LEAD Awards 2018: Interview with Eric Cartaya, FIU, Helping Students to Become International Leaders

Helping Students to Become International Leaders

  Category: Master's Program with Emphasis on HR
  LEAD AWARD RANK: 1
 
  Organization: Florida International University - MS in Human Resource Management
  Program: Master of Science in Human Resource Management
  Program Director: Dr. Marc Weinstein
  Email: weinstei@fiu.edu
  Visit: mshrm.fiu.edu 
 
 

 
Our editorial team interviewed Eric Cartaya from Florida International University at the LEAD2018 Awards this past February. Here are some excerpts from the exclusive interview.
 
What is the overall objective of your program?
The objective of the program is to prepare students to become international leaders in the field of human resources. In the era of globalization, a distinguishing feature of successful organizations is the ability to attract, motivate, and retain talent. The human resource function is at the apex of organizations and effective human resource leaders have a broad range of competencies and business acumen to partner with other leaders to create profitable, ethical, and sustainable organizations. 
 

Who do you impact with your program?
The MSHRM program serves a broad range of constituents. First, the program supports theaspirations of human resource professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge and competency in the field of human resources. Since the founding of the program in 2002, the MSHRM program has enrolled 32 cohorts in its traditional face-to-face format. Beginning in 2012 we introduced a fully on-line version of the MSHRM program, and twelve cohorts have since been enrolled. Another target audience is the fast-growing southern Florida business community. Approximately 80 percent of MSHRM program alumni have remained in Greater Miami area, and graduates have ascended to leadership positions throughout southern Florida. Our graduates also have a strong sense of service that transcends the business interests of their respective organizations. MSHRM program alumni contribute to their community in a number of capacities, including serving in leadership positions in the Greater Miami Society of Human Resource Management (GMSHRM), the Miami Chamber of Commerce, and numerous other civic organizations.Due to strong demand, the MSHRM program is expanding to enroll a new cohort at FIU’s campus in Miramar, Florida. This expansion also includes the introduction of a new part-time option that will allow students a two-your program option in addition to the current one-year full-time format.
 
What are the lessons you’ve learned this year from facilitating your program?
In recent years, we have learned that the excellence in our program is not only the result of the hard work of our faculty and students, but also from our partnerships in the community. These partnerships have led to internship opportunities for our students, the engagement of professionals in our FIU SHRM student chapter, and the inclusion of professionals as guest speakers in our classes. In 2015 and 2016 local HR leaders coached our HR case competition team, and in 2016, only our second year of participation, the MSHRM graduate team won thestate-wide case competition at HR Florida in January 2016. In 2018, the MSHRM graduate team alsowon first place at this event. The value of community partnerships has been further underscored by the successful launch of the annual HR Professional Development conference. This conference offers professional seminars and coaching sessions for HR undergraduate and graduate from throughout Florida. Since 2014 over 30 HR professionals and 15 professional coaches have donated their time to make this event successful. In 2018 the MSHRM program will host a series of workshops led by professionals including a half-day HR Analytics workshop led by Cummins Engines, a Fortune 200 company and a leader in the HR field.Following the workshop, the MSHRM program will sponsor a reception to allow HR students and professionals to network. This workshop and many others sponsored by the MSHRM program are opened to students and professionals from throughout southern Florida
 
How you measure the return on investment and success of the program?
The high levels of satisfaction and success of graduates are clear indicators of success. This is further reflected the large number of applications to our program. At a time when other specialized graduate program in human resources have reported declining enrollments, the number of applications for admission to FIU’s MSHRM program steadily grown, and we now have over 300 application for our limited spaces. Over 90 percent of applicants admitted to the program matriculate to full-time enrollment. Moreover, an increasing number of students are relocating to Miami just to attend our program. We are proud that leading organizations from around the world are now recruiting our students and that many new applicants learn about our program from our graduates. Due to the continued success the program will be expanding to the I-75 Miramar campus and opening a part time option starting Fall 2018, further expanding our capacity to 112 students in our traditional face-to-face program and 56 students in our on-line program
 
What lies ahead for the program and how will it continue to succeed?
Our program was launched in 2002 in a traditional face-to-face format. In 2012 we accepted our first cohort of students into an on-line program that mirrors our traditional program. Our challenge moving forward will to maintain the quality of our program at the same time that we continue to innovate in the classroom and on-line as we incorporate changes in our curriculum to meet the ever-changing demands of the HR profession. We need to do this in a competitive academic market where other leading programs are seeking to attract the best students and faculty. Our success in doing this consistently better each year gives us confidence that we will be able to continue to effectively train future human resource leaders. With the expansion of the program to the Broward location as well as offering a part-time option, we look forward to further partnering with HR associations and organizations throughout the country to continue to increase the quality of our students and offer a quality HR education.