April 2026 Newsletter 
A Message from Our President
Dear SHRM Howard County Members:
I'm excited to share some highlights from our chapter's recent activities and to preview what's ahead.
Community Outreach
In March, our members made a real difference in the community through our Careers in HR presentation at Howard Community College and through participation in Mock Interview sessions held at several local high schools. These efforts help introduce the next generation to our profession and provide students with practical skills they can use as they prepare to enter the workforce. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time. Stay tuned for future opportunities to share your HR expertise in the community!
New Meeting Location
We held our March meeting at the Maryland Innovation Center, our new meeting location, and it was a success! The space offers a fresh, expanded, technology-supported environment for networking and learning. Not to mention a delicious breakfast catered by Victoria Restaurant Group. Join us in April (and future months as well) at the Maryland Innovation Center on the 3rd Thursday of each month!
Upcoming Meetings
Mark your calendars for our upcoming chapter meetings:
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April 16th: DEI Trends and Best Practices – Diversity, equity, and inclusion remain critical to building strong organizations and fostering cultures where all employees can thrive. This discussion will explore current trends, challenges, and best practices. Register today! SHRM Howard County - Meeting/Event Information
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May 21st: Legislative Update – Stay informed on recent and pending legislation affecting HR professionals and the organizations we support. This is one of our most popular meetings of the year. Secure your spot today! SHRM Howard County - Meeting/Event Information
Career Corner: Upload and share your HR opportunities on the Career Corner section of our website SHRM Howard County - Career Corner.
Get Involved
If you have not yet joined a committee, I encourage you to consider it. Committee involvement is one of the best ways to expand your professional network, develop leadership skills, and shape the direction of our chapter—all while contributing to work that matters to you. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kathy Martin at [email protected] to find out more about opportunities to volunteer on one of our committees!
On behalf of the SHRM Howard County Board, we’re glad to have the opportunity to connect and support you in your HR (or HR-adjacent) journey. Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any questions or feedback.
We look forward to seeing you at our April meeting!
Warm regards,
April Perry
Chapter President, SHRM Howard County
SHRM Howard County Important Info
Join us this September for the SHRM Howard County Fall Conference.
HR is not just supporting change anymore. HR is leading it.
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 8:00a to 1:00p
HR at the Center of Change
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Great speakers
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Breakout sessions
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Practical insights
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Meaningful connections
More details coming soon. Stay Tuned!
Upcoming Events
APRIL MONTHLY MEETING
DEI Trends and Best Practices
Speaker: Mauricio Velásquez
Date: April 16, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Maryland Innovation Center
6751 Columbia Gateway Dr
Columbia, MD 21046
About our Program:
In today’s evolving landscape, organizations are reexamining what Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) looks like in practice and how it continues to shift. This session will explore what’s happening with DEI today and how to build a resilient, “bulletproof” strategy that can adapt to changing expectations while still driving meaningful impact. We will also move into more advanced concepts, including fostering psychological safety and trust, strengthening emotional intelligence, and proactively addressing workplace toxicity. The session will conclude with an open Q&A to discuss challenges, insights, and practical applications.
MAY MONTHLY MEETING
2026 Legislative Update
Speaker: Aisha Massengill
Date: May 21, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Maryland Innovation Center
6751 Columbia Gateway Dr
Columbia, MD 21046
About our Program:
Our annual legislative update is back—by popular demand! Join us for an engaging and insightful session as we break down key developments from the 2026 Maryland Legislative Session. We’ll go beyond the headlines to highlight what these changes mean in practice, equipping you with clear, actionable insights you can bring back to your organization. Whether you're looking to stay compliant, anticipate impacts, or proactively lead through change, you’ll leave with practical tools and strategies to implement in your workplace right away.
FREE JUNE WEBINAR
Job Search Strategies
Speaker: Nomi Schmuckler
Location: virtual
About our Program:
Landing your dream job typically requires effective job search strategies. In this session, you will learn tried and tested methods to having an intentional and organized job search, being prepared, and staying realistic. You will be given tips and critical traps to avoid throughout the interview process from the perspective of a career recruiter and the successful candidate.
Chapter Happenings
Careers in HR Student Engagement
A recent collaboration between SHRM Howard County and Howard Community College brought meaningful engagement to a group of 25 business students through an interactive session on “Careers in HR Student Engagement.”
Led by SHRM Howard County’s College Relations Chair, Nomi Schmuckler, the session featured a candid and engaging discussion on the realities of working as an HR professional. Students had the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions, gain practical insights, and better understand potential career paths within the field of human resources.
Special thanks to Helen Rose, Co-Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence at Howard Community College, for partnering with SHRM Howard County to make this session possible.
We value our continued collaboration with Howard Community College and remain committed to supporting student career development and strengthening workforce readiness within our community.
News from Maryland State Council
MDSHRM Learning Lab:
A New Kind of Diversity: 3 Keys to Turning Generational Friction into High-Performing Teams
Speaker: Kelley Lippenholz, Maxwell Certified Trainer, Speaker and Coach
Location: Virtual
Through humor, real-world examples, and practical tools, participants will learn how to build bridges instead of walls, reduce workplace loneliness, and leverage the strengths of every generation. Instead of managing tension, leaders will walk away equipped to create connection, mentorship across age groups, and cohesive teams that turn generational friction into fuel for innovation and retention. This isn’t a lecture about “kids these days” or “out-of-touch leadership.” It’s a practical roadmap for transforming generational gaps into generational gains.
MDSHRM Annual Conference 2026
2026 MDSHRM Conference Registration: Visit this site: Maryland SHRM State Council, Inc. - Meeting/Event Information Early Bird registrants receive a $100 discount. Make your plans now and let us know if you decide to attend!
D.I.Y. - Diversity In You
7 Steps To Reduce Bias In Your Hiring Process
Unconscious biases are inherent in how we perceive the world, yet their influence can silently undermine our professional judgment and how we engage with a diverse workforce. These biases can have a negative impact on the work environment and the overall profitability of the organization. According to SHRM, research has shown these biases can be unfair and play a disproportionate role in recruiting and hiring decisions. Management teams must be aware of biases and take active steps to remove them from hiring practices and procedures. If not careful and vigilant biases can begin to shape workplace culture, retention, and inclusion. To build a truly inclusive culture, organizations must implement a structured recruitment process—spanning from sourcing to final offers—that prioritizes objective talent over instinctive preference.
Seek To Understand - Initiate conversations throughout the organization about unconscious biases and offer awareness training.
Rework Your Job Descriptions - Review and edit job descriptions to ensure no gendered vocabulary is used.
Review Resumes With An Open Mind - SHRM states that hiring managers and recruiters should not focus on demographics, but instead qualifications and talent.
Give A Work-Sample Test - In this step employers use work-sample tests to drive objectivity. This forces employers to prioritize quality of work, instead of demographics, personality, and appearance.
Standardize Interviews - Employers can standardize questions and use score cards to grade candidates, instead of relying on unconscious biases.
Consider Likability - Employers should assess cultural alignment using a standardized rating scale, ensuring it is evaluated as objectively as other skills.
Set Diversity Goals - Once the hiring process is complete, employers should analyze data to ensure that the previous steps have had a significant impact on diversity goals.
Unconscious bias is a natural human trait, but it doesn't have to dictate your hiring decisions. By auditing your job descriptions, standardizing your interviews, and setting clear diversity goals, you can create a hiring process that is both objective and inclusive. Start applying these seven steps today to ensure that the best talent, regardless of background, has a seat at your table.
Update from SHRM
SHRM Update: Student Membership & Mentorship Opportunities
SHRM has reduced Student Membership to $49 (previously $75), making it easier for students to engage with the HR profession earlier in their academic journey.
Student members gain access to:
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Career path exploration in HR
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Insights on how workplaces operate
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Resources on the evolving world of work
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Connections with HR professionals and the SHRM community
Also available: SHRM Student Mentorship Experiences, in partnership with the SHRM Foundation and Colabl. These programs connect students with industry leaders for structured mentoring and career guidance. Volunteer leaders can participate as mentors.
Learn more or get involved: [email protected]
Career Corner
OPEN HR POSITIONS
If you have HR opportunities that you would like to have us share your current HR openings in our Open Positions Form
Check out these job opportunities:
Director of Total Rewards - EagleBank
Howard County Government HR positions
