Margaret Phillips has earned another accolade for her vision and leadership in the field of human resources.

Today (Oct. 23) Phillips, vice president for West Virginia University’s Division of Human Resources, was named HR Professional of the Year by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce today at its 2013 Human Resources Conference in Charleston.

“Each year, the West Virginia Chamber looks for a human resource professional who exemplifies the best of the profession,” said Steve Roberts, Chamber president. “This year our committee chose Margie Phillips for her outstanding professionalism, willingness to help and mentor others and for her service to WVU, our state and to the HR community.

“The committee recognizes the best of an already elite profession and Margie is this year’s logical choice. We join Margie’s friends, family and co-workers in congratulating her for this year’s top award.”

But, as Phillips has done in the past, she refuses to seize all of the credit herself.

It’s the second high-profile honor Philips has received this year; she won the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources’ national award for Excellence in Human Resources Practices.

Upon learning the news of that award, she wrote to HR directors, “I recognize that WVU HR is receiving this award because of your leadership, dedication and creativity, (and) your staffs’ hard work.”

And she once again credits this recognition to the outstanding HR staff at WVU.

“I am deeply grateful to the Chamber for this recognition and realize that it is the entire HR team that has made our department truly exceptional,” Phillips said.

Phillips came to WVU in 1982 as a compensation analyst and served in various positions, including chief of staff to former President David C. Hardesty, Jr., before being named vice president for human resources, a cabinet level position, in 2006.

Under her leadership, the Division has piloted veteran’s recruitment initiatives, winning several recognitions for the efforts; and a comprehensive retirement planning conference attended by more than 300 people.

Among the Division’s other accomplishments in recent years are:

• A new Mountaineer Leadership Academy for directors and an online supervisory training program for 1,600 supervisors.
• A new compensation structure for employees in the non-classified category and a new salary schedule for classified staff
• A new performance management system and management tool.
• An employee wellness program.
• A dual career program for faculty, senior administrators and their trailing spouses and partners.
• A new student employment office to help students fund their education while attending WVU.
• A new client based HR service delivery program that embeds human resources professionals in large colleges and administrative units.
• A new electronic classified employee handbook.
• Creation of an employee remembrance ceremony to recognize employees and retirees who passed away in the previous year.
• A new employment program for WVU retirees seeking temporary employment with WVU called Senior Mountaineer Temps.

-WVU-

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