Dr. E. Lee Felder, Jr., director of Human Resources (HR) at Marywood University was recently elected to the Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA) Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). SHRM is a local resource of excellence for networking, professional development and continued support in Human Resources. NEPA SHRM strives to provide a variety of ongoing professional focused seminars to facilitate the development and guide the direction of the HR field.

Earlier this year, the department of human resources at Marywood University was notified that its proposed proclamation to have a statewide “Human Resources Professionals Week,” was passed in the Pennsylvania House with a vote of 192-0. As a result, “HR Professionals Week” will take place annually in October. The proposal was presented by Dr. E. Lee Felder, Jr., to the Honorable Pennsylvania State Representative, Karen Boback, and was unanimously passed in the House on October 16, 2018.

By being elected to the NEPA Chapter of SHRM and having the proposed proclamation for a statewide “Human Resources Professionals Week” declared, Dr. E. Lee Felder, Jr., believes this serves as the backdrop to not only promote, but to be involved with initiatives to help the broader industry—to mentor students, peers, and to provide leadership. “It helps me to hold true to myself by staying intentionally engaged in the community,” he said.

Dr. E. Lee Felder, Jr., originally from Bryan, Texas, is a veteran who served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years. He received his doctorate in Education from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D., his master of science degree in HR management from Troy University, Montgomery, Ala., and his bachelor of science in education from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

Having a long and dedicated career to both human resources and education, Dr. E. Lee Felder, Jr. has served on many boards and has received numerous awards for his contributions including: Teaching college-level management and HR development as a faculty member of a private university; he was the first minority to fill the role of Aerospace Studies assistant professor in the university program; received the Student Advisor Award; and served in the United Sates Air Force in various locales.  He served as the NATO International Human Resources and Air Operations Officer, where he was responsible for joint air operations and monitoring the Balkans in the aftermath of ethnic-cleansing measures. Prior to coming to Marywood University, Dr. E. Lee Felder, Jr., served as the vice president for Human Resources for the University of South Dakota.

For additional information about Marywood University’s Department of Human Resources, please visit www.marywood.edu/humanresources/index.html.