Instructor Spotlight: Paula Harvey
Our spotlight is on SHRM Certification Exam Prep Course instructor, Paula H. Harvey, MBA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, GPHR. Paula is the Vice President of Human Resources and Safety at Schulte Building Systems, Inc., a metal buildings manufacturer, in Hockley, TX. She has more than 35 years’ experience as a HR generalist in the retail, services, construction, and manufacturing industries. She also owned her HR and Safety consulting firm for several years.
In addition to teaching business and leadership topics including the SHRM Learning System as her side gig for Rice University, Paula is an internationally recognized speaker on global and strategic business issues. Her work has been published or appeared in articles on HR topics and she co-authored three books with other HR professionals: What’s Next In Human Resources, Evolution of Human Resources, and Compassion @ Work.
Paula is an active member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and is currently serving on the SHRM Board of Directors and the SHRM Talent Acquisition Panel. She has also served on the SHRM Foundation Board of Directors, the SHRM Membership Advisory Council (MAC), NCSHRM State Director/President and President of Union County HR Association and Charlotte Area SHRM.
Paula earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in International Marketing and Operations Management from the University of Texas at Austin, and her MBA with a concentration in HR Management from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is a past recipient of the NCSHRM HR Professional of the Year, NCSHRM HR Hall of Fame, and NCSHRM HR Humanitarian of the Year awards.
Paula lives in Cypress, TX, a suburb of Houston, with her husband, Kenneth, and their two cats. She enjoys martial arts, church activities, spending time with her grandchildren and traveling all over the globe visiting lighthouses. In 2023 she will start her studies as a Postulant for the Diaconate. She is a member of the All Fifty States club and working on all 7 continents.
What made you decide to become an HR instructor?
I started teaching the SHRM Learning System in 2001 as a way to give back to my profession. The money I earn as an instructor helps to fund the Paula Harvey Undergraduate HR scholarship with the SHRM Foundation.
What’s your favorite aspect of teaching the SHRM Certification Exam Prep Course?
I adore my students and making new HR friends. Many of my closest friends are my past students. Also teaching keeps me up to date in my profession.
What is your teaching philosophy?
There is never a silly question. The HR profession’s body of knowledge is so vast that we can all learn from each other.
What do you hope students will gain after taking your course?
Number one is the knowledge to pass their certification exam. A bi-product of taking a formal course is the network that you will gain with your fellow students.
What are the key concepts you hope students will leave your course with?
I hope that they will become more knowledgeable of what it takes to have a successful career in HR. Hopefully they will gain the tools to make good business decisions for their organizations.
How do you motivate the students in your classroom?
I’m extremely passionate about Human Resources. I’ve been told that my students enjoy my excitement about our profession and that it motivates them to pass their exam.
What is your #1 tip for passing the certification exam?
That it will not be easy. You must take the time to study and do the work, and you will value your efforts.
What are three interesting facts about you outside the classroom?
1. I’m a martial artist and have two blackbelts.
2. My goal in life is passport stamps. I’m a member of the 50 of 50 states club since 2001. Have also visited 53 countries and counting.
3. I speak several languages. Dutch, Spanish and English fluently and a smattering of many more.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
George Zombakis, SHRM-CP, is assistant director for professional and corporate programs at Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies where he manages a growing portfolio of successful face-to-face and online programs including human resource management, paralegal studies, project management, communication, marketing and leadership. Established in 1996, Rice’s Institute for Human Resource Education is the largest producer of certified HR professionals in Texas with pass rates that consistently exceed the national average. Rice University is proud to be a top 20 SHRM exclusive premiere university partner.
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