relations.

  • LER Alumni Events Around the Globe!

    May 30, 2018 9:00 am66 views

    Over the past two months, our faculty, staff and alumni have been gathering at events around the world. From engagements in China to Chicago, St. Louis to Palo Alto and a few places in between. [MORE]

  • LER Travels to Texas

    Mar 28, 2018 9:15 pm55 views

    In early March, LER hosted events in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Houston area. We were glad to be able to celebrate the spring and connect with over 65 alumni throughout the trip. From a BBQ, to office visits, happy hours and in-home visits, thank you for everyone who welcomed us. We're so proud of the stories we heard and seeing the success of our alumni. [MORE]

  • As seen at 504 E. Armory

    Feb 27, 2018 8:30 am42 views

    In between the spring recruitment season, our students have had a full schedule. From the Shell Etiquette Dinner to the Multicultural Student Association's Lunar New Year Celebration, down time has been rare. Please see our blog for more information.

  • JM Announces Eric Cremer as the New Chief Human Resources Officer

    Feb 26, 2018 10:00 am117 views

    Eric Cremer, MHRIR 1995, was just recently announced as the new Chief Human Resources Officer for Johns Manville (JM). Cremer has worked for the past two years as Director of Human Resources for JM’s Engineered Products business. [MORE]

  • #LERve Started Here.

    Feb 26, 2018 8:45 am229 views

    February is the month of love, but here at LER, we're calling it LERve. Not only is LER the leading institute of educating future human resource professionals, we've also had our hand in starting several happy families. We thought we'd share a few of these LERve stories with you all on our Alumni Blog.

  • Welcome New Spring Students

    Jan 24, 2018 9:30 pm53 views

    We welcomed a total of 24 new students to LER in January: five students started in the online program and 19 students joined the on-campus program. This class is one of our most academically diverse classes, with a wide range of undergraduate degrees, institutions and growth for our underrepresented populations. Read more about our spring class here.

  • 2017 December Convocation

    Jan 24, 2018 8:45 pm96 views

    On Saturday, December 15th, the School of Labor and Employment Relations celebrated the commencement of 82 students completing their Masters of Human Resource and Industrial Relations. In addition to those graduates, we welcomed the first cohort of our online program and 13 of the 19 students also participated in the convocation ceremony. Graduates were inspired by Kim Ramsey (‘86 MHRIR), Jennifer Reinke (August '17) and Kayla Morse (December '17). Please join us in welcoming these students to the LER Family! For a list of graduates and more information from the weekend, please see our December  Convocation Blog.

  • November Downtown Chicago Luncheon and Suburban Happy Hour

    Nov 27, 2017 11:15 am111 views

    This November, we hosted two social events in the Chicago area. We were excited to celebrate the fall connecting with our alumni for a happy hour in Lisle and a luncheon in Downtown Chicago. It was a wonderful networking opportunity with our colleagues, dating from the class of 1975 to 2017. Thank you all for joining us. [MORE]

  • As Seen In and Around 504 E. Armory

    Nov 21, 2017 3:00 pm83 views

    This has been an action packed month for those of us in 504 E. Armory. Our students and faculty have been taking part in many of our LER Traditions. To read about and see photos from Halloween, Student Talent Show, Barn Dance, Multi-Cultural Potluck and more, please see the blog. [MORE]

  • Elifson Becomes Senior Director at the Allied Pilots Association

    Nov 21, 2017 2:30 pm219 views

    Jonathan Elifson (2004) became Senior Director of Legal Affairs with the Allied Pilots Association (APA) in July 2017.  At APA, Elifson manages seven attorneys working on the Railway Labor Act (RLA) and arbitration issues, along with union administration and governance issues.  The APA represents over 15,000 pilots for American Airlines. [MORE]

  • Online Alumni Find Success After Graduation

    Nov 17, 2017 11:00 am200 views

    At the December 2017 Convocation Ceremony, LER will celebrate the successes of 19 students who completed their MHRIR degrees through the online program. Two years ago, each of these students took an intrepid leap with us as the first cohort of students to earn their degrees online. Below are two recent success stories of our new alumni. [MORE]

  • LER Building Enhancement Dedication Reception

    Oct 26, 2017 12:00 am102 views

    As the LER Building Enhancements are set to break ground in the spring of 2018, we hosted a dedication to those whose support made it possible. Chancellor Jones welcomed everyone and shared in the excitement and generous alumni commitments to the building renovation [MORE]

  • Walt Franke Memorial Service and Luncheon

    Oct 25, 2017 11:15 pm80 views

    LER hosted a Memorial Service to honor the late Walt Franke. Professor Franke was the Dean of the now-School of Labor and Employment Relations from 1981 until 1994 and worked for the school for nearly 40 years all together. [MORE]

  • Nick Piazza MHRIR '03 Featured in With Illinois Celebration

    Oct 25, 2017 10:30 pm433 views

    During the With Illinois Campaign Celebration Event, we were proud to hear Nick Piazza MHRIR ‘03 share how his experience and education from LER were foundational to his success in the business world.

  • Melodie K. Craft, Littler, was accepted into the Leadership Dallas Class of 2018

    Oct 25, 2017 1:30 pm0 views

    Melodie K. Craft, a shareholder in the Dallas office of Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has been accepted into the Leadership Dallas Class of 2018.

  • Eight LER Graduate complete International Paper’s Human Resources Development Program

    Oct 25, 2017 1:30 pm145 views

    Eight LER Graduate complete International Paper’s Human Resources Development Program (image – Left to right. Marvin Martinez, Pierce Lopez, Angela Addison-Law, Kristen Goetzka, Jenny Skow, Jasmine Williams, Kristine Radke, Tapiwa Saliji)

  • Alan May, AM 82

    Feb 24, 2017 10:45 am61 views

    Alan R. May, AM 82, assumed the role of Executive Vice President, Human Resources at Hewlett Packard Enterprises in November of 2015. He came to HPE from The Boeing Company where he held roles of increasing responsibility since 2007. Prior to Boeing, he was with Cerberus Capital Management and PepsiCo.

  • Ramsen Zacharia, MHRIR 12

    Feb 24, 2017 10:30 am81 views

    Ramsen Zacharia, MHRIR 12, is with United Airlines in Chicago. He was promoted from HR Manager to Sr HR Manager  supporting Commercial functions (Marketing, eCommerce, Loyalty, Sales, Revenue Management, and Network).

  • Michelle Hartman Venne, MHRIR 12

    Nov 10, 2015 12:30 pm26 views

    Michelle Hartman Venne, recently moved from Frito Lay's Frankfort, IN facility to a new career with PCC Aerostructures in Wichita, KS. She is currently an HR Manager with the business, and has already come to recruit LER interns and full-time hires.

    Michelle began her career in 2012 as a summer intern at the Frito-Lay plant in Vancouver, Washington.  

  • Tony Halmos, AM 1979

    Nov 9, 2015 2:45 pm21 views

    This October, Tony Halmos retired as Director of Public Relations at the City of London Corporation after 21 years of service. He has now started a part-time role as the Director of the King’s London Commission at King’s College, London. This position is a 2-year research project focusing on London’s issues, opportunities, and problems over the next 10-15 years.

  • Larry Pearlman, AM 89

    Mar 5, 2015 2:15 pm154 views

    Larry and Lisa Joy Pearlman were married on December 20, 2014.

  • Katie Stapleton, MHRIR 10

    Feb 27, 2015 11:45 am50 views

    Katie Stapleton, MHRIR 2010, has been promoted to HR Associate Manager with the Midwest Sales HR team at PepsiCo. She joined Frito Lay in 2013 in Beloit, WI, and started her career at ADM.

  • RJ Fressola, MHRIR 07

    Feb 27, 2015 11:30 am30 views

    RJ Fressola, MHRIR 07, is now the VP of Compensation and HR Analytics at Morgan Stanley.

  • Kim Martin, AM 98

    Feb 27, 2015 9:00 am32 views

    Kim Martin, AM 98, joined Vantiv as their CHRO in January. She was formerly the VP HR for Zimmer, and spent the first ten years of her career with GE Healthcare.